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Welcome to our first big promotion of the new year, where you have the chance to win one of three 26% discount coupons for our shop!

The old year is behind us. Those who follow us on social media will have seen us from the S.P.A.C.E Crew summarize our highlights of 2025 for in our latest YouTube video or in our news updates.
Now it's your turn! Because we want to know:
What was the most stunning, breathtaking, best collectible that enriched your collection last year? What was THE highlight of 2025 in your collection?

Show us in the form of a video or photo! Either photograph the collectible itself, or even better, take a picture of yourself with it. Post it on Instagram as a reel, story, or post, tag us (@spacefiguren) in it – and you'll be entered into the draw!

Terms and Conditions:
Participation in the giveaway is free.
Entries that are illegal or violate Instagram's guidelines will be disqualified. Participation is open to any individual who is at least 18 years old at the time of entry.
The three prizes each include a 26% discount coupon for our online shop. The discount coupons can be used once for one item. The coupons are valid until December 31, 2026.
The closing date for entries is January 31, 2026. Posts submitted after this date will not be considered.
The three winners will be drawn at random and contacted by us via direct message on Instagram on February 2, 2026.
Multiple entries are not permitted. Cash payment of the prize is not possible.
Legal recourse is excluded.
This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Instagram. The sole responsible party is S.P.A.C.E e.K. (owner: Sven Ballas).

We wish everyone the best of luck!

Beyond film, TV, video game, and music figures, historical figures represent a large area for 1/6 scale collectibles. In addition to military figures from the 20th and 21st centuries and the Napoleonic era, the American Civil War, the world of the samurai, antiquity, and especially the European Middle Ages are well represented with numerous knight figures. A knight needs a sword and armor, and from time to time, his horse needs new horseshoes. This is where the blacksmith comes in, an important profession in the Middle Ages. The manufacturer Pop Costume regularly caters to this era in their »The Evolution of Europe« series, and now supports knights with a magnificent blacksmith, equipped with fantastic accessories.

Our Mick has tested the Blacksmith of the Middle Ages thoroughly, is completely thrilled with the figure, and was so impressed that he immediately built his blacksmith an entire forge. Jeanne d'Arc from Pop Toys was the first customer to use the services of “Iron Foot” …

You can find Mick's review in the Action Figure District.

We've arrived in the new year – time to look towards the future after all the end-of-year reviews! This is what the S.P.A.C.E Crew is most looking forward to in 2026:

SVEN:
Since Tweeterhead unfortunately failed to deliver the Sorceress Legends Maquette in 2025, contrary to their promise, I naturally have to list it here again. Aside from that, I've already made room for two more ladies who will be joining my Femmes Fatales gallery in the new year: Sideshow's Killer Return Premium Format Figure from their »Pulp Vixens« series and the super sexy Catwoman 1/4 Maquette in a purple retro look, also from Tweeterhead.
2026 could be a really good year for movies. Four absolute highlights from four completely different genres are must-sees for me this year: the »Masters of the Universe« remake, the Michael Jackson biopic »Michael«, the reunion with Mando and Baby Yoda in »The Mandalorian & Grogu«, and of course, Andy Serkis' »The Hunt for Gollum«. By the power of Grayskull, uhuuuuu, this is the way, my precioussss!!!

TOBI:
In 2026, I'm most looking forward to the Witch of the Woods Premium Format Figure from Sideshow and, if they manage to release it this year, the Bank Robber Joker from »The Dark Knight« and »The Killing Joke« Joker from Hot Toys. But knowing Hot Toys, it's quite possible that these two figures will also appear on my list for 2027. :-)
There's a lot coming up in the gaming world, such as »Darksiders 4« and »The Blood of Dawnwalker«. I'm also hoping that Santa Monica Studio will announce a »God of War« remaster or something similar this year.

JOANNA:
2026 has some great gaming titles in store once again! I'm most looking forward to the soulslike game »Lords of the Fallen 2« as well as »Tides of Annihilation«, which already looks like an absolute masterpiece in the trailers and sneak peeks. One movie I will definitely be seeing in theaters is »Return to Silent Hill«. And I'm not missing out on »Send Help« with Dylan O'Brien. As for series, the second season of »Avatar: The Last Airbender« is on my list. Additionally, a collectible I'm incredibly excited about will be joining my collection this year: the 1/8 scale Ezio Animus PVC statue with an LED feature by PureArts. I think the design of the entire statue line is very well-executed, but as an AC2 fan, Ezio Auditore is my personal favorite.

TIM:
THE cinematic highlight of 2026 will probably be Christopher Nolan's »The Odyssey«, even though I'm still a bit skeptical when it comes to the production design – the first images looked somewhat cosplay-like to me – and of course I'm also extremely hyped for »Avengers: Doomsday« as well as the closing film to »Good Omens« and the sheep-crime-comedy »The Sheep Detectives«. When it comes to TV series, we'll most likely have to wait until 2027 for season 2 of »Shōgun«, but among the confirmed seasons for 2026, the final episodes of »The Boys«, »House of the Dragon«, »A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms«, and »The Legend of Vox Machina« are right at the top of my list.
It's pretty certain that a new album by Ice Nine Kills will be released this year, and the first singles »The Great Unknown« (for »The Matrix«), »A Work of Art« (for »Terrifier«), and »The Laugh Track« (for »Batman«) are all already absolutely fantastic.
Finally, I'm really looking forward to the three 1/4 »Fallout« statues by Prime 1 Studio based on the TV series.

JÜRGEN:
Well, what am I looking forward to in 2026? I haven't really given it much thought yet. I'm just going to let it all unfold naturally. But in the film world, »Masters of the Universe« and »The Mandalorian & Grogu« are definitely going to be highlights for me. As for collectibles, I'm really excited about the Teen Wolf Statue from Infinite, which I'm sure would find a nice spot in my living room.

DANIEL:
I'm especially looking forward to the game »Resident Evil Requiem«, which is planned to be released at the end of February. Furthermore, some fortune tellers are predicting that Capcom will release the second remake (depending on how you define it) of the first »Resident Evil« game for the franchise's 30th anniversary. That would certainly be cause for celebration! Then, in the summer, »Evil Dead Burn« will be released. After the relentless orgy of violence in »Evil Dead Rise« (2023), it will be interesting to see if the film strikes a similarly gritty tone. And we can most likely celebrate Halloween 2026 with season 13 of »American Horror Story« – unfortunately, still not the pure vampire season I've been hoping for for years, but at least Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson are back in the cast.

MICK:
A cinematic highlight I'm eagerly anticipating is, of course, Christopher Nolan's »The Odyssey«. I'm also curious about Maggie Gyllenhaal's »The Bride!«. And the trailer for Sam Raimi's »Send Help« looks fun as well. Speaking of Raimi, the »Evil Dead« franchise is getting another installment with »Evil Dead Burn«, directed by Sébastien Vanicek (»Infested«). Going to the cinema for this is obviously a no-brainer.
As for TV series, I'm looking forward to the return of »Scrubs« on Disney+ and the third season of »Wednesday« on Netflix. But I'm especially excited for »Neuromancer«, based on William Gibson's groundbreaking cyberpunk novel on Apple TV+. I'm also curious about »Berlin Noir« (also on Apple): Jack Lowden (»Slow Horses«) hunts a serial killer in 1928's Berlin – could be exciting!
Among the announced 1/6 scale figures, I am looking forward to Wednesday from Hot Toys and the Pirate Captain from Premier Toys, who was inspired by the beloved »Black Sails« Blackbeard.

EVA:
As far as movies go, I'm especially looking forward to »The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping« this year, which is supposed to be released in theaters in November. Luckily, I don't have to wait quite as long for »Shrinking«. Personally, I think it's one of the best and funniest series of recent years, and season 3 starts at the end of January. I'm also really excited to see »Ted Lasso« return for a fourth season!
When it comes to collectibles, I'm extremely excited about the Beauty and the Beast Statue from Sideshow, based on the beautiful artwork by artist Maria Panfilova. The Lara Croft »Quest for Avalon« Statue from Weta is sure to be amazing too!

What are you excited for in the new year?

From December 25th to January 5th, Sideshow presented 12 DAYS OF SIDESHOW, a kind of post-Christmas advent calendar featuring previews of upcoming collectibles. The accompanying image revealed sometimes nothing, sometimes a little, and sometimes a great deal about the final product. As expected, the themes included Marvel, DC Comics, and Star Wars. There were also a few movie characters and some pleasant surprises. Most of the announcements focused on the Premium Format, with a total of nine new releases.

Let's start with Marvel: One of the reveals was the jade-colored giant Hulk in Premium Format. Only a black and green drawing was shown so far, but the 1:4 scale Hulk is sure to be a massive figure. Another Marvel Premium Format Figure will be Storm. The drawing in the preview visual shows her in her punk outfit with a mohawk. The third figure in the lineup is Spider-Man's antagonist Doctor Octopus, of which we can expect a truly massive figure. The design for the Jubilee Premium Format Figure is apparently quite advanced already. The image shows the X-Men heroine in a dynamic pose on her skateboard. Very cool! Marvel Zombies Collectible Figures were also announced. However, Sideshow is still keeping quiet about the format. Theoretically, these could be articulated, zombified superheroes in 1/6 scale. This would certainly offer some very fun display possibilities.

DC Comics is represented in the Premium Format by Punchline, of which there haven't been many high-end collectibles before. A great choice, in our opinion! The second DC representative will be a Joker Bust. According to the preview comic visual, it will be based on »The Killing Joke«. No details about the scale have been released yet.

Star Wars fans and gamers have double the reason to celebrate: Darth Revan will be available as a Premium Format Figure and as a statue in a not yet determined scale.

We'll also get two classic film characters in Premium Format. Gene Wilder will be recreated as a mixed media statue of Willy Wonka from the Roald Dahl adaptation »Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory«. And Snake Plissken from »Escape from New York« will also return to receive his first 1:4 treatment from Sideshow.

If you've been keeping track, you'll know that two previews are still missing. One is a fine art print by artist Álvaro Jiménez for »Critical Role: Legends of Exandria«.

Of course, we've saved what we think is the biggest surprise for last: Sideshow announced Harry Potter Premium Format Figures – they're sure to be magical!

Without fanfare, the television channel MTV shut down its music channels on January 1st, and hardly anyone noticed. But let's not kid ourselves, MTV hadn't been playing a huge role anymore for a long time. And music had become a mere footnote in its programming, so we don't really miss MTV, at least not in its final form.

But the channel once was important and shaped pop culture for a long time.

On August 1, 1981, MTV went on air with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll." The first video broadcast was »Video Killed the Radio Star.«. In the beginning, many music videos were somewhat clumsily cobbled together from various live snippets. But MTV grew rapidly, and with it, the music videos became increasingly professional, evolving into an art form and, of course, the most important marketing tool of the music industry.

Directors like David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Michel Gondryn, and Jonathan Glazer rose to fame through their music videos and made the leap to Hollywood. The aesthetics of these videos influenced our viewing habits and profoundly changed the language of film.

Today, we immediately associate stars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Nirvana not only with their music but, above all, with their videos. »Like a Virgin«, »Thriller« and »Smells Like Teen Spirit« defined the image of pop music, or as Samira Straub aptly wrote in an article on SWR: "MTV defined what pop music should look and feel like. This power was never unbiased. MTV turned subculture into a product, attitude into a format – and for a long time, it very selectively decided whose images were shown and whose weren't."

Back then, we loved MTV for its niche programs like »Headbangers Ball«, »Yo! MTV Raps«, and »120 Minutes«, which significantly broadened our musical horizons. Many MTV Unplugged concerts remain unforgettable as well. From the mid-2000s onward, the channel increasingly relied on reality formats, thus setting itself on the path to obsolescence and irrelevance. Streaming services, YouTube, and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram did their part, and instead of curated programming, the algorithm took over. And despite this gradual process taking place over several years, we sometimes realize that we do miss Ray Cokes' »Most Wanted« and Paul King's »120 Minutes«. R.I.P. MTV!

10 days ago, Prime 1 Studio delivered an absolutely unexpected Christmas gift, because in their extremely elaborately produced »Next Level Showcase XVI« they revealed a completely surprising new license: »MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE«!

The impressive He-Man & Battle Cat Real Elite Masterline statue in 1/4 scale will be released in three different versions — and we simply have to say: what the Japanese sculpture artists have brought to life here is far more than just another of the countless iterations of the savior of Eternia. Here, nostalgia and Prime 1 Studio’s modern, hyper-detailed art merge into a single, powerful entity. From the wild pageboy haircut to the sculpted muscles and the Grayskull-inspired base with light-up features: everything is perfectly on point! And Battle Cat looks like he could tear Skeletor apart with a single bite.

Of course, we have already listed all three versions for pre-order in our shop — definitely click through, it's more than worth it! Whether this is a one-time release or we can expect more »Masters of the Universe« statues from Prime 1 Studio in the future remains to be seen. We're keeping our fingers crossed that characters like Teela — who probably would look absolutely stunning in Prime 1's style — might join the lineup soon.

The showcase also featured several other massive heavy-hitters from the 1/4 scale world. For example, a truly gorgeous Aerith statue from »Final Fantasy VII Rebirth«, which — following Cloud, Sephiroth and Zack (already available for pre-order) — will become part of the lineup. Then we have the Batman vs. Clayface battle statue, an absolute beast in both impact and mass, so it needs a lot of space. Also shown were the beautiful Atsu from »Ghost of Yotei«, and One Punch Man for all the anime fans among you.

We were especially blown away by all three main characters from the »Fallout« series. The insane level of detail and the fantastic bases — which truly capture the atmosphere of the Fallout world one-to-one — make Lucy, Maximus and The Ghoul (with Dogmeat!) absolute highlights of the coming year.

In 1/3 scale, the company will soon deliver a Big Chap Xenomorph Museum Masterline XL statue from »Alien«. Oh, and if you happen to have an entire spare room you don't know what to do with, there's also the new Blue 1/2 statue from »Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom«. The little raptor is a real beast with its ca. 120 × 90 cm.

All of these figures will of course be landing in our shop as soon as pre-orders go live. Be sure to check out the full 105-minute showcase here and then tell us which statue you are most excited for:
youtu.be/vnIZIRevyuY

Welcome to 2026, welcome to Wonderland, welcome to the fairytale world of J. Scott Campbell! Those of you who follow us closely on our regular formats on YouTube will surely have noticed our enthusiasm for Sideshow's Fairytale Fantasies Collection. This lovingly crafted line of statues, which Sideshow has been producing for years in close collaboration with the gifted comic artist J. Scott Campbell, is truly magical! Based on Campbell's pin-up-style illustrations of various fairytale characters, the American manufacturer brings us the Lady Cheshire Cat, the eighth resin statue in this fantastic collection. And yes, you guessed it: it was love at first sight for us once again, and we simply couldn't resist the charming smile of the cheeky Lady Cheshire Cat. We just had to choose her as our first 💥 Product of the Month 💥 of the new year!

Our January highlight arrived at S.P.A.C.E headquarters a few days ago and has been purring and floating happily around the warehouse ever since. You can still choose between the two available versions: the standard edition or the deluxe edition, which includes a small bonus statue, "The Caterpillar". Any questions? ;)

Oh yes, both versions are, of course, strictly limited to 250 and 1,000 pieces worldwide, respectively!
bit.ly/sf_pdm_jan26

If you're lucky enough to own several or even all of the statues in the Fairytale Fantasies Collection, you'll quickly realize that Lady Cheshire Cat is something truly special and stands out in several ways. She's the largest statue of them all, as the elaborate tree with its many details could easily be described as a diorama. In terms of her appearance, she's an even more outlandish interpretation than her fairytale friends, an intriguing hybrid of a sassy pin-up girl and a tabby cat, all in a wildly exaggerated color scheme. The Sideshow design team added the perfect finishing touch to this extravagant paint job by incorporating a UV-sensitive varnish – a feature that makes the other girls look pale in comparison, especially in the dark.

It's worth mentioning that Sideshow has once again demonstrated a high level of precision, particularly regarding the plug-in and magnetic connections of the misleading signs and the lush yet fragile branches. So, let's start the new year in good mood and with a broad grin – and for anyone still looking for a good resolution for 2026, the Cheshire Cat, of course, has an advice:
Imagination is the only weapon in the war with reality 😸!

Harley freakin' Quinn and the S.P.A.C.E freakin' Crew wish you a Happy New Year! 🎉

May all your craziest wishes come true in 2026! As always, we will do our very best to put a huge grin on your faces. 🃏😁

Dear customers, friends, suppliers, service providers, delivery drivers, and partners!

Another year has flown by – an eventful year full of conventions, new collectibles, and, of course, the usual everyday madness. We sincerely thank you for your support and trust in 2025! 🙏

You can get a little (or actually, quite a big) recap of our year in our latest YouTube video, where Sven, Tobi, and Eva look back on 2025 with all its highs and lows. Take advantage of the holidays and have a look – we'd be very happy!

But first, we wish you a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy the time with good food, lovely gifts, and your loved ones! 🎁❤️

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your S.P.A.C.E Crew 🎅

P.S.: Even though most of the crew is enjoying a well-deserved Christmas break, we'll of course still be available for you between the holidays – please bear with us if it takes a little longer than usual to get a response during this time. We'll be back in 2026, refreshed and ready to go!

Warner Bros. and Universal have already given us an early Christmas present! The first teasers and trailers for the following three blockbusters from 2026 have been released in recent days:

DIGGER
Very little is known yet about the latest work from Alejandro G. Iñárritu (»Birdman«, »The Revenant«). Even the title announcement that Warner Bros. released a few days ago doesn't reveal much besides a shadowy image of Tom Cruise and the title sequence. According to the tagline, however, we can look forward to "A comedy of catastrophic proportions" – we're excited to see what awaits us in theaters in October 2026!
https://youtu.be/CAI-mIvLbXk

DISCLOSURE DAY
In the new year, Steven Spielberg will treat us to a sci-fi film based on an original idea by the master director himself. The trailer is captivating and creates an eerie atmosphere without revealing much of the story:
https://youtu.be/WnW25gFk2Mk
Find out what role Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and others will play in the alien invasion on the big screen starting June 12!

THE ODYSSEY
One of the most anticipated films of 2026 is undoubtedly Christopher Nolan's »The Odyssey«. Nolan takes on Homer's epic and transforms the Greek legend of King Odysseus's perilous journey home after the Trojan War into a historical action-fantasy film. With Matt Damon in the title role, along with Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, and many more, the cast is absolutely star-studded. The first trailer showcases epic visuals that we'll see in theaters starting July 17:
https://youtu.be/Mzw2ttJD2qQ

We all have movies we watch every year during Advent that really get us in the Christmas spirit. An absolute classic that's probably right at the top for many of you (and us, of course) is »Home Alone«! The film about little Kevin McCallister, who gets left behind by his family on their way to their Christmas vacation and defends his home all by himself against two bandits, still makes us laugh – and has been doing so for 35 years now, since the film premiered in 1990!

To celebrate the occasion, Disney came up with something special: In collaboration with the Mouse House, the pizza chain Prince St. Pizza transformed three of its locations into branches of the fictional Little Nero's Pizza delivery service from the movie. Fans were able to enjoy a delicious cheese pizza in a wonderfully festive »Home Alone« atmosphere over the past few days. The pizza was also available to order at the other Prince St. Pizza locations. What a cool promotion, right? Even the 90s-style commercial with which the whole thing was announced is hilarious:
https://youtu.be/ZVmpshsPjnQ

What's your favorite Christmas movie? And which movie-themed dish would you like to try?

On Wednesday, exciting news broke that are sure to thrill »Knight Rider« fans and 1/6 scale enthusiasts: California-based manufacturer Factory Entertainment and Dutch figure, vehicle, and diorama specialist Jazzinc Dioramas are joining forces to produce a high-quality, licensed 1/6 scale model of the legendary Knight Industries Two Thousand, better known as K.I.T.T.!

This summer, at their appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, Factory Entertainment, previously known primarily for high-quality replicas of iconic movie props, surprised us with their entry into the 1/6 scale market. Early prototypes for »The Mummy« (1999), »Jaws«, and both »Battlestar Galactica« series were already on display. Licenses for three iconic 80s TV franchises – »Miami Vice«, »Airwolf«, and »Knight Rider« – were announced for 2026.

In our Comic Con coverage at the time, we already speculated that in the case of »Knight Rider« it would not only be cool, but almost an obligation, to also produce the legendary car K.I.T.T. in 1/6 scale, since it played the second main role in the series alongside David Hasselhoff.

The series ran on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and developed cult status. For us, as children of the 80s, the series was an unforgettable part of our TV socialization.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Jazzinc to bring an extraordinary 1/6 K.I.T.T. to Knight Rider fans,” said Jordan Schwartz, CEO of Factory Entertainment. “Jazzinc has established itself as a leader in the 1/6 scale vehicle space, and its fan-forward approach to product development and attention to detail are completely consistent with our own.”*

Jazzinc Dioramas CEO Joost Assink added: “For me, this is a dream come true. K.I.T.T. has been at the top of my personal wish list, and I know our fan base shares that excitement – they've been clamoring for this for years. Given Factory Entertainment's reputation in the high-end prop replica business and their impressive portfolio of fan-favorite licenses, I'm excited about the possibility of collaborating on 1/6 scale products for other properties as well.”*

The premium 1/6 scale model of K.I.T.T. is expected in early 2027. It will arrive fully assembled and boast an impressive length of approximately 81 cm. Naturally, K.I.T.T. will also feature authentic light and sound effects. The model is being jointly developed and marketed by Factory Entertainment and Jazzinc Dioramas. Pre-orders are expected to open in the first quarter of 2026.

What about you? Are you »Knight Rider« fans, and is K.I.T.T. on your shopping list for 2026? Some of us have already activated their Super Pursuit Mode …

*quoted from Toy News International

Before we bid you farewell next week for the holidays and the new year, we want to take a look back at 2025. Here are our film, TV series, gaming, and collectible highlights of the year:

SVEN:
Sideshow once again scored big with me this year in their Premium Format, especially with their female characters. Besides Batgirl, Vampire's Lust, and Succubus, the X-23 Uncaged Premium Format Figure completely blew me away. A truly elaborate and beautifully crafted statue!
My film highlight was a total surprise hit that really resonated with me: »Companion«. Here's an important note for everyone who hasn't seen the film yet: Please don't read anything about it or watch any trailers beforehand!
As for TV series, it was definitely the second season of »Andor« that captivated me and whose ending deeply moved me.

MICK:
2025 was a fantastic year for movies, during which I saw 46 films on the big screen. My three favorite films of the year are »Frankenstein«, »The Ugly Stepsister« and »Companion«. These three scenes also stuck with me: the car chase in »One Battle After Another«, Tom Hiddleston's dance in »The Life of Chuck« and the magic music one-shot in »Sinners«.
I didn't watch that many TV shows this year, so I definitely have a lot of catching up to do! Two series I really enjoyed were the twist-filled »Paradise« on Disney+ and the Netflix cold case series »Dept. Q«.
My favorite collectibles of the year are the 1/6 Scale Pennywise (Tim Curry) from Sideshow and the 1/6 Scale Blacksmith from »The Evolution of Europe« series by Pop Costume. 

JOANNA:
The past year was a massive feast, especially for gamers. Despite all the fantastic single-player titles, I spent an enormous number of hours playing »Elden Ring Nightreign« in co-op.
My absolute film highlights include Guillermo del Toro's »Frankenstein« as well as the live-action adaptation of »How to Train Your Dragon«, which gave me goosebumps multiple times in the cinema.
Regarding collectibles, Belualyth from the Mythic Legions »Necronominus« Wave by Four Horsemen was my favorite one – especially the lore behind the beastmaster makes this figure special to me.

TIM:
It was a varied year with many highlights and some major disappointments. For me, the two best films of the year were probably »Frankenstein« and »Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery« from Netflix – it's a shame they didn't get a proper theatrical release!
With over 30 new seasons that I binged this year, it was really hard to choose. »A Thousand Blows«, »House of Guinness«, »The Last of Us« season 2, »Lockerbie: A Search for Truth«, and »Andor« season 2 could be my top five, though – all highly recommended. I'm also really looking forward to the second season of »Fallout«, and »The Mighty Nein« deserves a special mention.
Unfortunately, I have to be really brief, so this is just a quick look at my top game, top album, and top collectible: »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33« of course, »Inertia« by Pendulum (with »Imperium Delirium« by Shadow of Intent in a very strong second place), and the 1/6 Ruthless Blade Deluxe version from Pop Costume looks incredibly good, even though I would probably rather put the Bettie Page »Love Hurts« Statue from Sideshow in my apartment, since I don't collect 1/6 scale figures.

JÜRGEN:
To my shame, I must confess that I didn't go to the cinema even once this year. Instead, I made even greater use of the diverse streaming services. My TV series highlights this year definitely include »Stranger Things« and »Squid Game« – both series that captivated me from beginning to end. »Stranger Things« in particular, with its blend of 80s nostalgia, horror, and character depth, left a lasting impression.
I also rewatched all the »Star Wars« films this year and was just as thrilled as the first time.
My collectible highlight of 2025 was undoubtedly the »Savage Crucible« series from Harvinger Studios. And I was truly impressed by Erik's Demogorgon Lamp – a fantastic product at a surprisingly affordable price.

DANIEL:
I found many of the horror films released in 2025 to be rather average or disappointing. Nevertheless, there were three films I can definitely recommend. As a body horror fan, I was impressed by »Together« with its eerie and unsettling atmosphere. »Companion« was humorous and provided perfect evening entertainment. And »Opus« is particularly memorable because of its clever twist ending.
Among the collectibles, I was especially impressed by the Succubus Premium Format Figure from Sideshow.

TOBI:
As far as movies and TV series go, things were pretty quiet for me. Not because there wasn't a lot to choose from, but simply because I spent a lot of time watching anime instead. However, I can say that I was quite taken with »M3GAN 2.0«. It's definitely more of a comedy than the first installment, but I really enjoyed it.
My Game of the Year is also the officially crowned Game of the Year 2025, and deservedly so: I can recommend »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33« to everyone.
My collectible pick, like last year, is a Sideshow statue: the Batgirl Premium Format Figure. Although I'm a bit disappointed with Sideshow overall, this piece of art blew me away!

EVA:
At the beginning of the year, I was truly impressed by »Companion« on the big screen with its original story and fantastic cast. I can also highly recommend Guillermo del Toro's »Frankenstein« – a truly beautiful film!
Among TV shows, »Pluribus« surprised me; it's genuinely weird in the best possible way. My absolute highlight of the year, however, was and still is the final season of »Stranger Things«. I thought the first four episodes were amazing, and I can't wait to see what happens in Volume 2!
My favorite collectible this year was the Dazzler Premium Format Figure from Sideshow, which really blew me away with its pose, shimmering outfit, and great base. But the Evolution of the Gremlin 3-Pack from NECA also deserves a mention here as my first collectible.

What really blew you away this year?

James Cameron is responsible for three of the five highest-grossing films of all time, with »Avatar« at number 1, »Avatar: The Way of Water« at number 3, and »Titanic« at number 4. »Avengers: Endgame« and »Star Wars: The Force Awakens« occupy second and fifth place, respectively.

»Avatar: Fire and Ash«, the third installment in the Avatar series, opens in theaters today. After the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora. We are introduced to the violent and power-hungry Na'vi tribe of the Ash people, led by the ruthless Varang (Oona Chaplin).

We are very eager to see how the third installment of Cameron's passion project will perform at the box office. As the trailer already shows, Cameron has once again created a breathtaking world more than worthy of the big screen. Of course, we wish the cinemas good attendance and hope the film rakes in the cash. However, we're also detecting a certain weariness with the franchise. Some moviegoers find the digital world of Pandora a bit too artificial, and there's a risk of growing tired of the spectacle, especially considering that two more films are planned.

Cameron, to whom we owe »Terminator«, »Terminator 2: Judgment Day« and »Aliens« – three films that rank high on our all-time favorite list – has, in our opinion, become too tied to a single franchise with the Avatar films. We'd love to see something different from him again. After all, great things can always be expected from this cinematic innovator. Perhaps we'll get lucky and he'll be content to just produce the next installments of the series and put his directing talent into a completely new project.

Just a few years ago, video game adaptations didn't have a very good reputation, neither among gamers nor general audiences. Thankfully, that has changed, even if there are still a few rather embarrassing exceptions like »Borderlands«. But especially with TV series adaptations, the execution, accuracy, and faithfulness to the games have been praised, both in the case of HBO's »The Last of Us« and Amazon Prime Video's »Fallout«.

The latter is finally continuing today with season 2. The story picks up where the first season's finale left off. Overseer Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) has fled to New Vegas. Lucy (Ella Purnell) and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) team up and cross the Mojave Desert to get there as well.

The trailer already fuels our excitement for the new season:
https://youtu.be/ECI3eCAxRGw

There's the fantastic retro design in the style of the 1950s, atmospherically underscored by Tommy Edwards' »It's All In The Game« (1958). And then, of course, New Vegas … Vegas, baby! The post-apocalyptic city is a key location in the game. Getting there is a source of great anticipation, and the trailer greets us with Elvis ghouls in Jailhouse Rock outfits. This is going to be awesome!

The eight episodes will be released every Wednesday on Amazon Prime Video, the season finale will drop on February 4. Filming for season 3 is then expected to begin in the summer of 2026.

Netflix is ​​buying Warner Bros. At least, that's what the streaming giant announced on December 5th. But while the announced acquisition caused a huge stir, it was already clear at that point that nothing was set in stone yet. There were not only legal concerns surrounding the purchase, but also a competitor in Paramount, who wasn't about to give up the fight so easily.

But let's start from the beginning. The whole story actually began with said competitor. The fact that Warner Bros. Discovery was even up for sale was due to an unsolicited offer from Paramount Skydance.
The company emerged last year from a merger of Paramount and Skydance Media and has since been led by David Ellison, whose father is very close to Donald Trump. Shortly afterward, the first worrying consequences became apparent when the cancellation of the Late Show, hosted by Stephen Colbert, a vocal critic of the US president, was announced. CBS, the network that airs the show, is owned by Paramount.
It therefore makes perfect sense that Trump would want to use his influence to silence further critical voices. CNN, which is owned by Warner, seems to be a particularly big thorn in his side.
And so we return to Paramount's previously mentioned offer to buy the studio. Although Warner didn't want to sell on its own, as a publicly traded company they were obligated to inform their shareholders about the very lucrative offer. Since everything pointed toward a sale, Warner CEO David Zaslav initiated a bidding war to solicit further offers. Ultimately, Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix were in the running. The latter then reached an agreement a few days ago to acquire the studio for $83 billion.

But the agreement alone doesn't guarantee anything. Before the purchase can actually go through, the deal must first be reviewed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). This US agency is meant to promote fair competition in the communications and media industry. However, since the acquisition would include not only the film studio Warner Bros. Pictures, but also HBO Max, a major streaming competitor of Netflix, which is owned by Warner Bros., many experts already agree that the deal will fail the antitrust review. Moreover, this agency is also under the influence of Trump, who would naturally prefer to see Warner owned by Paramount.
Another hurdle is the division of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would have to take place before the sale. Netflix doesn't want to buy the entire company, but only a part of it – the studio units Warner Bros. Pictures, WB Television, WB Games, DC Studios, and New Line Cinema, the HBO network, and its streaming service HBO Max. Many of the television channels belonging to Warner Bros. Discovery are not part of the deal.

Just days after the agreement between Warner and Netflix, it was revealed that Paramount had submitted a counteroffer that also included the networks (including CNN). Paramount is willing to pay $108 billion for them. The money comes from sources including the United Arab Emirates and an investment firm in which Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is involved.

Since this offer, everything has been up in the air. Will Netflix make another move? Or will Warner, or rather its shareholders, opt for Paramount?

Even though it's not yet certain who will ultimately emerge victorious, one thing seems clear: it won't be film fans. Whether the company goes to Trump's allies at Paramount, who might use the acquisition for their political gain, or to Netflix, which could ensure that Warner Bros. films are no longer (or hardly ever) shown in theaters, but instead released directly on the streaming site – it doesn't look good for Warner's future.

Last Thursday, the biggest gaming event of the year took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles: the Game Awards 2025. Unsurprisingly, the clear favorite (and with 12 nominations the most nominated game since the awards began) also emerged as the big winner. The indie game »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33« set a new record with 9 awards, including the prestigious “Game of the Year”, Best Direction, Best Performance for Jennifer English as Maelle, and Best Soundtrack for the wonderful music by Lorien Testard.

Many are now speaking of a new golden age of role-playing games and indie titles, an era that began two years ago with »Baldur's Gate III« and has now reached its peak with »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33«. It is an era shaped by developers who are disillusioned with the microtransaction-heavy games of major studios and instead focus on complex stories, strong art direction, and player self-expression.

And all of this is »Clair Obscur«. The game is proof that game design can truly be its own art form, bringing together at least four of the major arts: painting, sculpture, music, and storytelling. You could watch the visuals alone, without ever playing the game, and still be presented with a genuine cinematic experience. At the same time, the gameplay mechanics are unusual yet never unnecessarily complicated, satisfying newcomers and seasoned gamers alike.

However, the huge success of »Clair Obscur« also meant that hit titles such as »Death Stranding 2: On the Beach«, »Ghost of Yōtei«, and »Kingdom Come: Deliverance II« walked away completely empty-handed.

Of course, the Game Awards also featured a host of new trailer announcements. We've picked out the most exciting reveals for you:

DIVINITY
This trailer was arguably the biggest surprise of the evening. An extremely dark medieval fantasy setting with strong horror elements reminded viewers of »The Elder Scrolls« and Souls games – but when the Larian logo appeared, it became clear what was coming: the next gigantic RPG from the creators of »Baldur's Gate III«. A soft reboot of their in-house Divinity series is on the way:
https://youtu.be/Kz5lWeGhq2o

TOMB RAIDER
Lara Croft appeared on the giant screens of the Peacock Theater not once, but twice. Crystal Dynamics not only announced the next mainline entry, »Tomb Raider: Catalyst«, scheduled for 2027, this time taking players primarily to India, but also revealed »Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis«, a retelling of Lara Croft's very first adventure from 1996, arriving next year to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary:
»Catalyst«: https://youtu.be/N2yLZQFPSLo
»Legacy of Atlantis«: https://youtu.be/n6JxVxSHjqE

Speaking of which, the exciting animated series »Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft« launched its second season on Netflix last week, exploring legends of West African deities.

STAR WARS
The Star Wars universe is expanding with two new game titles. Most notably, »Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic«, the long-awaited continuation of the »Knights of the Old Republic« series, sparked huge excitement among fans. Meanwhile, the pod-racing game »Star Wars: Galactic Racer« could become an exciting new entry in the ever-growing universe:
»Fate of the Old Republic«: https://youtu.be/lAmkl1jL0fo
»Galactic Racer«: https://youtu.be/RiavNl4qxWY

Games are definitely very much alive! Have you already played »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33«, and which of the new announcements are you most excited about?

As we scrolled through social media this morning over our second cup of coffee, we were immediately confronted with a barrage of shocking posts – Hollywood legend Rob Reiner is dead.

The Los Angeles Police Department was called to the family home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, yesterday afternoon. There, they found the bodies of the 78-year-old director and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, who was 10 years younger, with stab wounds. At this time, little is known about the crime. People magazine, citing "multiple exclusive sources," reported that the 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, is a suspect, though this has not yet been officially confirmed at the LAPD homicide division's press conference. Police stated that Nick is alive and is currently being questioned; no arrests have been made. As for further investigation, police are currently awaiting a search warrant for the Reiner residence.

Rob Reiner began his career as an actor. At the age of 12, he first appeared on screen in the TV series »77 Sunset Strip«. He became famous for his Emmy Award-winning role as son-in-law Michael "Meathead" Stivic in the series »All in the Family«.

In 1984, he transitioned to directing with »This Is Spinal Tap«, creating a genre-defining comedy classic with this mockumentary. He subsequently produced a string of masterpieces across diverse genres, including »Stand By Me«, »The Princess Bride«, »When Harry Met Sally«, »Misery«, and »A Few Good Men«, to name just a few of his timeless masterpieces. He had last been working on »Spinal Tap II: The End Continues«, a sequel to his directorial debut.

Rob and Michele Singer met during the filming of »Misery« and married in 1989. Rob Reiner has an adopted daughter from his first marriage to director Penny Marshall. He and Michele had three children together.

Reiner was one of Hollywood's greats, a consistently friendly, down-to-earth artist, who was also deeply involved in politics. He was among the most vocal critics of US President Donald Trump and, as a supporter of the Democrats, regularly backed their election campaigns.

All of Hollywood is currently in shock. With this tragedy, the film industry has lost one of its most creative voices and a truly wonderful person. Rob, we will miss you!

Over the past few years, crime fiction fans have witnessed a veritable revival of the whodunit genre in a modern guise. Alongside remakes of classic Agatha Christie adaptations and entertaining shows like »Only Murders in the Building«, Rian Johnson's »Knives Out« series is at the forefront of this trend. After a very short and limited theatrical run, the third installment, »Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery«, is released today on Netflix. You can watch the trailer here:
https://youtu.be/0hc8yz5-d5Y

Following a physical altercation, priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor) is transferred to the parish of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who preaches anything but charity in his church. When Wicks falls victim to a seemingly impossible murder, it's up to Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to solve the case.

Many critics, as well as viewers who saw the film in theaters before its Netflix release, agree that this is the best installment in the series so far, and considerably bloodier and darker than the first two. Josh O'Connor is often highlighted as a standout among the stellar cast. Similar to Ana de Armas and Janelle Monáe in the previous films, he accompanies Benoit Blanc on his investigations and serves as a relatable character for the audience, alongside the eccentric master detective. The star-studded cast also includes Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, and many more.

This movie marks the end of Rian Johnson's deal with Netflix. After the success of »Knives Out« in 2019, the streaming giant secured the rights to the film series for parts two and three. However, the director and his lead actor, Craig, are eager for more and, according to their own statements, are already brainstorming ideas for a fourth film. Whether and how this will happen remains to be seen. It would be great if, unlike the two Netflix-produced cases, it received a longer theatrical release.

Until then, we hope you enjoy »Wake Up Dead Man«!

It was only a matter of time before the first teaser for »Supergirl« would be released – and last night it finally arrived! Look up out here:
https://youtu.be/YqdAEdkHrwo

The first posters, which appeared a few months ago, fueled our anticipation immensely, and this preview of what awaits us next summer is definitely packs a punch! The film will tell us Supergirl's dark backstory before she came to Earth and, following this year's blockbuster about her cousin »Superman«, will be the second film in the DC Universe. Milly Alcock portrays the sharp-edged title character, and those who look closely can already glimpse Jason Momoa as Lobo.

What are your first impressions?