Below you’ll find the io9 team’s pop culture Thanksgiving topics for 2025, from shows to movies, games to books, and more, plus why we like them so much that we think 2025 is worth bringing forward.
internal management and
It’s hard to imagine that modern electricity could cause lightning. star warsGiven the quality of the above-ground view we’ve seen from the galaxy far, far away recently, there was a lot internal management andThis year’s second season is going to give something as amazing as its first season. Not only did it work, but in some ways it managed to surpass its predecessor with a timely, horrifying, and yet entirely optimistic tale of resistance and tragedy, ending one of the greatest stories of all time. star wars It has been woven across generations. Thank you for your service, Cass. -James Whitbrook
Foreigner And predator
Often when Hollywood gets its hands on a beloved franchise, it ruins it. The list is too long to mention. But, this year, we saw that the opposite can also be true. Artists can come, understand and upgrade that content. And so we’re grateful to Noah Hawley alien: earthbut a shocking twist Foreigner franchise, and Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of killers And Predator: BadlandsTwo completely different, but equally amazing spins predatorEach is proof that franchise IP can, thankfully, still surprise and thrill us just like the original, – Germain Lussier
Apple TV Sci-Fi Shows
What can we say? We are crazy about almost every sci-fi show that comes out on this streamer. separationThe second season begins in 2025 and becomes our full-fledged personality; We spent all summer spreading the gospel foundation And murderbotAnd now, all we can do is talk about what Carole is up to PluribusIt is also home to Apple TV for all Mankind, silo, Emperor: Legacy of Demons, Sugar, dark matterAnd really all the other streamers should be embarrassed with how far behind they all are. However, sci-fi fans were thoroughly treated to a treat this year, and for that we’re excited, grateful, and ready for more. -Cheryl Eddy
the Muppets
sure, we lost Muppet*Vision 3-D at Disney World earlier this year, but when have the Muppets ever been known to accept defeat of any kind? Never, and it’s up to Miss Piggy’s karate skills and Kermit’s leadership. There’s nothing they can’t accomplish with a little song and a big showstopper, and that’s what we’re getting. Jim Henson’s Muppets turn 70 this year and the Muppets TV special is gearing up for a big comeback with co-stars Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen and Electric Mayhem being featured on Walt Disney World’s Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and a sneak peek at Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence and Tony winner Cole Escola’s Miss Piggy vehicle feature film. (one piece)then put it Muppet Christmas Carol To give us another sleepover until their biggest year yet. – Sabina Graves
Claire Obscure: Campaign 33
If you managed to get into it without a mountain of propaganda and anti-propaganda in your mind, campaign 33 Definitely one of the best games and best surprises of 2025. The fantastic turn-based combat and characters, coupled with an unmistakable French aesthetic all add up to an enjoyable experience, and it should be a launch point for further exploration into the RPG genre, turn-based or otherwise. -Justin Carter
kamen rider zzzz
More Kamen Rider This is always a good thing. But being able to listen to new episodes in a live stream with a group of fans every Saturday night before bed is the ultimate “let’s go out and play” activity that will transport you back to the halcyon days of your childhood. and we are so Back. – Isaiah Colbert
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX
Whether or not GQuuuuuuXRemix of Classic gundam Finally clicked with you by the end of it, was totally ecstatic about getting another chance gundam The show drops bombs every week to set fans on fire with theory building and speculation. From the moment its audacious premise became clear, GQuuuuuuX It was going to take us all on a wild ride, whether we came out on the other side loving it or hating it. Besides my fellow giant robot lovers, there are a few other fans with whom I look forward to discussing and debating week after week. See you all next time Hathaway, -James Whitbrook
Hades II
Sequels are difficult in any medium, especially when the original is so unique, beautiful, and perfect. But this year, Hades II Access was released quickly, and it brought us great joy. We’re grateful that the team at Supergiant Games created a game we want to play again and again. Because that’s really the point. – Germain Lussier
sinners
It’s that time of year again when awards talk gets into full swing in Hollywood, and horror is almost always left out of the conversation. Thanks, not so this year sinnersDespite being released in April, Ryan Coogler’s gorgeous, brutal vampire tale – fueled by a tale that looks at both the ugly and triumphant aspects of American history through a magical, musical lens – is as memorable as ever, sinners has long established itself as a critical and commercial hit; Any Oscar would be icing on the cake. Still, we sympathize with Coogler and Co. and we’re grateful for sinners offered a sharp reminder that horror can hold just as much power as any other genre. -Cheryl Eddy
kpop demon hunter
Sony Animation’s Netflix sleeper hit has become the biggest phenomenon of the year, following a year of massive decline where animation has taken several steps backward in terms of representation at other major studios. Proving that timeless stories can still be found in diverse and adventurous projects, kpop demon hunter It subverted previous expectations in the industry to show that people wanted more than the status quo. With catchy Kpop music, gorgeous animation, female-led action, and rich supernatural lore, Hunter/X shows everyone how it’s “done, done, done.” – Sabina Graves
day and day
In the sea of anime adaptations of well-known manga, Science Saru continues to elevate the medium by truly adapting the work and making it its own with season two. Be it its use of kaleidoscopic colors, its side-splitting dialogue in English or Japanese, or its balance of gentle romance and bombastic action, day and day Just a joy. – Isaiah Colbert
Matt Murdock returns to TV
What a year it’s been for Marvel’s hornheads. Daredevil: Born Again‘A little shaggy, but Charlie Cox’s take on Matt Murdock is just as charming as it was a decade ago, whether he’s a lawyer or a crazy man in fights. It was fun to have him be a part of it too marvel rival Rooster, and he finished the year with a book celebrating its 60-year history. with more born again And there’s a new comic coming out, well worth the wait Matt. -Justin Carter
World of Warcraft: Legion Remix
As someone who missed a lot world of WarcraftAs of the most recent expansion, it was actually going to take a lot of time to get back to Azeroth (especially after coming to play so many great games). While my initial intrigue was piqued by the revelation of midnight Returning us to the brilliantly renovated Quethlas, I fell in love with warcraft Thanks again for visiting Timey-Wimmy Legion RemixA jaw-dropping review of 2016’s beloved expansion. Flying over the Broken Isles as an insanely powerful demon hunter just didn’t prepare me for going back to class. midnight But let me relive the memories of playing through one of these Very goodIts greatest stories were as if they were brand new. -James Whitbrook
brad hill
Every month, artist Brad Hill releases new unique pop culture figurines. They are extremely limited and it is not always possible to purchase them, but they give us something to look forward to and look forward to. We are grateful for this. We’re also grateful that he got an incredible solo show earlier this year and for his work overall. Hill’s sculptures are vivid examples of how art, even in the most unexpected, strange and often small forms, can be inspiring and joyful. – Germain Lussier
a knight of the seven kingdoms
if everyone is reading a song of ice and fire The books feel heavy, and the family history is scrutinized. fire and blood It feels like George R.R. Martin has a lot of Targaryens crammed into one place a knight of the seven kingdoms The perfect Westeros side quest. Three interconnected stories follow the adventures of Dunk (an ambitious and very tall hedge knight) and his scrappy squire Egg, whose shaved head hides a royal lineage, his proud mouth sometimes threatening to betray. with game of Thrones and still continuing dragon house With Martin’s more expansive, multi-perspective fantasy epics coming to life on HBO, we’re thankful the network has decided theirs is also smaller-scale, but no less delightfully entertaining. seven kingdoms Screen-worthy—to boot, arriving early next year. -Cheryl Eddy
Chainsaw Man: Rage Arc
We may not have any word on a second season of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s magnum opus, but this film far exceeds all expectations for what a film adaptation of one of the manga’s most introspective and heart-touching arcs could be. The music, framing, animation and overall presence of this film deserves appreciation for years to come. How spoiled we have become! – Isaiah Colbert
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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