Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2025"

Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Big Picture, hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins delve into the cinematic landscape of 2025, highlighting the 25 most anticipated movies poised to make a significant impact. Amidst their enthusiastic exploration of upcoming films, the duo also addresses the recent challenges faced by the film industry, including the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and their subsequent effects on the awards season.

Impact of Los Angeles Wildfires on the Film Industry

The episode begins with Sean and Amanda discussing the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, expressing gratitude for their safety and acknowledging the profound impact on the local community and the broader film industry.

Amanda Dobbins [02:21]: "We know a lot of people who've been meaningfully impacted by the fires over the last few days. So want to just thank everyone for thinking about us and think about the people that are here in the city."

Chris Ryan [03:11]: "We're only at the beginning of the consequences of this. So lots of love to everyone affected in ways big and small."

The hosts emphasize the disruption caused to award ceremonies, noting the postponement of the Academy Awards nominations from their original dates.

Amanda Dobbins [04:32]: "The Academy Award nominations will be pushed back. They were supposed to be this Friday, then they were pushed to Sunday, and now they are happening on Thursday the 23rd at 5am we will podcast that morning."

SAG Nominations and the Awards Season Outlook

Sean and Amanda delve into the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations, analyzing patterns and potential biases within the voting body. They discuss the "Alphabet bias," where nominees are often ranked based on their last names, affecting the outcomes in various categories.

Amanda Dobbins [11:00]: "I want to raise the specter of the Alphabet bias in SAG voting."

They critique the nominations in categories like Film Ensemble, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress, pondering the likelihood of certain films and actors securing wins.

Chris Ryan [13:05]: "Marty's a very good Greg that. And I think all of this is just right down the middle for me."

The conversation highlights the challenges of predicting award outcomes amidst the ongoing crises but maintains optimism about the quality of the nominated films.

Top 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

Transitioning from industry challenges, Sean and Amanda enthusiastically present their curated list of the 25 most anticipated movies for 2025. Each film is discussed with insights into its cast, storyline, and what makes it a must-watch.

1. Eddington – Ari Aster’s Black Comedy Western

   Amanda Dobbins [39:38]: "It's a new Ari Aster movie, a new western. That cast is nuts."

2. Megan 2.0 – A Prequel to the Sci-Fi Horror Franchise

   Chris Ryan [41:02]: "Megan 2.0 is dated for June 27th, 2025."

3. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning – Tom Cruise’s Latest Espionage Adventure

   Amanda Dobbins [70:13]: "The way that the whole trailer is set up... It's incredible stuff."

4. Black Bag – Steven Soderbergh’s Spy Thriller

   Chris Ryan [75:01]: "Black Bag is coming on March 14th. It rules."

5. 28 Years Later – Alex Garland’s Zombie Trilogy Continuation

   Amanda Dobbins [84:03]: "This is their first feature since Uncut Gems."

(The list continues up to 25, each with similar detailed discussions and quotes.)

Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts

In addition to their top 25, Sean and Amanda explore several honorable mentions, offering brief insights into each. They emphasize the fluidity of release dates due to ongoing disruptions and express anticipation for how these films will navigate the challenges of 2025.

Sean Fennessey [67:04]: "This is a movie you'd like to see on a big screen."

Amanda Dobbins [84:14]: "Another Safdie Brothers movie coming out this year. This film is directed by Josh and co-written with Ronald Bronstein."

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Sean and Amanda reflect on the resilience of the film industry and their unwavering excitement for the forthcoming cinematic offerings. They extend heartfelt wishes to those affected by recent events and hope for a smoother awards season ahead.

Amanda Dobbins [108:32]: "Just love and good thoughts to everybody who's been dealing with the awfulness of the last week."

The hosts hint at future discussions, including potential reviews and deeper dives into selected films, ensuring listeners stay engaged with The Big Picture.

Notable Quotes

• Amanda Dobbins [06:56]: "The Brutalist, also not represented here, which is very notable."
• Chris Ryan [15:14]: "People were just like, oh, hey, I like Pamela Anderson."
• Amanda Dobbins [22:48]: "How does that feel? And, and I'm just, I'm holding it in."
• Chris Ryan [32:28]: "I think it would be tone deaf to hold a big fancy awards show and not mention it."
• Amanda Dobbins [82:15]: "Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler, the creator, Penn Jillette, Abel Ferrara, the legendary filmmaker Fran Drescher."

Final Remarks

Sean and Amanda conclude the episode with a commitment to continue delivering insightful and engaging content despite the industry's challenges. They encourage listeners to stay tuned for more episodes and to remain supportive of the film community during these turbulent times.

Chris Ryan [109:00]: "Thanks to Jack Sanders for his work on this episode."

Amanda Dobbins [109:00]: "We'll see you."

This summary captures the essence of The Big Picture podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the hosts' enthusiasm for the upcoming films of 2025.