The Matt Walsh Show: My Most (And Least) Anticipated Movies Of 2025

Release Date: February 17, 2025

In the February 17, 2025 episode of The Matt Walsh Show on The Daily Wire, host Matt Walsh dives deep into the cinematic landscape of 2025, sharing his top three most anticipated movies and his three least expected films for the year. Balancing enthusiasm with critical insight, Matt provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of what to look forward to and what to potentially avoid in the upcoming movie season.

Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

1. Friendship

Starring: Tim Robbins and Paul Rudd
Release Date: May 2025

Matt kicks off his list with excitement for Friendship, highlighting its unique blend of humor and creepiness. The trailer, which Matt praises for its tonal confusion, features a scene where a character muses, “I see the future. It’s full of pals” (00:38). Matt remarks on the trailer’s ability to oscillate between funny and eerie, stating, “You either think that’s a funny line or you don’t” (02:10). He believes the film serves as the perfect vehicle for Tim Robbins, lauding his performance on his Netflix sketch show for its dark comedic edge. Drawing parallels to The Banshees of Inisherin, Matt anticipates Friendship as a dark comedy that subverts expectations and offers a fresh take on storytelling. Despite predicting a limited audience, Matt is committed to watching the film, emphasizing its promise as a “darker, Americanized, Tim Robbins-ized version” of similar genres.

2. 28 Years Later

Sequel to: 28 Days Later
Release Date: Summer 2025

Next on Matt’s list is 28 Years Later, the anticipated conclusion to the 28 Days Later trilogy. Although initially lukewarm about the franchise, Matt expresses newfound enthusiasm after viewing the trailer. The trailer’s incorporation of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, paired with vintage radio broadcasts, impressed Matt with its creative genius (06:32). He commends the trailer for capturing the film’s tone without revealing too much plot, allowing audiences to sense the film’s atmosphere through clever editing and music. Matt reflects on his experience in trailer production, appreciating the delicate balance required to entice viewers without oversharing. His appreciation for well-crafted trailers like this one underscores his excitement for a potentially revitalized conclusion to the beloved zombie apocalypse series.

3. Anaconda Remake

Starring: Paul Rudd and Jack Black
Release Date: Christmas 2025

Contrary to typical sequel patterns, Matt is surprisingly enthusiastic about the Anaconda remake. Originally a 1997 thriller featuring Jennifer Lopez and Jon Voight, Matt anticipates the new version to adopt a comedic tone, thanks to casting choices like Paul Rudd and Jack Black. He rationalizes his excitement by emphasizing that remakes should breathe new life into poorly executed originals, rather than rehashing classics. “This is exactly the proper utilization of the remake,” Matt asserts (06:13). He appreciates the updated CGI and the shift towards comedy, believing that revisiting a flawed premise with fresh talent and humor can transform the film into something enjoyable. Despite acknowledging that not everyone may share his enthusiasm, Matt stands by his anticipation of the film, viewing it as a smart move in the remaking landscape.

Least Anticipated Movies of 2025

1. Minecraft Movie

Release Date: April 2025

Launching into his list of least anticipated films, Matt sharply criticizes the upcoming Minecraft movie. He derides it as “utterly soulless” and a blatant “cash grab” solely designed to exploit the popular video game’s intellectual property (12:50). Matt argues that the film’s inception, driven by corporate profit motives rather than creative storytelling, ensures its inevitable failure. He expresses disdain for the idea of adapting Minecraft into a movie, stating, “Nobody saw the Minecraft game and thought to themselves, wow, there’s a great story to tell here” (12:38). For Matt, the movie epitomizes the worst of modern Hollywood’s approach to franchise filmmaking, where the emphasis on profit overshadows artistic integrity. Consequently, he confidently predicts the film will be subpar, awarding it “zero stars” and asserting he will not watch it.

2. Jurassic World Rebirth

Release Date: Summer 2025

Matt’s scorn continues with the announcement of Jurassic World Rebirth, another installment in the ever-expanding Jurassic Park franchise. He vehemently criticizes the franchise’s persistent decline, highlighting the decline in special effects quality and the bloated, unengaging storylines (14:17). Matt nostalgically recalls the original Jurassic Park for its groundbreaking special effects and tight narrative, contrasting it with the current sequels that, in his view, lack character depth and compelling storytelling. He laments the shift from an intimate story of a few individuals stranded on an island to sprawling plots that attempt to escalate stakes artificially. “They keep making these damn Jurassic World things. This is the 90th one,” Matt declares (14:27). He underscores a fundamental issue with the sequels: the inability to connect with characters due to their poor writing and performance. For Matt, Jurassic World Rebirth epitomizes franchise fatigue and creative stagnation, warranting his disinterest and dismissal.

3. Fantastic Four Remake

Release Date: TBD 2025

Closing his list is the new Fantastic Four remake, which Matt staunchly opposes. He asserts that the superhero genre, particularly Fantastic Four, has reached oversaturation, with no room for fresh or impactful storytelling (19:48). Matt critiques the original Fantastic Four team as “lame” and underdeveloped, arguing that their powers and personalities lack the depth needed for compelling cinema. He elaborates, “They just suck. I don’t know… This stretchy guy, right? He’s just..." (19:30). Matt further mocks the practicality of their abilities in real-world scenarios, questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of their heroism. His disdain extends to the repetitive nature of superhero narratives, which he feels offer nothing new or engaging. By labeling the Fantastic Four offensive and redundant, Matt firmly concludes that this remake is unworthy of attention or viewership.

Conclusion

In this episode, Matt Walsh expertly balances his genuine excitement for innovative and thoughtfully crafted films with his critical perspective on formulaic and profit-driven Hollywood productions. By sharing his most and least anticipated movies of 2025, Matt offers listeners a curated guide to the cinematic offerings of the year, grounded in his personal tastes and industry insights. His analysis underscores the importance of storytelling integrity and creative vision in filmmaking, while cautioning against the pitfalls of commercial exploitation and repetitive franchises.

Notable Quotes

• Friendship Trailer Humor:
  “You either think that’s a funny line or you don’t.” (02:10)

• 28 Years Later Trailer Praise:
  “Whoever thought of that is a creative genius.” (06:21)

• Anaconda Remake on Proper Remakes:
  “This is exactly the proper utilization of the remake.” (06:13)

• Minecraft Movie Critique:
  “Nobody saw the Minecraft game and thought to themselves, wow, there’s a great story to tell here.” (12:38)

• Jurassic World Rebirth Frustration:
  “They keep making these damn Jurassic World things. This is the 90th one.” (14:27)

• Fantastic Four Remake Dismissal:
  “They just suck. I don’t know… This stretchy guy, right? He’s just...” (19:30)

Note: Timestamps are included to reference specific moments within the podcast transcript for accurate context and attribution.