We are all 'Sinners:' TheOnlyCritic picks the top 25 movies of 2025.
- Nate Adams
- 2 hours ago
- 13 min read
“Survive to ’25” became the rallying cry coined by AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron when pressed about 2024’s weaker-than-usual slate, the aftershock of a content pipeline still recovering from the pandemic and the dual labor strikes by actors and writers. While 2025 is on track to eclipse 2024’s total domestic box office revenue, it remains well below pre-pandemic levels. That gap is no longer just concerning, it’s alarming. And in the wake of the bombshell news that Netflix is reportedly poised to purchase Warner Bros., it should set off sirens for anyone who still believes in the theatrical moviegoing experience as something worth protecting.
Which makes Warner Bros.’ banner year as a studio all the more bittersweet. Against industry headwinds, the studio delivered hit after hit and, remarkably, many of them were original films, not extensions of pre-existing IP (what a concept?!). Audiences showed up in droves for Ryan Coogler’s sexy, sweltering vampire epic “Sinners.” Zach Cregger followed up his breakout success with the gloriously unhinged “Weapons.” Theatrical comedy made a semi-return with respectable numbers for “The Naked Gun,” and — if to a lesser extent commercially because of its budget — “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s towering achievement, finally gave Leonardo DiCaprio the role he was born to play.
Putting together lists like this is always a pleasure, but it feels especially meaningful as we are just about over the halfway point of the decade. This isn’t just about ranking favorites; it’s about identifying the films that permeated the culture, that drove conversation beyond opening weekend, that made people argue, obsess, and — crucially — show up. If this year proved anything, it’s that movie theaters remain the engine that turns a movie into an event. It was the year IMAX and premium large formats dominated the discourse (I mean, did you see Ryan Coogler patiently breaking down the optimal way to experience “Sinners”?). That kind of enthusiasm doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Yes, Netflix released several excellent films this year — some of which appear on my list — but their cultural half-life rarely rivals the water-cooler electricity of something like “Materialists,” or what I suspect will happen when “Marty Supreme” arrives. Streaming can distribute movies; theaters canonize them. The collective gasp, the opening-night buzz, the feeling that you had to be there, that’s where cinema becomes culture.
And that’s why a Best Movies of the Year list still matters. In an era defined by contraction, consolidation, and an industry seemingly unsure of its own future, these films stand as proof of what’s still possible when ambition meets an audience willing to show up. This list isn’t just a celebration. It's a reminder. The magic isn’t gone. It’s still flickering on the biggest screens, waiting for us to keep choosing it.
Without further ado, here are my top 25 movies of 2025.
25. BUGONIA
“Bugonia” finds Yorgos Lanthimos in peak provocation mode, remixing sci-fi paranoia and dark comedy into his strangest and oddly most accessible film yet. Jesse Plemons is electrifying as a sweat-soaked conspiracy obsessive whose delusions may or may not be correct, while Emma Stone delivers a sly, layered performance that weaponizes ambiguity itself. A fever dream about media addiction, corporate power, and modern madness, the film refuses easy answers and dares us to consider whether the real invasion already happened. (on VOD).
24. FRIENDSHIP
“Friendship,” which I technically saw at the Toronto Film Festival in 2024 but it came out this year, turns male loneliness and social desperation into something hilariously uncomfortable. Michigan native Tim Robinson is perfectly cast as a friendless suburban dad who becomes dangerously fixated on his effortlessly cool new neighbor, played by a Paul Rudd clearly having the time of his life. A cultishly funny remix of "I Love You, Man"–style bromance and the cringe maximalism of "I Think You Should Leave," it’s a comedy that pushes the need for acceptance to absurd extremes and left me rolling on the floor. (Streaming on HBO MAX).
23. AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
How’s the saying go, never bet against James Cameron? Once again, the Oscar-winning filmmaker proves the rule with "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the third and most ferocious chapter in his impossibly expensive saga. Cameron pushes the franchise to exhilarating new heights, delivering a sensory overload that feels purpose-built for Dolby and IMAX 3D and serves as a bracing reminder of what theatrical spectacle still does better than anything else. This is blockbuster filmmaking as pure transportation, the cheapest vacation you’ll ever take, and proof that when Cameron shows up, the moviegoing experience is very much alive. (In theaters December 19th).
22. NO OTHER CHOICE
"No Other Choice" announces Park Chan-wook’s gleeful return to full-throttle perversity, an unhinged dark comedy that finds pitch-black humor in desperation, obsession, and moral collapse. Anchored by sturdy, tightly wound performances, the film plays like a social satire put through a meat grinder, constantly daring the audience to laugh at things that feel deeply wrong. Park’s control of tone is surgical, balancing menace and absurdity with the confidence of a filmmaker who knows exactly how far he can push before it snaps, making this one of the year’s most bracing and wickedly entertaining provocations. (Now playing in select theaters).
21. IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
"It Was Just An Accident" is a harrowing moral reckoning from Jafar Panahi, a filmmaker whose very act of directing has become one of resistance. The film follows former political prisoners confronting the man they believe tortured them, unfolding as a tense, unsparing meditation on justice, memory, and the psychic damage of state violence. Made under the shadow of Panahi’s arrests, bans, and imprisonment for his beliefs, every frame carries the weight of lived defiance, transforming the film into something more than cinema. It is a quiet, devastating reminder of what filmmaking can cost and why it still matters. (Now playing in select theaters).
20. CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD
"Clown in a Cornfield" is a gleefully gory, wildly entertaining slasher that proves Eli Craig still knows how to mix laughs with scares. Katie Dougle shines as Quinn, a newcomer to Kettle Springs who gets caught up in a deadly town legend, while the ensemble cast keeps the tension and energy high. Full of clever kills, sharp subversions, and a sly commentary on holding onto the past, the film is a full-throttle theatrical ride that had SXSW audiences roaring and was one of the top theater experiences I had this year. (Streaming on Shudder and AMC+).
19. THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
"The Phoenician Scheme" is Wes Anderson at his most personal and surprisingly grounded, a meticulously crafted globe-trotting fable that doubles as a tender father-daughter story. Benicio del Toro is magnetic as Zsa-zsa Korda, a paranoid tycoon forced to reconcile with his estranged daughter, played brilliantly by Mia Threapleton, while Anderson’s signature visual flair and a stacked ensemble—including Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, and Benedict Cumberbatch—bring both whimsy and theatricality to every frame. Balancing humor, adventure, and genuine emotional stakes, the film is Anderson’s sweetest and most emotionally resonant work in years, proving that his meticulous style can serve both spectacle and heart. (Streaming on Peacock).
18. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Dean DeBlois’s live-action take on "How to Train Your Dragon" soars, faithfully expanding the original story while delivering breathtaking IMAX spectacle. Mason Thames brings plucky earnestness to Hiccup, whose bond with Toothless feels tactile and exhilarating, while Nico Parker and Gerard Butler add emotional depth to the ensemble. Thrilling aerial sequences, subtle character enhancements, and a devotion to the heart of the original make this remake a joyful reinvention of the beloved franchise. If studios must keep making animated films into live action vehicles (and trust, me, nobody is saying they should) this is how you do it. (Streaming on Peacock).
17. TOGETHER
Not even one year removed from the body-horror masterpiece "The Substance," Michael Shanks follows up with "Together," another audacious, psychologically charged thriller that twists relationship drama into something utterly unhinged. Alison Brie and Dave Franco fully commit as Tim and Millie, a couple whose move to the countryside sparks a bizarre, body-horror-infused descent into obsession and codependency. With inventive practical effects and a narrative that constantly flips expectations, the film balances dark humor, tension, and psychological insight, cementing Shanks as one of the boldest voices in contemporary horror. (On VOD).
16. WAKE UP DEAD MAN
“Wake Up Dead Man” finds Rian Johnson taking the “Knives Out” formula into darker, more introspective territory. Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is tested like never before when a murder at a rural church forces him to navigate faith, identity, and human frailty, while Josh O’Connor’s volatile Father Jud adds a gripping emotional core. With a stellar ensemble cast and a sharper, more purposeful script, the film balances twists, tension, and thematic weight, making it the strongest and most resonant entry in the franchise yet. (Streaming on Netflix).
15. THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
“The Perfect Neighbor” is far and away the best documentary of the year, a masterclass in immersive storytelling that strips away narration and talking heads to place viewers directly in the unfolding events. Using only real-world footage — from 911 calls to security cameras — director Geeta Gandbhir explores themes of fear, prejudice, and the fragility of community, creating a tense, thought-provoking meditation on how quickly ordinary life can unravel. (Streaming on Netflix).
14. NE ZHA 2
“Na Zha 2” goes absolutely bananas, delivering a whirlwind of action, spectacle, and sheer cinematic energy that makes its nearly $2 billion box office haul feel entirely earned. This sequel takes everything that worked in the original and cranks it to eleven: the fight choreography is insane, the animation is jaw-dropping, and the stakes feel epic without ever losing sight of character. It’s a film that kicks unholy amounts of ass, moving at a breakneck pace while still giving its heroes and villains weight and personality. Audiences are treated to a full-throttle ride that’s as visually intoxicating as it is narratively satisfying, cementing “Na Zha 2” as one of the most exhilarating animated films of the decade. (On VOD. Streaming on HBO Max December 24th).
13. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is Tom Cruise at his daredevil peak, delivering a jaw-dropping, globe-trotting spectacle that goes harder than ever. At 63, Cruise throws himself into stunts that defy belief, from mid-air biplanes to nearly 25 minutes underwater in a submarine set piece, proving why he’s cinema’s last true action daredevil. Director Christopher McQuarrie balances relentless momentum with surprising emotional weight, letting Ethan Hunt confront trust, legacy, and mortality while the world teeters on the edge. With a stacked supporting cast and a pulse-pounding story, this installment is equal parts insane spectacle and heartfelt reflection, a fitting, unrelenting send-off for one of Hollywood’s most enduring action franchises. (Streaming on Paramount+).
12. WARFARE
“Warfare” is an unflinching, immersive plunge into the chaos and psychological toll of combat, co-directed by Alex Garland and veteran Ray Mendoza. Centered on a single, high-stakes mission during the Iraq War, the film doesn’t glamorize violence or glorify heroics — instead, it depicts war with brutal honesty, showing how split-second decisions can have life-or-death consequences. A talented ensemble including Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, and Charles Melton brings just enough humanity to make every moment of chaos feel personal and terrifying. Experiencing it in IMAX heightens the intensity, making “Warfare” one of the most harrowing and viscerally powerful war films in recent memory, a sobering reminder of the human cost of conflict. (Streaming on HBO Max).
11. HAMNET
“Hament,” directed with piercing intimacy by Chloe Zhao, is an emotionally devastating triumph that lingers in the mind and heart. Zhao’s signature naturalistic style — blending sweeping visuals with quiet, gut-punching human moments — elevates the story into something deeply felt and unforgettable. At the center is Jesse Buckley, delivering a knockout performance that captures every nuance of grief, love, and vulnerability with raw, unflinching honesty. The film doesn’t just tell its story, it immerses you in it, making “Hament” one of the most powerful and emotionally transformative cinematic experiences of the year. (Now playing in select theaters. Expands in January).
10. A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE
Kathryn Bigelow reaches the height of her tension-crafting powers in “A House of Dynamite,” a nerve-shredding thriller that plunges viewers into the claustrophobic, impossible choices of nuclear brinkmanship. Over a razor-tight 18-minute countdown, the film shifts between command centers, bunkers, and situation rooms, showing how quickly disbelief turns to horror when catastrophe looms. Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Tracy Letts, and a stellar ensemble anchor the story with performances that balance fear, duty, and moral complexity. Bigelow doesn’t just stage a disaster, she immerses you in the dread, making it an unrelenting, sobering reflection on how close the world always teeters to annihilation, and a reminder of her unmatched ability to turn national anxiety into cinematic art. (Streaming on Netflix).
9. BLACK BAG
A whip-smart, sexy, and slick spy thriller, “Black Bag” finds Steven Soderbergh firing on all cylinders. Every one of its fast-paced 90 minutes is meticulously crafted, with a cast led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as married spies navigating loyalty, deception, and lingering desire. Pierce Brosnan, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Marisa Abela round out a team caught in a web of intrigue around a missing nuclear macguffin. David Koepp’s taut script and Soderbergh’s precise direction make every scene count, delivering a fully realized, electrifying espionage story that zips by before you even catch your breath. Easily one of 2025’s most thrilling cinematic rides. (Streaming on Peacock).
8. TRAIN DREAMS
“Train Dreams” is an enchanting, quietly profound meditation on mid-20th century America, capturing the life of logger Robert Grainer with remarkable gravitas by Joel Edgerton. Director Clint Bentley, co-writing with Greg Kwedar, channels a poetic sensibility reminiscent of Terrence Malick while crafting a story that is entirely its own: a tender, meticulously framed film about work, loss, and fleeting beauty. With Felicity Jones as Robert’s anchor at home and William H. Macy and Paul Schneider bringing warmth and wisdom on the job, the movie is a deeply human exploration of memory, perseverance, and the fragile wonder of simply being alive. (Streaming on Netflix).
7. MATERIALISTS
Celine Song’s second feature, “Materialists,” confirms her status as a filmmaker who understands the beauty and brutality of modern romance. Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal deliver three of their most honest, vulnerable performances, giving life to characters whose desires and flaws feel deeply real. Johnson’s Lucy, a high-end matchmaker, navigates the tension between logic and emotion, while Evans’s struggling actor John and Pascal’s wealthy financier Harry challenge her—and us—to reconsider what love truly means. Song’s gift lies in her simplicity: much of the film unfolds in quiet, intimate conversations, allowing nuance and emotional truth to shine. By transforming familiar romantic tropes into moments that feel fresh and earned, “Materialists” emerges as a smart, tender, and deeply human exploration of connection, yearning, and choice in a world obsessed with surface. (Streaming on HBO Max).
6. THE NAKED GUN
Akiva Schaffer’s “The Naked Gun” is an uproarious, gloriously stupid comedy that proves old franchises still have life: if you’re willing to get ridiculous. Liam Neeson, in the Leslie Nielsen–inspired role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., delivers deadpan absurdity with such conviction that every pratfall, one-liner, and visual gag lands with maximum force. Schaffer, co-writing with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, keeps the 85-minute romp moving at a breakneck pace, layering wordplay, slapstick, and background jokes so dense you’ll miss half of them on first viewing. From schoolgirl disguises to infrared sequences involving suggestive canine chaos, the film embraces zaniness in every frame. Neeson’s commitment to the bit elevates the spectacle into something both wildly stupid and spectacularly entertaining: a theatrical reminder of what modern comedy can be at its unrestrained, joyous best. (Streaming on Paramount+).
5. WEAPONS
Zach Cregger’s “Weapons” is a nerve-jangling, darkly funny horror mystery that cements him as a major voice in modern genre cinema. Following the disappearance of 17 fifth graders in the small town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, the film unfolds in overlapping, shifting perspectives, each adding layers to a puzzle that is as unnerving as it is compelling. Julia Garner anchors the story as the teacher under suspicion, while Alden Ehrenreich, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, and Cary Christopher flesh out a community unraveling under grief, paranoia, and blame. Shot with eerie precision by Larkin Seiple and edited by Joe Murphy, the film balances dread, social commentary, and sly humor with a deft hand. Cregger wears his influences proudly—from Jordan Peele to Ari Aster—but the result is wholly his own: a smart, immersive, and unforgettable thriller that lingers long after the lights come up, exploring trauma, human instinct, and the fragility of the things we hold dear. (Streaming on HBO Max).
4. COMPANION
Drew Hancock’s “Companion” delivers a razor-sharp, unpredictable psychological thriller that blends suspense, social commentary, and dark humor. Sophie Thatcher captivates as Iris, whose quiet grocery-store romance with Jack Quaid’s Josh rapidly spirals into a tense battle of wits, while Rupert Friend, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and others populate a weekend that quickly devolves into chaos. Hancock’s first feature balances gory set pieces with incisive explorations of free will, emotional intelligence, and control. Every character choice feels strategic, every twist earned, and Thatcher anchors the narrative with a performance that makes the film as thought-provoking as it remains thrilling. (Streaming on HBO Max).
3. MARTY SUPREME
A ferocious, anxiety-inducing sports drama that plays like "Uncut Gems" on overdrive, Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” is a sustained panic attack powered by Timothée Chalamet’s most unhinged and compelling performance to date. Abrasive, exhilarating, and never once letting you breathe, it inverts every expectation of the genre and turns obsession into something thrilling, humiliating, and quietly tragic. Exhausting in the best way and impossible to shake. (In theaters Christmas Day).
2. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
Paul Thomas Anderson finally cashes his blank check and delivers a blistering, paranoid political thriller on an IMAX-sized canvas. Anchored by a fearless, deeply funny turn from Leonardo DiCaprio and a feral Sean Penn, the film blends dread, absurdity, and surprising tenderness into something that feels both urgent and timeless. A rare studio gamble that proves why original, director-driven cinema still matters. (on VOD and streaming on HBO Max Friday, December 19th).
1. SINNERS
A sweaty, soulful, blood-soaked explosion of sound and style, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is the best movie of the year and a thrilling reminder of what bold, original filmmaking can be. Part blues opera, part vampire fever dream, it crackles with sex, music, and myth, powered by a star-making turn from Miles Caton and a magnetic dual-role showcase from Michael B. Jordan. Every frame pulses with confidence, ambition, and pure cinematic electricity. This is Coogler at full throttle, transforming genre into something alive, sensual, and unforgettable. (Streaming on HBO Max).
Honorable mentions:
Heart Eyes
Highest 2 Lowest
Eternity
Dangerous Animals
The Secret Agent
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair*
My favorite TV shows of the year:
The Studio (Apple TV+)
Plur1bus (Apple TV+)
Severance (Apple TV+)
The Rehearsal (HBO)
The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)
The worst movie I saw this year: Hurry Up Tomorrow
THE RECAP:
The Top 25 movies of 2025:
SINNERS
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
MARTY SUPREME
COMPANION
WEAPONS
THE NAKED GUN
MATERALISTS
TRAIN DREAMS
BLACK BAG
A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE
HAMNET
WARFARE
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
NE ZHA 2
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
WAKE UP DEAD MAN
TOGETHER
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
NO OTHER CHOICE
AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
FRIENDSHIP
BUGONIA
See you in 2026!
*Technically this print was released in 2006 but got released this year.
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