Unforgettable Movie Moments: The Top 5 Theater Events of 2025

There’s something truly special about watching a film in a darkened theater, surrounded by fellow movie lovers. As Nicole Kidman famously said in the AMC pre-show,

“That indescribable feeling we get when the lights begin to dim and we go somewhere we’ve never been before — not just entertained, but somehow reborn.”

This year, the magic of the movies was alive and well, with a lineup of unforgettable big-screen events that reminded us why theaters matter.

Rediscovering Hong Kong Action: The Cinema Classics Series

Early in the year, Shout! Studios made headlines by acquiring the Golden Princess library, unlocking a treasure trove of over 150 iconic Hong Kong action films. This collection, featuring early works from legends like John Woo and Tsui Hark, hit art house theaters nationwide as part of the “Hong Kong Cinema Classics” series. For many, it was a chance to experience or revisit masterpieces like John Woo’s Hard Boiled and The Killer, as well as Tony Ching Siu-Tung’s A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy. The series proved so popular that it’s set to continue into next year, with some titles even making their way to mainstream multiplexes.

Visual Mastery: Frankenstein’s Theatrical Impact

Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein may have been produced for Netflix, but seeing it on the big screen was a revelation. Every shot in Del Toro’s adaptation felt meticulously crafted, from the cinematography to the production design, makeup, and visual effects. In select cities, lucky audiences even got to experience the film in IMAX, but even standard screenings delivered a visual feast. With Netflix’s recent acquisition of Warner Bros., there’s hope that more streaming originals will get the theatrical treatment they deserve.

Epic Scale: One Battle After Another in 70mm IMAX

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was filmed in VistaVision, but only a handful of theaters worldwide projected it in that format. For most, the next best thing was 70mm IMAX, which showcased Michael Bauman’s cinematography in a towering, floor-to-ceiling aspect ratio. Unlike most blockbusters that reserve this format for action scenes, Anderson’s film used it throughout, creating an immersive experience that simply can’t be matched at home.

Technological Innovation: Avatar: Fire and Ash in HFR 3D

High frame rate (HFR) technology has been a tough nut to crack for filmmakers, but James Cameron ’s Avatar: Fire and Ash finally got it right. Previous attempts, including Cameron’s own Avatar: The Way of Water , faced criticism for looking too much like video games. This time, Cameron avoided the pitfalls, delivering visuals that felt crisp and lifelike without crossing into the uncanny. Shown in Dolby 3D at select theaters, the film offered one of the sharpest, most immersive images ever seen on the big screen.

Musical Brilliance: Sinners in 70mm IMAX

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners topped the list thanks to a single, unforgettable moment: Miles Caton’s performance of “I Lied to You” in the Smoke and Stack Twins’ juke joint. As the aspect ratio expanded to fill the IMAX screen, the scene became a near-spiritual experience, uniting generations of musicians in a cinematic celebration. The rest of the film, from sweeping drives through open fields to a climactic vampire showdown, also shined in 70mm IMAX. It’s no wonder the movie has already enjoyed multiple re-releases in this format.