Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – Episode “The 10 Best Movies of the Year ... So Far”

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

In this engaging episode of The Big Picture, hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins delve into the mid-year landscape of 2025’s film industry. Joined by a diverse group of Ringer colleagues, including Rob Mahoney, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan, Joanna Robinson, Adam Namid, Grace Fennessy, and Mallory Rubin, the panel discusses box office trends, standout performances, and their top movie picks for the year so far.

I. Overview of the Movie Year So Far

Amanda Dobbins kicks off the conversation by highlighting the significance of reaching the halfway mark of the movie year. She expresses enthusiasm about the current selections from their guests and sets the stage for a comprehensive analysis of what the film industry has offered up to July 2025.

Sean Fennessey adds, “It’s been like, hey, pretty great. Movie year and at the box office, it's been like, fine to good” ([07:06]).

II. Box Office Successes and Trends

The hosts and guests examine the box office performance of key films, particularly focusing on the success of Brad Pitt’s latest ventures with Warner Brothers. Sean Fennessey notes, “This is the third June in every 10-year cycle that Brad Pitt has a big movie” ([02:09]).

Amanda Dobbins discusses the international appeal, mentioning that the movie grossed $100 million overseas, reinforcing Warner Brothers' effective marketing strategies over the fifth consecutive movie.

III. Spotlight on “Project Hail Mary”

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the upcoming summer and the highly anticipated release of “Project Hail Mary”. Written by Drew Goddard and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film is based on Andy Weir’s novel and promises a gripping narrative of survival and human spirit.

Sean Fennessey shares initial impressions: “It’s about a man going into outer space by himself and trying to survive. Trying to solve a problem and to reconnect with the humanity in all of us” ([05:36]).

Amanda Dobbins adds excitement, saying, “I absolutely can't wait” ([05:50]).

The panel anticipates its release next spring, considering its potential impact during the Academy Awards season.

IV. The Prediction Game: Box Office and Metacritic Scores

Sean and Amanda engage in a prediction game, forecasting both box office earnings and Metacritic scores for various films. They aim for the smallest margins in their predictions to maximize their points.

Sean Fennessey leads with 840 points to Amanda’s 1,061, but both acknowledge discrepancies in their forecasts. For instance, their predictions for “Thunderbolts” were close to the actual figures, with minor variances in box office and Metacritic scores ([08:05]).

However, some predictions missed the mark, such as their estimates for “Final Destination: Bloodlines”, where the actual box office surpassed their forecasts, showcasing the unpredictability of the film industry ([09:31]).

V. Movie Picks: Top 10 Best Movies of 2025 So Far

The heart of the episode features each guest’s top movie pick, accompanied by insightful commentary and notable quotes.

1. Rob Mahoney – Sinners

Rob Mahoney champions “Sinners” as his top choice, praising its transformative impact and engrossing narrative.

“What else are we doing here if not talking about sinners?” ([14:07])

He lauds the performances, particularly highlighting Michael Caine's and Hailee Steinfeld’s contributions, and foresees continued discussions around the film well into next year.

2. Van Lathan – Companion

Van Lathan selects “Companion” as his favorite, appreciating its unexpected twists and strong character development.

“It's cool and it's funny and it's a little sexy and it's a little rebellious” ([24:08])

He commends the director Drew Hancock for crafting a smart, well-executed debut film that resonates deeply with him.

3. Chris Ryan – Sinners

Echoing Rob, Chris Ryan also names “Sinners” as his top pick, emphasizing its high-quality filmmaking and captivating storytelling.

“Sinners… is just kind of like the best of us” ([16:35])

He anticipates ongoing acclaim and discussions surrounding the film’s themes and performances.

4. Joanna Robinson – 28 Years Later

Joanna Robinson praises “28 Years Later”, highlighting its visual stunningness, emotional depth, and compelling performances, especially by Spike and Ralph.

“I really thought that this was exceptional, genuinely exceptional” ([68:29])

She draws parallels between the film and other dystopian narratives, appreciating its exploration of community and humanity.

5. Adam Namid – Caught by the Tides

Adam Namid recommends “Caught by the Tides”, an art-house film by Chinese director Xia Zhanke, lauding its narrative innovation and visual craftsmanship.

“It's kind of a hard movie maybe to watch cold, but it’s compelling” ([84:34])

He encourages listeners to seek out this thoughtfully constructed piece despite its niche appeal.

6. Grace Fennessy – Thunderbolts and 7. Mallory Rubin – 28 Years Later

Grace Fennessy chooses “Thunderbolts” for its return to form within the Marvel universe, praising its dynamic character interactions and ensemble cast.

“The dynamic… really did it for me” ([98:07])

Mallory Rubin, echoing Joanna, also selects “28 Years Later”, reinforcing its status as a standout film of the year.

8. Jack Sanders – F1

Producer Jack Sanders picks “F1”, despite acknowledging its formulaic and predictable elements, because of its exceptional action sequences and overall enjoyment factor.

“This movie has a secret sauce which is just sick, racing, and that kind of is all that matters” ([109:44])

Jack underscores the film’s ability to captivate audiences with its thrilling set pieces.

9. Mel (Joanna Robinson) – 28 Years Later

Mel, identified as Joanna Robinson, reiterates her admiration for “28 Years Later”, emphasizing its visual appeal, thought-provoking themes, and outstanding performances.

“It is a deeply explicit and violent story…but it is like a coming of age story” ([69:28])

10. Adam Namid – Caught by the Tides

Reiterating his stance, Adam Namid emphasizes the film’s historical context and emotional resonance, forecasting its place as a top film by year-end.

VI. Reflections on the Movie Year and Industry Trends

The panel reflects on the diversity and quality of films released in 2025, noting a balance between blockbuster spectacles and original, thought-provoking narratives. They discuss the resurgence of interest in cinema, with audiences eager to return to theaters, as evidenced by increasing lineups and enthusiastic receptions to new releases.

Amanda Dobbins highlights the importance of original mid-budget films succeeding alongside IP-driven blockbusters, fostering a healthier and more varied cinematic landscape.

“It's not just IP stuff to talk about this year, if that makes sense at the box office” ([38:54])

VII. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts congratulate their guests on their insightful picks and engage in light-hearted banter about future movie screenings and podcast episodes. They express optimism for the latter half of the year, anticipating continued strong performances from both high-profile blockbusters and unique, original films.

Sean Fennessey concludes with excitement about upcoming releases and the dynamic nature of the movie industry:

“Movies are back. Yeah, they're really back. And it's just wonderful” ([66:20])

The episode successfully captures the enthusiasm and critical analysis that The Big Picture is known for, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the best films of 2025 thus far, enriched with expert opinions and engaging dialogue.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Dobbins ([07:06]): “It’s been like, hey, pretty great. Movie year and at the box office, it's been like, fine to good.”

• Sean Fennessey ([05:36]): “It’s about a man going into outer space by himself and trying to survive. Trying to solve a problem and to reconnect with the humanity in all of us.”

• Rob Mahoney ([14:07]): “What else are we doing here if not talking about sinners?”

• Rob Mahoney ([15:00]): “This would have been my number one. It currently sits atop my rankings for the year.”

• Van Lathan ([24:08]): “It's cool and it's funny and it's a little sexy and it's a little rebellious.”

• Joanna Robinson ([68:29]): “I really thought that this was exceptional, genuinely exceptional.”

• Jack Sanders ([109:44]): “This movie has a secret sauce which is just sick, racing, and that kind of is all that matters.”

Recommendations:

• Top Picks: Sinners, Companion, 28 Years Later, Thunderbolts, Caught by the Tides
• Honorable Mentions: Project Hail Mary, Woman in the Yard, F1

Listeners are encouraged to watch these selections to experience the diverse range of storytelling and cinematic excellence highlighted in this episode.