The 10 Best Movies of 2025

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It feels like there are too many great movies released each year, but I try to see as many of the major ones as possible. I especially make time for critically acclaimed films and the newest installments in popular franchises. 2025 offered a good balance of both, and if you think there’s nothing new in theaters, you might just need to look a little closer.

2025 offered a fantastic year for movies, from scary horror to gripping dramas. It was tough choosing just ten favorites, but I confidently recommend each of these films if you’re searching for something new to watch.

These are my top 10 movies from 2025. I saw most of the films I was interested in, though I might have missed a few. I also want to give a special shout-out to 28 Years Later – it was a fantastic addition to the zombie series and had one of the best endings I’ve seen all year.

10. Roofman

Image via Paramount Pictures

Where to Watch: Paramount+

Inspired by the life of Jeffrey Manchester, the film Roofman expertly combines humor and heartfelt moments, thanks to a strong cast including Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield, and Peter Dinklage. It’s both funny and moving, and vividly captures the early 2000s. The movie’s depiction of a Toys ‘R Us stocked with PS2, GameCube, and original Xbox games is powerfully nostalgic, and Tatum’s scenes in the store are a highlight for those who grew up in that era.

9. Warfare

Image via A24

Where to Watch: HBO Max

Ray Mendoza’s film, Warfare, is based on his own experiences during the Iraq War. The movie unfolds in real time, showing the brutal realities of combat without any narration. It powerfully illustrates the devastating effects of war on both soldiers and civilians, and it’s a film that stays with you long after you’ve seen it. I believe Warfare will be considered one of the decade’s most impactful war movies.

8. Companion

Image via Warner Bros.

Where to Watch: HBO Max

I love horror-comedy, so I was really excited about the movie Companion. It stars Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid and explores what happens when an AI companion robot malfunctions. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you enjoy funny and scary movies, Companion delivers both in spades.

7. Sinners

Where to Watch: HBO Max

I think I would have enjoyed both Companion and Sinners even more if I hadn’t seen any trailers. Some people might be surprised that Sinners is ranked lower than other films on this list, but the trailers revealed almost the entire plot, leaving only the last 40 minutes as a surprise. While I was very entertained by Sinners and impressed with Michael B. Jordan’s performance as The Smokestack Twins, the trailers lessened my ability to fully appreciate Ryan Coogler’s film. Even with that drawback, the fact that Sinners was still one of the best movies of the year speaks volumes about its quality.

6. KPop Demon Hunters

Where to Watch: Netflix

If you’d told me at the start of 2025 that one of my favorite movies would be called KPop Demon Hunters, I wouldn’t have believed it. Apparently, Sony didn’t believe in it much either, as they sold the movie to Netflix instead of releasing it in theaters. That turned out to be a big error in judgment.

The movie KPop Demon Hunters quickly became a huge hit, breaking records as the most-watched film ever on Netflix with over 541.8 million hours of viewing and the numbers are still rising. While the animation and action are fantastic, it’s the movie’s music that has really made it a standout. I can’t stop listening to the song “Golden” – I’ve had it on repeat for months!

5. Superman (2025)

Where to Watch: HBO Max

DC movies have struggled in recent years. Films like Batman v Superman and Justice League received poor reviews, while Wonder Woman 1984 and The Flash didn’t perform well at the box office. This, combined with a lack of a clear direction for the DC Extended Universe and a general decline in interest in superhero movies, meant James Gunn faced a significant challenge when he began building the new DC Universe.

James Gunn’s Superman had a lot of pressure on it as the first film in the new DC Universe, but it definitely delivered—and then some! David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan are fantastic as Superman and Lois Lane, and the entire cast shines, with Edi Gathegi’s performance as Mister Terrific being a particular standout. Superman successfully sets up an exciting future for this cinematic universe, and I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel in 2027.

4. Weapons

Image via Warner Bros.

Where to Watch: HBO Max

I’m becoming a huge fan of Zach Cregger as a director. I absolutely loved his 2022 film, Barbarian, and his latest, Weapons, is just as good. Weapons really hooked me with its story – all the students in a teacher’s class vanish except for one, and the movie does an amazing job of revealing what happened piece by piece. But the ending is what really blew me away, and I’d tell any horror fan who hasn’t seen it yet to definitely check it out. After being so impressed with Barbarian and Weapons, I’m completely confident that Cregger’s Resident Evil movie is going to be the best adaptation of the Capcom games we’ve ever seen.

3. Bugonia

Image via Focus Features

Where to Watch: Peacock

Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia is a disturbing and thrilling film, inspired by the South Korean movie Save the Green Planet. It tells the story of a man convinced of a conspiracy who, along with his cousin, kidnaps a CEO they believe is an alien. With fantastic performances from Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Aidan Delbis, Bugonia is a standout and one of the year’s most impactful films.

2. Marty Supreme

Where to Watch: Currently in Theaters

If you found Josh Safdie’s Uncut Gems stressful, prepare yourself for Marty Supreme. This film centers on a selfish and ambitious character who will do anything to become the best table tennis player in the world, and Timothée Chalamet delivers one of his best performances yet. He convincingly portrays the chaotic life of the title character. Marty Supreme is consistently more enjoyable than Uncut Gems, and Chalamet’s work in this film is truly deserving of awards.

1. One Battle After Another

Where to Watch: HBO Max

In 2025, the most impactful film for me was definitely One Battle After Another. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it tells the story of a former revolutionary, brilliantly played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who is now paranoid and in hiding while raising his daughter (Chase Infiniti). The film follows DiCaprio and Infiniti as they’re pursued by the ruthless Colonel Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn, leading to a relentless and gripping series of events. Despite its 162-minute length, the movie flies by – it’s an exhilarating, shocking, funny, and emotionally powerful experience that easily takes the top spot on my list of favorites this year.

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2025-12-30 21:05