Halloween is almost here and you might have noticed one movie studio is crushing spooky season, as far as costumes go! Yes, Warner Bros. has had an impressive 2025 at the box office and the proof is in your social media feeds as we speak.
You can’t go to a single Halloween party over the last few weeks and not run into some familiar faces from their cinematic slate this year. You’ve been online, you’re here after all, and the amount of Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Weapons cosplay around is nothing short of astounding.
Everywhere you look, it’s the Smokestack Twins or a slightly disheveled man in a flannel and wraparound shades, there’s just a glut of people out there who loved this year at the movies. There’s some Superman flying up, up, and away as well. (Where are all my weird little Mickey 17 people at? We need to get those numbers up!) So, it’s a clear victory in the minds of movie-goers all over with the strange variety over at WB. Let’s take a quick look back at this year to see some of our favorites.
Warner Bros. biggest moment is probably Sinners?
So, I don’t have all of the information in front of me. But, it would seem like there’s no real argument for anything but Sinners as the biggest costume of the year? (All apologies to KPOP Demon Hunters and the sheer number of Rumi’s that I’ve already seen!)
Michael B. Jordan’s Smoke and Stack are instant first-ballot horror Halloween costumes. And, a special shout out to all the blood-soaked Mary’s I’ve seen in the trenches too. It’s been wild to see those curls falling effortlessly up and down the timeline.
Ryan Coogler doesn’t really miss. But, you knew that already? Now, with Sinners, he’s got a certifiable horror phenomenon to hang his hat on too. While a lot of chatter has circled around the Best Picture race and even more fiercely over “the state of the movies,” one thing has remained clear, Sinners was the cinematic event of the year in United States theaters. \
(I’d argue KPOP Demon Hunters is the biggest pop culture story of the year on the entertainment side, but it benefited from a long runway on streaming to get there.)
Still, seeing so many of those pinstriped suits and flappers with fake blood out there (aka the easy version of a Sinners vampire) only reinforces that Warner Bros. is having a massive impact on the viewing public. This is a tough environment for all of us, and Ryan Coogler and Autumn Durald (cinematographer extraordinaire) found a way to cut through.
Weapons continue’s Horror’s resurgence
Ah, the “other” movie I think about kids running weird besides Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds. Weapons was an instant hit for Warner Bros. as the perfect release window collided with another stylish outing from Zach Cregger.
Make no mistake, people were charged up to see another movie that tumbled out of the Barbarian director’s headspace. What they got was the right mix of unsettling and attuned to the moment with this whole mystery/dark humor current running below the surface.
Julia Garner continued her impressive 2025 as Justine and Josh Brolin was clearly having a good time as Archer. But, Aunt Gladys is the look from this movie. Everyone loves a horror monster and this particular formulation is easier to bring to life than something like Pennywise. (You’re also going to see a ton of the kids running around, so just be ready for that too!) Big year for horror, let’s keep it rolling.
One Battle After Another
This is the most recent movie to join this club, but word of mouth on One Battle After Another is strong. Leonardo DiCaprio in a Paul Thomas Anderson vehicle isn’t really a tough sell. Still, our Bob Ferguson is another one of those low-lift specials that’s going to score you some points with the theater-going crowd. (Tell me where you got the robe please!) Bonus points if you’re bringing some of that manic energy to the dance as well!
Goodness gracious, the poor social media manager over at Modelo has probably been using one of those stress balls for like weeks now. Benecio del Toro’s Karatedo teacher is nothing short of hysterical and charming in One Battle After Another. A few small beers probably don’t hurt either, right? Toss in a couple of the French 75 members like Willa (Chase Infiniti) and Teyana Taylor’s Perfida too.
Special Mention: Smiling Friends
I have to mention the strangest thing under that Warner Bros. umbrella too! Smiling Friends is something that I think just a tiny bit too much about at this point. The adventures of Pim, Charlie, Allan, Glep and Mr. Boss are a sight to behold. I already liked the show a lot. But, last year’s April Fools gag from adult swim basically cemented it for me.
In the veritable cornucopia of stoner cartoons out there, Smiling Friends finds a way to stand out. And, we’re all just a little better for it. Well, not Mr. Frog, but you get the idea. It’s Warner Bros., so I’m putting it in here.
(featured image: Warner Bros.)
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