What a year it’s been at the movies. As 2025 draws to a close, science fiction and event cinema have taken center stage, packing theaters and sparking conversations far beyond the box office. From the return of dormant franchises to the surprise success of original stories, the past twelve months have delivered a cinematic rollercoaster—one that’s been as thrilling for audiences as it has for the industry itself.
According to Collider, 2025 has been a banner year for science fiction films. The genre’s diversity is on full display, with offerings ranging from the action-packed spectacle of Predator: Badlands to the auteur-driven vision of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Each film brought its own flavor, ensuring there was something for every kind of sci-fi fan. But it’s not just the variety that’s made this year special—it’s the unforgettable moments these movies delivered. Whether through white-knuckle action, wild comedic gags, or jaw-dropping plot twists, 2025’s sci-fi movies have carved out scenes that will be remembered for years to come.
Take Predator: Badlands, for example. The film marks the seventh entry in the storied franchise, but it’s anything but stale. This time, audiences follow Dek, an exiled Yautja, as he faces his father Nhjorr in a final showdown. The result? A cathartic, emotionally charged fight that not only delivers on action but also wraps up Dek’s journey with genuine heart. As Collider notes, "Finally learning how to use the characteristics that made him a rejected runt to begin with to his advantage, Dek kills Nhjorr's bodyguards and then defeats him in combat, stating that he has found his own clan." It’s a sequence that reminds fans why they keep coming back to this franchise.
Meanwhile, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash has continued the trend of visual spectacle, but its most memorable scene isn’t a battle—it’s a psychedelic, erotic drug trip. In a moment that’s as bizarre as it is captivating, Varang, leader of the Mangkwan clan, takes Colonel Quaritch on a hallucinogenic journey to test his character. The sequence is "overtly bizarre and psychedelic," according to Collider, and stands out as a testament to the franchise’s willingness to experiment and expand its world-building.
Superheroes haven’t been left behind either. James Gunn’s Superman—the much-anticipated kickoff for the new DC Universe—has been hailed as a gem in a mixed era for comic book movies. Its standout moment? A city-shaking kaiju fight in Metropolis, orchestrated by Lex Luthor to distract the Man of Steel. The battle not only showcases the chemistry of the Justice Gang but also puts Superman’s heroism front and center. And, in a delightful touch, the hero even takes a moment to save a squirrel.
Elsewhere, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie delivered perhaps the year’s wildest stunt: a real-life CN Tower jump in Toronto, capped off by a parachute landing in the middle of a Blue Jays game. It’s a blend of reality, comedy, and mockumentary magic that has audiences both laughing and scratching their heads in disbelief.
But the year’s sci-fi wasn’t all laughs and spectacle. Thunderbolts*, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offered a darker turn. In a harrowing sequence, the villainous Void engulfs New York City in darkness, transforming people into shadows as the Thunderbolts look on, powerless. Collider describes it as "a truly grim scene, particularly by MCU standards," and credits Lewis Pullman’s performance for its chilling impact.
On the horror front, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later proved the zombie genre still has bite. The film’s "Boots" montage—intercutting a causeway walk with British wartime footage and a recitation of Rudyard Kipling’s poem—has been singled out as a powerful, thematically rich moment. As Collider puts it, "Intense and deeply analyzable, this montage packs a hell of a punch."
Of course, it wasn’t just sci-fi and horror that drew crowds. The 2025 Box Office Awards, as reported by IndieWire, recognized a broad range of movies that inspired moviegoing excitement. Sequels and reboots still dominated, but original genre films also made their mark. Sinners, F1, A Minecraft Movie, and Weapons all received nods for their ability to get audiences back into theaters. Notably, A Minecraft Movie pulled off a marketing blitz that saw it gross $958 million worldwide, making it the year’s top domestic earner—at least until Avatar: Fire and Ash potentially overtakes it.
Event releases and re-releases also had a moment in the spotlight. KPop Demon Hunters managed to gross nearly $20 million in a single weekend with a limited theatrical run after its Netflix debut, while the 20th Anniversary re-release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith raked in $25 million its first weekend, proving the enduring power of nostalgia.
Franchise revivals were another theme. Superman didn’t just bring the DC brand back from the brink—it soared, earning over $600 million worldwide, including $354 million domestically. Predator: Badlands also helped restore interest in its long-running series. Danny Boyle’s return to the zombie genre with 28 Years Later was celebrated as a comeback for both the filmmaker and the genre itself.
Marketing ingenuity was on full display, too. A Minecraft Movie partnered with dozens of brands and created interactive campaigns to capture the attention of Gen Z and Alpha audiences. The result? Box office domination, with young fans powering its success.
But it wasn’t just the big-budget blockbusters making waves. Smaller films like One of Them Days and Weapons proved that comedies and horror can still thrive, with the former earning over $50 million on a $14 million budget and the latter grossing $270 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
International productions also had a banner year. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle brought Japanese anime into the US mainstream with $134 million in domestic earnings, while F1 showed the global appeal of Formula 1 racing, taking in 70% of its $631 million gross from international markets.
Not to be overlooked, individual stars and filmmakers were recognized for their ability to inspire audiences. Jack Black, with his cross-generational appeal, shone in A Minecraft Movie, while Michael B. Jordan’s performance in Sinners was singled out as a highlight. Directors like James Cameron (Avatar: Fire and Ash) and Ryan Coogler (Sinners) were acknowledged for their creative leadership and box office prowess.
As the year closes, one thing’s clear: 2025 has been a year of cinematic surprises, comebacks, and unforgettable moments. Whether you were drawn in by a superhero’s heroics, a franchise’s revival, or a daring original, this was a year that reminded everyone of the magic of the movies—and the power they still hold to bring people together, one unforgettable scene at a time.
