GOAT

Coming out in February this year, GOAT is an animated film coming from Sony Pictures Animation. Trailers for the movie have already been released, and the key pull from that is the animation style. Sony Pictures Animation is known for innovating and adapting their animating style, having the Spiderverse movies under their belt. GOAT seems to use that same choppy animation style that we see in the Spiderverse movie, and it is blended into a bright and beautiful colour palette. The movie will follow this goat named Will as he tries to go pro in a sport called roarball (the movie equivalent of basketball). This movie looks like Zootopia but instead of rookie cops, it is a basketball underdog story. This movie looks to be like something for fans of animation, as it has a very unique art style, and quirky animation techniques. GOAT also seems to create some appeal for basketball fans too, with the film’s sport being based around basketball, and Stephen Curry featuring as a voice in this movie. I think GOAT will be an enjoyable underdog movie, enhanced with that beautiful Sony Pictures Animation touch, making this a film worth catching.

Hoppers

Another animated animal movie, Hoppers, releases in March this year. Hoppers follows the story of a girl who transfers her consciousness into that of an animatronic Beaver, and she uses this to go and communicate with animals. This movie has a very refined animation style, keeping things looking rounded and cheerful. Pixar are the ones making this movie, and I think in keeping with the Pixar theme, this movie will have a lot of laughs but also a lot of heart. While not their biggest movie coming out this year, Pixar’s Hoppers has built up a good following and could turn out to be a refreshing new animated movie. Animal lovers, and those wanting to see a classic family friendly fun flick, should definitely give Hoppers a watch.

Project Hail Mary

This upcoming project comes from Ryan Gosling, and is adapted from the novel of the same name. This movie is going to be a sci-fi thriller, following Ryland Grace, a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or what he is doing. However, he slowly pieces his memory back together, and realises that he has to stop the Earth from entering a new ice age, by saving our sun. The plot seems outlandish and wild, and that is what draws me towards this movie. Behind this complex sounding premise however, it looks to be a fun comedy movie, mixed with thriller and sci-fi elements. From the trailer, it looks like Interstellar and the Martian blended together, throwing in some more comedy effects, and stunning space visuals. This sci fi movie looks like a great ride, with some visually stunning elements, and for a sci fi nerd like me, makes it a must watch when it comes out in March.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was wildly successful when it was released in 2023, showing that, if done right (looking at you live action Mario movie from 1993), Mario could be adapted for the big screen. Now as a follow up to that movie, Mario returns in this adaptation of the Super Mario Galaxy games. From the trailer, it looks like all the fan favourite characters from the last movie will return, but also new characters from the franchise, like Yoshi, Bowser Jr., and Rosalina. The movie also looks to be taking elements from multiple Mario games too, notably Super Mario: Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Seeing how well the last adaptation went, and both the franchise and star power that this movie is bringing, I could see this film making over 1 billion dollars. This movie is the follow up to one of the best video game adaptation movies of all time, and I think it has the ability to surpass the original. For Mario fans, and frankly anyone who enjoys video games, this Nintendo movie coming out in April needs a watch.

Michael

I love a good movie musical biopic, and have found films like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and Better Man to be greatly entertaining. Now for 2026, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson is getting his very own biopic. Starring his nephew, Jafaar Jackson, this biopic will follow the rise of the pop superstar, from his time in the Jackson 5 to his international stardom. This movie will be loaded to the brim with all of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, guaranteeing this movie too have a stellar soundtrack. It has been stated that the movie will tackle every part of the singer’s life, and from the trailer it looks absolutely incredible. From iconic music videos like Thriller, to the recording of hit songs like Billie Jean, this movie looks like it will have it all. Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jafaar Jackson, provides a good likeness to the King of Pop, and shows off some great singing talent too. This musical biopic will definitely be something to catch, when it moonwalks into cinemas in April.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

I love Star Wars, and this movie is going to be the first Star Wars movie to come out since 2019’s Rise of Skywalker. The Mandalorian T.V show was a breath of fresh air into the franchise, styled like a western, it brought the effortlessly cool but caring Din Djarin to the universe, and his adorable sidekick Grogu (or Baby Yoda). The show ended with the return of the Mandalorians to Mandalore, and saw Din and Grogu settling down for the quiet life on Tatooine. However, by the looks of things, they are called into action to fight against the remaining imperial warlords around the galaxy. When I saw the trailer, I could just feel the goosebumps. Seeing the return of Star Wars to the big screen is an absolute treat, and in a movie which will no doubt be a galaxy wide bounty hunting adventure. The return of fan favourite characters from across the franchise will be seen in this movie, with the likes of Zeb Orrelios (Rebels), Rotta the Hutt (The Clone Wars), and Babu Frik (Rise of Skywalker), all featuring in this film. I am most excited to see the return of the Razor Crest, ATATs, and X-Wings. For all Star Wars fans this is a must see, as the galaxy far far away returns to the big screen in this western style adventure on May 22nd.

Toy Story 5

Toy Story is back again, with a new and different plot that hits surprisingly close to home. After what has felt like 2 perfect endings for the franchise, in the form of Toy Story 3 and then again in Toy Story 4, Pixar looks to have changed their minds, reuniting Woody and Buzz for another adventure. This movie will see the return of most of the fan favourite characters, with Slinky Dog, Hamm, Rex, Jessie, Bullseye, Combat Carl, and Forky all confirmed to come back. Other characters like the Potato heads remain ambiguous but likely. From the teaser, it looks like the toys will take on the threat of technology, more specifically the Ipad. We are currently living through the Ipad kid generation, making this movie definitely relatable and fitting today’s audience. Seeing how well Toy Story movies perform, I don’t doubt that this movie will have a lot of heart, a lot of meta jokes, and make a lot of money. Another addition to a timeless series, Toy Story 5 will surely be a hit when it comes out in June.

Supergirl

Superman was a surprise smash hit from 2025 (which I have reviewed already on my top films of 2025), and here comes another addition to James Gunn’s DC universe. Supergirl takes place before she meets Superman on earth, as seen in the post credits scene of Superman, as she travels across the galaxy with Krypto the Superdog. This is directly after the destruction of Krypton, so I’m sure we will see a sad Supergirl searching for some purpose, accompanied by her adorable canine. From the trailers, it looks to be a space adventure, with the Guardians of the Galaxy vibes definitely being there. For comics fans, this movie is based on the Woman of Tomorrow comic line for Supergirl, and knowing James Gunn, it will be very comic accurate. Already from the trailer, the character of Lobo can be seen, with Jason Momoa playing him, which is a perfect casting for the role. For those that enjoyed Superman, Guardians of the Galaxy, or any of James Gunn’s DC movies, Supergirl will definitely be a super time when it releases in June.

Assorted movies that we don’t know much about yet

There are still many movies on this list that we don’t have too much information about yet, but are still highly anticipated either because they are franchise heavy hitters, or they are led by famous stars. Firstly, Minions 3: Mega Minions is a sequel to the greatly successful minions franchise, which is the prequel series to the Despicable Me franchise. Not much is known about the plot, just that Gru will return in this movie, alongside the indestructible minions. Next, in October, Digger releases. Again, not much is known about the plot, beyond the fact that it is a comedy, and will see Tom Cruise star in the film. The star power alone sells it to me, but I think a good independent comedy will definitely be an entertaining piece. Lastly, Jumanji 3 will be coming out in December. Again, not much is known about the plot, besides that the main cast of video game characters will be returning, and this might be the last movie in the rebooted franchise. The reboot of Jumanji does a great job in being like a sort of sequel to the original, but modernising it and bringing it to a new audience. I enjoyed all the Jumanji movies, and I feel that Jumanji 3 will live up to its predecessors.

The Odyssey

Take a bunch of the most famous and popular actors of our time, combine that with one of the best directors of this century, and make them adapt one of the most famous stories of all time, and you get The Odyssey. This Odyssey will follow the story of Odysseus as he returns home from the Trojan War, facing many perils and challenges on the way. The cast for this movie is one of the best ensemble casts I have seen since Love Actually. The movie stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway portraying his wife, and Tom Holland portraying his son. Other actors in this film include Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, and Benny Safdie. All of them are being directed by the great Christopher Nolan, whose last movie, Oppenheimer, won best picture. He knows how to do a historical movie, and while some on the internet have criticised the costumes already for historical inaccuracies, it’s adapting a story with a cyclops in it and the armour looks cool. The whole movie is filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, adding to the cool factor of this movie. I believe this will be a beautifully done movie, with incredibly action set pieces, incredible cinematography, and superb acting. This movie will definitely be a need to watch when it comes out in July.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Tom Holland returns to the MCU in another movie playing everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. This movie’s plot has remained quite secretive, no leaks this time around, but it is rumoured to be a more street level movie. This means that it could see the integration of some of the characters from the Netflix marvel shows, and finally see Spider-Man take on some street level threats. I theorise that this movie will have Daredevil return, the Punisher, and see Spider-Man take on Kingpin in some way. It is unknown whether we will see the return of Zendaya’s MJ or Ned, but it will be awesome to see a more Tobey Maguire style Spider-Man, now that Peter lives alone and has his new suit. Any Spider-Man movie is a great time, and this one will definitely be on the watch list when it swings into cinemas in July.

Street Fighter

I don’t know much about the Street Fighter games, or the Street Fighter movie that came out in 1994, but I do know a little about this new Street Fighter movie coming out this year. The movie looks to be including every major character from the games, with there definitely being some recognisable characters thanks to their pop culture stardom. Like it says on the tin, there will be a lot of fighting in this movie, but from the teaser trailer, the fighting looks awesome, with fight choreography looking clean and flowing like a classing kung fu flick. It also has that retro vibe, leaning into the older vibes and retro feel found in the original Street Fighter arcade game. This movie will definitely bring some incredible action and fight scenes, with some impressive KOs, giving the audience an exhilarating ride. For those looking for a classic style kung fu flick, or just another incredible video game adaptation, look no further than this movie, coming out in October.

Avengers: Doomsday

While this movie may only be coming out in December, the Russo brothers know how to build hype. The film has already been teased last year, with Doctor Doom appearing in post credits scenes, and the Fantastic Four coming to the mainline MCU timeline. The reveal that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom is already incredible, but the teaser trailers that have been released for this movie are definitely making it more exciting. I won’t spoil what happens in them here (and I urge you to watch them), but I will say that we will be seeing the return of Thor, Steve Rogers Captain America, the Fantastic Four, Namor, Shuri, M’baku (now as king of Wakanda), and the X-Men. Along with other characters returning from other MCU movies last year, this cast will be packed full. This movie is looking to top the likes of Avengers: Endgame with the cast and story. The world is currently in a state of superhero fatigue, and many believe that the MCU peaked at Endgame and has been going downhill ever since (I personally believe the peak was at Spider-Man: No Way Home). However, with the hype that Doomsday is building I think that it could be reaching for a new high. Once the Avengers: Doomsday clock runs out, and the film releases in December, it will be a must watch.

Dune: Messiah

Dune: Messiah is the third and final instalment in the Dune franchise, which tells me that it will be the best of the three. Denis Villeneuve does a great job at adapting the Dune books into these massive space operas, led by a stellar cast, and featuring an incredible soundtrack. According to the books, this next movie will see a major time jump, as Paul Atreides solidifies his power as the new ruler on Arrakis. While these movies can be hard to follow at times, it gives you space to breathe at points, letting you take in the beautiful shots of the desert planet. Timothée Chalamet spearheads this film again as Paul Atredis, and based on assumption, should be rejoined with Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Florence Pugh. This movie looks to be the finale of this stunning set of films, and as seen with Dune: Part 2, I believe it will beat the other two to become the best in the franchise. I felt Dune was very exposition heavy, Dune: Part 2 was very action heavy, so following that, Dune: Messiah should be the perfect mix of both. Regardless, it will be an amazing movie, and the movie event that will be Avengers: Dunesday (as coined by Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet) will definitely be a need to do, when it happens in December.

Conclusion

2026 looks to be a very exciting year for movies. Whether it be major franchise blockbusters, or new original movies 2026 looks to be having it all. Ranging from many different genres, like action, animation, sports, music, superhero, video game adaptation, sci-fi, or just good old comedy. I am very excited for the up and coming films for this year, and I cannot wait to see how good these movies will be. As a side note, this list was aided by a Rotten Tomatoes list of upcoming films, which features even more exciting films to come, so I recommend taking a look at it too, linked here: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-most-anticipated-movies-of-2026/. For movie fans it looks to be a good year, and I personally cannot wait to see these films hit the big screen this year.

The unfair conditions of workers in the fast fashion industry highlight why we should discourage fast fashion in China and globally due to the harsh working conditions. Approximately 150 million internal migrant workers in China face harsh working conditions, including the need to work overtime often, the lack of employment contracts, and limited access to social security benefits. Despite the country’s rapid industrial growth, these workers live in crowded dormitories, and frequently endure 14-16 hour shifts, 7 days a week, and overtime for low wages, averaging 1,690 CNY per month. Migrant workers make up a significant portion of the workforce, with 75 million factory workers worldwide, less than 2% earn a living wage, and 80% are women who face gender inequality and lack the rights of maternity leave and childcare options, which forces them to make difficult choices about their family situations, making them vulnerable to employers being able to exploit them without any consequences. These extreme working conditions in the fashion industry are extremely common in China and heavily impact migrant workers’ mental as well as physical health. 

Alternatively, from the point of view of some cotton farmers, fast fashion has the opportunity to improve their lifestyles drastically. Kady Walie, from West Africa is involved in the fairtrade system, where cotton farmers are paid a guaranteed price, over the market price, for their cotton. They are given training courses to get higher yields, as well as a fairtrade premium which is granted to the farmers’ group, where they can collectively decide how to utilise it. As yet, the premium has been used to help provide support for them towards Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 6, which are good health and well being, quality education, and clean water and sanitation. Fast fashion can also shift the lives of many cotton farmers in Hong Kong due to a high demand of cotton from fast fashion brands, as cotton is a cheap and durable material. There is a current drive in fast fashion, with the market reaching over 20.2 billion HKD this year, there is an estimate that it will continue to grow about 9.5% reaching 2029, which suggests a significant upwards trend in the fast fashion industry. Consumers knowing where their clothes come from could lead to appreciation and acknowledgement for the farmers, increasing customers’ awareness, potentially driving more support for fairtrade initiatives, which foreshadows a future of sustainable lifestyles for cotton farmers all over the globe.

Additionally, many farmers commit suicide as they cannot make their living wage, highlighting the impacts of unstable market prices, as well as agricultural debt on cotton farmers and their families. Many cotton farmers worldwide go through similar devastating experiences to Yogita Kanhiya, who lost her husband who committed suicide due to an overwhelming amount of debt, which seems to be common pattern in the area, as 44 farmers take their lives every day. While fairtrade has its many benefits, and could potentially assist to solve this groundbreaking issue, the assumption of which fairtrade could tremendously improve cotton farmers’ lifestyles oversimplifies the complex challenges and ignores major issues in the cotton industry, and fairtrade sales are unreliable as customer awareness is limited and fluctuates based on current trends. Although fairtrade provides a guaranteed price and a premium for community needs, these benefits are nowhere near enough to address underlying issues such as exploitation and poverty, and the lack of basic needs. Unpredictable weather has destroyed many crops in the past, triggering despair and hopelessness in these farmers. The quality of cotton is reduced as a consequence of the high demand for cotton which arises as fast fashion encourages a throwaway culture. Over the past 30 years, cotton prices have halved, production costs have risen, making it extremely challenging for farmers to earn a steady income. Fast fashion involves the use of many chemicals and practices that are unsustainable and harm the environment, ultimately complicating the process of growing healthy cotton. The governments’ poor attempts to address the situation has caused the local community to lose hope in which the situation will improve, leaving farmers in India trapped in mountains of debt. Discouraging fast fashion is crucial as it would majorly contribute to easing the burdens on cotton farmers, and it would help support a healthy financial, as well as mental wellbeing.

Living in Hong Kong, the issue of fast fashion leads to overflowing landfills along with both air and water pollution, as fast fashion promotes a throwaway culture. This affects local communities and the overall public’s health, myself included. Moreover, as awareness of extreme working conditions including migrant workers suffering 14-16 hour shifts, 7 days a week for only 1,690 CNY, and cotton farmers facing overwhelming amounts of debt, leading to 44 committing suicide daily, these extreme measure which workers in the fast fashion industry face could lead to guilt and self reflection in consumers and make them reconsider their spending choices on temporary trends, which make people like myself feel pressured to constantly update their wardrobes to fit in, as many people my age are impacted by FOMO, which social media indirectly promotes. Us, as a community of consumers can help take action by choosing to buy from sustainable brands, saving you money in the long term as you do not need to buy replacements as often for low quality, cheap, garments.

We all have a role to play in making sure that from where our clothes’ journey starts in the cotton farms in India, to where they are constructed in cramped factories in China, all employees are treated fairly. You can help Yogita Kanhiya and many others by advocate for the Hong Kong government to set laws for brands to follow regarding labour practices and sustainability, raise awareness for the workers in the fast fashion industry through campaigns, implement textile recycling programs to reduce clothing waste, offer financial support to local businesses that use eco friendly practices, ultimately encouraging sustainable choices and a reduced demand for fast fashion.

The evidence presented clearly indicates that fast fashion should be discouraged in Hong Kong, due to its exploitation of workers, negative impact on cotton farmers, environmental impact, etc., all contributing to significant social and ethical issues. Nethertheless, there are still several advantages to fast fashion, an example being that it could potentially ease the lives of cotton farmers with the help of fairtrade. However, as expressed, fairtrade does not consider all aspects of this complex issue. When contrasted with the overloading negative impacts, it is clear that the only outcome is that Hong Kong should discourage fast fashion.

Karate Kid: Legends

For those unaware of the Karate Kid franchise, it follows the story of a boy learning to integrate into a new society, and in the process finds love and enemies. Through the art of karate, he is able to deal with his bullies, creating the perfect formula for the classic underdog story. The original Karate Kid is a aFor those unaware of the Karate Kid franchise, it follows the story of a boy learning to integrate into a new society, and in the process finds love and enemies. Through the art of karate, he is able to deal with his bullies, creating the perfect formula for the classic underdog story. The original Karate Kid is an all time great sports movie, and with the loveable characters of Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi, it has become a cult classic. From this first movie, a franchise has spawned, with 4 sequels, a T.V. show and a reboot. Karate Kid: Legends is the 4th, and possibly final, movie in the series and does a great job in living up to the original. This movie follows the formula well, with a loveable main character, a master of karate and kung fu as his aides, a compelling love story, and a punchable bad guy. Beyond this however, Legends ties in aspects from all areas of the franchise. The return of Daniel LaRusso was a huge draw, but even more than this, the inclusion of Jackie Chan’s character Mr Han from the reboot was the cherry on top. It brings in aspects from all of the Karate Kid movies, even including small references to the Cobra Kai T.V. show. However, you don’t have to watch the rest of the franchise to enjoy this movie. From a film stand point, I found it to be very entertaining, with awesome karate fight scenes, heartfelt emotional moments, and a great soundtrack. The setting of New York adds a different and new element to the franchise and the dual masters of Mr Han and Daniel LaRusso make for a funny and interesting pairing. If you’re after a sports movie that leaves you with that feel good feeling, wax on (or jacket on) your T.V. and give this super sequel a watch.

Superman

In a time of superhero fatigue, I found Superman to be a refreshing watch. James Gunn brings his excellent superhero formula of taking weird and unknown comics characters and turning them into beloved superheroes. In this case, I am not referring to Superman, but rather the plethora of side characters thrown in, being Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Mr Terrific. While all these characters are handled and portrayed perfectly, it’s Gunn’s handling of Superman that is incredible. There hasn’t been a successful Superman adaptation since Reeve’s version in the late 70s (sorry Henry Cavill fans), but Gunn expertly takes an unknown star and helps bring back that heroic feel to the man of steel. The Superman in this film looks like he was ripped straight out of the comics, and the whole film sets off that vibe, with the vibrant colours and amazing action set pieces. Superman’s supporting character cast is also great, with good chemistry between Superman and Lois Lane, and the inclusion of Jimmy Olsen (hooray!). Lex Luthor in this film is absolutely perfect. Top tier aura farmer, top tier ragebaiter, an overall menacing presence, a good motivation, and he definitely looks the part. The styling and characters of this film are perfect, but what about the story. That is done very well, with Superman being slightly weaker making the stakes feel higher, a great evil villain plan, and a heartwarming story about family at the core of it. For comics fans, this film is an absolute treat, with the inclusion of Krypton, the Fortress of Solitude, and Krypto the Superdog! This film is also a key cornerstone for James Gunn’s new DC universe, leaving grim and gritty and moving towards more comic book fun. Superman ties in great with other past and future projects in this universe, personally I enjoyed the Peacemaker cameo. Superman brings back the comic pizzazz to superhero movies, and is a great addition to James Gunn’s DC universe, and this movie should fly into your watch list.

F1: The Movie

After Covid, the film that brought the movie industry back was Top Gun: Maverick, giving audiences high speed thrills and adrenaline pumping action. Now take the directors, producers, and thrills of Top Gun: Maverick, but instead of planes it’s cars. That’s the F1 movie for you, and it delivers on those high speed thrills. I saw the film in IMAX originally, and that is one way to get your adrenaline flowing, as the camera movements and filming make you feel like you’re in the car. The filmmakers nailed the feel of the movie, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as they watch the protagonist throw his car around corners at 200 mph. In terms of story, this also delivered, with the protagonist Sonny Hayes having both a comeback and underdog story. Alongside his hotheaded young teammate, Joshua Pierce, Sonny Hayes works to help a struggling F1 team stay afloat, salvaging his own career in the process. This movie delivers in so many aspects, and really shows what a summer blockbuster should look and feel like. Watching Sonny Hayes’s antics was entertaining, his rivalry and later friendship with Joshua Pierce felt very genuine, and the cast is a mix of old and new stars. However, the main selling point of this movie is the F1 racing action, and in that aspect, the movie blows it out of the park (or should I say track?). For F1 fans, it also delivers, featuring cameos from F1 drivers like Carlos Sainz Jr and Lewis Hamilton, and the settings being the different race tracks F1 takes place on. F1: The Movie proves to be an amazing racing movie, giving races, rivalry, and redemption all wrapped into one. F1: The Movie is an action packed adrenaline pumping movie, with the added bonuses of a great cast, soundtrack and story, making this a must watch movie.

The Ballad of Wallis Island

This choice is a bit more of an outlandish one. It wasn’t a mainstream blockbuster hit, nor a franchise movie, and was a fairly cheap movie to make. Rather, the part in this movie I like the most is the heart and story. It follows a simple premise, with a millionaire inviting the two former members of the folk duo McGwyer Mortimer to perform a private concert for him on his island home. This movie’s comedic elements were excellent, with the dynamics between the former bandmates, and former lovers, of McGwyer and Mortimer adding lots of awkward scenes. The millionaire is also comedically great, being a shy awkward guy that loves their music, and lives a very secluded lifestyle with all his millions made through winning the lottery. Beyond the great comedy in this film, there is also a deep sense of heart and soul in this movie. Charlie, who is the millionaire, is living alone on this island, beyond the single mother and her son that work in the only convenience store, and both Mcgwyer and Mortimer encourage him towards love and to talk to her. There is also great character growth and dynamics in an emotional sense. Mcgwyer starts out as a more cynical guy, only in it for the money, showing clear signs of his struggling music career after the break up, but he goes beyond this and you feel bad for him and what the breakup did to him. On the other side of the coin, Mortimer provides a positive reinforcement and feeling throughout the movie, providing some emotional grounding. The movie may not provide you with the fully resolved happy ending that you want for them, but rather provides a fitting ending that really leaves you with a smile on your face. Pair that with a soundtrack that sounds very close to Fleetwood Mac, and you have a nice indie feel good movie that definitely lives up to its rumours.

A Minecraft Movie

This list, I feel, would be incomplete without this movie. There was a time when the Minecraft movie was thought to never come out, and was just one of those old internet conspiracies, and here it is, in all its glory. Is this movie a stupid goofy movie made for kids without any serious noteworthy film elements? Yes. Is this movie inaccurate to the game? Yes. However, was this movie not stupidly fun to watch with friends and jam packed full of references for the Minecraft community? 100% yes. Just seeing the Minecraft world and lore being put into a movie was incredible for me, and I loved reference spotting, and this movie is full of them. Ranging from famous Minecraft Youtubers like DanTDM and Technoblade to famous Minecraft lore and legends, like a Herobrine reference. While the story itself featured elements that were not accurate to the game, like Steve having elytras without going to the end, it was still incredibly fun to see Minecraft elements and game mechanics in a movie. While some elements of the design and look of the movie felt a bit off from the game, certain elements, like the Iron Golem and Creepers, looked very well done. The acting was also very funny to watch. Jason Mamoa and Jack Black fit perfectly in this film, and it feels like they’re both putting their full heart and soul into acting in this movie. I mean Jack Black’s Steve is just so perfect in such a funny way, over delivering all his lines, like ‘I am Steve’ and ‘Waterbucket, RELEASE!’. Jack Black also delivers some hilarious musical numbers, with iconic songs like ‘Lava Chicken’. However, I think the main sell of this movie was definitely the memes and the experience. Seeing this in cinemas with my friends was hilarious, and the iconic line of ‘Chicken Jockey’ became a meme sensation. The memes alone make this a worthwhile movie to watch, and I wait in anticipation for the sequel coming out next year. For those that play Minecraft, watch Minecraft Youtubers, or just enjoy video game adaptation movies, this blocky flick is definitely worth your time.

Conclusion

2025, while not being the strongest year for movies, still had some great heavy hitters. This is without mentioning the great animated movies that came out last year, a lot of which I have yet to see. It has definitely been a good year for Warner Bros. and I am excited to see what more they have in store for us this year. Looking ahead, 2026 looks to be an even better year for movies, with some franchise heavy hitters coming our way soon (with a list for those definitely on the way). This list has just been some of my personal favourites, and I know there are still some great films from last year I must watch, but for now, these are my top 5 films I would recommend watching from 2025.

One of my favourite books that he wrote was The Girl With the Blue Umbrella. The story begins in the hills of Garhwal, lying in the Himalayas, where a girl called Binya goes searching for her family’s cows. There, she meets an English lady who wants her leopard claw pendant. Binya is unwilling as the pendant was given by her father, who recently passed away. She then finally trades the pendant for a bright blue silk umbrella. Belonging to a small village, the umbrella soon becomes famous and envied by many. Soon, the shopkeeper of the village’s shop starts to envy the umbrella, and he sends one of his staff to go and steal the umbrella. The employee steals it and tries to run, but Binya’s brother, Bijju, catches the thief. 

The story soon becomes known around the village, so no one starts to visit the shop. Soon, Binya feels sorry for the shopkeeper and thinks that she started to value the umbrella over people, so she gives the umbrella to the shopkeeper as a gift. The shopkeeper becomes very fond of Binya and gives her a locket of a bear’s claw (which is supposed to be very lucky) as a gift in return. Their relationship eventually becomes stronger, and both of them become best of friends. 

This is a great book, and I would recommend everyone to read it regardless of your age. I hope you enjoy reading this book.

Chinese Lunar Year, Spring Festival, and Lunar New Year are all terms used to refer to the festival celebrated by many countries worldwide, including Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, China, and more! The dates for LNY are different each year, as the Chinese calendar is based on the moon’s 12 phases which consist of about 354 days in a year. This is a time when families reunite together for dinners and gatherings to celebrate the new year!

Now let’s dive into some interesting facts about the year of the snake! This Chinese zodiac is most commonly associated with intelligence, creativity, determination, and love. Did you know that there are different types of snakes based on the Chinese elements (wood, fire, water, metal, and earth)? These elemental animals follow a 60-year cycle, this year we welcome once again the year of the wood snake. Celebrities born under the sign of the snake include Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, Anne Frank, John F Kennedy, J.K. Rowling, Taylor Swift, and more!

HK has many unique celebrations regarding celebrating the LNY including fireworks (Jan 30th), the Tai Po wishing tree, the many distinct flower markets all over HK, and the CNY night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui.

This year the culture team at Island School set up an abundance of activities for the Island School community to enjoy during the CNY week. Activities consisted of photo booths, plushie stalls, lion dance, student and staff performances, and crafts stalls. The week ended with the annual LNY assembly featuring three unique chinese dances and dress traditional day, where students came to school dressed in an array of vibrant, colorful outfits.

Lastly, after interviewing Natasha Lam (head of culture) we were able to find out some of the challenges the team faced when organizing events like these. She said that common challenges consist of the organization of events, communication with staff/student volunteers, organizing the order of events, and publicity!

Now that’s a wrap for this year’s Lunar New Year article, filled with insights into celebrations in Island School and a ton of LNY facts!

https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/china/article/3295411/year-of-snake-2025/index.html

https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/lunar-new-year-celebration

Allow me to introduce you to my newly invented recipe– Pumpkin Scookies! The term “scookie” was inspired by the idea of a delightful blend between a scone and a cookie; perfect for an evening sweet treat! 

To provide some context, I initially intended to use a standard cookie recipe, but I made it into a scone-like shape for a twist. As a passionate baker, I couldn’t let myself simply rely on store bought ingredients, instead I made my own pumpkin pie spice for the recipe! 

Enough of explanations, let’s get straight into it  

Pumpkin pie spice

Creating pumpkin pie spice can be done in a jiffy. Just gather all the ingredients from the list below and you’re ready to spice things up! 

Here’s what you need: 

• 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of ground clove
• 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
• A pinch of ground pepper

This only took five minutes to make, but I’m certain it will elevate your autumn baking for more than five weeks of deliciousness! 

Caramel frosting

I decided to mix up a batch of caramel frosting to add an extra layer of deliciousness on top of the crunchy texture of the pumpkin cookie. 

Here’s the list of ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until fully liquified. Keep stirring the mixture to prevent the bottom of the saucepan from burning. 

Don’t turn off the heat just yet and add the brown sugar and milk. If your brown sugar resembles a lumpy potato, give it a good sieve to avoid any grainy bits. Let everything simmer until the brown sugar and milk completely dissolve in.

Remove the butter mixture from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. It’s time to bring back the sieve! Use it to add half of the icing sugar into the mixture, and beat it until fully combined. Then, add the vanilla extract along with the rest of the icing sugar. 

Voila! The caramel frosting is ready! I stored the frosting in the refrigerator for a few hours just to get that consistency right. 

Pumpkin cookies

There’s something about this season that always makes my heart flutter with excitement over the baking treats I can whip up. This time, it was pumpkin cookies, and I was thrilled to hear my friends chatter about how much they loved my recipe. I’d be delighted to share it with everyone so you can enjoy these delicious cookies too!

Here’s the list:

• ½ Cup Butter Salted or unsalted, softened
• ½ Cup Granulated sugar
• ⅓ Cup Brown sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• ¼ cup Pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 & ⅔ Cup AP flour
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, setting the stage for some delicious baking!

Cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a bowl until smooth. Just like with the frosting, if the brown sugar is feeling a bit lumpy, give it a little sift to keep things silky!

Add the egg yolk, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract, then mix again until well combined.

Add in the flour, salt, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon, then mix until the flour mixture disappears completely. 

Using a cookie scoop, portion out 8 to 10 evenly sized dough balls and place them on a baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball to about 1 inch in thickness. Don’t forget to sprinkle some spice on top for that extra kick! Bake for around 13 minutes, and let the delicious aroma fill your kitchen.

Let the cookies cool on the cooling rack for 20 minutes and allow them to reach room temperature before frosting; we don’t want the frosting to take a melt-down! 

Once they’re all cooled and ready, apply the frosting, and your delicious pumpkin scookies are all done! You can share them with your friends and family, or indulge in them yourself alongside a warm cup of coffee  

Well, it’s complicated, for

We are all conscious; we feel, we think,

We live, we exist.

Do you feel scared, sometimes?

Knowing that one day, you won’t know

What it’s like to know.

One day, you will slowly forget

Your first steps, the wind on your face,

The laughter of friends, your failures in a test—

All the joy, the sadness, the anger, the regrets,

Even fear,

Will all slowly fade,

Fade

Until it turns to dust.

We have different explanations for what happens when we die.

Some believe in reincarnation.

Perhaps, this could be true,

As all things in this world are never created nor destroyed.

Maybe we won’t be reborn as someone new

But become the building blocks for something else.

Perhaps our souls would fuel the fire that cremates our body,

And our ashes will drift in the sea, getting eaten by fish.

Will we become part of the fish? And then, if the fish is small,

We’d become part of a seagull or a penguin sooner or later.

Or, if we’re (un)lucky, we’d be eaten by other humans,

Making them indirect cannibals.

That’s quite a disturbing thought, but

We drink the waters dinosaurs once drank a millennia ago.

Or maybe our souls would be imbued

In the life that consumed us, and we’d be born as energy to fuel

A new being.

A squawking bird? A drifting sunfish? We wouldn’t know, because then

We wouldn’t know what it’s like to know.

One day, I believe, surely,

We will rise from the fires that burn us, the waters that drown us, the car that smashed us to smithereens,

And we’d be born again in some new, peculiar form, learning, growing, knowing.

But even if that day never comes,

Don’t be afraid.

You know what it’s like to know now,

And you will still exist.

You’re just unaware of it, and

All you’ll know

Is what it’s like to not know.

The great historical events in the north have never had a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of people in Guangdong. Therefore no history of Cantonese people can be accurate if it is viewed as merely a subdivision of Chinese history. I can certainly agree that our histories are closely connected, yet like two different ropes tied in a knot, we remain fundamentally different from one another. Furthermore, where do we draw the line between ‘separate ethnicities’? After all, modern science has shown that all humans have the same ancestral origins. If a Cantonese-speaking individual should be considered Chinese, shouldn’t it be the case then that a Portuguese should be considered Spanish. Or — and I understand the political implications of such a statement — should a Ukrainian be considered to be Russian by genetic makeup? Their differences extend much beyond the linguistic and cultural, but the undeniable truth is this: the ancestor of a modern Portuguese person would just as likely have been from some parts of modern-day Spain, and the same holds true for Ukrainians and Russians. 

Of course, the difference is that we do not have our own independent country, but neither do the Sorbs, the Occitans, or the Zhuang in Guangxi. What makes them different from us? Is genetics the eternal barrier which should forever hinder us from taking pride in our unique, individual culture so distinct from the northern Chinese cultures? Is that a view that is correct — whether from a political or historical perspective? For Hong Kong, and by extension all the Cantonese-speaking people, to develop and prosper, we must be fully understanding of ourselves neither as a subdivision of the Han nor former colonial subjects, but as a people with our own customs, ideas, literature and language. 

In the past,the Cantonese were subject to learning English as a ‘language for our future’; now we learn Mandarin as the ‘language of the future’. Who dictates this future? Why should our fate always be determined by others? Why, even in such a modern and advanced world, do we see people who would rather speak English or Mandarin over Cantonese, even viewing those who insist on speaking Cantonese as ‘backwards’? Is that not a legitimate cause for concern for our people as a whole? If the Cantonese has never had an awakening before, now is as good a moment as any to finally assume our responsibility to establish our own existence and cultural identity. 

P.S. This article is not motivated by political ideology, nor written to invoke any political sentiments.

After going through the judging process, we have winners and runner-ups for each category:

Winner for Y7-8: Hannah Cox 8WB

Water life- this photo was taken on middle island Hong Kong which is one of my favourite places to hangout with my friends

Runner ups: Tifflynn Tandijono 8DT & Valerie Chan 8DG

Winner for Y9-10: Alisha Wong 9WC 

“Waterdrops” – The topic of this image is water. I chose water as the theme because water calms us and make us happy.

Runner ups: Cara Cheuk 9WB & Tifara Chung 9WC

Winner for Y12: Xilin Yap 12N 

Neon signs – The classic neon signs of Hong Kong are slowly disappearing, it symbolises the unity of strength of the people of Hong Kong. These signs serve as a staple to remind us not to stray from our Hong Kong roots. Although I am not born in the time when these bright lights were popular, these signs still live on in my identity having lived in Hong Kong all my life.

Runner ups: Nicole Cheung 12E & Jonathan Wong 12D

Teacher’s Choice: Nicole Cheung 12E

Elevate – The photograph captures a powerful visual metaphor as a ladder ascends towards the bright sun. The title “Elevate” captures the idea of the image, symbolizing the pursuit of higher aspirations, personal growth, and reaching for new heights. The ladder represents the journey of self-discovery and the willingness to take steps towards one’s dreams and ambitions. The sun acts as a guiding force, illuminating the path and creating the scene with warmth and energy. The composition inspires viewers to reflect on their own aspirations and embrace the courage to elevate their lives towards greater fulfillment and success.

Reason: Visually appealing and intellectually stimulating. The use of light and shadow creates a striking image. The vibrant colour of the sun against the black background results in a fantastic contrast and the obstruction of the subject generates further interest. I particularly liked Nicole’s explanation of the symbolism in her photograph.

Honourable mentions: Jonathan Wong 12D, Hannah Cox 8WB, Oliver Corlett 9RT 

Thank you to all the students who participated and have a wonderful summer break!

The Media and Creative Arts Team

Here is the link to the playlist:

If you don’t have or use Spotify, here is a list of all the songs on the playlist:

1. Flight – Postcard Boy
2. Under The Stars – Mildred, Devon Rea, Goson
3. First Love/Late Spring – Mitski
4. Spring Day – BTS
5. honest – Gareth.T, moon tang
6. EVERYTHING – The Black Skirts
7. Louise – TV Girl
8. Sure Thing – 82MAJOR
9. In Bloom – ZEROBASEONE
10. lately – moon tang
11. seasons – wave to earth
12. peach eyes – wave to earth
13. daisy. – wave to earth
14. April shower – SEVENTEEN
15. Sunshine – Stray Kids
16. Amoeba – Clairo
17. Swan – I love you Orchestra Swing Style, dosii
18. Goyeol – dosii
19. Sun Bleached Flies – Ethel Cain
20. Everything I Know About Love – Laufey
21. Butterfly – THE BOYZ
22. Walkin’ In Time – THE BOYZ
23. Spring Snow – THE BOYZ
24. Dye It Red – beabadoobee
25. Bags – Clairo
26. Can’t Love You Anymore – IU, OHHYUK
27. Who? – XIUMIN, EUNHA
28. Daylight – Taylor Swift
29. Spring Is Gone by Chance – Loco, YUJU
30. ride – wave to earth
31. rain bird interlude – CODE KUNST
32. Maybe It’s Not Our Fault – Yerin Baek
33. Destiny – Babylon, YUJU
34. Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo) – KISS OF LIFE
35. Saturn – SZA
36. BREATHE – LeeHi
37. Petals on the Moon – Wasia Project