(This article is part of our Best of 2025 series.)
It’s hard for me to gauge what 2025 meant for movies. There are no easily identifiable big declarations or trend shifts that I can assign to the film industry based on what we saw this year. Which is totally fine! Not every year needs a clear summation.
Sometimes it’s cool to just acknowledge that there were some less-than-stellar movies, some good movies, and some awesome movies that were released in a given year. And that’s exactly what we got in 2025.
I found myself seeing a decent number of flicks this year – in theaters, on streaming platforms, and at festivals – but somehow still feeling like I didn’t see nearly enough new releases.
The eternal struggle between staying up to date on current cinema and expanding the breadth of knowledge of older movies rages on for me in 2026.
Anywho, before I dive further into my own cinephile-related existential crisis, here are 10 movies from 2025 that I’m quite thrilled that I was able to stay up to date on.
10. Bugonia
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone are solidifying themselves as the next powerhouse director/actor collaborative duo. Their latest entry is a fun paranoid sci-fi thriller about internet rabbit holes, conspiracy theories, and lonely men. Quite topical for our current times. However, thanks to great performances from Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone, and brilliant narrative pacing, Bugonia stays captivating throughout. This could have easily become an eye-roll-inducing piece of absurdist nihilism about modern life, but there’s just enough emotional sincerity to keep it honest and enjoyable throughout.
9. Wake Up Dead Man
Rian Johnson’s latest Knives Out mystery doesn’t quite eclipse the first entry in the series, but it does remind us of why we should be blessed with one of these every few years. The Benoit Blanc character is a perfect vessel for Johnson to explore these different facets of American life. In Wake Up Dead Man, the murder mystery takes a back seat. But that’s perfectly fine, because the core character study of Father Jud Duplenticy (played brilliantly by Josh O’Connor) is where this movie truly soars. Could have featured more Jeffrey Wright, but an otherwise wholly delightful viewing experience.
8. Highest 2 Lowest
I seem to be one of the few people riding for Spike Lee’s latest joint. I get it. His movies can be presented in oddly unconventional ways, making them harder to connect to. Highest 2 Lowest also suffers from not being able to live up to the Kurosawa film that it’s reimagining. But it worked for me despite those things. It’s an interesting story for one of our elder statesmen master directors to be making at this stage in their career. It’s not his highest achievement, but certainly not his lowest miss. Hopefully, he gets at least one more universally praised banger before his time is up.
I was supposed to write a full review, but didn’t… whoops
7. Blood Lines
Blood Lines was among my favorite theatrical experiences and biggest surprises of 2025. Reminding me of the power of seeing something in a theater. I had the pleasure of attending a screening during my coverage of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which included a heartfelt Q&A with writer/director/co-star Gail Maurice. In almost any other setting, I’m not sure that I would have been so captivated by the film’s raw emotion, or even drawn enough to the story to seek out a viewing. I’m happy that wasn’t the case. I hope Blood Lines gets a somewhat wide release in 2026 so I can finally talk to someone about it.
6. Marty Supreme
I am a card-holding member of the Marty Supreme Supremacy Party. Timotheé Chalamet’s latest performance is probably his best. Big ups to Josh Safdie, who has mastered the art of getting incredible performances out of people by having them play versions of themselves cranked up to 11 (looking at you, Mr. Wonderful). That includes Mr. Chalamet, who has shown flashes of Marty Mauser in his real-life persona. As a film, however, Marty Supreme features much of the frantic and chaotic energy of Good Time and Uncut Gems, but maybe a bit more sympathy for its protagonist. Cheers to Safdie and team for making ping-pong so electric.
5. Weapons
It’s easy to understand why Jordan Peele allegedly fired a bunch of people at Monkey Paw Productions when they didn’t win the bidding war to produce this script. Weapons is one of the most dynamite and dynamic horror scripts of this year or the past few years. The narrative structure keeps things intriguing throughout. Mixing elements of horror, mystery, and some humor, Zach Cregger’s film is simultaneously an unnerving and enthralling viewing experience. Even the horror squeamish can walk away from Weapons fully bewitched by Aunt Gladys and the story of those kids who disappeared from their homes at 2:17 AM on that fateful night.
Read Romona’s full review here
4. The Phoenician Scheme
As a society, we seem to be taking the current Wes Anderson run for granted. His last 3 films are among his strongest and all reveal different aspects of his artistic genius. The Phoenician Scheme is as heartfelt and humorous as anything Anderson’s made. It’s accessible enough for audiences to get past whatever reservations they may have about his style or aesthetic. For some reason, it still didn’t seem to break through the way it should have. All 3 leads are incredible – Benicio del Toro proves he can be a fully formidable leading man, Mia Threapleton has the goods in her debut, and Michael Cera absolutely steals the show. That should be enough to sell folks on it.
3. My Father’s Shadow
Sope Dirisu delivers one of the strongest performances of the year in this underseen festival darling. It’s odd that My Father’s Shadow didn’t get picked up for wider distribution this year despite performing well at Cannes and other festivals throughout 2025. Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature is beautifully presented, earnestly told, and confidently executed. It’s a haunting and moving story about family, nationhood, and memory. Davies Jr.’s strong direction, paired with Dirisu’s powerhouse performance, combine to make this one of the best surprises of the year. A lofty yet personal film, which perfectly balances its competing elements throughout for great success.
1b. One Battle After Another
It feels disingenuous for me to call One Battle After Another a #2. In pretty much any other year, it would probably easily be my #1. And this movie is so intrinsically tied to the other top movie of the year that they both deserve all the recognition. PTA’s biggest movie to date is also a fascinating development in his thematic interests. Many of his earlier films can be defined by “found family” and “two weirdos exploring the power dynamics of their relationship”. One Battle After Another certainly plays with these ideas, but flips much of what’s been evident in PTA’s previous films on its head. There’s no praise that I can give this movie that hasn’t already been bestowed upon it – all deserving. OBAA will be revisited, discussed, and beloved for years to come, rightfully so.
1a. Sinners
That video of Ryan Coogler explaining the different viewing formats for Sinners just might be the most consequential film-related video of 2025. There was already hype for Sinners‘ release in April, but that video really sent it over the top. People came out in droves to see it in IMAX 70mm, and the other formats laid out by Coogler in the video. And the response was overwhelmingly positive. This movie truly has it all. It’s so refreshing to get blockbuster filmmaking that can excite, stimulate, and entertain. Sinners manages to have broad appeal while homing in on niche interests. It’s remarkably fresh and original. It’s poignant yet bombastic. There are great performances, incredible music, and unforgettable set pieces. Coogler and team really did the damn thing.
[insert obligatory caveats of 2025 releases still on my watchlist, and movies that I did see that deserve honorable mentions]
Despite said caveats, I’m satisfied with this top 10. Sound off in the comments about whether or not I’m right to be satisfied. See you all back here at the end of 2026!
