Screen Talk's Top 10 Winners and Sinners of 2025 2025 was a turbulent year for the entertainment industry, with box office records shattered, streaming wars intensifying, and a slew of high-profile controversies. In their first episode of 2026, the hosts of the popular "Screen Talk" podcast, Anne Thompson and Eric Kohn, recounted the biggest winners and losers of the past 12 months. "It was a year of extremes," noted Thompson. "We saw some films and creators reach dizzying heights, while others crashed and burned in spectacular fashion." Topping the "winners" list was Marvel Studios, which cemented its dominance with the release of two critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, "Quantum Crusade" and "Asgardian Fury." The former, directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Nia DaCosta, earned over $1.2 billion at the global box office and received widespread acclaim for its thoughtful exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's multiverse. "Asgardian Fury," the long-awaited sequel to 2017's "Thor: Ragnarok," also resonated with audiences, grossing $950 million worldwide and earning praise for its bold visual style and humor. "Marvel just keeps finding ways to top themselves," Kohn remarked. "They've managed to keep the MCU feeling fresh and exciting, even a decade and a half after the first 'Iron Man' movie." Another winner was Ari Aster, the visionary horror director whose 2025 release "Echoes" became a box office smash and critical darling. The film, a chilling supernatural thriller about a family haunted by their own tragic past, earned over $300 million globally and cemented Aster's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in modern horror. "Ari Aster is quickly becoming the new master of elevated genre films," Thompson said. "He has this incredible ability to blend unsettling, visceral scares with profound emotional depth. 'Echoes' is a true tour de force." On the flip side, the "sinners" list was dominated by a number of high-profile scandals and controversies. Topping the list was the ongoing fallout from the infamous "Sorcerer's Apprentice" incident, in which lead actor Damien Ashe was accused of multiple counts of on-set abuse and misconduct. The revelations led to Ashe's firing from the film, as well as a protracted legal battle and a major PR crisis for the studio behind the project. "That whole situation was just a complete mess," Kohn lamented. "It really highlighted the deep-seated issues with power dynamics and accountability in the industry. I think we're going to be unpacking the fallout from that for years to come." Another major "sinner" was the ill-fated merger between streaming giants Streamix and Flick, which resulted in a chaotic integration process, mass layoffs, and a precipitous drop in subscriber numbers for the combined service. The fallout from the merger led to the resignation of Streamix's CEO and raised broader questions about the sustainability of the streaming wars. "The Streamix-Flick merger was a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and hubris in the streaming space," Thompson observed. "It just goes to show that even the biggest players aren't immune to the risks of this rapidly evolving landscape." Other notable "sinners" included the box office disappointment of the long-anticipated "Dune" sequel, the continued struggles of the DCEU, and the controversy surrounding the release of the Kanye West biopic "Yeezus," which faced backlash for its perceived glorification of the rapper's more problematic behavior. Despite the ups and downs, Kohn and Thompson agreed that 2025 was a pivotal year that highlighted both the resilience and the fragility of the entertainment industry. "It was a year of extremes, for sure," Kohn said. "But I think it also underscored the fact that the industry is in a state of constant flux. The ground is shifting beneath everyone's feet, and the ability to adapt and evolve is more crucial than ever before." Looking ahead to 2026, the "Screen Talk" hosts were cautiously optimistic. "There's always going to be drama and upheaval in this business," Thompson acknowledged. "But there's also so much incredible talent and vision out there, just waiting to be unleashed. I'm excited to see what the next year has in store." The episode concluded with a special guest appearance from box office and entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, who offered his insights on the industry's current state and future prospects. "The one constant is change," Goetz emphasized. "The companies, the formats, the audience preferences - everything is in flux. But the power of great storytelling and compelling characters will always endure. The key is finding new ways to harness that power and deliver it to audiences, no matter how the landscape evolves." As the "Screen Talk" audience tuned in, eager to hear more about the industry's ups and downs, it was clear that 2025 had been a year of both triumph and turmoil - a reflection of the dynamic, unpredictable nature of the entertainment world.