Well, this has been an eventful year for everybody, Hollywood included. Focusing just on the entertainment industry, I don't think anything is going the way we'd hoped, but such is the nature of living in interesting times. And though there have been some tough blows, nobody is down for the count yet. I'm actually kind of heartened by some of the shifts in the culture I've been seeing over the last few months, and I have every reason to expect better in the year ahead.
I never addressed much from last year's list, but I will express my deepest appreciation for the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack becoming the new favorite in my household. I don't know how Netflix did it, but the speed at which that movie took over the attentions of the under-twelve set was truly breathtaking.
So, this year for the holidays, I want…
For Stephen Colbert to make every remaining moment of "The Late Show" count. The end of "The Late Show" is going to be one of the big cultural moments of 2026, and though I'm not happy about how things have turned out, I can't wait to see the fireworks. As someone who has kept an eye on the late night ecosystem for decades now, weird and wonderful things tend to happen when these shows are in turmoil, and nothing says turmoil like the highest rated late night show on American television being abruptly cancelled for sketchy reasons.
For the non-franchise films to score some wins. I'm not even going to try and distinguish original films anymore. At this point anything that's not a sequel, prequel, or reboot is getting scarce. So I don't care if you're adapting the Booktok flavor of the month, or if the cartoon is about a robot beaver, or you're a horror director who has had way too many chances and the trailer was awful. I am rooting for you. We have "Scream 7" and "Toy Story 5" incoming, and I'm just so tired.
For more theatrical releases. Studios are getting the hint that they're leaving money on the table by premiering promising titles on streaming, especially films for family audiences. "Moana 2" is the biggest example so far of a project that was originally intended as a streaming exclusive turning out to be much more lucrative as a theatrical experience. There's been a significant shift in the attitude of Hollywood toward the streamers lately, and we're seeing cracks in the resistance to theatrical releases everywhere, even at Netflix. And I'm all for it.
For the AI bubble to bust more quickly. I know it's holding up the American economy, but it's so obviously a bubble and it's so aggravating to watch the grifters try to convince everyone that generative AI is some kind of cure-all that's worth paying attention to and investing ridiculous amounts of money in. So far, aside from some very limited, specific tasks, it just seems to be leading the mentally unstable off of a cliff and further straining the economic prospects of the creative community. And the amount of AI slop my relatives keep sending me is just excruciating.
For a long break before the next major merger. The concept of the Paramount Skydance Warner Brothers Discovery union is still difficult to get my head around. I knew that Warner Brothers Discovery was looking for a buyer, but any further consolidation of the studios can only be bad for everybody.
For more gainful employment for film critics and other media critics as the legacy media companies continue to reconfigure themselves. I have never been more aware that I am and always be a hobbyist when it comes to writing about movies and television.
For "Doctor Who" to find some way forward, even if it means a hiatus. After twenty years, the show could do with a rest, but it would be a terrible shame if it were mothballed for good.
For Netflix to take care of my friends at "Sesame Street."
And finally, for everyone making my favorite shows and movies to keep being able to make money doing what they do best, and have every opportunity to do that work.
Happy Holidays.
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