io9’s Favorite Replays, Rereads, and Rewatches of 2025

a goofy movie

Okay, so granted it’s because I have a kid now, but hey, I started out as one of those childless millennials who was obsessed with this show. Watching the exploits of the Heeler family over and over again to the point where my daughter’s third word after mom and grandfather was “Baww!” Just different hits. Being a working parent is tough, but it’s extremely inspiring to see healer parents accepting imperfect moments and making the most of their time with their kids through play. Plus, they’re great role models new parents can aspire to be like, but even though we can’t be like them, the show reminds us that we’re doing pretty good. – Sabina Graves

Limit

There are some franchises you just can’t walk away from, and for me, that’s one of them. LimitI jumped back in before 2K released the fourth main game last September border zone 3 And Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands For some good old shoot-and-loot fun. then when border area 4 When it finally came out, I did the exact same thing, but with new Vault Hunters, a new world, and new guns to destroy enemies, and I can’t wait for the DLC to finish so I can do it all again. -Justin Carter

important role

even if mighty nine The animated series was not released recently, I wanted to listen to it again important role The campaign of the same name for the first time after ending in 2021. The arrival of a new campaign with a larger cast in a new world is fun in itself, and I had a good time listening to it – and in NeenCase of, seeing through both of them. -Justin Carter

final fantasy ix

final fantasy ix is my favorite final Fantasy game of all time, so managing to shed a tear between its 25th anniversary this year and my favorite little black mage Vivi Magic the GatheringFor a few months into the meta, I knew I had to play again, no matter how far I made it in the game (I don’t have time for regular 100+ hour JRPGs like I did as a kid). It was a joy to immerse myself in its fascinating fantasy world again, to re-experience the arcs of characters like Freya, Zidane, and Dagger, and to immerse myself in the craziness of it all again. We may still be waiting for that long-rumored remake, but I’m more than happy to jump on Gaia from time to time, as it was on the original PlayStation. -James Whitbrook

halo

The allure of Xbox’s shooter franchise will always stick with me, even in its darkest moments. i spent half a year playing Hello Anant Continuing on to 2025, Team Slayer, Objective and Firefight keep jumping and blasting through the clocks like it was the Xbox 360 days again. After my Game Pass was all finished, I got a little carried away with this red vs blue Bugs and parts of a major contributor revisited halocontinues to exist. It’s a short, but meaningful return to the formative parts of my childhood, and a trip down memory lane that’s mostly worth taking. -Justin Carter

Hunter x Hunter

I’ve reached the point in my life where, with rare exceptions, I’m unlikely to venture into a big tentpole shonen anime of the new age. I’m one of those people who spent my time watching the Big Three (a piece, NarutoAnd bleach) when they came out and there wasn’t time to add another huge, season-long epic to my rotation when I could otherwise be checking out new, digestible (non-shonen) series. That being said, I always find time to spin the block like an absolute classic Hunter x Hunter When I can experience it firsthand through my friends (which I certainly did this year). Revisit Yorknew City and the Chimera Ant Ark in 2025? Don’t feel bad if I do this. – Isaiah Colbert

kill La kill

Second verse, similar to the first: Another anime series that I have no problem adding to my queue year after year is Studio Trigger kill La killIn many ways, Trigger is arguably my favorite anime studio if I really sit down and think about it, it has a lot to do with kill La kill Reviving my love of anime, watching it in high school after the medium became a passion of my past. like gainax Gurren Lagann It was a celebration of the mecha genre. kill La kill That and then some for the magical girl genre. It’s fiery, goofy, bombastic, rebellious, and packed with a surprising amount of heart beneath all its scantily clad visual gags. Plus, its soundtrack still rocks even after all these years. – Isaiah Colbert

The Last Starfighter

I’ve written a lot about this iconic 1984 classic, but at the time, it was mostly based on home viewing. In 2025, I may have been lucky enough to see The Last Starfighter on the big screen for the first time in 40 years. And it not only cemented that spot in what was already one of my favorite movies, but it showed how imagination and ingenuity have been long forgotten in Hollywood. This story was so ahead of its time, so brilliant, so funny and exciting that it gave me hope for all the things that movies can and should be. – German Lussier

neuromancer

There is a stir about the arrival of Apple TV neuromancer The adaptation reminded me that I haven’t picked up that book in years and can barely remember everything that happens in it. First released in 1984, the edition I read again was a 2000 release which featured an introduction by author William Gibson that satirically comments on the book’s legacy. His pioneering work in what we now know as “cyberpunk” still feels daring and original. High-tech heist and the surrounding mystery that leads to neuromancer‘s story is undeniably thrilling, but the real joy comes in its worldbuilding, creating a grim, unsettling version of the future that feels even scarier within reach. -Cheryl Eddy

stand with me

There were several great, new Stephen King adaptations in the year 2025 (long walk, chuck’s lifeetc.) But this year I find myself feeling arguably the best I have ever been. This 1986 masterpiece from Rob Reiner is a movie we’ve all seen and probably all love. But look at it again. It’s shocking how beautiful and emotional the film is, and how much Renner and his cast were able to get away with all that stuff decades ago. It’s a raw, vulgar film that uses things that still ring true to create authenticity. – Germain Lussier

Star Trek: Voyager

rewatch a star trek The show is one of my favorite past times, and with sailor Celebrating its 30th this year, it was a pleasure to go back to its inaugural season earlier this year for both work and pleasure. perhaps more than any other Travel show, sailor The first few seasons struggle a lot to convey the potential of its captivating premise – when it hits, it HITSprovide some top class TravelBut more often than not, sailorThis is a show where there’s charm in its mishaps or the sense of never living up to the strength of its ideas. However, that’s why I like it so much: a show that tries is better than one that doesn’t even try. -James Whitbrook

stranger things 3

starcourt battle got really strong stranger things As a show of this generation. Kids were growing up, the action was thrilling, and the supernatural stakes were so high in a summer that Netflix took over. I remember this fall on the Fourth of July, going to Baskin-Robbins for USS Butterscotch (even better than the official branded ones that came out later) and going home to binge. The year 2019 was such a time, and how we took a turn that our world was turning upside down on itself. I think that’s why rewatching it before season five hits, because that season reflected our high expectations and how we’re moving into a time where, like Hawkins’ heroes, we may have to band together more tightly to overcome what’s next. – Sabina Graves

thirst

With my love of vampire media and getting back with my GOAT Park Chan-woo no other choice This Christmas, I felt the annual desire to remember an oddity of his filmography: thirstUnlike his Holy Vengeance Trilogy, thirst It’s a rare twist on the supernatural, in which a priest (played by Song Kang-ho) is turned into a vampire and finds himself romancing the wife of his best friend (played by Kim Ok-bin). villain fame, which you should also check out). I appreciate the film. It’s deliciously catty, sensually erotic, and poignantly meditative on the thrills and pitfalls of satisfying one’s longing. – Isaiah Colbert

thriller

my family picked up a box set thriller This year, a show I’d never heard of before aired in the UK from 1973 to 1976. Not every entry is supernatural – devil worshipers occasionally pop up – but many are, and as the title suggests, each episode puts its main character (either hapless or worthy, depending on the setup) in grave danger. Serial killers, evil twins, stalkers, certified weirdos… you meet all kinds of funny people thrillerWhich has very “movie of the week” production values ​​- including jarring breaks that let you know when you’ve reached the end of acts one and two – but it also brings out all sorts of recognizable stars. It stars a young Helen Mirren as a woman coming up with an elaborate plan to expose a dastardly killer, and Denholm Elliott as a man who turns the tables on a pair of escaped convicts who choose exactly the wrong house to burglarize. -Cheryl Eddy

turn on a gundam

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