Movies and TV shows that defined 2025: Wicked, Amy Bradley Is Missing & more
By Melody Rivera The MIRROR
Hollywood has been booked and busy over the past year, releasing movies and tv shows that has had everyone buzzing.
Over the past year, many theatergoers and binge-watchers have been on the edge of their seats watching enticing documentaries, like Amy Bradley is Missing, and spellbinding musicals, like Wicked: For Good. The most noteworthy hits have even stirred some drama off the screen, reigniting old feuds and forming “deep bonds” between co-stars.
As the year comes to a close and fans say a bittersweet goodbye to a few shows and movies, here is a look at 10 projects that defined 2025.
Wicked: For Good
It’s no surprise that Wicked: For Good starts off this list. The second movie captivated audiences worldwide, bringing in $470 million during the opening weekend. It set the record as the biggest Broadway musical film opening ever. After watching the film, many flocked to social media with their theories and praises of stars like Ethan Slater, who depicted Boq, also known as the Tin Man. The film has already received a few nominations for the upcoming award season as well.
Happy Gilmore 2
The release of Happy Gilmore 2 brought in new and old fans of the hit 1996 film. Of course, Adam Sandler returned as the lead. However, this time he brought together what appeared to be all of Hollywood in cameos. Within the two hours of the Netflix film, stars like Bad Bunny, Post Malone, Eminem, Travis Kelce, and Ben Stiller graced the screen for a major crossover event for the sports and pop culture realm.
Superman
Hailed by many as the film of the summer, the beloved superhero returned to the big screen with an action-packed plot and impressive performances by stars like Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan, who had fans raving over her “perfect” depiction of Lois Lane. Several DC fans saw the film as the revival of the comic book universe. It also caused commotion amongst critics, who dubbed it as “Superwoke.”
Jurassic World Rebirth
Any film that comes out of the Jurassic Park franchise is sure to make waves at the box office. Jurassic World Rebirth did just that with a star-studded cast that included Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Luna Blaise. Many fans saw the film as hopeful and a return to the classic format after recent installments felt diluted. It came in as one of the highest-grossing films of 2025, making $869 million worldwide.
Zootopia 2
The sequel to the hit Disney animated feature dropped just around the time Wicked did and equally stirred a frenzy. The release prompted fans to recall the unreleased darker storyline, which included shock collars and a “taming party.” Nine years after the original film was released, the beloved characters have returned with a few new faces, including Macaulay Culkin. It is the highest-grossing Hollywood film this year.
Amy Bradley is Missing
Over the summer, Netflix subscribers were enthralled by the storyline of Amy Bradley is Missing, a documentary that explores the story of a young woman who went missing aboard a cruise ship in 1998 and was never seen again. As the series drew nationwide attention and conspiracy theories began to surface, everyone, even Kim Kardashian, became determined to help solve the case.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
While The Late Show with Stephen Colbert isn’t new like the rest, it sure did captivate a lot of attention earlier this year when it was cancelled. In July, CBS announced the show was coming to a close just days after the host criticized Donald Trump and Paramount for their $16 million settlement on a lawsuit the president filed over the way a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris was edited in the lead-up to the 2024 election. The cancellation led to several Hollywood stars speaking out, boycotts and protests outside of the network’s studio.
It: Welcome to Derry
Reviving the iconic story of Pennywise from Stephen King’s hit 1986 horror novel, HBO Max released a haunting prequel that had viewers “emotionally broken, terrified, but also completely satisfied. The creators delighted fans with a connection to another one of the author’s films: The Shining. Bill Skarsgård, who plays the infamous clown in the blockbuster films, also returned to depict the infamous clown.
Stranger Things
After fans waited over three years for the fifth and final season to release, Stranger Things finally returned. Before the new, highly anticipated episodes hit Netflix, the show once again rose to the top of the streaming platform’s charts as many rushed to refresh themselves on the storyline. Just the trailer alone caused commotion as fans began to make predictions on which character would die in the finale, which has theaters nationwide selling out tickets for its big-screen debut.
Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Last but not least, 50 Cent got the last word in his decades-long feud with Sean “P Diddy” Combs after he released a Netflix documentary, which revealed "never-before-seen footage" of the disgraced mogul’s rise to fame. Viewers were on the edge of their seats watching the four-episode series, which began days before the producer was arrested for five counts of federal charges. The most shocking revelations came from interviewees, who made insinuations of Diddy’s involvement in Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.'s deaths.