8 Best Movies Of 2025

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Even though you might have seen some negative reports, 2025 has actually been a fantastic year for movies. We got new films from acclaimed directors like Ryan Coogler, Park Chan-wook, Guillermo del Toro, and many others. Fans enjoyed two excellent Predator movies, and KPop: Demon Hunters became a huge hit worldwide. After a long struggle, DC Comics finally delivered a strong film with James Gunn’s Superman. Plus, The Fantastic Four finally got the adaptation it deserved. And there’s still more to come, with highly anticipated releases like Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Marty Supreme still scheduled to come out this year.

With so many great films released this year, picking the very best is tough! But after careful consideration, we’ve chosen 8 standout movies – including exciting first features and new work from celebrated directors. These films, from festival favorites to successful risks taken by major studios, represent the best of 2025 so far, and we predict the top three will become timeless classics.

8
‘Train Dreams’


Netflix

Coming to Netflix on November 21st with a limited release, Train Dreams tells the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a railroad worker striving to connect the country by laying tracks. This work takes him away from his wife, Gladys (Felicity Jones), and their new baby. Directed by Clint Bentley – who also produced the acclaimed 2024 film Sing Sing – Train Dreams is a standout addition to an already impressive year for movies.

Train Dreams is a thoughtful film reflecting a significant period in American history. It tells the story of a man who, despite being a small cog in the nation’s growing network, finds himself isolated from his loved ones. Many consider it Edgerton’s finest acting performance. Quiet and reflective, the movie lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.

7
‘Blue Moon’


NYFF

Released in 2025, Blue Moon is one of two films directed by Richard Linklater that year. The movie takes place over a single night and centers on songwriter Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) as he contemplates his life on the opening night of the new musical Oklahoma!, created by his former collaborator, Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott). The cast also includes Margaret Qualley as Hart’s inspiration, Bobby Carnevale as a clever and grounded bartender, and Patrick Kennedy as a bar customer who would later become the author of Stuart Little, E.B. White.

Similar to Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke’s Before trilogy, Blue Moon unfolds largely over a single night, but within a single setting. The film is driven by incredibly captivating conversations, and Ethan Hawke delivers a compelling performance as a man who seems both charismatic and deeply troubled. It’s a film that prioritizes atmosphere and connection – a true “hangout movie” – and at 100 minutes, it flies by; much like a wonderful conversation, you’ll wish it lasted longer.

6
‘No Other Choice’


Neon

Park Chan-wook’s film, No Other Choice, is the second movie based on the 1997 novel The Ax. It follows Yoo Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), a man who loses his job when an American company takes over his firm. Desperate to support his wife, Lee Mi-ri (Son Ye-Jin), and their children while maintaining their comfortable life, he decides to eliminate his professional rivals to get a new job.

I was completely blown away by Park Chan-wook’s latest, No Other Choice. It premiered at Venice and everyone’s calling it a masterpiece – and honestly, that’s saying something coming from the director of films like Oldboy, Stoker, and The Handmaiden. It’s a really sharp, dark comedy about how brutal modern work life can be, and how even talented people struggle just to keep their heads above water. The acting is fantastic, but I have to especially praise Kim Woo-hyung’s incredible cinematography and Kim Sang-bum’s smart editing – they really elevate the whole film. It just solidifies Park Chan-wook’s place as one of the best directors working today.

5
‘Sorry, Baby’


A24

Eva Victor’s debut feature film, Sorry, Baby, skillfully blends different moods and emotions. The film centers on Agnes, a college professor who is withdrawn and battling depression after experiencing a sexual assault while in graduate school. Victor also wrote and stars in the film, making her achievement even more notable.

“Sorry, Baby” handles a difficult topic with both sensitivity and a surprisingly dark sense of humor, reflecting how the main character deals with trauma. While it never makes light of sexual assault, the film acknowledges that everyone processes such experiences differently. Genuine, clever, and emotionally impactful, “Sorry, Baby” features an ending that gives the title a devastating new meaning and firmly establishes it as one of the year’s best films.

4
‘Sentimental Value’


Mubi

Joachim Trier, the director of The Worst Person in the World, returns with Sentimental Value. The movie centers on filmmaker Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgård) and his difficult connection with his daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), after their mother passes away. Gustav, who abandoned his family years ago, hopes to reconnect with his daughters while also working on a personal screenplay to reignite his career.

The film Sentimental Value debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was a contender for the prestigious Palme d’Or award, though it didn’t win. Since its release, it’s received excellent reviews, and Alexander Skarsgård is now a leading candidate for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. The movie delves into the lasting pain of family trauma and how it affects future generations. It’s a deeply moving and emotionally powerful film that’s well worth watching.

3
‘It Was Just an Accident’


New York Film Festival/ NEON

Okay, so I just finished watching It Was Just an Accident, the movie that took home the Palme d’Or over Sentimental Value, and honestly, it totally deserved it. It’s a fantastic film! The plot revolves around these former Iranian political prisoners who finally get a shot at revenge against the guy who tortured them. But here’s the really clever part: they never actually saw his face, just heard the sound of his prosthetic leg. So, they’ve captured someone, but they’re not even sure it’s the right person! It’s a really tense and thought-provoking story.

Jafar Panahi, an Iranian filmmaker who has faced imprisonment and filmed without official permission, directs this gripping film. It blends the suspense of a political thriller with the unpredictable energy of a road movie. The story centers around a man who drives around picking up former political prisoners, trying to identify someone he’s holding captive. Through their conversations, the film powerfully reveals the fear, anger, and lasting trauma experienced by those who have been tortured.

Vahid Mobasseri gives a strong performance as the lead, but Mariam Afshari truly shines, delivering one of the most powerfully emotional scenes of the year. It Was Just an Accident keeps viewers guessing about the fate of the captured man throughout the film, and its ending features a truly terrifying image that may be the most shocking of 2025.

2
‘Sinners’


Warner Bros.

Released in 2025, Sinners has quickly become a major cultural event and one of the year’s best films. The story centers on identical twins Smoke and Stack, powerfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, who return to Mississippi in 1932. They’re using money and resources stolen from Chicago’s Italian and Irish gangs to start their own nightclub. But on opening night, they face a terrifying fight for survival when the club is attacked by vampires, and their leader, Remmick (Jack O’Connell).

Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Canton, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and Jayme Lawson, Sinners is the year’s biggest movie sensation. It’s been a huge commercial success, earning $367 million globally – especially remarkable because it’s not based on existing material. The film’s music has been popular since its release, and lines and characters from Sinners are quickly becoming well-known in pop culture.

Released in April, Sinners quickly became a favorite to win an Oscar, and it’s remained a strong contender ever since. Even if it doesn’t win any awards, Sinners is poised to become a beloved modern classic and a yearly Halloween tradition for many.

1
‘One Battle After Another’


Warner Bros.

Despite a strong year for movies, One Battle After Another has emerged as the standout film. It was immediately praised by both critics and viewers upon its release, quickly earning a reputation as a masterpiece. The film boasts a stellar cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, and introduces the talented Chase Infiniti. The story centers on a former revolutionary who must return to a life of conflict when his daughter becomes the target of a corrupt officer, due to a connection with her mother from the past.

Despite its nearly three-hour runtime, One Battle After Another is a surprisingly fast-paced and engaging film. It’s an action movie with strong political themes that resonate with today’s concerns about issues like ICE raids, police misconduct, and the rise of white nationalism. And it’s genuinely funny – imagine the plot of Taken, but with Jeff Bridges’ iconic character, The Dude from The Big Lebowski, unexpectedly caught up in the action.

Shortly after it came out, the suit Leonardo DiCaprio wore as his character quickly became a popular and simple Halloween costume, and it’s likely to remain a favorite for many years. This kind of recognition only happens when a movie truly resonates with a broad audience and becomes a classic. Just as Oppenheimer finally earned Christopher Nolan an Oscar, One Battle After Another could do the same for Paul Thomas Anderson, who is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers never to have won the award.

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2025-11-15 23:07