THE YEAR IN MOVIES - 2025
- I never really thought of myself as being part of some sort of community of movie-lovers before, but I guess in 2025 we were all our fandoms more so than ever. It's strange - our culture has shifted to the point where there's very little monoculture left, and you're either all the way in or all the way out. At least, that's what it feels like a lot of the time. There used to be movies that *everyone* saw. Now, even the biggest of box office blockbusters, something like Avatar: Fire and Ash, feel sort of like niche products. It makes me sad, in a way. Movies used to be something that everyone, of all ages and of all cultural backgrounds, shared - at least to a degree. But lately it feels like I'm part of some small community of diehards who lives and breathes movies - that is very much a subculture rather than *the* culture.
How did this happen?
We all live in our own bubbles now. And we're all, I guess, exhausted. People are happy to watch whatever slop an algorithm feeds them, rather than proactively seeking out the good stuff - or even the pretty good stuff. Any time I recommend a movie now to a "normie," I literally have to explain from scratch what the movie is, where to find it, and if - god forbid - it's not available on "free" streaming, then it's oftentimes off the table. And I get it, times are tough and the economy is not good and people don't always have the money to spare. But the funny thing is that if you do go "all in," if you do sort of commit to being a movie fan, then seeing a ton of movies each year is actually cheaper than ever - thanks to subscription programs like AMC A-List (which I take more than full advantage of). Honestly though, I think we've become a society of people who basically feeds our one or two core interests into an algorithm, and then basically, sadly, shuts out and tunes out all of the other noise. We can't be bothered with it. We're a long way from the days when people - average people - would scan the newspaper or, later, their favorite websites, each week to find reviews and info on all of that given week's new releases. People are just, seemingly, tuned out of everything. Except for the one or two things they're all-in for. Because whatever those things are, you will get fed endless amounts of content that will consume your every waking moment.
So if you *are* one of the sickos who still wholeheartedly loves the movies, there is now an endless stream of content just for you. You've got podcasts a-plenty. Business news and discussion from The Town, lengthy discussion of director filmographies from Blank Check, awards-season predictions from FYC, nostalgic look-backs at favorites from The Re-Watchables. And the list goes on. You can see up to 4 movies a week in theaters - IMAX and Dolby included! - if you're an AMC A-List subscriber (or the Regal equivalent). And pretty much every movie ever made is a few clicks and $3.99 away to rent digitally via services like Apple and Amazon and Fandango. So following along with, say, a Blank Check, and going through a director's entire filmography at your leisure is easier than ever. It's a great time to be a diehard film fan.
And because film fandom now feels so removed from mainstream culture, it means that being a film fan enters you into a community of like-minded diehards. You know, the people who cheer for Nicole Kidman every time she tells us that "We come to this place ... for magic." And this is all fun and good and it's great when you're in a place like LA - or even here in Burbank, specifically, where you feel like you're among your people.
But still. Shouldn't movies be for everyone? Isn't storytelling part of our DNA? Haven't classics like Star Wars and The Godfather historically been mass-culture events, that bring us all together? And is it really a coincidence that as culture becomes increasingly fragmented and hyper-individualized and algorithmic, that we as a people are more divided than ever?
I think it's all connected. I think it's all a part of the same story - the story of how our culture is unraveling and we're no longer engaging outwardly, with each other. We're only indulging in ourselves, and what "I" want and "I" need in a given moment. We're no longer giving of ourselves to share in collective experiences. We're no longer leaving our homes to join with others. We're no longer opening our minds to accept in the sort of empathy and understanding that great shared storytelling experiences provide. We talk about things online, and even in-person, in ways that provoke "engagement" rather than real conversation. We're losing something very important and very vital. But it's still out there. The feeling I got when the credits began rolling on Marty Supreme and a packed house at the AMC 16 burst out into applause and cheers. The feeling when an entire audience lost their collective minds during *that* scene in Weapons. The feeling when we realize just what kind of movie we're in with Sinners and you can feel everyone sit up in their seats in unison.
That is part of why I always feel compelled to publish these yearly Best-Of lists. I want to share with others. I want others to engage because they know me and want to listen, not because this post was algorithmically fed to them. I want to provoke real discussion and real seeking-out of great movies (and TV, and games, and comics, etc.).
So in the year ahead, here's my challenge: open yourself up to being part of a shared culture again. You don't need to watch 100 new movies like I did to do this. You just need to pay attention. Engage, rather than try to provoke engagement. Be a part of something. And see what you can learn from all of the amazing stories that are given to us each year. Think there's nothing good worth watching? Well, below are 50+ movies I loved from the year that was. There's SO MUCH good stuff being made, even in a challenged environment.
Seek it out.
DANNY'S BEST MOVIES OF 2025:
1.) Marty Supreme
- It was tough picking a #1 this year. My Top 3 movies listed here were all contenders, and I kept going back and forth between them. Maybe there's a bit of recency bias here. I don't know. But what I do know is that Marty Supreme floored me. This is an absolutely electric, nitro-fueled film. Josh Safdie gives us an all-timer movie here, and Timothee Chalomet may just get his Oscar for his incredible lead performance. This one has the nonstop momentum of Uncut Gems, the rock n' roll crime movie intensity of vintage Scorsese, the pump-your-fists competitive thrills of Rocky, and the thought-provoking exploration of post-WWII Jewish struggles of The Brutalist. There's so much going on here, but all of it is wrapped in a brilliant, funny, dark, senses-shattering package that needs to be seen on a huge screen with the best possible sound. This was my favorite movie-going experience of 2025. Like I said: electric.
2.) Sinners
- Sinners is flat-out awesome. Writer/Director Ryan Coogler re-teams with Michael B. Jordan for a movie that demands to be seen with a packed audience. It's an amazing, thematically-ambitious period-piece riff on From Dusk Til' Dawn. It slow-builds and sets the stage perfectly for what's to come - introducing us to a memorable cast of characters in 1930's Mississippi - before exploding in a perfectly-executed action/horror spectacle. Coogler is at the top of his game here - giving us dazzling, mesmerizing visuals and a rising sense of dread. The cast is phenomenal. Michael B Jordan again shows why he's one of the best, playing a set of identical twins and making each distinct - in an absolute rock star performance. The entire cast is great - although my personal favorite was the great Delroy Lindo, who absolutely owns in this film. The movie's got an amazing score too, that's over-the-top, wild, and soul-rattling. The movie's also got a few music-driven sequences that are so, so good. An all-timer from Coogler.
3.) One Battle After Another
- One Battle After Another is a masterpiece, up there with Paul Thomas Anderson's best. As with There Will Be Blood, it's an American fable that resonates sharply, even with its more fantastical elements. I saw the film as a powerful thought-experiment about the need for resistance and revolution during a time when America is on the verge of losing its very soul - and when its darkest elements, long lurking in the shadows, are more emboldened than ever. This is an incendiary film. The movie is also incredibly funny. The script is masterful. And visually, One Battle After Another is completely stunning. Remember that one van scene in Licorice Pizza that had everyone clamoring for PTA to do a full-on action film? Well, here you go. The entire middle section of this movie is one long visceral chase / escape scene, and man, the ending car chase sequence is a stunner too. So many scenes and moments just pop thanks to their cinematography, lighting, blocking, and composition. This is just an absolute masterclass in filmmaking. As for the performances, the first person I have to single out is Sean Penn. Wow. An *all-timer* villain performance. It might legit be the best performance of Penn's career. DiCaprio, Taylor, Hall, Infiniti, and Del Toro shine as well.
- One Battle After Another is a masterpiece, up there with Paul Thomas Anderson's best. As with There Will Be Blood, it's an American fable that resonates sharply, even with its more fantastical elements. I saw the film as a powerful thought-experiment about the need for resistance and revolution during a time when America is on the verge of losing its very soul - and when its darkest elements, long lurking in the shadows, are more emboldened than ever. This is an incendiary film. The movie is also incredibly funny. The script is masterful. And visually, One Battle After Another is completely stunning. Remember that one van scene in Licorice Pizza that had everyone clamoring for PTA to do a full-on action film? Well, here you go. The entire middle section of this movie is one long visceral chase / escape scene, and man, the ending car chase sequence is a stunner too. So many scenes and moments just pop thanks to their cinematography, lighting, blocking, and composition. This is just an absolute masterclass in filmmaking. As for the performances, the first person I have to single out is Sean Penn. Wow. An *all-timer* villain performance. It might legit be the best performance of Penn's career. DiCaprio, Taylor, Hall, Infiniti, and Del Toro shine as well.
4.) The Life of Chuck
- Sometimes, it takes those who dwell in darkness to show us the light. And in the case of The Life of Chuck - directed by Mike Flanagan and based on a story by Stephen King - two masters of horror use their innate understanding of terror and dread to craft an unlikely story of hope and inspiration. I loved this movie. Flanagan and King tap into the anxiety we all feel right now, given the state of the world, in a way that feels so spot-on and so, so needed. It feels like Stephen King telling us that hey, I hear you, my worlds of horror ain't got nothin' on the real world right now ... But here's how we're going to get through it. With art and love and humanity and ... dancing. In the wrong hands, this could have been a mess. But Mike Flanagan is so talented, he walks the tightrope and gives us he and King's version of Cloud Atlas - a story about human connection across space and time. I love Flanagan's way with words - and as we've seen in other of his works like the amazing Dr. Sleep, his and King's writing are a match made in heaven. Somehow, The Life of Chuck finds hope and beauty amidst cosmic dread. It's a movie of multitudes.
- Sometimes, it takes those who dwell in darkness to show us the light. And in the case of The Life of Chuck - directed by Mike Flanagan and based on a story by Stephen King - two masters of horror use their innate understanding of terror and dread to craft an unlikely story of hope and inspiration. I loved this movie. Flanagan and King tap into the anxiety we all feel right now, given the state of the world, in a way that feels so spot-on and so, so needed. It feels like Stephen King telling us that hey, I hear you, my worlds of horror ain't got nothin' on the real world right now ... But here's how we're going to get through it. With art and love and humanity and ... dancing. In the wrong hands, this could have been a mess. But Mike Flanagan is so talented, he walks the tightrope and gives us he and King's version of Cloud Atlas - a story about human connection across space and time. I love Flanagan's way with words - and as we've seen in other of his works like the amazing Dr. Sleep, his and King's writing are a match made in heaven. Somehow, The Life of Chuck finds hope and beauty amidst cosmic dread. It's a movie of multitudes.
5.) No Other Choice
- With No Other Choice, the great Park Chan-wook delivers another barn-burner. The movie tells the story of a man who has achieved professional and financial success in the paper industry, but who is suddenly, cruelly let go when his company is acquired by an American corporation. Very quickly, his life as he knows it is in jeopardy. And soon, increasingly desperate to regain his professional stature, our protagonist begins pondering some rather ... drastic steps to achieve his goals. I won't spoil anything, but this is the director of Oldboy - so I think you can imagine some of the dark, depraved, shocking, and bleakly hilarious places that things go from here. Said protagonist is played by Lee Byung-hun, best known as the sinister Front Man on Squid Game. While Byung-hun is awesome on that series, he is absolutely phenomenal here - turning in a darkly funny, nuanced, unforgettable performance that is very much Oscar-worthy. And wow, Park Chan-wook here is just in absolute top-form. Beyond the visuals though, this film is an absolutely searing indictment of late-stage capitalism, and the way in which the world we live in today encourages a ruthlessness, a selfishness, and a last-man-standing mentality.
6.) 28 Years Later
- 28 Years Later was everything I hoped for and not at all what I expected. It might just be a masterpiece. Director Danny Boyle returns to the film franchise that kicked off the zombie craze of the 00's, and in doing so he returns to the sort of high-voltage, punk-rock filmmaking that put him on the map with movies like 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. Writer Alex Garland also returns here - and obviously since 2002 he's established himself as one of the great creative geniuses of our time. And man, does he swing for the fences with this script. The reunion of Garland and Boyle gives us something absolutely unforgettable and shockingly timely and profound - a new landmark movie in the zombie genre.
7.) Superman
- Superman isn't a perfect movie. But it might just be a perfect depiction of Superman. And in 2025, we needed that. We needed a hero who embodies goodness, and kindness, and selflessness, and empathy. We needed a superhero movie that cared, that wore its emotion earnestly. We needed inspiration and hope. And James Gunn's Superman gave that to us in spades. I'll never forget seeing this movie in theaters a second time - something I rarely ever do. I went by myself, and as I sat in the theater and heard that score kick in, I was overcome with emotion. Superman has been there for me all my life - a comfort in the dark times, a source of hope when I needed it most. And now, Superman - the real Superman - was there for me - for all of us - again, larger than life, on the big screen. This movie is a gift. And it's one heck of a start for the new DC Cinematic Universe.
- 28 Years Later was everything I hoped for and not at all what I expected. It might just be a masterpiece. Director Danny Boyle returns to the film franchise that kicked off the zombie craze of the 00's, and in doing so he returns to the sort of high-voltage, punk-rock filmmaking that put him on the map with movies like 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. Writer Alex Garland also returns here - and obviously since 2002 he's established himself as one of the great creative geniuses of our time. And man, does he swing for the fences with this script. The reunion of Garland and Boyle gives us something absolutely unforgettable and shockingly timely and profound - a new landmark movie in the zombie genre.
7.) Superman
- Superman isn't a perfect movie. But it might just be a perfect depiction of Superman. And in 2025, we needed that. We needed a hero who embodies goodness, and kindness, and selflessness, and empathy. We needed a superhero movie that cared, that wore its emotion earnestly. We needed inspiration and hope. And James Gunn's Superman gave that to us in spades. I'll never forget seeing this movie in theaters a second time - something I rarely ever do. I went by myself, and as I sat in the theater and heard that score kick in, I was overcome with emotion. Superman has been there for me all my life - a comfort in the dark times, a source of hope when I needed it most. And now, Superman - the real Superman - was there for me - for all of us - again, larger than life, on the big screen. This movie is a gift. And it's one heck of a start for the new DC Cinematic Universe.
8.) Sorry, Baby
- Eva Victor - wow, what a breakthrough. She writes, directs, and stars in this one, one of 2025's true indie sensations. And the entire movie feels like the triumphant emergence of an important new voice in filmmaking. Acerbically funny. Brilliant and thoughtful. It handles difficult subject matter with nuance and grace. One of the year's best movies, one of the year's smartest screenplays. I can't wait to see what Victor does from here. This one should be an Oscar contender. It's on HBO Max as I write this, go make it a point to give it a watch.
9.) The Long Walk
- 2025 was a great year for Stephen King adaptations. And The Long Walk is up there, along with The Life of Chuck, as one of the greatest King adaptations ever. King's story was written as a parable for the Vietnam War - and much of that DNA is still in this film. But there are also a lot of cutting moments that bring to mind the dark times we live in today. The movie, as written by the incredibly talented JT Molner (Strange Darling) and directed by Francis Lawrence, does a nice job of walking the line between honoring the original story and updating certain things for 2025. And the cast - wow! Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson - amazing. Like his dad, Cooper is one hell of an actor. Even better is Jonsson, who crushed it hard in last year's Alien: Romulus. Here, he declares himself as one of the best young actors alive. He is phenomenal, bringing so much gravitas and heart. The entire cast is filled with great performances. Mark Hamill, notably, is perfect as the ever-looming Major, the sinister figure leading the walk. The Long Walk is a dark parable about doggedly trudging through an impossible, seemingly-hopeless situation. About living for the moment. About defying that hopelessness.
- Eva Victor - wow, what a breakthrough. She writes, directs, and stars in this one, one of 2025's true indie sensations. And the entire movie feels like the triumphant emergence of an important new voice in filmmaking. Acerbically funny. Brilliant and thoughtful. It handles difficult subject matter with nuance and grace. One of the year's best movies, one of the year's smartest screenplays. I can't wait to see what Victor does from here. This one should be an Oscar contender. It's on HBO Max as I write this, go make it a point to give it a watch.
9.) The Long Walk
- 2025 was a great year for Stephen King adaptations. And The Long Walk is up there, along with The Life of Chuck, as one of the greatest King adaptations ever. King's story was written as a parable for the Vietnam War - and much of that DNA is still in this film. But there are also a lot of cutting moments that bring to mind the dark times we live in today. The movie, as written by the incredibly talented JT Molner (Strange Darling) and directed by Francis Lawrence, does a nice job of walking the line between honoring the original story and updating certain things for 2025. And the cast - wow! Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson - amazing. Like his dad, Cooper is one hell of an actor. Even better is Jonsson, who crushed it hard in last year's Alien: Romulus. Here, he declares himself as one of the best young actors alive. He is phenomenal, bringing so much gravitas and heart. The entire cast is filled with great performances. Mark Hamill, notably, is perfect as the ever-looming Major, the sinister figure leading the walk. The Long Walk is a dark parable about doggedly trudging through an impossible, seemingly-hopeless situation. About living for the moment. About defying that hopelessness.
10.) Frankenstein
- The great Guillermo Del Toro outdid himself with this one - it’s a masterpiece of gothic melodrama that beautifully brings to life both Mary Shelley’s classic novel, and the legendary horror artwork of Bernie Wrightson - whose famous Frankenstein art served as inspiration for the film’s visuals.
Seeing this film at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, the imagery of the film was eye-meltingly awesome. Del Toro has dreamed of making this movie for decades, and it shows. The level of dark visual splendor, the incredibly realized set design - it’s the stuff of horror dreams and nightmares. Del Toro strikes a perfect balance between more grounded historical drama and the more stylized horror iconography of Wrightson and the classic Universal Monsters. The cast here is also phenomenal. Oscar Isaac turns in one of his career best performances as Victor Frankenstein. Jacob Elordi is extremely impressive as The Monster. And there is a murderer’s row of great supporting performances - from Mia Goth to Christoph Waltz to David Bradley to Charles Dance. And the fantastic, evocative score from Alexandre Desplat - exactly what you’d want from this sort of gothic horror epic.
JUST MISSED THE CUT:
11.) The Testament of Ann Lee
- What a crazy, powerful, mesmerizing, thought-provoking film. I knew little if anything about the real life Ann Lee going into this movie - but the movie dramatizes the life and times of Ann Lee in a way that is absolutely gripping. It's a quasi-musical, using Shaker prayers and hymns and dances as the basis for its songs - but reinterpreting and embellishing upon them. The result are songs that resonate with a primordial power, and wild dance choreography that's not quite like anything I've seen before. Director Mona Fastvold, who's worked with Brady Corbet on movies like The Brutalist, brings that same sort of grandiosity and intensity here. But so much of the movie is anchored by the incredible lead performance from Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee. Seyfried brilliantly plays this part, making Ann Lee a character who is equal parts charismatic leader and mentally unstable madwoman. She of course nails all the singing and dancing, but it's her presentation of Lee as a pseudo cult leader - teetering perpetually on the edge of madness - that really knocks you out.
- The great Guillermo Del Toro outdid himself with this one - it’s a masterpiece of gothic melodrama that beautifully brings to life both Mary Shelley’s classic novel, and the legendary horror artwork of Bernie Wrightson - whose famous Frankenstein art served as inspiration for the film’s visuals.
Seeing this film at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, the imagery of the film was eye-meltingly awesome. Del Toro has dreamed of making this movie for decades, and it shows. The level of dark visual splendor, the incredibly realized set design - it’s the stuff of horror dreams and nightmares. Del Toro strikes a perfect balance between more grounded historical drama and the more stylized horror iconography of Wrightson and the classic Universal Monsters. The cast here is also phenomenal. Oscar Isaac turns in one of his career best performances as Victor Frankenstein. Jacob Elordi is extremely impressive as The Monster. And there is a murderer’s row of great supporting performances - from Mia Goth to Christoph Waltz to David Bradley to Charles Dance. And the fantastic, evocative score from Alexandre Desplat - exactly what you’d want from this sort of gothic horror epic.
JUST MISSED THE CUT:
11.) The Testament of Ann Lee
- What a crazy, powerful, mesmerizing, thought-provoking film. I knew little if anything about the real life Ann Lee going into this movie - but the movie dramatizes the life and times of Ann Lee in a way that is absolutely gripping. It's a quasi-musical, using Shaker prayers and hymns and dances as the basis for its songs - but reinterpreting and embellishing upon them. The result are songs that resonate with a primordial power, and wild dance choreography that's not quite like anything I've seen before. Director Mona Fastvold, who's worked with Brady Corbet on movies like The Brutalist, brings that same sort of grandiosity and intensity here. But so much of the movie is anchored by the incredible lead performance from Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee. Seyfried brilliantly plays this part, making Ann Lee a character who is equal parts charismatic leader and mentally unstable madwoman. She of course nails all the singing and dancing, but it's her presentation of Lee as a pseudo cult leader - teetering perpetually on the edge of madness - that really knocks you out.
12.) Black Bag
- Black Bag is amazing - one of the year's most slept-upon films, in my humble opinion. It's a razor-sharp spy thriller that's darkly comedic, impeccably constructed, and filled with pitch-perfect performances - including from Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender in the lead roles. Steven Soderbergh brings Oceans 11-level, clockwork precision to the movie's keeps-you-guessing cat-and-mouse game, and writer David Koep is to be commended for such a finely woven web of a script. This one reminded me of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? meets Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - and I look forward to revisiting it.
13.) Freaky Tales
- Another underrated indie gem of 2025. You need to go watch this movie, because Freaky Tales friggin’ rocks! An ultra stylish 80’s-homage grindhouse anthology, this is one of the coolest and most entertaining films I’ve seen in quite some time. Killer performances (Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Tom Hanks, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne), kickass music, and many a jaw-dropping moment. Kudos to writer/directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden. Awesome stuff.
14.) Weapons
- Following the insanity that was Barbarian, I was counting down the days to director Zach Cregger's follow-up horror film. And Weapons, well, it did not disappoint. Cregger has, in a short time, become a master at delivering twisty, unpredictable, funny, jaw-dropping, roller-coaster ride thrillers that demand to be seen with the biggest possible audience. And Weapons is exactly that - a crazy, wild experience that elicits laughter, shrieks, gasps, and applause. The cast here is excellent, and Amy Madigan became a viral sensation for her insane, instantly-iconic turn as the movie's creepy villain. But yeah, in terms of pure storytelling prowess, in terms of sheer ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand ... few if anyone is doing it better than Cregger.
15.) Warfare
- Warfare is an incredible film. An absolute all-star cast of some of the best young actors today, giving outstanding performances that make each and every character pop. Immersive, anxiety-inducing - this one puts you through the ringer. Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza craf an unforgettable film here (which also serves as an interesting companion film of sorts to Garland’s Civil War). One of the best war movies I’ve seen - both a tribute to the bravery of our troops and an indictment of the pointless horrors of war.
THE NEXT BEST:
- Following the insanity that was Barbarian, I was counting down the days to director Zach Cregger's follow-up horror film. And Weapons, well, it did not disappoint. Cregger has, in a short time, become a master at delivering twisty, unpredictable, funny, jaw-dropping, roller-coaster ride thrillers that demand to be seen with the biggest possible audience. And Weapons is exactly that - a crazy, wild experience that elicits laughter, shrieks, gasps, and applause. The cast here is excellent, and Amy Madigan became a viral sensation for her insane, instantly-iconic turn as the movie's creepy villain. But yeah, in terms of pure storytelling prowess, in terms of sheer ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand ... few if anyone is doing it better than Cregger.
15.) Warfare
- Warfare is an incredible film. An absolute all-star cast of some of the best young actors today, giving outstanding performances that make each and every character pop. Immersive, anxiety-inducing - this one puts you through the ringer. Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza craf an unforgettable film here (which also serves as an interesting companion film of sorts to Garland’s Civil War). One of the best war movies I’ve seen - both a tribute to the bravery of our troops and an indictment of the pointless horrors of war.
THE NEXT BEST:
16.) Sentimental Value
- Sentimental Value has really stuck with me. It's a film that examines the idea of artifice as an imperfect replacement for genuine human connection - and it's truly affecting in that sort of dark, melancholy way that writer/director Joachim Trier is known for. And man, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård are so good here - you really get a master class from each. Skarsgård in particular really wowed me, in how he portrays an aging patriarch clinging to his last vestiges of masculine vitality. His character goes through an endless cycle of substitution - trying everything he can to supplant or avoid honest conversations with his daughters about why he's been so absent from their lives. It's one of the year's best performances.
17.) Song Sung Blue
- This one absolutely wrecked me. 2025 was really, really difficult year for me in many ways. So this movie - a spirited, real-life story about finding the strength to make your dreams a reality, about overcoming major setbacks in order to continue being your best self, about finding happiness in the face of heartache - what can I say, it really got to me in a way I wasn't expecting. I love that this movie is about regular people. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are movie stars, but they feel real here - worn down, run down, burnt out - but maybe, just maybe, they've got some spark left that is just waiting to be ignited. There's an authenticity to this movie - even though it takes place in the circus-like world of musical tribute acts - that makes it work in a way that maybe it shouldn't.
- Sentimental Value has really stuck with me. It's a film that examines the idea of artifice as an imperfect replacement for genuine human connection - and it's truly affecting in that sort of dark, melancholy way that writer/director Joachim Trier is known for. And man, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård are so good here - you really get a master class from each. Skarsgård in particular really wowed me, in how he portrays an aging patriarch clinging to his last vestiges of masculine vitality. His character goes through an endless cycle of substitution - trying everything he can to supplant or avoid honest conversations with his daughters about why he's been so absent from their lives. It's one of the year's best performances.
17.) Song Sung Blue
- This one absolutely wrecked me. 2025 was really, really difficult year for me in many ways. So this movie - a spirited, real-life story about finding the strength to make your dreams a reality, about overcoming major setbacks in order to continue being your best self, about finding happiness in the face of heartache - what can I say, it really got to me in a way I wasn't expecting. I love that this movie is about regular people. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are movie stars, but they feel real here - worn down, run down, burnt out - but maybe, just maybe, they've got some spark left that is just waiting to be ignited. There's an authenticity to this movie - even though it takes place in the circus-like world of musical tribute acts - that makes it work in a way that maybe it shouldn't.
18.) Zootopia 2
- I was pretty mild on the first Zootopia movie, but Disney's sequel is downright awesome. I completely loved it - one of the best Disney animated movies in a long while. Spectacular animation and action sequences, eye-popping world-design, a witty script, and lots of genuinely funny humor and pop culture easter eggs. While the first film, IMO, had some awkward mixed metaphors, this one has a smart, timely, heartfelt script that has a clever and briskly-moving plot and a great message - and creates a super fun, Mulder/Scully-esque dynamic between its lead chararcters. One of the biggest movie surprises of the year for me.
19.) Train Dreams
- This is another one that's really stuck with me. The central performance here from Joel Edgerton is phenomenal - surely one of his best to date. Edgerton is quietly soulful here. The film is directed by Clint Bentley (Sing Sing) and features stunning depictions of American forests and frontiers - but it also has a lot to say about America during a period of great change. The film spans a length of time from about 1900 through 1960, and it’s fascinating to watch as the country and the world evolves into modernity. The movie does a great job of using small dialogue and character moments to say a lot about who we are as a nation and how we got to where we are today.
20.) Rental Family
- I really liked Rental Family a lot. It's big and unsubtle, but it really struck a chord with me. It is a movie about people and relationships, but also about making genuine human connection in a world that is increasingly about artifice. The film also has a lot of interesting things to say about Japanese vs. American culture. It shows the ways in which each culture can learn from one another in a really powerful manner. Brendan Fraser is phenomenal here, and brings such an inherent sense of kindness and decency to this role. I don't know that any other actor could pull it off.
21.) If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
- This is a really riveting, intense, dark film that is not for the feint of heart. But it's really well done, and features maybe the performance of the year, from Rose Byrne - doing absolute career-best work. The movie's also got a first-ever (?) dramatic performance from none other than Conan O'Brien, who's got a great supporting role as Byrne's uptight therapist. The film tells the story of Byrne's character, Linda, the flailing mother of a young, ailing daughter. Linda is on a major downward spiral, and the movie does an amazing job of getting inside her head. The film has a punishing, nonstop intensity that feels Uncut Gems-esque - but also delves into dark surrealism that brings to mind David Lynch or early Danny Boyle. Writer/director Mary Bronstein really establishes herself as a major artistic force with this one.
- This is a really riveting, intense, dark film that is not for the feint of heart. But it's really well done, and features maybe the performance of the year, from Rose Byrne - doing absolute career-best work. The movie's also got a first-ever (?) dramatic performance from none other than Conan O'Brien, who's got a great supporting role as Byrne's uptight therapist. The film tells the story of Byrne's character, Linda, the flailing mother of a young, ailing daughter. Linda is on a major downward spiral, and the movie does an amazing job of getting inside her head. The film has a punishing, nonstop intensity that feels Uncut Gems-esque - but also delves into dark surrealism that brings to mind David Lynch or early Danny Boyle. Writer/director Mary Bronstein really establishes herself as a major artistic force with this one.
22.) Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
- Yes, the epic finale to the Tom Cruise led Mission: Impossible franchise is flawed. Yes, it's silly and ridiculous and makes no sense at times. But holy lord, this is one spectacular (and spectacularly fun) action movie - with some of the most pulse-pounding, adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-your-seat set-piece action sequences ever put to film. Tom Cruise is as committed as ever here, and the supporting cast is once again top-notch. Who can say if this is, indeed, the final MI film featuring Cruise. But if this is the end, that I can only say a fond farewell to arguably the greatest action-adventure franchise of our time.
23.) Blue Moon
- 2025 was quite a year for legendary director Richard Linklater - with two new films releasing. And Blue Moon, as is par for the course with Linklater, is pretty fantastic. The movie is not actually based on a play, but it is styled like one. It's dialogue heavy and takes place entirely within one bar. And Linklater makes it sing. Ethan Hawke, for his part, completely crushes it here as the drunken, embittered, and loudmouthed party-crashing playwright Lorenz Hart - the real-life musical-theater legend. Hawke really transforms to fully embody the character. Great stuff. Add this to the list of excellent Linklater/Hawke movies.
24.) Hamnet
- In 2018, I saw a fantastic indie movie called Wild Rose. I wasn't familiar with its lead actress, Jessie Buckley, but it was immediately clear that this was one of the best actors of her generation.
Since then, Buckley has gone on to prove that assertion right. And now, in HAMNET, she may have truly cemented herself as one of the greats. Buckley delivers a true tour de force performance here. And she is paired with another of our best actors, Paul Mescal - who has similarly elevated every film he's been a part of for the last several years. Hamnet is many things, but chief among them is a movie where two of the best are at their very best. And as directed and co-written by the incredible Chloe Zhao, the film is powerful, emotionally draining, and haunting. And it's got an unforgettable ending that will stick with me.
25.) Oh, Hi!
- Oh, Hi! - starring Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman - is a darkly hilarious rom-com / satire that is a very interesting, very unique take on dating in the modern era. There's some really funny and discussion-provoking commentary here on modern dating culture, and the two leads do a great job of selling the different stages of their relationship. There are also some really funny supporting turns from the likes of David Cross, John Reynolds, and Geraldine Viswanathan. A not-very-conventional, surprisingly dark and twisted standout of 2025.
MORE GREAT FILMS OF 2025:
26.) Eddington
- Eddington is very specifically about 2020. It's about the onset of the COVID pandemic. It's about the way that the world was already spiralling in a post-Trump, post-social media world - and was then just completely broken by the one-two-punch of COVID and George Floyd. Eddington is about what happens when these events take hold of a small New Mexico town, and utterly divide this town and cause many of its citizens to just lose their $%#&. I commend Ari Aster for tackling, head-on, recent events that many of us have collectively decided to memory-hole rather than actually confront via our art and our discourse.
27.) Mickey 17
- Really enjoyed Mickey 17. Yes, it's a messier film than Parasite and parts of it don't quite work. But even so, it's an incredibly imaginative and interesting satire, with a lot of spot-on (if offbeat) humor and some truly mind-melting visuals. Robert Pattinson is really going for something unique here, and I think he pulls it off. Naomi Ackie is also a major standout, and Steven Yeun is great as always in a smaller supporting role. The movie is a bit of Starship Troopers, a bit of Brazil, a bit of Bong Joon-ho's own Okja - but ultimately a true original.
28.) Friendship
- Friendship skillfully transplants the cringe comedy of I Think You Should Leave's Tim Robinson into a feature film. It's exactly as insane and hilarious as you'd expect - though with an added A24 indie arthouse veneer (complete with a moody synth score), that allows it to go even darker and plunge the depths of Robinson's one-of-a-kind comedy brain.
29.) Caught Stealing
- Caught Stealing is Darren Aronofsky doing his version of a 90's/00's Guy Ritchie crime movie. The movie is gritty, grimy, fast-paced, and recalls the likes of Ritchie's Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. This is slick, propulsive, entertaining stuff. Great characters, smart writing, humor that lands, and cool action. Back in the day this would have been box office gold. Writer Charlie Huston, adapting his own novel, delivers a really crackling script.
- Really enjoyed Mickey 17. Yes, it's a messier film than Parasite and parts of it don't quite work. But even so, it's an incredibly imaginative and interesting satire, with a lot of spot-on (if offbeat) humor and some truly mind-melting visuals. Robert Pattinson is really going for something unique here, and I think he pulls it off. Naomi Ackie is also a major standout, and Steven Yeun is great as always in a smaller supporting role. The movie is a bit of Starship Troopers, a bit of Brazil, a bit of Bong Joon-ho's own Okja - but ultimately a true original.
28.) Friendship
- Friendship skillfully transplants the cringe comedy of I Think You Should Leave's Tim Robinson into a feature film. It's exactly as insane and hilarious as you'd expect - though with an added A24 indie arthouse veneer (complete with a moody synth score), that allows it to go even darker and plunge the depths of Robinson's one-of-a-kind comedy brain.
29.) Caught Stealing
- Caught Stealing is Darren Aronofsky doing his version of a 90's/00's Guy Ritchie crime movie. The movie is gritty, grimy, fast-paced, and recalls the likes of Ritchie's Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. This is slick, propulsive, entertaining stuff. Great characters, smart writing, humor that lands, and cool action. Back in the day this would have been box office gold. Writer Charlie Huston, adapting his own novel, delivers a really crackling script.
30 .) Jay Kelly
- The latest from Noah Baumbach (co-written with Emily Mortimer, who also plays a supporting role), the movie tells the story of a famous but aging actor (played by George Clooney), who is beginning to have serious doubts about his life and how he's lived it - and questioning the things he's sacrificed at the altar of the relentless pursuit of fame and fortune. Clooney is fantastic here - it's the best and meatiest role he's had in a long while. And he shares the screen with some great actors turning in amazing supporting performances. Namely, Adam Sandler as Clooney's sycophantic manager. And also, a brief but incredible turn from Billy Crudup as Clooney's former friend / acting buddy
- The latest from Noah Baumbach (co-written with Emily Mortimer, who also plays a supporting role), the movie tells the story of a famous but aging actor (played by George Clooney), who is beginning to have serious doubts about his life and how he's lived it - and questioning the things he's sacrificed at the altar of the relentless pursuit of fame and fortune. Clooney is fantastic here - it's the best and meatiest role he's had in a long while. And he shares the screen with some great actors turning in amazing supporting performances. Namely, Adam Sandler as Clooney's sycophantic manager. And also, a brief but incredible turn from Billy Crudup as Clooney's former friend / acting buddy
31.) The History of Sound
- This is a really amazing, quietly devastating film that is packed with raw emotion and profound thoughts. The two leads in this movie are Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, and both are fantastic. Mescal in particular really knocks it out of the park, delivering scene after scene of amazing acting. The movie is slow and contemplative, but in a good way. The filmmaking feel very classical - deliberate and un-flashy - yet capturing numerous beautifully-shot scenes of rural and small-town America. Director Oliver Hermanus, who gave us the Oscar-nominated Living a few years back, really knows how to evoke a sense of time and place in immersive fashion
32.) The Wedding Banquet
- The Wedding Banquet is a real under-hyped gem of 2025. It's a sweet and poignant slice-of-life comedy, and its entire cast is excellent. Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Bowen Yang, Han Gi-Chan (who I wasn't familiar with previously but is so funny here) - all fantastic. And the great Joan Chen and in particular the Oscar-winning Youn Yuh-jung really crushed it in supporting roles. Funny, heartfelt, and poignant.
33.) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
- Writer/Director Rian Johnson has proven he is unafraid to insert some very pointed politics into his over the top murder mysteries, and Wake Up Dead Man is case in point. This go-round, the mystery is set at a church - and Johnson squarely takes aim at the ways in which religion can be abused and misused. He also takes care though to show the other side of things, and emphasizes how religion can be used for good in the hands of wise and truly caring leaders. Lest you think the film is overly serious though, rest assured: it’s filled with big laughs and great gags. And I was incredibly impressed with how well the cast, in particular Josh O’Connor, was able to juggle the comedy and the drama of it all.
34.) The Naked Gun
- The Wedding Banquet is a real under-hyped gem of 2025. It's a sweet and poignant slice-of-life comedy, and its entire cast is excellent. Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Bowen Yang, Han Gi-Chan (who I wasn't familiar with previously but is so funny here) - all fantastic. And the great Joan Chen and in particular the Oscar-winning Youn Yuh-jung really crushed it in supporting roles. Funny, heartfelt, and poignant.
33.) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
- Writer/Director Rian Johnson has proven he is unafraid to insert some very pointed politics into his over the top murder mysteries, and Wake Up Dead Man is case in point. This go-round, the mystery is set at a church - and Johnson squarely takes aim at the ways in which religion can be abused and misused. He also takes care though to show the other side of things, and emphasizes how religion can be used for good in the hands of wise and truly caring leaders. Lest you think the film is overly serious though, rest assured: it’s filled with big laughs and great gags. And I was incredibly impressed with how well the cast, in particular Josh O’Connor, was able to juggle the comedy and the drama of it all.
34.) The Naked Gun
- I found this one to be pretty hilarious and entertaining. And it was great to see a pure, laugh-out-loud comedy in theaters! While I don't know that Liam Neeson quite matches the mock-serious goofball perfection of the great Leslie Nielson, Neeson certainly gives it the old college try. He also gets help from a great supporting cast, including a 100%-understands-the-assignment Pamela Anderson, a pitch-perfect Danny Huston as the villain, Paul Walter Hauser as Neeson's #2, and Kevin Durand as a sinister heavy. The movie's got so many great jokes and gags. I mean, the Black Eyed Peas exchange alone ... my god.
35.) Companion
- Companion was a ton of fun - a great audience movie filled with crazy twists and big reveals. A slick, clever, biting take on slashers in the vein of Scream and Bodies Bodies Bodies - but with a bit of Promising Young Woman style social commentary and a brilliantly-executed sci-fi twist. Sophie Thatcher, so excellent in the recent Heretic, once again steals the show here and further establishes her scream queen bonafides.
36.) Nuremberg
- A really fascinating, powerful film about a pivotal moment in modern history that feels (sadly) extremely relevant today. I've never seen a film about the Nuremberg Trials before, so it was extremely interesting and riveting to see how everything played out in dramatic and gripping fashion.
This movie also features what is probably Russell Crowe's best performance in years. Here, he plays the highest ranking living Nazi in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Hermann Göring, and his performance is an all-timer. Much of the movie sees him go toe to toe in a game of mental chess with US Army psychologist Douglas Kelley, in another excellent performance from Rami Malek.
- A really fascinating, powerful film about a pivotal moment in modern history that feels (sadly) extremely relevant today. I've never seen a film about the Nuremberg Trials before, so it was extremely interesting and riveting to see how everything played out in dramatic and gripping fashion.
This movie also features what is probably Russell Crowe's best performance in years. Here, he plays the highest ranking living Nazi in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Hermann Göring, and his performance is an all-timer. Much of the movie sees him go toe to toe in a game of mental chess with US Army psychologist Douglas Kelley, in another excellent performance from Rami Malek.
37.) The Phoenician Scheme
- Really enjoyed this one - as the film showcased Wes Anderson’s trademark eye for visual detail, and also had many great comedic performances (Benicio Del Toro, Michael Cera, and Mia Threapleton anchor the film and are each fantastic). The details of the plot can be a bit esoteric and hard to follow at times - but also probably beside the point. As in his previous film, Asteroid City, Anderson seems to find joy in working outside the confines of conventional linear storytelling. There’s a lot to like here overall, and it’s always a pleasure to see Anderson’s films in a theater where the craftsmanship can be most fully appreciated.
- Really enjoyed this one - as the film showcased Wes Anderson’s trademark eye for visual detail, and also had many great comedic performances (Benicio Del Toro, Michael Cera, and Mia Threapleton anchor the film and are each fantastic). The details of the plot can be a bit esoteric and hard to follow at times - but also probably beside the point. As in his previous film, Asteroid City, Anderson seems to find joy in working outside the confines of conventional linear storytelling. There’s a lot to like here overall, and it’s always a pleasure to see Anderson’s films in a theater where the craftsmanship can be most fully appreciated.
38.) The Surfer
- A cult classic in the making, a gonzo revenge thriller, and a new classic in the “Nic Cage slowly descends into madness” genre. A completely insane but utterly committed performance from Cage, a great villain role for Julian McMahon (in what, sadly, turned out to be one of his final roles), and some mind-warping psychedelic visuals. This one is a complete blast.
- A cult classic in the making, a gonzo revenge thriller, and a new classic in the “Nic Cage slowly descends into madness” genre. A completely insane but utterly committed performance from Cage, a great villain role for Julian McMahon (in what, sadly, turned out to be one of his final roles), and some mind-warping psychedelic visuals. This one is a complete blast.
39.) It Was Just An Accident
- It Was Just An Accident is one of the most fascinating films of 2025, and a must-watch in many respects. It's a gripping, darkly comedic story set in Iran, and filmed by director Jafar Panahi in a rogue manner that circumvented the government's usual censorship - thus providing a unique and honest look at what life can be like under the current, oppressive Iranian regime. The tonal shifts reminded me a bit of the works of someone like Park Chan-wook, as the film shifts from comedy to thriller and really puts you through the wringer by the times the credits roll.
40.) The Housemaid
- A super fun movie that is best seen with a big audience. If you are a fan of director Paul Feig's previous foray into over-the-top, twisty thrillers in A Simple Favor, then you will love this one. It's filled with crazy moments, far-out reveals, and lots of darkly funny, self-aware humor. Everyone here knows exactly what sort of movie they are in, and Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar (seemingly channeling Alec Baldwin) play off of one another nicely. Had a great time with this one.
- A super fun movie that is best seen with a big audience. If you are a fan of director Paul Feig's previous foray into over-the-top, twisty thrillers in A Simple Favor, then you will love this one. It's filled with crazy moments, far-out reveals, and lots of darkly funny, self-aware humor. Everyone here knows exactly what sort of movie they are in, and Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar (seemingly channeling Alec Baldwin) play off of one another nicely. Had a great time with this one.
41.) Tron: Ares
- There's been a lot of, uh ... discourse around this movie. And I get it. It's got a problematic star. It's the third movie in a cult-franchise that has been (unfairly) positioned as a mainstream blockbuster IP. It was a major under-performer at the box office. And it didn't even have the courtesy to serve as a direct sequel to the beloved-by-some (me included!) Tron: Legacy. AND YET. This movie sort of rules. In my opinion. Give credit to director Joachim Rønning for giving us some of the coolest, most eye-melting action sequences of 2025 - all set to a killer, pulse-pounding score from Nine Inch Nails. I don't know, man - seeing this in IMAX 3D was an absolutely killer experience, and I hope that somehow, some way, there's more TRON on the way.
- There's been a lot of, uh ... discourse around this movie. And I get it. It's got a problematic star. It's the third movie in a cult-franchise that has been (unfairly) positioned as a mainstream blockbuster IP. It was a major under-performer at the box office. And it didn't even have the courtesy to serve as a direct sequel to the beloved-by-some (me included!) Tron: Legacy. AND YET. This movie sort of rules. In my opinion. Give credit to director Joachim Rønning for giving us some of the coolest, most eye-melting action sequences of 2025 - all set to a killer, pulse-pounding score from Nine Inch Nails. I don't know, man - seeing this in IMAX 3D was an absolutely killer experience, and I hope that somehow, some way, there's more TRON on the way.
42.) Nouvelle Vague
- I really enjoyed this one - no surprise, as I love pretty much all of Richard Linklater's films. The movie really paints a vivid portrait of the French New Wave scene of the late 1950's / early 1960's, and shows a motley crew of artists all determined to revolutionize film. In particular, it makes Breathless director Jean-Luc Godard into a fascinating protagonist - an obstinate iconoclast whose weirdo vision was either going to lead to a trainwreck or a masterpiece. Guillaume Marbeck is excellent as Godard, and Zoey Deutch also does good work as Jean Seberg, the American actress who Godard cajoles into being one of his stars. Linklater, as always, is great at capturing the small moments between the characters - really making the world of his film feel lived-in and real.
- I really enjoyed this one - no surprise, as I love pretty much all of Richard Linklater's films. The movie really paints a vivid portrait of the French New Wave scene of the late 1950's / early 1960's, and shows a motley crew of artists all determined to revolutionize film. In particular, it makes Breathless director Jean-Luc Godard into a fascinating protagonist - an obstinate iconoclast whose weirdo vision was either going to lead to a trainwreck or a masterpiece. Guillaume Marbeck is excellent as Godard, and Zoey Deutch also does good work as Jean Seberg, the American actress who Godard cajoles into being one of his stars. Linklater, as always, is great at capturing the small moments between the characters - really making the world of his film feel lived-in and real.
43.) Bugonia
- Another memorable film from Yorgos Lanthimos that will be rolling around in my head for a long time to come. The plot, about a volatile man who kidnaps a corporate CEO - believing her to be an evil alien mastermind - is filled with twists, turns, dark humor and satire, and endless psychological headgames. It's gripping, to say the least. Emma Stone, meanwhile, continues to show why she may be the greatest of her generation, with another incredible, fearless performance in this one. Jesse Plemons is also excellent, playing a character both unhinged yet oddly sympathetic. This is a tough movie with no easy answers, but it's a singularly unique film that deserves to be seen and talked about.
44.) Kiss of the Spider Woman
- A really fascinating, thematically-ambitious (maybe too much so?) film - with two of the best performances I've seen in any movie this year so far - from Diego Luna and Tonatiuh. Tonatiuh in particular ... what a breakthrough, tour de force performance (Oscar worthy for sure). The movie is divided between a very dark storyline set in a prison cell, in 1980's military-dictatorship run Argentina - and a very bright and colorful fantasy storyline, set in a vintage movie musical (in which Jennifer Lopez plays the titular Spider Woman). The real-world stuff worked a lot better for me than the fantasy, but still - this one gave a lot to think about and a lot that will stick with me.
45.) 100 Nights of Hero
- A really cool, highly original cinematic fable - this movie tells a story about forbidden love in a faraway fantasy kingdom. And it does so with a mixture of humor, whimsy, and some pointed social commentary. The three leads - Maika Monroe (one of my favorites since It Follows), Emma Corrin, and Nicholas Galitzine - perfectly play to the sort of movie they’re in, and help create a convincing fantasy world that nonetheless feels like a timely mirror of our world. There’s an 80’s fantasy esque, hand-crafted vibe that I really liked, and a cool score to boot. A unique, funny, absorbing feminist fantasy tale.
46.) Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues was, in my opinion, an underrated and unfairly maligned comedy gem, that unintentionally serves as a nice capper on the career of Rob Reiner (RIP - a truly devastating loss for movie fans in 2025). While of course it can't quite live up to the iconic original, this 40-years-in-the-making sequel has an abundance of very funny moments and a surprising amount of heart - with a lot of interesting things to say about aging gracefully, staying young at heart, and letting go of the past. Lots of fun cameos too, from Paul McCartney, Elton John, and others. I'm glad we finally got this film in 2025.
47.) Highest 2 Lowest
- This film has an absolutely crazy, chaotic energy - but every time it threatens to go completely off the rails, it hits you with one of the greatest movie sequences you’ve ever seen. A wild one - and likely a divisive one - to be sure, but I’m happy Spike Lee got the blank check to make this crazy film. There are times when the movie flat-out doesn't work, no question. But my god, when the movie finds its groove, it’s pure cinematic gold. And Denzel, man … a total force of nature here. I feel like this one has cult classic potential.
48.) Is This Thing On?
- I enjoyed Bradley Cooper's latest directorial effort a lot. Luckily, Cooper has the self-awareness to take a slightly lighter touch with this one vs. his previous films, and the result is a movie that can be extremely funny, but also very poignant. Cooper also benefits from the potent one-two-punch of stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Arnett is obviously one of the funniest and most gifted comedic actors of the last 20 years, but here he shows that he is actually a pretty incredible dramatic actor as well.
- Another memorable film from Yorgos Lanthimos that will be rolling around in my head for a long time to come. The plot, about a volatile man who kidnaps a corporate CEO - believing her to be an evil alien mastermind - is filled with twists, turns, dark humor and satire, and endless psychological headgames. It's gripping, to say the least. Emma Stone, meanwhile, continues to show why she may be the greatest of her generation, with another incredible, fearless performance in this one. Jesse Plemons is also excellent, playing a character both unhinged yet oddly sympathetic. This is a tough movie with no easy answers, but it's a singularly unique film that deserves to be seen and talked about.
44.) Kiss of the Spider Woman
- A really fascinating, thematically-ambitious (maybe too much so?) film - with two of the best performances I've seen in any movie this year so far - from Diego Luna and Tonatiuh. Tonatiuh in particular ... what a breakthrough, tour de force performance (Oscar worthy for sure). The movie is divided between a very dark storyline set in a prison cell, in 1980's military-dictatorship run Argentina - and a very bright and colorful fantasy storyline, set in a vintage movie musical (in which Jennifer Lopez plays the titular Spider Woman). The real-world stuff worked a lot better for me than the fantasy, but still - this one gave a lot to think about and a lot that will stick with me.
45.) 100 Nights of Hero
- A really cool, highly original cinematic fable - this movie tells a story about forbidden love in a faraway fantasy kingdom. And it does so with a mixture of humor, whimsy, and some pointed social commentary. The three leads - Maika Monroe (one of my favorites since It Follows), Emma Corrin, and Nicholas Galitzine - perfectly play to the sort of movie they’re in, and help create a convincing fantasy world that nonetheless feels like a timely mirror of our world. There’s an 80’s fantasy esque, hand-crafted vibe that I really liked, and a cool score to boot. A unique, funny, absorbing feminist fantasy tale.
46.) Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues was, in my opinion, an underrated and unfairly maligned comedy gem, that unintentionally serves as a nice capper on the career of Rob Reiner (RIP - a truly devastating loss for movie fans in 2025). While of course it can't quite live up to the iconic original, this 40-years-in-the-making sequel has an abundance of very funny moments and a surprising amount of heart - with a lot of interesting things to say about aging gracefully, staying young at heart, and letting go of the past. Lots of fun cameos too, from Paul McCartney, Elton John, and others. I'm glad we finally got this film in 2025.
47.) Highest 2 Lowest
- This film has an absolutely crazy, chaotic energy - but every time it threatens to go completely off the rails, it hits you with one of the greatest movie sequences you’ve ever seen. A wild one - and likely a divisive one - to be sure, but I’m happy Spike Lee got the blank check to make this crazy film. There are times when the movie flat-out doesn't work, no question. But my god, when the movie finds its groove, it’s pure cinematic gold. And Denzel, man … a total force of nature here. I feel like this one has cult classic potential.
48.) Is This Thing On?
- I enjoyed Bradley Cooper's latest directorial effort a lot. Luckily, Cooper has the self-awareness to take a slightly lighter touch with this one vs. his previous films, and the result is a movie that can be extremely funny, but also very poignant. Cooper also benefits from the potent one-two-punch of stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Arnett is obviously one of the funniest and most gifted comedic actors of the last 20 years, but here he shows that he is actually a pretty incredible dramatic actor as well.
49.) Hedda
- This is a really smart, well-done re-imagining of the classic play by Henrik Ibsen. The new film version is directed by Nia DaCosta and stars Tessa Thompson in the lead role. Thompson delivers a virtuoso performance here. Her Hedda is a master manipulator who deviously causes drama and tension in order to get what she wants. The film also features an incredible supporting turn from Nina Hoss, that should be in awards consideration. This, to me, is easily DaCosta's best-directed film to date, and her best overall movie to date at that.
50.) Eleanor The Great
- This is a charming, affecting little movie that tells the story of a 94-year-old Jewish grandmother (played with the usual blend of hilarity and pathos from Squibb) - who accidentally stumbles into a Holocaust survivors group, and suddenly finds herself lying about her past, telling her recently-deceased friend's survival story as if it were her own. The movie embraces the awkwardness of its plotline in a caring and affectionate - and often very sweetly funny - manner. Squibb is fantastic here. In her 90's, her comedic timing is as sharp as ever, and she is simply a delight. The movie is also unabashedly Jewish and deals with some interesting questions about Judaism and Jewish tradition. Add Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut to the canon of Nice Jewish movies.
Bonus:
51.) K-Pop Demon Hunters
- This movie is actually a ridiculous amount of fun - with eye-popping animation, incredibly catchy songs, and well-crafted characters. It’s no wonder that it’s become a total sensation. Definitely recommended to kids and adults alike.
- This movie is actually a ridiculous amount of fun - with eye-popping animation, incredibly catchy songs, and well-crafted characters. It’s no wonder that it’s become a total sensation. Definitely recommended to kids and adults alike.
52.) House of Dynamite
- The latest from the great Kathryn Bigelow, House of Dynamite is another politically-charged thriller, forming a trilogy of sorts with The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. The film uses Rashomon-esque storytelling to tell the same story from different perspectives - in this case, the story of a nuclear missle, of mysterious origin, that is launched at a major American city. What ensues is an intense, nail-biter of a thriller - showing the high-stakes game of chess that ensues once it's clear that America is under attack.
53.) Anaconda
- This movie was so much fun. It kind of annoys me seeing some of the super-harsh, negative reviews floating around - because, this is a silly, ridiculous comedy. The kind they don't make enough of anymore, and that we could really use more of. There are some really fun moments satirizing the entertainment industry and modern-day, IP-driven filmmaking. There are some huge laughs. And there's one sequence with Steve Zahn that is one of the funniest things I've seen in a movie in a while.
- This movie was so much fun. It kind of annoys me seeing some of the super-harsh, negative reviews floating around - because, this is a silly, ridiculous comedy. The kind they don't make enough of anymore, and that we could really use more of. There are some really fun moments satirizing the entertainment industry and modern-day, IP-driven filmmaking. There are some huge laughs. And there's one sequence with Steve Zahn that is one of the funniest things I've seen in a movie in a while.
HONORABLE MENTIONS - OTHER RECOMMENDED MOVIES FROM THIS YEAR:
- The Secret Agent
- The Secret Agent
- The Lost Bus
- Die My Love
- The Toxic Avenger
- Anemone
- Sisu 2
- Honey, Don't
- Dust Bunny
- Presence
- Roofman
- Final Destination: Bloodline
- The Monkey
- Heart Eyes
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- The Black Phone 2
- Materialists
- My Dead Friend Zoe
- F1
- Good Boy
- The Thursday Murder Club
- Becoming Led Zeppelin
- The Gorge
- Karate Kid: Legends
- The Smashing Machine
- Predator: Badlands
- The Running Man
- Wicked For Good
- The Conjuring: Last Rites
- She Rides Shotgun
INDIVIDUAL 2025 AWARDS:
BEST LEAD ACTOR:
1.) Timothée Chalamet - Marty Supreme
2.) Michael B. Jordan - Sinners
3.) Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another
4.) Brendan Fraser - Rental Family
5.) Tie: Lee Byung-hun - No Other Choice, Joel Edgerton - Train Dreams
BEST LEADING ACTRESS:
1.) Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
2.) Amanda Seyfried - The Testament of Ann Lee
3.) Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
3.) Eva Victor - Sorry, Baby
4.) Tie: Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value, Emma Stone - Bugonia
BEST LEAD ACTOR:
1.) Timothée Chalamet - Marty Supreme
2.) Michael B. Jordan - Sinners
3.) Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another
4.) Brendan Fraser - Rental Family
5.) Tie: Lee Byung-hun - No Other Choice, Joel Edgerton - Train Dreams
BEST LEADING ACTRESS:
1.) Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
2.) Amanda Seyfried - The Testament of Ann Lee
3.) Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
3.) Eva Victor - Sorry, Baby
4.) Tie: Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value, Emma Stone - Bugonia
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1.) Stellan Skarsgård - Sentimental Value
1.) Stellan Skarsgård - Sentimental Value
2.) Sean Penn - One Battle After Another
3.) Tonatiuh - Kiss of the Spider Woman
4.) David Jonsson - The Long Walk
5.) Russell Crowe - Nuremberg
3.) Tonatiuh - Kiss of the Spider Woman
4.) David Jonsson - The Long Walk
5.) Russell Crowe - Nuremberg
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1.) Odessa A'zion - Marty Supreme
2.) Nina Hoss - Hedda
3.) Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another
3.) Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another
4.) Son Ye-jin - No Other Choice
5.) Amy Madigan - Weapons
BEST DIRECTOR:
1.) Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme
2.) Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another
3.) Ryan Coogler - Sinners
4.) Park Chan-wook - No Other Choice
5.) Tie: Guillermo Del Toro - Frankenstein, Mona Fastvold - The Testament of Ann Lee
BEST SCREENPLAY:
1.) Sorry, Baby
2.) Sinners
3.) Marty Supreme
4.) One Battle After Another
5.) 28 Years Later
6.) Blue Moon
7.) The Life of Chuck
8.) Black Bag
9.) No Other Choice
10.) The Testament of Ann Lee
