loader from loading.io

2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)

Challenge Accepted

Release Date: 01/02/2026

Thank you and Goodbye. show art Thank you and Goodbye.

Challenge Accepted

In this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work. Timestamps and Topics 00:06...

info_outline 2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey) show art 2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)

Challenge Accepted

Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor. To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge...

info_outline Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook show art Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook

Challenge Accepted

Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie’s “proto zombie rules” (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank also shares a handful of behind-the-scenes trivia, then closes by asking listeners to help pick the next holiday movie review. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:05 Welcome to Challenge Accepted and why...

info_outline Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper show art Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper

Challenge Accepted

In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry’s desperate spiral and Gaear’s cold brutality to Marge Gunderson’s calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He also talks about how the Fargo TV series connects back to the film, why the woodchipper scene has become legend, and how the Coens turn empty white fields into one of the most effective...

info_outline Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic show art Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic

Challenge Accepted

In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series, breaks down Bruce Timm’s distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations. After watching the movie for the first time, Frank gives his immediate reaction, digging into Gotham’s timeless look, the horror-inspired presentation of the Phantasm, and the emotional core of...

info_outline Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes show art Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes

Challenge Accepted

In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guys also reveal the results of their “Turkey Brawl” social media tournament and wrap up with a few extra Thanksgiving watch recommendations to keep your holiday cozy and geeky. Bob's Burgers...

info_outline Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle show art Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence (@franklourence79) teams up with Jonathan to walk through Stranger Things seasons 1 through 4 so you are fully refreshed before season 5 lands. The two revisit the early days in Hawkins, the rise of the Mind Flayer, the Starcourt Mall showdown, and Vecna’s terrifying curse, mixing clean plot recaps with personal memories and reactions. Along the way they talk about why the show’s ’80s nostalgia still works, how characters like Hopper, Billy, Max, and Eddie evolved, and what they hope to see in the final season. They close by sharing...

info_outline The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends show art The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends

Challenge Accepted

In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers’ Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson’s singing gunslinger to Tom Waits’ stubborn prospector and that iconic “First time?” hanging meme. Along the way, Frank talks about why the film feels so cozy despite its bleak themes, how the Coens use digital cinematography to shape tone, and what these stories say...

info_outline Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next show art Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next

Challenge Accepted

On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season’s mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain’s core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter. We also highlight the effects work, tributes woven into the story, and what we expect to carry over into The Boys. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 — Welcome and gut reactions to the finale 00:37...

info_outline Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson show art Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for ‘90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia, from casting changes to Sentai influences, and shares why the movie’s core message still lands. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – 01:10 | Cold open, show intro, and guest welcome; Becca’s...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor.

To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge Accepted next year by being more personal and more present on social.

Timestamps and Topics

00:00 – Welcome back, what this episode covers (2025 favorites + 2026 hype)
00:33 – Thomas check-in and the newborn update
01:32 – The baby’s first Marvel movie (yes, really)
03:31 – Quick run through the 2025 movie list
03:55 – Why Superman was the movie of the year
04:02 – F1 as the surprise hit
07:15 – What worked in Superman (comic-book storytelling and trusting the audience)
10:56 – “I needed that movie this year”
11:03 – Marvel’s 2025 slate starts: Brave New World, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts
11:56 – Why Thunderbolts is the one that felt different
18:12 – Sinners and the hunger for original stories
22:25 – Weapons (and the conversation spirals into other watchlist picks)
24:56 – K-Pop Demon Hunters love and why it clicked
28:38 – Disappointments and missed watches, including Star Trek: Section 31
30:24 – “TV shows dominate” and why this year proved it
30:53 – TV highlights sprint: Welcome to Derry, Stranger Things, Daredevil, Alien: Earth, and more
32:04 – Andor praise and why the release format worked
35:01 – Frank’s top TV list: Chief of War, Paradise, Player Base
36:03 – Alien: Earth reactions (including the ending debate)
37:08 – Next year’s challenge (Fargo Season 4)
39:10 – Revisiting Marvel 2025: what each movie represents and what Marvel should learn
41:33 – The big disappointment: Chair Company (plus Ironheart)
45:03 – Quick plug: Survivor 49 coverage and Survivor 50 excitement
46:11 – 2026 hype begins: Supergirl and the DCU momentum
50:02 – The Odyssey and why it feels like an “event” movie
51:15 – Marvel needs to “earn” the hype again
52:51 – Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and why it could be huge
53:16 – Rapid fire 2026 watchlist: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Project Hail Mary, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
55:01 – Why seeing Spider-Man filmed “for people” matters
55:55 – The Mandalorian and Grogu as a real theatrical Star Wars moment
57:54 – What they want to improve on Challenge Accepted next year
58:40 – Social media mindset: be natural, be present, stop over-polishing
59:52 – Outro + how to send in your challenge

Key Takeaways

  • Superman landed because it played like an actual comic-book story and trusted the audience to keep up.

  • Marvel’s 2025 trio felt like three different “versions” of the brand, and Thunderbolts was the one that showed the most heart and restraint.

  • Sinners is a great example of why original stories can still feel like a must-watch cultural moment.

  • 2025 was stacked for TV, and the list of standouts is honestly longer than most years’ movie lists.

  • Andor remains the gold standard for prestige franchise storytelling, and the release strategy helped it stick.

  • 2026 looks like it could swing back to a movie-forward year with multiple “event” releases on the calendar.

  • They want the show to feel more personal in 2026, including more natural social posts and more listener involvement.

Quotes

  • “Talking about you, some of our favorite movies and shows from 2025 and what we’re hyped for in 2026.”

  • “Yeah it was I needed that movie this year. Like I needed it.”

  • “They gave a director a chance to tell their story.”

  • “Right now, welcome to dairy. Holy cow. These last couple episodes have been so damn fire.”

  • “It makes me cry that it’s the finale.”

  • “You don’t necessarily need to make a polished post.”

  • “It’s for people, not just, you know, for box office numbers.”

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this year-in-review episode, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Reviews help a ton, so please rate the show and leave a quick note. And if you share the episode on social, tag us with #ChallengeAcceptedPodcast.

Links and Resources

GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during our podcast.

Follow Us

Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive
TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive
Twitter: @CAPodcastLive

Listener Questions

Got a movie or show you want us to cover, or a challenge you want to throw at us? Email challengeacceptedgfx@gmail.com with your pick and why it’s worth the watch.

Apple Podcast Tags

Movies, TV, Pop Culture, 2025 Year in Review, 2026 Preview, DCU, Superman, Supergirl, Marvel, Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, Captain America Brave New World, Andor, Stranger Things, IT Welcome to Derry, Alien Earth, The Odyssey, Spider-Man Brand New Day, The Mandalorian and Grogu