It’s the holiday season once again, Supa-Fans, and this year has gone by Superman-fast! 2025 has been a bonanza of pop culture brilliance across film, TV, gaming, reading literature and more.

The past 12 months marked the launch of new and mega-successful IPs, such as the turn-based gaming extravaganza Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the genre-bending vampire horror flick Sinners, as well as the triumphant return of much-beloved franchises like Donkey Kong and Wednesday. There was constantly something deliciously new or familiar for lovers of pop culture to savour.

With so much to choose from, what satisfied the appetite of Supanova’s writing team the best? Was it the much-anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2, or maybe something unexpected? Let’s find out together as we discuss our 2025 favourites and our most anticipated releases of 2026!

ASHLEY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Superman. I’m a massive DC fan, and comic book fan in general, and it just felt so good to see a movie fully embrace its roots without a hint of embarrassment or cynicism. More than that though, and this might sound melodramatic, but it felt like an important movie. It reminded us that there’s strength in kindness and power in embracing our humanity, flaws included. I was personally inspired to better myself, and I know I wasn’t the only one.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Supergirl. The DCU hit the ground running with Creature Commandos, Superman and Peacemaker, so I want to see that momentum continue with its next cinematic instalment. Plus, come on, Milly Alcock had one heck of an introduction as the Maid of Might in the final moments of Superman, so of course I want to see more of her.

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

My most anticipated release for this year was Superman, so I think it’s safe to say those anticipations were exceeded. I’ve watched it four times so far and it still makes me grin like an idiot each and every time.

AUSTIN (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

The Long Walk. The movie was an emotional and tense rollercoaster filled with amazing performances.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Lanterns. I’m looking forward to seeing a new take on the Green Lantern Corps, especially in the context of a pristine HBO series.

First teaser for ‘LANTERNS’.

Releasing in 2026 on HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/DXJuYNtrXH

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) December 12, 2025

DAN (MANAGING EDITOR & SCREEN INDUSTRY OUTREACH)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie. I’ve been waiting for this movie since the second season of Nirvanna The Band The Show aired in 2017, and it was glorious. Basically, it’s a comedy about two life-long friends, Matt and Jay, who play in a band called Nirvanna The Band and are trying to get a gig at their local Canadian venue. In the film, one of their brilliant schemes goes wrong and they end up in their own version of Back To The Future. It had its Australian premiere at SXSW Sydney this year and will have a theatrical release around Australia in February.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Nirvanna The Band The Show season three. Seriously, check it out!

GABRIELLA (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Superman. Now, I am by no means a DC fan. I swore my allegiance to Marvel long ago when my older sibling dropped a box of comics in my lap and told me what’s what. But after hearing a few good reviews of the new Superman, I thought I may as well give it a try. Superman specifically seemed overrated to me, overpowered, and morally boring. But this year’s Superman basically proved every conception of the hero I had wrong. It was brimming with heart, it taught me for the first time WHY Superman fans are so ride or die for this hero. It reminded me of old school Marvel, it reminded me of what makes a hero a hero, it reminded me that good doesn’t always have to be cliche. It lifted my heart in a way many needed this year. It was a technicolour amalgamation of everything that makes hero movies so loveable. And Mr. Terrific and Krypto were simply delightful. Maybe allegiances don’t matter anymore – a good movie is simply a good movie.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Return To Silent Hill. You could call me cautiously optimistic for this new release. Silent Hill, simply through imagery and general vibe, is always successfully iconic. Any movie returning to its sneaking haunts is likely to see some buzz. I’m hoping to see some focus on how guilt, trauma, and all the bad parts of a person become what plagues you in Silent Hill. Real character depth. 20 years after the first film, we’re in much need of a Silent Hill return to screen.

KRISTY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Thunderbolts*. The film went deep on mental health in some surprising and interesting ways, and the team became one of the best examples of the ‘found family’ trope in recent memory. By the end, it really feels like they have earned the title of New Avengers.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Avengers: Doomsday. I’m a big Marvel fan, and I’m just really looking forward to finally getting a new Avengers film.

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

Thunderbolts* was my most anticipated release, and it was everything I was expecting and more. I can’t wait to see more of these characters in Doomsday.

MADDIE (COMMUNICATIONS)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Another fandom-light year, but 2025’s winner has to be Sinners! Ryan Coogler’s vampiric southern gothic was a breath of fresh air for the genre, expertly blending its mythical horrors with those of its 1930s historical setting. Michael B. Jordan delivered not one but two career-best performances as the film’s charismatic twin leads, opposite standouts Wunmi Mosaku and Jack O’Connell, accompanied by a bluesy soundtrack with definite bite. 

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

I’ve been keen for Zak Hilditch’s upcoming homegrown horror since the director first spoke about the film at Novalaide in 2024. After screening at last month’s Brisbane International Film Festival, I’m beyond excited for the February release of We Bury the Dead, starring Star Wars icon Daisy Ridley. Zak’s filmography is packed full of brutal psychological think pieces, with his latest set to be no exception, stay tuned for what the Supanova Team thought of the film in the new year!

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

Mickey 17. It was a big year in dual roles, with Bong Joon Ho’s big screen take dishing the auteur’s signature dystopian laughs via Robert Pattinson’s titular character(s). As a massive fan of the director, his previously delayed 2025 offering lived up to the hype, though perhaps not reaching the heights of his critically acclaimed previous works, Okja and Parasite.

POKE (AV DEPARTMENT)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Dispatch. Telltale is (technically) back, baby! Superhero ‘man in the chair’ support simulator, combined with the incredible writing and storytelling from the ex-Telltale dev team, and an amazing voice cast? Absolutely 11/10 I want more asap.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Avengers: Doomsday. Seeing if Marvel can continue the course-correction that began with Thunderbolts* this year, Avengers: Doomsday is definitely going to be an interesting (and possibly divisive) one to watch. If it keeps that Holiday 2026 spot, that is.

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

Monster Hunter Wilds was fine, I suppose. Was a whole lot of fun to play, but it really pushed the limits and suffered a little bit as a result. Not as ‘spend every waking minute playing’ as World/Iceborne was though.

TC (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Murderbot. 2025 delivered some of the best films and TV shows in a long while, and it’s hard to pick a favourite. As always, though, I tend to favour those that take me by complete surprise. Having never read the original All Systems Red and the other Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, I didn’t know what to expect, and Alexander Skarsgård’s titular security unit left me in stitches.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. Greta Gerwig’s take on the Chronicles of Narnia is something that has piqued my interest since it was first announced, and it’ll be interesting to see what she conjures for Netflix. Fingers crossed, it gives us the start of a new series of movies that will be seen through to completion.

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

My most anticipated pick this time last year was Superman, and it did not disappoint. In fact, all three entries in the new DCU, including Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season 2, blew me away and were all close to being named my number 1 picks – I always expected them to be good, though, and Murderbot won purely because of its unexpectedness.

THEODORA (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Superman. I was sceptical of the hype around the film, but when I got the chance to go to the movies to watch it, well, it’s safe to say all my scepticism was blown out of the water. While there might be some weak spots, it didn’t bother me as it was such a fun film to sit through. Excellent casting; I don’t know why I doubted Nicholas Hoult’s ability to play Lex Luthor. Honourable mentions to the horror genre, killing it this year with Weapons and Bring Her Back.

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Season 2 of The Pitt. Have you watched Season 1 of The Pitt? The single-shift story structure for the season was honestly a brilliant idea. Each episode was an hour of the shift, filling the episode’s runtime. Binging the season stressed me out, making me feel the tension of a day shift in an ER. Looking forward to the stories they will explore in their new shift for Season 2.

WILLIAM (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2025?

Weapons. From Mickey 17 to Sinners, Superman, Black Phone 2, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, and Wicked: For Good, there are so many cinematic bangers to choose from! The winner, for blowing away all my expectations with its superb, twisty plot and hair-raising suspense, is Weapons. Director Zach Cregger gave us an exceptional horror film for the ages!

What release are you most excited for in 2026?

Resident Evil. Not much is known about Cregger’s Resident Evil film (hopefully it doesn’t get pushed back to 2027), but I’m on board for this hype train! I feel like he’ll deliver the goods for us Resident Evil fans.

How did your most-anticipated 2025 release stack up?

Tron: Ares was the visual spectacle with an electrifying soundtrack I was hoping for! I would’ve preferred the original Tron 3 (Tron: Ascension) plot, though. I long for a fourth instalment featuring the return of the MCP, Quorra and Sam Flynn. As you can see, I am very excited for Garrett Hedlund‘s upcoming Supanova appearances!

What about you, Supa-Fans? How do the team’s 2025 stack up against your own end-of-year lists? From all of us at Supanova, here’s wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas. We can’t wait to see you in the New Year!