Honorable mention: Dungeon Crawler Carl (book)
Including this one is sort of cheating, because Dungeon Crawler Carl is NOT a new series that launched in 2025. However, I started reading it for the first time this year, and it helped rocket me out of a reading slump. It also helped me rediscover my love for books after a difficult year filled with personal challenges.
Basically it’s about an average guy (Carl) who survives the apocalypse by entering “The Dungeon” — a ridiculous video game/reality show created from the ruins of Earth by not-so-benevolent aliens. His companion is Princess Donut, a pampered cat who gains the ability to speak and becomes Carl’s loyal but sassy companion during their quest to survive the deadly dungeon crawl.
This book series is one of the wildest, weirdest things I’ve ever read, and it frequently makes me laugh out loud. On the flip side, it also manages to weave in some profound reflections on humanity and the importance of compassion in the face of senseless violence. I have no idea how author Matt Dinniman plans to wrap up this series, but I’m definitely along for the ride.
10. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (movie)
I did not have time to write up a full review on this Netflix movie, but it has earned a spot on my year-end list. Daniel Craig’s detective Benoit Blanc actually takes a backseat on this whodunit, yielding the stage to Josh O’Connor as Father Jud, a former boxer and young priest. While of course there is a compelling mystery from Rian Johnson at the center of this film, Father Jud is its heart and soul, thanks to O’Connor’s wonderful performance of a priest’s quiet faith and his compassionate pursuit of justice.
9. Eternity (movie)
This year, I started the habit of going to see a movie every Sunday night. It has become one of my favorite weekly traditions, a chance to close out the weekend and re-center before the start of the work week. It also has given me a chance to experience some smaller films outside the heavily-promoted big-budget blockbusters. One of those was Eternity, a moving film about a woman who has passed away and now must choose who she wishes to spend her eternity with: her first husband who died in a war at a young age, or her second husband, who she built a life and family with. It’s not an easy decision, and there are a few twists before the movie arrives at its bittersweet ending.
8. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (movie)
I was so worried about this movie — especially since I’ve been feeling a little “meh” about the Marvel Cinematic Universe of late. However, I was so relieved to find that this movie was, well, fantastic! I loved the retro-futuristic setting, and Galactus was a fitting villain. I still don’t have full confidence in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, but I do know that I want to see more of the Fantastic Four in the MCU.
7. Roofman (movie)
As the saying goes, sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction. Such is the case with Roofman, inspired by the true story of a man who escaped from prison and found shelter living in a Toys “R” Us. Channing Tatum’s performance anchors this movie; as a character, Jeffrey Manchester is both heartbreaking and infuriating. This is one of the most thoughtful and human stories I have watched all year.
6. Strange New Worlds: Season 3 (TV)
As someone whose favorite thing about Star Trek is the Original Series characters, I have fallen completely in love with Strange New Worlds and Captain Pike and crew. Season 3 had some ups and downs (“Terrarium” is top level Trek storytelling, but I’m not necessarily on board for the Spock and La’An ship). Still, watching this show brings me so much joy, and I am always ready to see more.
5. FI (movie)
I don’t know much about Formula 1 racing, but I loved this old-fashioned summer blockbuster about fast cars and big personalities. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris were great as a veteran racer and up-and-coming star who have to learn how to work as a team. This movie was a lot of fun, and I got a kick out of watching it on the big screen.
4. The Accountant 2 (movie)
It always feels like a special treat when a sequel is even better than the original, and this was the case (at least for me!) with The Accountant 2. Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal have great chemistry as a pair of brothers in this entertaining action/adventure flick. Plus, there is a scene towards the end of the film featuring Bernthal rescuing a cat that thoroughly charmed me.
3. Thunderbolts (movie)
The MCU’s Thunderbolts was not exactly a runaway box office success. Still, it was a film that I dearly loved, and it’s one of my favorite MCU movies in a long while. While these characters may not be A-list superheroes like Iron Man or Captain America, this film does a wonderful job exploring their trauma and growth both as individuals and as a team. I was genuinely moved by this movie, and I hope we see these characters again.
2. Sunrise on the Reaping (book)
Prequels have a mixed track record of success, but Suzanne Collins’ latest Hunger Games novel is the perfect example of a prequel done right. The book portrays Haymitch Abernathy’s experiences in the arena (the character played by Woody Harrelson in the original movies). This book was heartbreaking, infuriating, and wonderfully plotted, and I was hooked from start to finish.
1. KPop Demon Hunters (movie)
I did not expect to love this movie. I did not expect to even watch this movie. But a recommendation spurred me to give it a try, and now I have watched it about a million times so far this year (OK, that’s an exaggeration, but my kids love this movie too and ask to watch it all the time). The animation is incredible, the characters are fun, and the music is infectiously catchy.
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