As 2025 comes to a close, KVI’s Ari Hoffman and producer Big Mike sat down to share their annual tradition: breaking down the year’s top movies.
In a candid and entertaining discussion, they reflected on a year of slim pickings in Hollywood, expressing fatigue with endless sequels, reboots, and cash grabs while praising original ideas and standout performances.
Both agreed that 2025 felt oversaturated, pushing them toward classics and reliable streaming picks (like anything with Mark Wahlberg). Yet several films stood out for their fun, originality, or sheer spectacle.
Highlights from Ari’s List
- Top Pick: Nuremberg — Ari crowned this Russell Crowe-led historical drama his favorite, praising the phenomenal acting, innovative production (despite green-screen constraints), and its thought-provoking depth in depicting the Nuremberg trials.
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — A thrilling sendoff to Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt, with epic action sequences that left Ari wanting more.
- F1: The Movie — Brad Pitt’s racing epic impressed with its big-screen design and well-crafted fun.
- The Running Man (Edgar Wright’s remake) → Ari appreciated the fresh take on the source material.
- Other notables: Happy Gilmore 2 (surprisingly good sequel), The Naked Gun reboot with Liam Neeson, the new Superman, and lighter fares like Playdate, Novocaine, and Heads of State.
Highlights from Big Mike’s List
- Top Pick: Sinners — Ryan Coogler’s bold horror fantasia with Michael B. Jordan in dual roles stuck with Mike like no other, blending supernatural thrills with deep cultural resonance.
- Warfare — An intense, visceral war film that profoundly moved him.
- F1: The Movie — High on his ranked list for its excellence as a sports movie.
- Standouts include Tron: Ares (visual spectacle), Predator: Badlands (wild action), and refreshed superhero takes like Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps.
- He also shouted out originals and gave nods to lesser entries like Star Trek: Section 31 and Flight Risk.
The duo debated rewatches, theater experiences, and Hollywood’s need for more risks in 2026. Whether you lean toward dumb fun, high-stakes action, or profound drama, their picks highlight a year where a few gems shone through the rehashes.
Listen to the full segment below for all the spoilers, hot takes, and laughs:
What were your favorite movies of 2025? Sound off in the comments or tweet us @KVISeattle
Stay tuned to KVI for more real talk on movies, news, and everything in between.
