A local artist with a message

By Savannah Chaboty | Manor Ink

2025 introduced a lot of new media from every genre imaginable. Comedies, romances, mysteries, sci-fis and even documentaries brought out every emotion in their audiences. From true crimes documentaries to love stories, everyone was given something to watch. Some of these movies and shows were incredible, possibly even going down in history. Others were not as successful with, no plot, surface level characters, and just a boring theme overall. It’s difficult to go through every new movie or TV show and explain the pros and cons, so I chose my favorite and least favorite movies and shows from 2025.

Best movie of 2025

“Regretting You”
This was an emotional yet romantic story that many can unfortunately relate to. It made headlines on social media and attracted the Gen-Z crowd. It was easy to understand the pain and love each character felt. The movie wasn’t loved by all because some believed it was corny or too lovey-dovey, but it was based on the book Regretting You and gave that exact same vibe. Either way, the movie attracted teens everywhere, and made it to the top of my personal list.

Worst Movie of 2025

“War of the Worlds”
Another remake of the famous H.G. Wells story, this movie that left audiences with little character background and a plot that was just flat and confusing. The pacing was uneven and the intended fear and tension were lost. It had a huge budget, but failed to replicate what made the original story amazing. Audiences felt disconnected from the movie and ultimately didn’t quite understand what it was trying to say.

Best TV Show of 2025

“Stranger Things”
The final season of “Stranger Things” brought an incredible balance of action and horror to the storyline, while also giving long-running characters growth and closure. People felt a genuine connection to them because of the emotion and real consequences they faced as the show developed. The timeline, set in the 1980s, also created a sense of nostalgia for people. “Stranger Things” used suspense combined with heart to create a truly incredible ending.

Worst TV Show of 2025

“The Z-Suite”
This show relied on outdated stereotypes and superficial humor that was out of touch with its intended audience. The lack of meaningful character development and originality behind the plot created a disconnect. The story felt forced and viewers quickly lost interest due to the lack of emotional depth. In the end, “Z-Suite” ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression on audiences.

Overall, shows and movies were on many different emotional levels last year, and that’s an aspect that can really make or break their success. These ratings are my personal opinions, but they are backed by statistics gathered from audiences. Heading into 2026, shows and movies need to focus on character development and well-developed plots. It’s also important that producers take the time to perfect each scene – a rushed movie or show isn’t necessarily going to be a good one.