2025 has been an amazing year to be geek; we are living in a renaissance of science-fiction and fantasy film and television, as well as incredible horror books and films.
From the groundbreaking Sinners to the incredible Alien: Earth, there have been some fantastic releases this year. Surprisingly, none of them have been cancelled (yet!), which has to be a first – maybe studios are beginning to listen to their fans?
As the year comes to a close, the Geek Pride team come together to choose their highlights of the year, without falling out with each other (so far…)
Best film
Matt – Predator Badlands
A predator film that isn’t a predator film. It turns things on its head and the protagonist is a predator. It’s not cheesy, just funny. It’s not broody and dark, but heartwarming, and I loved it. A complete switch up and exactly what the series needed.
Pete – Thunderbolts*
At a time when superhero films are becoming increasingly formulaic, along comes a Marvel film that presents an innovative metaphor for depression. The protagonists are compellingly flawed and the story explores more of the politics underpinning the Marvel cinematic universe.
Ada – Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* was a film that I was looking forward to and it did not disappoint. With some of my favourite Marvel characters, funny moments and plenty of action, Thunderbolts is definitely a 5-star film.
Jonjo – Weapons
I went into the cinema knowing so little about the film, but loved every second. The movie begins with the disappearance of all but one child from a classroom in the middle of the night. Strong acting from Julia Garner, Josh Brolin and Amy Madigan sells this as my film of the year.
Josh – Nobody 2
The first film was brilliant. After watching Bob Odenkirk in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, to see him switch it up as the Assassin Hutch Mansell was beautiful. The first film came out in 2021 and I was hoping we’d get a sequel, and it did not disappoint me at all! More action, more drama, more trying to be a happy family!
Best Series
Pete – Interview with the Vampire
I have been a fan of Anne Rice since my teenage years, so I was excited to watch Interview with the Vampire when it arrived on Netflix. The series made several changes, but the actors nailed their characters perfectly and I cannot wait for the next season.
Ada – Stranger Things
The release of the final season at the end of this year prompted me to watch the series again. It is a masterpiece of writing and acting, and definitely best watched with friends or family; I am enjoying it much more this time, because even the weaker plot moments become something to talk and laugh about.
Jonjo – King Of The Hill (Season 14)
Set eight years after its original ending, we return to Arlen, Texas. Over the course of ten episodes, we get to see The Hills return from Saudi Arabia to a USA changed by COVID, technology and ways of life. This being the last work for both Johnny Hardwick (Dale) and Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn) is sad, but at least they both got one last time to bring these iconic characters to life.
Josh – Reacher (Season 3)
This is an adaptation from Book 7 “Persuader” of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. This time Reacher has to go undercover for the DEA to bring down Zachary Beck, while encountering an adversary from his military past. Ritchson imbues the physicality of Jack Reacher to deliver hard-hitting action and the ever-imposing responses from Reacher.
Best Game
Matt – Europa Universalis 5
Paradox games are notoriously complicated and there have been many that have completely overwhelmed me. In Europa Universalis 5, players are dropped into the largest most complicated game they have and thrust into the 100 years war. It’s huge and complicated, but it’s forgiving in its own way and I love it!
Pete – Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
If a game ever suffered from hype and a protracted development cycle, which included changing development teams, it would have to be Bloodlines 2. The original Bloodlines was a product of its time, but so is the sequel and it’s all the better for it. Times have changed; Bloodlines 2 may not be the game we wanted, but it is definitely the game we needed.
Ada – Star Wars: Outlaws
I received this game for Christmas last year and I spent months completing the game and going on side-quests, even after I finished the main storyline. What draws me to this game is the freedom you have over the character of Kay Vess, whilst being immersed in the Star Wars universe. I would highly recommend this video game to anyone that enjoyed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Jonjo – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
A lot of people wrote the original off as a walking simulator, but I saw something different. It has intriguing gameplay, a world which felt more at home following Covid and one of the most upsetting endings in gaming history. DS2 picks up shortly after the original and Kojima gave everything to this game.
Josh – Doom: The Dark Ages
A game series I love as much as Dungeons & Dragons – I even have the Doom slayer mark as a tattoo. The previous Doom and Doom Eternal were exactly the escape fans of this genre of game needed. Now we have shields with chainsaws, giant titan mechs and a fur cape.
Best Book
Matt – The Devils, by Joe Abercrombie
Set in a fantasy version medieval Earth, the pope has created a team of “devils” (a werewolf, a vampire, a necromancer and others) to do the papal bidding; escorting the heir to the throne of Troy back to their city. A great book with outrageous characters, interspersed with winding plots and shocking moments. So good that they might even be making it into a film!
Pete – Judge Dredd: A Better World, by Rob Williams and Arthur Wyatt, with Henry Flint
2000AD’s Judge Dredd has always had a political slant as a parody of totalitarian policing, but A Better World brings this to the fore with a harrowing tale of how a policy for social welfare threatened those in power and what they could do to stop it. A Better World may be set in the world of Judge Dredd, but the themes resonate with the here and now.
Ada – The Queen of Nothing, by Holly Black
The third book in Holly Black’s Folk of the Air trilogy was released several years ago, but I have been focused on reading classics for university, so have not read many newer books. However, this book stands out because of its amazing writing that perfectly encapsulates the beautiful fantasy world of Faerie.
Jonjo – The Impossible Fortune, by Richard Osman
Having only started The Thursday Murder Club last year, I found myself going through the first four books in no time. A new mystery unravels following the wedding of Joyce’s daughter Joanna. Murder, money and laughs ensue in this fifth outing. The writing is still at a high level and each character feels like someone you’ve known for a lifetime.
Josh – A Forest of Vanity and Valour, by A.P. Beswick
The author’s concept for his first novel was conceived as a nightly ritual of crafting bedtime stories for his children. A Forest of Vanity and Valour is the first book in Beswick’s folklore-inspired fantasy saga. It is dark and fast paced story, with a strong redemption arc. I thoroughly enjoyed his first book and I have already started the second.
Best Event
Matt – UK Games Expo
It’s my go-to event and it is hard to beat at the minute. This year’s was so big that Pete and I didn’t get around it all in a single day. A triumph for the UK tabletop convention scene and one I look forward to every year.
Pete – As Night Falls: The Auction
This year has been filled with amazing events, from Sci-Fi Weekender to the Dracula Conference, but my favourite has to be As Night Falls: The Auction; a vampire live roleplay (LARP) in a gothic stately home, which I co-created as part of Mythic Echoes. I was a bag of nerves on the day, but everyone enjoyed themselves and looked amazing.
Ada – As Night Falls: The Auction
I loved the LARP because not only did I try something new, I also made so many new friends. As a volunteer for this event, I know that, from the story and location to the props and lighting, everything was carefully planned to create a really enjoyable and immersive experience for everyone.
Jonjo Cosgrove – Wile E Coyote vs. Acme news
Warner Bros have dropped several films before release in recent years, but we are finally pulling one of the “write offs” out of the vault. In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired the distribution rights for Coyote vs. Acme, and later revealed a release date for next year. If we can get this film from the vault of WB, we may one day see that Batgirl movie?
