Top 10 films of 2025

With the year of 2026 coming to a beginning, I thought that maybe it wasn’t too late to come and compile a list of some of the top films of the year last year. Its been a year full of all kinds of different things like political and economical commentary through charged up thrillers, or even off the wall hysterical films through hilarious comedies. It’s also been a breakout year for the blockbuster and mainstream landscape finally taking a swing on original and more intuitive ideas. Without further Ado, here are some of the top 10 films of the year

Honorable Mentions: Lurker directed by Alex Russell

In the midsts of parasocial thrillers and deranged movies taking a swing at the classic protagonist of obsessive fans stalking down the celebrities they fine over, most of the takes on it seem to be far more detached from reality and exaggerated to at least some extent. With Lurker however, Alex Russel takes a different route with this parasocial character, making a more grounded observation on the typical archetype. The narrative follows a retail clerk (Matthew) when he meets an up and coming indie popstar (Oliver). they start to make good friendship with each other, until Matthew comes too close for Oliver’s comfort, ultimately forming a leeching and obsessive relationship with him to get closer into Oliver’s friend group. The film hits on many beats about not only parasocial relationships, but also what happens when you cross the line and boundaries of a healthy relation with another. Russell also seems to find interest in exploring the pressures of fame and finding a genuine friend circle. while a small scale and simple script at times, that formula works with the film being a grounded take on these relationships that’s at times slightly funny and Carried on the back hand of a great lead performance by Theodore Pellerin.

Honorable Mentions: Die My Love directed by Lynne Ramsay

for Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay’s return to the big screen for the first time since her 2017 film, You Were Never Really Here, Lynne decided to come out with a splash for her return, with a new film called Die My Love, exploring the complexities of postpardum and motherhood. The film stars Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence, following them together as husband and wife after having a newborn baby. as the first stages of raising the child goes on and the adversities of juggling so many things and life with the baby at once grows, the wife (Grace) struggles to keep her sanity, as she carries the heavier end than the husband (Jackson) of tending to the the baby 24/7. as the film goes on, the descent into madness gets less subtle and more unrestraint, as Grace’s actions out of parenthood frustration become more loudly out of character and bordering psychotic. The film Lynne crafts is an unflinching look at the labor and tiresome life of carrying and sacrificing for a child, even if it means sacrificing your sanity. the greenish tints of color grading from cinematographer Seamus McGarvy capture the beastly, animal in nature energy Grace has during her trek through the madness of motherhood. What really makes the film though is Jennifer Lawrence, who paints a vivid image of an emotionally volatile and ways gone mother who’s had it with the burdens of carrying a child’s life in her arms.  

Honorable Mentions: It Was Just an Accident directed by Jafar Panahi

In a year full of important political films, Jafar Panahi’s hit winner of the Palm D’or prize at the Cannes Film Festival, is no exception of that descriptor. The film follows a man Iranian named Vahid when he recognizes one of his former tortures apart of the Iran regime holding many citizens captive. He then kidnaps the man he thinks is his tortured and then picks up former victims of the assumed tortured in order to confirm it is indeed the man Vahid thinks it is. Despite the condense runtime of 103 minutes, the film fully utilizes its runtime with fully immersing you into the weight and tension of the situation. It asks deep questions about persecution and violence like Is it ever a good moment to strike violence onto someone? the answer is usually no, but Panahi’s rageful film of revenge on torturers provides an exception. He asks the audience essential questions like why should we have sympathy and spare the others who us held captive and didn’t want to spare our lives at the power of a merciless regime? the answer that you shouldn’t appears a violent pill to swallow, but Is an essential one to, in order to correct sense and shame into heartless people under government leadership, constantly holding people captive and torturing them under a regime abusing its power. Panahi’s film is a bleak portrayal of violence, but also hopeful in showing that citizens aren’t always powerless under corrupt government rule. 

10. Bugonia directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Coming off of Oscar winning outing Poor things, everyone was excited to see what director-actor duo Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone were going to do next, and safe to say audiences were not let down but instead left baffled in the best way possible. Bugonia, The adaptation of the 2003 film “Save the Green Planet”  entails two brothers who kidnap a CEO of a company, thinking she’s an alien coming to destroy the planet. On paper, the film sounds way too bizzare and left field to say much worthwhile, but is surprisingly layered and provides multitudes of commentary about ranges of societal topics of discource. Writer Will Tracy decides to topics that resonate with today’s world like how internet conspiracy theories and echo chambers of appetizingly advertised rumours shape our belief and opinions easily, as well as how trauma from a pivotal past life and memory shaped our present and future actions. The script is also tight and able to keep you on your toes, with not knowing to believe which party of the situation is being right or wrong because of the characters’ deep seated convictions in their individual arguments. Not only combining Will Tracy’s screenplay with Lanthimos’ absurdist direction and also beautiful outdoor landscape cinematography from Robbie Ryan, Jesse Plemons is a large contributor to the quality of the film. he gives a off the walls and angered performance in his deranged conspiracy driven character that hides underneath a sense of fear and sadness from his past traumas. Not only does Bugonia leave a fun time and warnings to not go down world wide web rabbit holes, but its also a testament to the baggage we carry with us for years and how it drags us down to our worst moments.

9. No Other Choice directed by Park Chan Wook

As the corporate machine of greed and capitalism keeps on chugging, Wook decides to serve us a reminder of that fact with his film No Other Choice. The film follows an ordinary man (Yoo Man-su) who is laid off his job, now being left with no other choice but to fight for a spot at a new paper mill company by eliminating his top competitors for the job, in order to avoid sinking into the depths of poverty and bringing his family down with him. Park Chan Wook’s direction and Lee Byung-hun’s lead acting performance, perfectly balances gritty tension with absurd satire comedy, with conveying the hysterical nature of this tooth and nail battle to fight for a job spot in a ruthless expensive economy as well as job market. filled with fun edits, flashy framing through the camera, and a hilarious but honestly human portait of this troubled protagonist by Lee Byung-hun. The film is a fun, yet haunting ride of the ringer that the hellish landscape of capitalism and an expensive economy cost of living that drives us to these brinks of insanity. The ultimate irony of the narrative is that everyone is going into a free for all battle for a job for the one type of person they loathe: the rich. They’re despised by lower classes of people for greedily hoarding money all for themselves out of pure greed, yet still are given the best effort from those who they’re loathed by, because they’re the hand that feeds them. 

8. Marty Supreme directed by Josh Safdie 

Apart from the central promotional tagline of the film “Dream Big” a quote Josh Safdie said in an interview for the film that stuck with me was “a dream is a heist on fate”: a quote that encapsulates the majority of the film, and not just because it’s a part heist movie. The world of Marty Supreme introduces you to the character of Marty Mauser, a young American man living in a 1950s New York, who believes he’s destined to become the greatest ping pong player the world has ever seen. His obsession to become a highly regarded table tennis phenomenon while backed by admirable focus and ambition on a clear cut goal, is also backed by ego and neglection of personal affairs, as his obsession grows into negligence and ignorance. While the film on paper seems to be about the pursuit and road to greatness, its also single handedly about the pursuit and road away from the ticking time bomb of inevitable adulthood responsiblities and a life of regularity. In the process of chasing greatness, Marty simaltaneosly screws over everyone including himself, in order to escape that usual fate of adulthood and living as a regular in society, but instead etching his name into table tennis history and living his life under the bright lights of sports legend status instead of working at an old shoe shop. It’s a film about ceasing that moment of energetic youth to chase your dreams that provide gateways to an escape from growing up as a regular adulthood man. The film beyond Josh and Ronald Bronstien’s script, Is also immensly brought up in stature by a pulse pounding score from Daniel Lopatin, and a so far career defining, and confident yet egotistical portrayal of the man himself, Marty Mauser played by Timothee Chalamet. Marty Supreme is a film that will stand the rest of time with younger generations not only for being a tension packed thrill of anxiety and stakes, but a cautionary tale about the risks and drawbacks of chasing your dreams in your wreckless and fleeting young ages. 

7. Souleymane’s  Story directed by Boris Lojkine

One of the most unnoticed films of the year goes to a foreign French film that’s one of most important of the year, but no one’s talking about it. The name of the film is Souleymane’s Story, a film about a Guinean immigrant making his way doordashing through the streets of Paris leading up to the days of an interview for asylum application for a place to live.  The film is a fully realized coverage of the immigrant experience. It mixes a ton of clashing emotions together with a bleak and heartfelt depiction of the immigrant life that’s just as compelling as it is anxious of a viewing experience. It’s ultimately a testament to the immigration system put In place that’s made so many destined to fail time and time again and even now. Boris Lojkine’s direction in the film is stellar, with him giving a raw and unrestraint depiction of the life, but also one that’s extremely grounded and a story many could easily resonate with around the world. Vincent Prades’ cinematography also has an immense sense of diversity, with wide shots to immerse you into the chaos of the bustling streets but also close ups that serve as a reminder of its character study core of the immigrant experience. Abou Sangare is a star in the making, bringing a tender, heartbreaking and passionately nuanced portrait of this character. Souleymane’s story is ultimately an extremely hidden gem in a deep minefield, where you can find one of the most relevant and important films of the year

6. Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler

In a modern blockbuster world of oversaturated and mediocre remakes and unnecessary sequels, Ryan Coogler’s lyrical and allegorical film Sinners with its fully original approach on a multitude on topics about black culture, brings something fully original to the table. The film follows two twins (Smoke and Stack) who come from Chicago back to their hometown Mississipi to start up a juke joint. The only thing is they need a singer and a person who can strum some strings, so they bring along Sammy, a guitar player and singer who can conjure up spirits from the past and present. The film is a genre bender that can’t be defined to just one box. It’s part horror part thriller part drama. Despite how supernatural and out of the ordinary it may seem, the core of its demonic and vampire elements is religious symbolism. One of the first quotes the pastor tells to Sammy even is “dance with the devil it’ll follow you home. The script not only pulls from a history of racism and colonialism to tell its story, but is also rooted in something deeply  personal, with a spiritual meditation to what it means to truly be a Sinner. to fall into temptation in the spirit of evil and face the consequences of it. Beyond that meaning as I said, the vampires have much more meaning, with holding up a candle to black history and racism in the community, ultimately getting the culture stolen from them and stripped away at the hands of discrimination. The film is a technical masterclass all around, from immersive period cinematography and set design, to an amazing score from Ludwig Goransson and soundtrack carried the weight of from newcomer Miles Caton. The film also has an amazingly cohesive and picture perfect cast, with no one missing a beat and all playing their parts in a generational story. Sinners is by far our most culturally resonant film that speaks to a legion of the black community and one that deserves every last one of its 16 academy award nominations.

5. One Battle After Another directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Out of all films released last year, the one with the most overwhelming amount of praise was none other than Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another, Adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland”. The movie follows a revolutionary who’s biggest enemy (Steven Lockjaw) is out to get him and a legion of others apart of the revolution. It’s almost impossible to think of a film in recent memory that is truly this timely. Its one that mixes thrills and chills perfectly. It’s paranoia induced with keeping you on your toes in this constant cat and mouse game, but also harrowing in its brutally accurate depiction of America’s violence and brutality and the hands of leaders who do nothing but abuse their privilege of power. Out of all the tone’s they could’ve went for with their main protagonist of Bob Feugerson, they went with insanely funny and absurd. And while it may feel like a left field choice for something as serious as a political thriller, its not. The absurdity of him being high all the time and running stressed out in a robe above all, is a depiction of how these leaders and rutheess operations of authority come into our lives with no warning, looking to tear us down with no remorse and only for their own personal agenda. That leadership ultimately speaks to a long-standing history of a corrupt country filled with discrimination, violence, police brutality and the oppresion of minorities. The backdrop of this American setting while not pretty in narrative format, is very stunning while shot in Vista Vision. Michael Bauman’s bright and sleek desert cinematography mixed with careful cuts establishing tension in a room from Andy Jurgensen make a technical delight to go along with another extremely well casted film. Veteran actor Leonardo DiCaprio makes no mistake as playing an honest portayal of comedic stress, But the reals stars of the show is Chase Infiniti, being the strong youth that revolutionary world needed as well as the emotional core the film needed to overcome the ruthless villain of Steve Lockjaw played brilliantly by Sean Penn as a menacing man filled with rage and subtly disturbing mannerisms. The film is a reminder that life really is “One Battle After Another” not just fighting our demons or vampires, but fighting the ruthless and the government forever consumed d by greed for more power and control.

4.  Bring Her Back directed by Danny and Michael Phillippou

Home to one of the most grotesque and unsettling horror films you’ll see that came out last year is the movie Bring Her Back, the second A24 and Phillippou brothers collab following their debut feature “Talk To Me”.  The movie begins as an already heartbreaking tale of a brother and sister (Andy and Piper) who move in with foster Mother Laura after their father passed away. Little do they know, Laura has despicable acts up her sleeve in order to get her daughter back from the dead.  Bring Her Back is a film that wasn’t on my radar a whole lot before it came out, but one that shocked me when I saw it in theaters. I cried,  I was anxious, I was disgusted. It’s  a disturbing and gore infested body horror film, but behind the mask lies a dramatic and compelling tale of loss and the length we go during a period of grief, as well as where that grief can take us mentally. It’s scattered with traumatic and haunting imagery all over but also ranging emotions of empathy for this mother who’s heartless on the outside but just simlpy has trouble processing her loss on the inside. Not only is the film made to be amazing on the half of Danny and Michael’s brilliantly disgusting yet tender directing and screenplay that pulls on your heartstrings, but it also has incredible acting performaces. Sally Hawkins gives one of the best 2025 acting outings of the year, with her portrayal of a manipulative and psycho woman who knows how to immerse into the minds of other, but also a lost and grieving mother who simply has nowhere else to cast out her pain. Child actor Jonah Wren Phillips also gives an incredibly physical and inhumely eerie depiction of this character under possession. Bring Her Back is a must see for fans of horror as a gateway to our souls of trauma and hurt, but also one that is not for the weak and will test your tolerance for pools of blood.

3. The Assessment directed by Fleur Fortune 

Out of all the most impressive debuts and newcomer acts we’ve seen in 2025, the most impressive one in my eyes was by far The Assessment, the directorial debut of Fleur Fortune, who recently has pivoted from the music video to film directing scene. The movie is a sci-fi thriller that follows a couple in a utopian where you must meet an evaluator and go through a rigorous Assesment in order to be given the right to produce a child. despite its advanced and futuristic dystopian atmosphere, the film tackles many present day topics regarding parenthood that have surely been on the minds of many forever. It presents a number of situations  In this assessment that are gripping and absurd but also ones that pose genuine questions about the certain qualifications that should be met to take on the mountain of raising a child. It shows the nuance of requirements parent life brings like patience for bratty kids that are careless and spoiled, protection because of their innocent and easily wandering minds curios about the world, and protection from trauma in order to spare their innocent souls. It’s a deeply personal and thoughtful commentary on what it means to carry the sacrifices and burdens of carrying a child. It’s filled with off putting and colorful futuristic set pieces and cinematography, as well as an antagonizing and tense performance by Alicia Vikander as the evaluator. The Assessment Is easily the most underrated film of the year and a highly recommended one for fans of sci-fi

2. Train Dreams directed by Clint Bentley

In a constantly changing modern enviornment and ecosystem, as well as changing ways of life and existence itself, Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams is a must see portrait of grief and the beauty of nature all around us. The film gives a raw portrait of the quiet life of a logger in the woods when his world is shaken by the crumbling envoirnent at the hands of human error.  The film beyond the beauty of our world itself, covers the beauty and pain of life itself. it goes through the ranges of emotions and what it means to be human, showing the value of family and loved ones, and the pain of losing one. It’s a heartbreaking depiction of grief and swimming in a life of sorrow with no way out, nothing to do but watching the clock of existence tick all alone with no one else to help it go by faster. The fallen trees and debris from fire don’t just represent lost nature, they represent lost memories from this logger’s life and the pain of no longer being able to hold onto them because of a human’s destructive acts of disregarding earth’s beauty and nature meant for preservation, but misused instead. Train Dreams is also one I truly wish I would’ve caught in theaters. Its cinematography is 2025’s most stunning and daring, with beautiful color grading and magical views of the nature tress and grasslands from Adolpho Veloso. Joel Edgerton as the lead gives one of the most open and gut wrenching performances of the year, fully immersing himself and stepping into the shoes of a broken man without the remedy to heal. Train dreams above all, is a life affirming film to carry with you to feel seen during the struggles of grief and loneliness. 

1. Sentimental Value directed by Joachim Trier

Following the energetic and youthful energy of Trier’s film “The Worst Person in the World” Trier decided to follow up with Sentimental Value, A family drama that spans generations and all ages when it comes to relatability and resonance.  The movie follows the acclaimed director Gustav, who plans to make a new movie and cast his actress daughter Agnes as the lead, who eventually states a resounding no to the project that opens up a door to show the family’s deepest traumas and grudges. These broken bonds between the father and daughter are not only rooted in so much past generational trauma passed down from dozens of family members, but is also stemming from years of holding onto guilt and regret from abandonment, and angry grudges from being a victim to that abandonment. One of the wise words Joachim Trier used to describe this film is “Tenderness is the new punk” and he’s absolutely right. The film along with Trier’s writing and directorial vision, has an extreme sense of how much power revealing brokenness through humane subtleties and quiet moments has. So much emotion is shown through one lone house that shows the memories and moments of past the family holds, yet to be recovered back into the present moments because of their held grudges and fear to mend  broken relationships.  it also has a sense of conveying tenderness through technical aspects and actor performances, with Bugge Coutte’s lingering edits and close ups from Kasper Tuxen giving you an ample amount of time to bask in the tender emotions of sadness conveyed by the eyes and mouths of perfectly casted actors like Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgard. Skarsgard plays an almost dry and emotionally restraint character compared to the rest at times, but for a good reason. It’s a plain and simple deeply accurate portrayal of a man filled to the brim with guilt, but no way to express it out of fear his apology won’t be accepted. Renate Reinsve plays a volatile and character filled with sadness and anger you can see right through her longing eyes. Sentimental Value is a movie to absolutely get all in the feels for if you have a family you deeply value and have went through hard times with to stick together.