Robots taking over the world, aliens descending from the sky to claim Earth, and nuclear bombs threatening to annihilate humanity——picture a sci-fi nightmare. Fortunately, 2025 is unlikely to unfold that way. But what is coming could still be just as surprising.
Upcoming Live-Action Movies in the Spotlight
Three live-action movies have been confirmed to be in development, featuring some of the most iconic childhood favorites. These include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, How to Train Your Dragon, and Lilo & Stitch. Given the track record of past live-action remakes, expectations are high for how these beloved stories will be reimagined.
With Disney’s history of live-action remakes like Beauty & the Beast and Aladdin, Snow White is likely to follow with nostalgia and an updated storyline. Expect stunning visuals, iconic music numbers reimagined, and a modern take on Snow White’s character that may spark discussions around contemporary values and perspectives.
Universal Studios is bringing How to Train Your Dragon to life, directed by Dean DeBlois, the original writer and director of the animated trilogy. Given the complicated design of the dragons and the breathtaking landscapes of “Berk”, we can anticipate groundbreaking CGI with a heartfelt narrative that stays true to the spirit of the franchise.
Known for the strong depiction of family and love, the live-action movie of Lilo & Stitch will likely lean into CGI for Stitch while retaining the emotional depth that made the animated film a classic. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the project is expected to bring a quirky, heartfelt approach to the adaptation.
Politics will Continue to Divide the American People
Since Donald Trump stepped into office in 2017, American politics have grown increasingly polarized, a trend that shows no signs of abating as we enter 2025. The political landscape in 2025 is likely to remain highly contentious, with partisanship continuing to shape both policy and public discourse.
If one party holds unified control over the presidency and Congress, we can expect aggressive efforts to enact sweeping policy changes. For instance, progressive initiatives on climate change, healthcare, or social justice could exacerbate tensions, particularly if met with resistance from conservative leaders or states.
Similarly, conservative leaders pushing on issues like deregulation or immigration could provoke sharp backlash from liberal constituencies just like we saw in Trump’s first presidency on mass deportation.
Social media platforms will continue to amplify division by creating echo chambers and spreading disinformation. Efforts to rebuild trust, foster dialogue, and address systemic disinformation could influence whether the divide widens or begins to heal.
Major Policy changes in Trump’s Presidency & Conflicts Abroad
During his first presidency (2017-2021), Trump implemented several significant tariff policies, particularly targeting China, and focused on trade protectionism with the goal of protecting American manufacturing.
Donald Trump’s tariffs could help shield domestic industries from foreign competition, giving them a chance to grow and stabilize. For example, tariffs on steel and aluminum under Trump aimed to protect the U.S. metal producers and the jobs associated with them. However, tariffs may result in higher consumer prices. When tariffs are imposed on imported goods, businesses often pass these additional costs on to consumers, leading to increased prices.
Trump has promised to place significant tariffs on Mexico, China, and Canada. He intends to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting in January 2025, a move that is likely to escalate trade tensions from both nations.
Trump’s proposal to implement a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, set to take effect by February 20, 2025, could deepen the existing tensions between the U.S. and China. These aggressive trade policies are predicted to disrupt global supply chains and provoke economic uncertainty, including increased consumer prices.
If these measures proceed as planned, they may spark a new era of economic nationalism and trade wars.
President-elect Donald Trump has taken some jabs at neighboring countries like Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Panama. In a recent interview, Trump claimed he plans to use “economic force”, not going into further detail, to annex Canada. He even took things a step further on Twitter, declaring Canada the 51st state of the United States, complete with an image of himself towering over the northern nation, gazing down with unmistakable pride.
The Future of TikTok
With the ban scheduled to be on January 19th, 2025, Americans have wasted no time finding a backup plan. Enter Rednote, a new Chinese app that’s already number one in the app store. Yep, the irony isn’t lost on anyone—TikTok’s replacement is, of course, another Chinese app.
Gen Z, never one to shy away from a little drama, has taken their pettiness to legendary level. TikTok is flooded with videos of people learning Mandarin, draping Chinese flags on their walls, and basically treating this like an ultimate clapback to congress.
However, Senators Ed Markley and Ro Khanna are introducing a new bill to pause the TikTok ban for 270 days. If this bill is passed then Americans will likely be continuing to dominate the TikTok app. If not, Rednote is likely to take its place along with other existing apps like Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.
