Nerdist’s Favorite TV and Film Moments of 2025

Great TV shows and movies always have scenes that stick with you long after they end. Who could forget the excitement when Captain America lifted Thor’s hammer in the movie? People still talk about how the audience roared with applause! And for many who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, Will Smith’s emotional speech about his father in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air remains a particularly powerful moment.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the year’s most memorable TV and film moments. These can range from a single, perfectly delivered line to an entire scene that leaves you breathless. Great stories are built on great characters and unforgettable moments, and TopMob is highlighting some of the very best from the past year. Here are our top picks!

IT: Welcome to Derry‘s Terrifying Theater Massacre

Around the midpoint of the first episode of IT: Welcome to Derry, it seems like a familiar story: a retelling of the original IT, but set 27 years in the past with a new group of kids. We quickly meet this new version of the Losers Club as they investigate the disappearance of a friend. However, the episode takes a shockingly dark turn when Pennywise appears in a more ancient and terrifying form. He brutally kills three of the children in a chaotic and graphic scene inside a movie theater, leaving the survivors traumatized and clutching the remains of their friends.

The first episode of Welcome to Derry makes it clear this series isn’t holding back. Despite being a TV show, it delivers genuine horror. At a time when movies often shy away from harming child characters – and therefore lose tension – Welcome to Derry boldly killed off members of the new Losers’ Club. These deaths were truly shocking and created one of the most memorable first episode endings in recent television history. -Eric Diaz

Joel’s Therapy Session With Gail in The Last of Us Season 2

Catherine O’Hara quickly became a standout character in season two of The Last of Us as Gail Lynden. From her very first scene – a memorable encounter where a tipsy Gail disrupted Joel’s therapy – she captivated audiences. The scene was beautifully written, managing to be both funny and deeply moving, and it immediately created a sense of mystery. It also effectively showed the difficult dynamic between Joel and Ellie.

Honestly, what really made that scene amazing was O’Hara and Pedro Pascal. It was just a simple conversation, but seeing those two incredible actors work their magic was breathtaking. They’re both at the top of their game, and it totally showed! – Mikey Walsh

Daniel Molloy Reads From His Book, Interview with the Vampire, on Talamasca: The Secret Order

The best TV and movie moments often feel deeply personal, and this year had one of those for me. With shows taking longer breaks between seasons, it’s always a great surprise to unexpectedly reconnect with beloved characters. I’m a huge fan of Daniel Molloy from Interview with the Vampire – and as someone who passionately defends Armand, loving Daniel is just part of being a fan! Seeing him appear in the Talamasca series, the newest installment in the Immortal Universe, was wonderfully complex and satisfying.

At the end of season two of Interview with the Vampire, Daniel Molloy appeared to be handling his vampire abilities well. However, in the recent episode, Talamasca, he seemed confused, frightened, and torn internally, though still retaining his characteristic grumbling, sarcastic personality. It was a brief scene, but packed with content for fans. It felt like a much-needed moment after a long wait. I especially enjoyed the clever way the show incorporated Daniel reading from his own book, Interview with the Vampire. The parallel marketing campaign, where Eric Bogosian’s character was ‘canceled’ and then issued an apology via a Notes app screenshot, was also a fun touch.

I’m really excited for The Vampire Lestat when it comes out in 2026, but for now, I’m perfectly content with Talamasca and its appearances in Interview with the Vampire being my favorite TV moments. -Ro Rusak

Clark’s Apartment Scene With Lois in Superman

For the new Superman movie to succeed, it had to convince viewers – and that was a big task. While exciting action and accurate character portrayals were important, what mattered most to me was whether Superman felt like Superman. The scene in Clark’s apartment, where we learn more about his Kryptonian parents, was the moment the film truly nailed it.

While the Justice League battles some strange cosmic threat outside, Superman is talking to Lois about something much more personal: his dog, Krypto, has gone missing. Lois is shocked, pointing out it’s just a dog, but Superman sadly explains that Krypto is out there alone and likely frightened. This moment reveals the core of who Superman truly is – not his powers or iconic image, but a deeply caring person who feels compelled to help anyone in need.

Benicio del Toro’s “A Few Small Beers” in One Battle After Another

“I’ve had a few.”

“A few what?”

“A few small beers.”

Benicio del Toro’s simple line, “a few small beers,” is one of the best performances ever captured on film. His portrayal of Sensei Sergio, in a movie that’s likely to be a major awards contender, was a perfect example of subtle acting. He embodied coolness and composure even amidst complete turmoil. The way he smoothly distracted the police with a quick lie at the end of the film was the perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable performance – I’ve been thinking about it ever since I saw the movie. -Mikey Walsh

The Final Juke Joint Showdown in Sinners

As a mom, I definitely don’t want vampires turning my kids! And while I didn’t like Grace’s decision to go off on her own in Sinners and bring those vampires into the bar – especially since she didn’t even get a chance to help – it did lead to some of the most exciting, shocking, and visually stunning horror I’ve ever seen in a movie. The quick series of deaths, Smoke’s grief over losing Annie, Delta Slim’s bravery, and Sammie’s fight against Remmick were all perfectly done. -Tai Gooden

That Wild Aunt Gladys Chase Scene in Weapons

Okay, let me tell you about one of the biggest surprises of the summer – Zach Cregger’s Weapons. This horror-comedy really grabbed me. The story centers around a small town thrown into chaos when a whole classroom of kids vanishes simultaneously. Turns out, there’s some serious supernatural stuff going on. What really stood out was the villain, Aunt Gladys – she’s quickly becoming a modern horror icon, and I saw her everywhere this Halloween! The movie is packed with great scenes, but honestly, the ending is phenomenal. Picture this: Aunt Gladys being chased by a swarm of screaming kids for almost two full minutes. It’s absolutely wild and incredibly satisfying – a truly unforgettable finale.

Gladys, still wearing her robe, tries to escape a group of angry children, but they won’t give up. The pursuit leads to chaotic scenes as the kids tear through houses, breaking windows and walls, all in an effort to catch her. Surprisingly, it’s more comical than frightening to watch. It’s hard not to smile seeing Gladys finally get her comeuppance, and she certainly does. This ending has become incredibly memorable in the horror genre and rightfully earns its place among the best.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ Zippy Space Scene

After seeing countless superhero action scenes – around 400,000, to be exact – I didn’t think anything could impress me like the films of 2008. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps proved me wrong. It has one of the most thrilling action sequences I’ve witnessed in years. The scene shows the Fantastic Four trying to escape after their initial encounter with Galactus in space, while being pursued by Silver Surfer Shalla-Bal.

During a chaotic scene aboard their ship, Sue Storm goes into labor. With no gravity and while passing through a black hole, Reed and Johnny are forced to deliver the baby. Kyle Anderson called it an incredibly intense and the best sequence in the movie, and while it wasn’t his top superhero film of the year, he considered it the best superhero action sequence he’d seen all year.

Olivia Holt’s Declaration to Saint Valentine That “Your Day Sucks” in Heart Eyes

I completely missed the horror comedy Heart Eyes, with Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, when it came out in February. But I recently watched it on a flight and was pleasantly surprised – I really enjoyed it! It’s a reminder that movies can simply be fun. Heart Eyes has a clever concept, blending romantic comedy with horror. The story follows Ally, a struggling ad designer, who teams up with the successful and charming consultant Jay to salvage a disastrous campaign she created. – Tai Gooden

Their Valentine’s Day dinner date unfortunately makes them targets for the Heart Eyes Killer, who is determined to kill couples on that day. Following a terrifying night, Ally finds herself in a chapel, covered in blood, and angrily tells a statue of Saint Valentine that his holiday is awful. The actress, Holt, perfectly portrays the exhaustion and bleakness of the scene with her dry humor and weary expression.

2025-11-21 17:35