Throughout the course of cinema, we’ve been peering into the future, envisioning what it might be like five, ten, fifteen, or even fifty years down the line, based on our existing technology and geopolitical climate to identify trends and make guesses about what the world will become before we reach that point. Occasionally, our predictions prove accurate, while other times our imaginations run wild, but it’s always intriguing to revisit these predictions and see if any of them came true.
In the current mid-2020s, our actual time period is approaching the depiction of the future in many old movies. The year 2025 stands out in cinema, as it seems futuristic and sits perfectly in the middle of a decade, neither far from the past nor too near.
As a film enthusiast, I find myself reflecting on movies that have predicted aspects of our contemporary world, sometimes eerily accurately. We’re living in the age where artificial intelligence has become an integral part of our social interactions, much like in the movie ‘Her’. On the other hand, we’ve also reached the era depicted in ‘Pacific Rim’, filled with colossal battles between humans and gigantic creatures. Yet, there are films like the lesser-known TV production ‘Futuresport’, which fortunately, bear little resemblance to our current world. It’s fascinating to revisit these forward-thinking films and determine which ones remain relevant, which still seem far-fetched, and which might have predicted the future more accurately than we could have ever imagined.
The Best (and Weirdest) Movies Set in the Year 2025
Futuresport (1998)
Fervent movie enthusiasts might recognize Ernest Dickerson as Spike Lee’s cinematographer, yet more ardent film fans will be familiar with him as the director of the made-for-TV movie titled “Futuresport“. This film revolves around a unique sport that combines elements of basketball, baseball, hockey, hoverboards, and rollerblades, which is proposed as a method to decrease gang violence. Remarkably, it’s also the only solution to prevent a looming conflict between future global superpowers. Starring in this fictional 2025 scenario are Dean Cain, Vanessa Williams, and Wesley Snipes portraying “Obike Fixx”. Regrettably, this exciting blend of sports does not exist in our world as depicted in Futuresport, but we can ponder the potential impact such super-sports could have on our own troubled political landscape.
Repo Men (2010)
People mostly recall Repo Men as a film that is both poor and regrettably not a follow-up to Alex Cox’s Repo Man. Despite the presence of Jude Law and Forest Whitaker, this movie can’t escape being just another mediocre 2010s action sci-fi flick resembling Minority Report, albeit offering an intriguing depiction of what people in earlier times imagined 2025 might look like. The concept of biomechanical organs that need to be taken back by armed men if their users can’t afford the excessive payments to organ companies serves as a powerful metaphor for today’s healthcare system, even though its portrayal in this film didn’t result in a particularly thought-provoking outcome.
Her (2013)
In discussions about future predictions, particularly within the realm of technology, the film “Her” by Spike Jonze frequently comes up. This unique, thought-provoking romantic comedy explores themes of loneliness and the potential evolution of relationships. Joaquin Phoenix portrays Theodore Twombly, a writer who’s disconnected from his emotions, who downloads an artificial intelligence program named Samantha onto his phone. Over time, he develops genuine feelings for her. As we navigate the current age of AI chatbots and their accompanying complexities, “Her” has gained renewed relevance, and the film’s depiction of 2025 might be eerily close to our own reality.
Pacific Rim (2013)
It’s great that we aren’t battling aquatic extraterrestrial monsters from another dimension, but imagine if we pooled all our military resources to construct enormous robots to combat them? The concept of Pacific Rim, which was sparked by Guillermo del Toro’s fondness for Japanese kaiju films and mecha anime, envisions a world bound together against a common foe. In this movie, the last hope for survival lies in an outlandish notion. Unfortunately, Pacific Rim, while inspired, didn’t receive as much acclaim or love as some of del Toro’s other movies at its release. However, it presents the apocalypse in a way that makes fighting a giant alien monster seem more enticing than using a battleship.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)
Mountains May Depart (2015)
The film “Mountains May Depart” by Jia Zhangke doesn’t present anything radically new about its future setting, as it is divided into three distinct time periods. What stands out in the final third, set in 2025, is a shift in focus from the central character Tao to her grown son Daole, who now studies in Australia and goes by the name “Dollar.” In contrast to many other futuristic films filled with technology, “Mountains May Depart” maintains a realistic touch, concentrating on the intricate bond between a son and his mother and their relationship.
Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
In the movie “Bill & Ted Face the Music”, after failing to compose a unifying song by 2020, the laid-back duo Bill and Ted are compelled to travel through various time periods. One of these instances brings them to 2025, briefly. Thinking they had arrived at their house, they sought a recording of their renowned tune from their future selves who resided there. However, an unexpected twist revealed that their future counterparts were actually hiding out in Dave Grohl’s residence. When Dave Grohl appeared, present-day Bill and Ted discovered that their future selves had been attempting to pass off one of his songs as their own. So, if you’re Dave Grohl, eagerly anticipating the release of new music, now could be the perfect time!
2025 Armageddon (2022)
2025 Armageddon, a commemoration of The Asylum’s 25th anniversary and the monsters born from its low-budget productions, carries stronger influences from Pacific Rim than one might assume. In this movie’s future, a deluge of pixelated beasts invades the timeline. The protagonists soon learn that these creatures are the work of an extraterrestrial race, who, after mistakenly watching all of The Asylum’s imitation films — Snakes on a Train, Sharknado, Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus, and so forth—believe our planet’s mythology to be real. To conquer Earth, they have spawned these monsters. The ones capable of thwarting this invasion are none other than the world’s only two ardent fans of The Asylum, who utilize their extensive knowledge of the studio’s catalog to vanquish the threat.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
The films “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” were released just a year apart, but due to the Blip event, they actually span five years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline. While “Infinity War” coincided with our current timeline, “Endgame” did not, resulting in all subsequent MCU films and shows being set some years ahead. The latest MCU release, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which came out in 2022, actually takes place around the spring of 2025. During this time, T’challa’s sister Shuri has taken over as the Black Panther. Therefore, it appears we might encounter an underwater civilization of blue-skinned superhumans later this year.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
In a nod to traditional franchise-style holiday shows of yore, “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” marks the last Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) production slated for 2025, following “Black Panther 2,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” “Werewolf by Night,” and “She Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Interestingly, while most Guardians films are set off-world, this holiday special sees Peter Quill’s pals getting inspired by his stories of the Footloose legend to snatch Kevin Bacon from his Beverly Hills home as an unexpected Christmas gift. As for what else may be happening globally during that time, it remains a mystery, but Kevin Bacon should probably keep a keen eye out this holiday season!
80s Movies That Could Never Be Made Today
Big (1988)
In this movie, although some viewers’ recollections may vary, let me clarify the main points: Tom Hanks portrays an older version of Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who longed to be big. His wish is granted by a carnival fortune teller machine. After transforming, Hanks’ character, now an adult Josh, flees home to New York City where he secures employment at a toy company. The plot becomes peculiar as he deceives his family into believing he’s been missing for months and barely recalls his mother while enjoying life in a luxurious Soho apartment. By the end of the film, he also pursues a relationship with one of his colleagues (Elizabeth Perkins’ character, Susan). Although it’s not explicitly shown, it is heavily suggested that the 12-year-old Josh, in an adult’s body, may have had intimate relationships. This movie was a blockbuster hit, catapulting Tom Hanks into national adoration. The 80s were certainly peculiar!
Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
80’s movies often featured awkward individuals attempting to gain acceptance into popular social groups through deception or monetary means. The film “Can’t Buy Me Love” is an example of this, as a socially inept character (played by Patrick Dempsey) uses money he has saved for a telescope to instead bribe a popular girl (Amanda Peterson) into feigning their relationship. The charade proves successful and before long, Dempsey’s character becomes so cool that he behaves like an arrogant jerk towards others. It seems as though the movie’s underlying message – that money can buy love, and people will forgive you for being a horrid person if you secretly believe you’re a good one – might not sit well with contemporary audiences.
Dream a Little Dream (1989)
In a nutshell, the movie “Dream a Little Dream” has an unusual and uncomfortable subplot compared to other ’80s films. This plot revolves around a teenager named Lainie (Meredith Salenger), who is entangled in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. A classmate of hers, played by Corey Feldman, develops feelings for her, aiming to free her from the toxic bond. However, things take a darker turn when Lainie’s parents support her abusive boyfriend over their own daughter and threaten to relocate the family due to Lainie’s refusal to comply with her boyfriend’s demands after he physically harmed her. In an even more shocking twist, Lainie’s mother drugs her own daughter, allegedly to protect her from trouble. This disturbing narrative, needless to say, led to a sequel for the film.
Heathers (1989)
The idea that high school students were killing themselves and others wasn’t as sensitive or controversial in 1989 as it is today. A movie called “Heathers,” starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, depicted their dark attempts to kill their school rivals in a way that made it look like suicides. This was seen as a harsh satire about teenage cliques back then. Today, violence among kids isn’t something we find amusing; it’s a distressing reality. Despite its enduring popularity, “Heathers” has been difficult to update due to changing societal norms. Ironically, when the Paramount Network attempted to reboot “Heathers” for television a few years ago, they faced numerous delays due to real-life school shootings. The show eventually aired, but it was heavily edited, with the final episode being a combination of the last two episodes.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
In the initial sequel of the “Indiana Jones” series, Indiana Jones and his companions encounter an Indian Thuggee cult, which has forced children from a neighboring village to labor in a mine. The mine’s entrance is concealed beneath a palace, where Indy is welcomed to a grotesque dinner featuring exotic dishes such as snakes and monkey brains. This portrayal of Indian culture and cuisine, deemed offensive and misleading in today’s era, would likely cause controversy. Moreover, the film was so unsettling that it made many younger viewers uncomfortable, resulting in the MPAA creating a new PG-13 rating for films considered too intense for a PG rating but not severe enough for an R rating. Today, if a family-oriented movie featured a villain who brutally extracted hearts from their victims’ chests, it would undoubtedly raise eyebrows!
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
In this long-running comedy, there’s an unexpectedly harsh undertone for a show centered around mistreated outcasts. It abounds with offensive jokes about homosexuality and racism, as well as a plotline where a fraternity of geeks seek revenge on a sorority by intruding upon their privacy using hidden cameras and ultimately raiding their house. The climax involves the leader of the nerds disguising himself as a popular girl’s boyfriend, deceiving her into a sexual encounter. Surprisingly, she develops feelings for him despite his deceitful actions. A remake was attempted in the mid-2000s, but it never came to fruition just before filming began. This might be because the only way this movie resonates in today’s world is through a gritty reboot that questions the idea that nerds deserve love, fame, and success merely because they had to deal with some rude jocks.
Short Circuit (1986)
You might recall “Short Circuit” as a delightful comedy about a robot acquiring consciousness and defying its military programming. However, if you haven’t watched it in a while, you might not recollect that the significant side character, Indian roboticist Ben Jabituya, was portrayed by a white actor, Fisher Stevens, using brownface makeup. Interestingly, Stevens’ character became so well-liked that he was promoted to the (non-robot) lead in the sequel, “Short Circuit 2.” Despite the series’ success in the 1980s, Stevens has since admitted that the role continues to bother him and he wouldn’t reprise it again.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
In the realm of filmmaking, John Hughes is often associated with clever and empathetic depictions of teenagers through movies like “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Sixteen Candles.” However, it’s startling to consider that this sensitivity didn’t extend to all characters and situations in every film. For instance, the 1984 movie “Sixteen Candles” features Long Duk Dong, a foreign exchange student who appears to embody numerous Asian stereotypes. This character, regrettably, includes a sound effect of a gong whenever he appears on screen.
In retrospect, this portrayal has been criticized by Molly Ringwald, the lead actress in “Sixteen Candles,” as a “grotesque stereotype” in an essay for the New Yorker. The essay also delved into Hughes’ films’ treatment of women and their casual use of homophobic language, which have marked his work as significant pieces of their time but not necessarily relevant to our current era.
Soul Man (1986)
In 1986, a film titled “Soul Man” was produced, which was an entire comedy based on the controversial practice of blackface. The story revolves around a self-indulgent college student named Mark (played by C. Thomas Howell), who gains admission to Harvard Law School but finds his wealthy father unwilling to pay for tuition. In a desperate bid to secure a scholarship reserved for African American students, Mark resorts to an extreme tanning regimen and wearing a wig. Incredibly, this questionable disguise works, albeit temporarily.
While the film attempts to satirize Mark’s naivety, much of its humor falls flat due to its insensitivity. Despite its intentions, the movie is riddled with tone-deaf jokes that feel more akin to a potential 2020s remake of “Gigli” than “Soul Man.
Zapped! (1982)
In the film “Zapped!”, a teenager, who later becomes the protagonist, gains telekinetic powers and chooses to publicly embarrass girls he dislikes by forcefully removing their clothes. This is achieved through the character Scott Baio’s Barney, who, after acquiring supernatural mental abilities in an accidental science experiment, spends the majority of the movie mistreating almost every woman in his life, including a girl at school who is kind to him. It’s important to note that while sexual content is common in movies, “Zapped!” repeatedly portrays abuse as comic relief.
Read More
- Skull and Bones: Players Demand Nerf for the Overpowered Garuda Ship
- ‘The Batman 2’ Delayed to 2027, Alejandro G. Iñarritu’s Tom Cruise Movie Gets 2026 Date
- Gaming News: Rocksteady Faces Layoffs After Suicide Squad Game Backlash
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- League of Legends: The Mythmaker Jhin Skin – A Good Start or a Disappointing Trend?
- Why Going Offline in Last Epoch’s Hardcore Mode Might Save Your Character (And Your Sanity)
- RIF PREDICTION. RIF cryptocurrency
- Destiny 2: The Surprising Stats Behind Slayer’s Fang – A Shotgun Worth Discussing
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- Mastering the Tram Station: Your Guide to Making Foolproof Jumps in Abiotic Factor
2025-01-22 17:54