The final chapter picks up where the second film left off with Maya fighting for survival. The film stars Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, Ema Horvath, Krystal Ellsworth, Richard Brake, Hannah Galway, George Young, Rachel Shenton, and Miles Yekinni.
I thought The Strangers: Chapter 3 was good. Madelaine Petsch does a good job carrying the trilogy. Having recently watched Chapter 2, it was interesting to see where things went and to see the transformation Maya takes throughout the movies.
The movie dives a little more into the Strangers’ backstories. The film takes some interesting turns. The runtime is around an hour and a half. I think that is the perfect length for this type of movie. If it had gone on longer, it would have started to like it was dragging.
This is the first film in this trilogy that I have seen in theaters. I watched the first two at home. It was a nice experience to see it on the big screen. The movie felt a little more action packed compared to the other films. The second film was a bit of a slow burn. Things seemed to be moving a bit more in Chapter 3 from the beginning.
The Strangers: Chapter 3 is a solid conclusion to the Strangers trilogy. It does a good a job of expanding upon the core concept of the original and Madelaine Petsch does a standout job as the protagonist.
Continuing from where the first movie left off, Maya fights for her life after surviving an attack from three strangers. The film stars Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Gabriel Basso, Emma Horvath, Olivia Kreutzova, and Matus Lajcak.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 was released in September 2025. The movie bombed at the box office grossing around 15 million domestically. Worldwide it accumulated around 21 million. The unique thing about The Strangers is that all three movies were filmed at once. Chapter 3 is currently in theaters now having opened on February 6th, 2026. The Strangers: Chapter 1 also did not do that well in theaters when it was released. However, it did make more than Chapter 2 having made around 35 million domestically and 48 million worldwide. Chapter 1 was released in May 2024. Chapter 2 was released a little over a year afterward. Chapter 3 was released five months later.
I thought The Strangers: Chapter 2 was good for what it was. The movie clocks in around 98 minutes. There were times the movie felt slow. It did pick up later on. It started to feel intense as it progressed. Madelaine Petsch really carries the movie as Maya. She does a solid job. Prior to watching her in The Strangers’ movies, I knew her as Cheryl Blossom from the TV show Riverdale. The Strangers: Chapter 1 was a fairly direct remake of the movie that came out in 2008 with Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. Both movies had the same story beats for the most part. Chapter 2 further expands on what was established in the Strangers movies. One thing that was interesting was getting glimpses of the Strangers’ backstories.
A big part of the movie is paranoia. Maya doesn’t know who to trust and the movie does a good job of conveying that to the audience. There were times throughout the movie I was not sure who to trust. The movie does a good job of being a paranoia and survival thriller. Those seem to be two core themes in the movie.
As a middle chapter, the movie is solid. It will be interesting to see how things play out in Chapter 3. The movie does give a pretty good idea of where it will head for the conclusion. There is a mid-credit scene.
Minor Spoilers
The mid-credit scene gives a glimpse of Chapter 3.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 is a solid a middle chapter that expands on the initial premise. Madelaine Petsch does a good job throughout the movie. It is a slow burn at first, but things eventually pick up setting the stage for the Chapter 3. I am very interested to see how everything plays out and how this chapter will end for Maya.
An employee and her boss are stranded on an island after a plane crash and the two have to survive on the island. The film stars Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, and Dennis Haysbert.
I thought the Send Help was good. It was not great, but it was not bad. It was an over the top Survivor. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien did a great job in their roles. It was a different kind of role for Rachel McAdams. I am curious what Regina George would think of her Linda Liddle. Dylan O’Brien was great as Bladley Preston, Linda’s jerk of a boss.
The movie had some twists. It definitely makes one question who the true villain is, if there is really a villain.
Send Help is not that long. It clocks in a little under two hours. It is the right length. The movie goes at a fast past.
Send Help is a good movie with some twists and turns. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien do a great job carrying the movie.
There are a lot of movies coming out in 2026. These are the ones I am most excited for.
Scream 7 February 27th, 2026
Credit: Paramount
When Scream VI had come out, it was originally be treated as the final film in the franchise. The movie made a lot of money, and I suspected that the studio would want to keep it going. I thought Scream VI was a fitting end to the franchise, but I am excited to see what happens with this new chapter. There are some casting changes. Melissa Barerra and Jenna Ortega are not involved in this one and Neve Campbell who sat out of the last one is back as Sydney Prescott. Based on the early marketing, this looks to be the most intense yet. The movie stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Mason Gooding, Jasmin Savoy Brown, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Scott Foley, Joel McHale, Isabel May, Anna Camp, and Mark Consuelos.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie April 3rd, 2026
Credit: Universal
I am very excited for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. I enjoyed The Super Mario Bros movie. I am excited to see where they go next. It has already been confirmed that Princess Rosalina will be in this one as well as Bowser Jr, and Yoshi who was teased in a credit scene during the first movie. The movie stars Chris Pratt, Anya-Taylor Joy, Jack Black, Charlie Day, Keegan Michael Key, and Brie Larson.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 May 1st, 2026
Credit: 20th Century
The Devil Wears Prada 2 will be coming out 20 years after the first movie. Not much is known about the film other than the fact the main four stars are returning. I enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada. I am excited to see the next chapter. The film stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunet, and Stanley Tucci.
Mortal Kombat II May 15th, 2026
Credit: Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema
I enjoyed the first movie a lot. I am really excited to see Mortal Kombat II on the big screen and in IMAX. Like most of the audience, I watched the first movie at home. The whole time watching the first one, I wish I had seen it on the big screen. The film stars Ludi Lin, Karl Urban, Jessica McNamee, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Adeline Rudolph, Tati Gabrielle, Josh Lawson, Mehcad Brooks, and Tadanobu Asano.
Scary Movie 6 June 12th, 2026
Credit: Paramount
It looks like the Scary Movie franchise could be making a comeback similar to Scream. It will be 13 years since Scary Movie 5 was released when Scary Movie 6 comes out. The Wayan brothers are back. They last were involved with Scary Movie 2. Original Stars Anna Faris and Regina Hall are back as well. They sat out of Scary Movie 5. I am excited to see what the new movie has in store. This could be the start of more films in the franchise should this one be successful. The movie stars Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Lochlyn Munro.
Supergirl June 26th, 2026
Credit: DCU
I loved Superman and I am looking forward to seeing what the DCU has in store for Supergirl. I am also looking forward to seeing Jason Momoa as Lobo. It will be cool to see Krypto again too. The film stars Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, Alice Hewkin, Matthias Schoenaerts, Emily Beecham, and David Krumholtz.
The Odyssey July 17th, 2026
Credit: Universal
When I heard The Odyssey was going to be Christopher Nolan’s next picture, I knew it was going to be epic. I am very excited to see what Christopher Nolan will do with this. The film stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, and John Leguizamo.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day July 31st, 2026
Credit: Marvel/Sony
One of two Marvel movies coming out this year, I am excited to see what is in store next for Peter Parker after the events of No Way Home. This time Peter will be joined by The Hulk and The Punisher. That is sure to be a wild trio, and Mac Gargon will finally return as the Scorpion. He was last seen in Spider-Man: Homecoming back in 2017. The film stars Tom Holland, Jacob Batalon, Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, Sadie Sink, Marvin Jones III, Tramell Tillman, and Liza Colon-Zayas.
Clayface September 11th, 2026
Credit: DCU
I am really looking forward to seeing Clayface. It will be the first introduction to Gotham city. James Gunn said this will be a body horror movie. That is what is exciting to me. This movie has a chance to be something unique in the comic book movie world. The film stars Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan, and Max Minghella.
Avengers: Doomsday December 18th, 2026
Credit: Marvel
The start of the conclusion to the Multiverse Saga, the final film will be Secret Wars releasing in 2027, this is sure to be epic. The Russo brothers are back after their phenomenal work on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame as well as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Robert Downey Jr. is back this time as Dr. Doom. Marvel has had it rough during this saga. I am looking forward to seeing Avengers: Doomsday and to see what the Russo Brothers have planned. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danny Ramirez, Pedro Pascale, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Paul Rudd, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta, Tom Hiddleston, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romjin, and Channing Tatum.
There were a lot of movies that came out this year. A lot of movies that I saw this year were not bad but not great either. They fell somewhere in the middle. These are the movies that stood out to me and quickly became favorites.
Superman
Credit: DC Studios
Superman absolutely blew me away. Superman was the best superhero movie of 2025 for me. I enjoyed it so much I saw it twice in theaters which I rarely do these days. Superman was a great kick off to the DCU on the film side. Creature Commandos, an animated television series was the official kickoff back in December of 2024. Superman had everything going for it from the score to the action and a great cast. Superman made me excited to see more of the characters going forward.
Wicked: For Good
Credit: Universal Pictures
Wicked wound up on this list last year and the follow up made it as well. Wicked: For Good was a standout movie for 2025 and is one of the strongest musicals in the genre. It was on par with Wicked. Wicked: For Good had strong music and was very emotional. Wicked: For Good will rank high amongst musicals for a very long time.
Thunderbolts*
Credit: Marvel
In past years, Marvel films always made this list. Thunderbolts* is the only Marvel film to make it out of the three films released this year. Thunderbolts* was the strongest Marvel film this year. I liked Captain America: Brave New World and Fantastic Four: The First Steps, but they did not stand out to me. Both films were a little underwhelming. Thunderbolts* was refreshing. It did something different than past Marvel entries and it had a stellar cast. It was unique and it also had substance.
The Sully family faces a new tribe The Ash People as well as dealing with the humans who want to colonize their world. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Britain Dalton, Jack Champion, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Giovanni Ribisi, and David Thewlis.
I thought Avatar: Fire and Ash was good. I thought it was better than the second movie. I liked the second movie; however, I thought it was fairly similar to the first one. This one was a little more distinctive. I think a smart choice was to introduce the Ash People. The movie has a fairly good story and a nice emotional component.
I thought the movie was good but not great. I do think the Avatar franchise can be a little overhyped. They are solid movies, but they are that not wonderful compared to other franchises. I did feel the movie was slightly too long. I feel like the core of the movie would have been fine if it had been a little shorter. Three-hour movies can be tough. The Lord of the Rings is one of the few I feel can justify the length. Avengers: Endgame is another one.
I saw the movie in 2D. 3D movies give me a headache. I saw it on a regular screen as opposed to IMAX or Dolby. I did find the movie a little distracting at times due to the HD and 4K. I understand why it was that way. It did feel at times like I was in Best Buy in the television section. It was a little harder to enjoy the visuals at times.
Assuming the movie winds up doing just as well as the first two, James Cameron stated there were plans for Avatar 4 & 5 as well as a possible 6 & 7. Should the franchise continue, I am curious to see where this could go next. This film seemed to conclude the initial story. Maybe a brand new story and new characters could be the focus of future instalments.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is a solid movie and a fitting conclusion to the story that started in the first film. Time will tell if there were be more visits to the world of Pandora and what that could like like.
The conclusion that continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda. The film stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.
I enjoyed Wicked: For Good. I think it is a solid movie. The cast does a great job. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande really hone their characters. They both really carry the movie. The songs are good. The movie is a fitting a conclusion to Wicked. I never saw the Broadway show, but I did read the books that the musical is based off. It is interesting to see the differences that between the book series and the movie.
The movie has a few surprises that I was not expecting. I am not sure if those surprises are in the Broadway show, but it was nice to be surprised.
Wicked: For Good is a solid movie and a fitting conclusion to a classic story. The cast does great work and the songs are solid. It’s a good movie for the holiday season.
A newer version of the classic 80’s movie that focuses on Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Frank Drebin. The film stars Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter-Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, and Danny Huston.
I thought The Naked Gun was fun. It followed the same formula as the original movies. Liam Neeson does a really good job as Frank Drebin Jr. Pamela Anderson also does a good job as well. They have good chemistry together. The rest of the cast play their parts well.
The movie is fun, but it was not the best movie nor the best comedy. It also was not the worst though either. It kind of runs in the middle. It is also a nice pace. It clocks in around eighty-five minutes or so. I think the film would have dragged on if it had gone beyond ninety-minutes.
The Naked Gun is a fun movie that is good for the end of summer.
The Fantastic Four have to find a way to save their world by being devoured by the planet eating Galactus. The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, and Ralph Ineson.
I thought The Fantastic Four: The First Steps was good. The cast does a great job as the characters. The four leads have good chemistry. The plot was pretty simplistic. The movie was really about the Fantastic Four. The four of them were the main focal point. It is set on a different universe as opposed to the main universe in the MCU. The four leads will be in Avengers: Doomsday.
There are two credit scenes, a mid-credit and a post-credit scene.
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps is a good movie that has a strong cast. It will be interesting to see where the story takes them next.
Set more than thirty years after the original movies, a new group of friends have a secret they cover up and are terrorized by a killer with a fisherman’s hook. The movie stars Madelyn, Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Austin Nichols, Freddie Prince Jr., and Jenifer Love Hewitt.
I thought I Know What You Did Last Summer was alright. It was not wonderful, but it was not terrible. I saw the original films many years ago. I don’t remember them that well. I recall enjoying the movies when I had seen them. The cast does a good job. It’s a slasher film that succeeds in the genre. Slasher films are usually about the kills more than their plots. The plot here was pretty basic. It was fairly similar to the premise of the prior films just with a new group of characters. Since it is a legacy sequel as well as a reboot, the film acknowledges the history that took place in the late 1990s when the original was released. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prince Jr. are in the movie as the two surviving characters from the original films. They have decent size roles, but they are secondary to the core group of characters.
It will be interesting to see where the cast goes from here in terms of careers. The original had some big names including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe as well as Brandy for the sequel. Everyone played their parts well.
The movie is a good length. It did not drag on. It knew when to end. The killer reveal had some nice little twists, but it was not the most memorable compared to other reveals. It was pretty middle of the line if it were to be ranked amongst greatest killer reveals for slasher films.
There is a mid-credit scene that seems to set up a potential sequel. It will be interesting if there will be any other installments going further or if this will be it.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is a decent sequel/reboot of a late 90s slasher movie. It is pretty run of the mill but offers some good entertainment for the summer.
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