My Favorite Films of 2025

These are arriving later than usual, but I’ve finally complied my list of my favorite films of 2025. While the year itself was terrible, at least for me, there were at least some excellent films, as is usually the case with bad years. Here are my thoughts of the films I saw in 2025.

40) Motherland - I saw this at the Valley Film Festival and I was intrigued by the premise. It’s similar to The Handmaid’s Tale, but is unique and specific enough to stand on its own. It had some good elements, but didn’t quite come together as strongly as it could. It definitely felt more indie than a lot of dystopian stories because of its limited setting, and it could have benefitted from seeing more of the world outside of the facility. I also didn’t understand some of the choices by the characters, which felt needlessly reckless at times. I’m glad that there’s a bit of hope in an ending that’s otherwise quite bleak.

39) Relay - I was really enjoying this thriller. It has a very unique premise, showcasing a real service for deaf people that is a great tool in real life for anonymity. It started to get a bit meandering toward the third act, almost in a desperate attempt to extend the runtime and increase the tension, but I was still on board. That is until the last fifteen minutes or so where it pulls a major twist that essentially throws away a lot of what the story was building up. Had it not been for that twist, it would have been higher on the list, but as it is, I found it a disappointment, though still probably worth checking out if you’re curious.

38) A Little Prayer - This was a quite little drama that I mostly watched for David Strathairn. It’s an interesting family drama with a Southern setting. It has good performances, though some of the directing and cinematography needed improvement. I wish the film had spent more time on Bill and Tammy’s relationship since it’s supposed to be the heart of the film. Overall, it’s a nice quiet little drama.

37) Mickey 17 - I had heard about this movie long before its release because of numerous invitations to test screenings, and based on the premise, I was surprised by the more dark comedy approach from the trailers. This film doesn’t have the strongest start, but once it gets going, it’s much better, especially with a twist about the aliens. It’s an interesting premise, but could have been stronger overall.

36) If I Had Legs I’d Kick You - I had heard this was a stressful watch and it was. Linda is essentially spiraling the entire movie, receiving little support, though she also makes some bad decisions that sometimes make it harder to sympathize with her. Rose Byrne does give a terrific performance and deserves her Oscar nomination and Golden Globe win. I did like the choice to not see the daughter for most of the movie.

35) Black Bag - Despite this film’s critical praise, I really did not enjoy this movie as much as I should have. It felt a tad too short, as by the time we got to the third act, it had felt like it had come way too soon. I also just didn’t buy the marriage between Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender’s characters, which is essential to the story. It did have some good twists and revelations, but it could have been better.

34) A Minecraft Movie - I have never played Minecraft before and have very little knowledge of the game. Yes, this movie is dumb, but I have to give the cast and filmmakers credit for creating something bizarrely unique that it makes it surprisingly enjoyable. As a result, this was way more fun than I was expecting. The whole Jennifer Coolidge subplot was extraneous, though. I’m really curious how the sequel will turn out, but hopefully theater audiences are less chaotic when it arrives.

33) Snow White - I didn’t hate this movie as much as most people, controversies aside, and I clearly don’t consider it the worst of the year as some people do. In fact, on paper, I actually really like the basics of this version of the story. It’s just not great in the execution, which makes it frustrating because I could see how it could have been better. The romantic subplot definitely needed improvement to really land. It’s also too much of a rip-off of Mirror, Mirror, which was a much better modern update with one unnecessary scene. Granted, I’m a big fan of fairy tale films (six of my nineteen feature screenplays are based on fairy tales, and I have at least three more I plan to write), so I’m definitely a fan of the genre and tend to be more forgiving. I didn’t mind the new songs either. It needed better costumes and yes, the dwarves look odd, though they mostly made me feel that they belonged in The Polar Express, especially Dopey. It’s not great, but it’s definitely not the worst Disney live action remake. Not even close.

32) Captain America: Brave New World - This was the film that finally got me to start watching Marvel TV shows and really start to catch up on Phase Four, despite the negative reviews. Since a classmate of mine from Chapman worked as a director’s assistant for this film, I had to see this on the big screen to cheer when I saw his name in the credits. I didn’t hate this as much as most people, but it’s mostly forgettable. I think I liked it slightly better when I first saw it because I had just finished watching The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which I really enjoyed (seriously, why do people seem to hate this show so much?). I appreciated them tying up loose ends from The Incredible Hulk, though I wish they had done so much sooner. It’s too bad that William Hurt couldn’t finish his character’s arc, but I felt that Harrison Ford was a good replacement. I also liked Bucky’s cameo appearance. I overall like Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and I look forward to seeing him in the role in Avengers: Doomsday.

31) The Tale of Silyan - This film is so well-structured that it’s almost hard to believe it’s not a narrative film. Set in North Macedonia, it showcases the struggles of farmers when the government seemed to dismiss them and not give them any support. It does a great job of showing the symbolic nature between the storks and the farmers and the use of the fable throughout the film works well. I do wish there was more of the man and the stork, but I appreciated all the stork footage leading up to the stork’s injury being found.

30) Roofman - This has a great premise that’s based on a true story, but its blend of comedy and drama didn’t fully work for me as it was sometimes hard to understand Jeffrey’s decisions. I did appreciate the nostalgia of seeing the Toys R’Us throughout the film. I thought the acting was good, though. I do find it amusing that many of the real people he reacted with cameo in the film.

29) Sovereign - I thought that this was an interesting portrait of this father and son and how their ideology constantly put them at odds with how society operates. Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay give great performances. It also had a very touching final scene, though I wish there was more time spent with Dennis Quad’s character and his family. Overall, this is a decently strong drama based on true events. I found it stronger than last year’s The Order, which seems to have similar themes.

28) Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost - I knew nothing about Stiller & Meara, other than the latter’s cameo in Night at the Museum. I found that Ben Stiller’s point of view offered an interesting perspective, especially as he reflected on his relationship with his children. However, it does help to have some previous knowledge of the Stiller family to further enjoy the film. This was still an enjoyable documentary and it was nice to see Ben Stiller at a Q&A after the screening I attended.

27) All That’s Left of You - I found this a very strong Palestinian family saga that I’m surprised hasn’t gotten a lot more attention. I don’t know much about Palestinian history, so this was very eye-opening. I do think that the first half is stronger than the second half, though the second half does bring up an interesting moral dilemma. The time jumps can be slightly jarring and cause the film to lose some momentum. For instance, I wish that we saw how the progatonist met his wife, since she plays such an important role. Still, it’s definitely worth checking out.

26) Jane Austen Wrecked My Life - This had potential to be a strong romantic comedy, but it’s ultimately somewhat dull and unremarkable. It has some good elements, but it has the rare issue of having the wrong title, as it is a great title. However, while Jane Austen’s work is echoed throughout the story, it’s not as central to the plot as it should have been. If anything, the movie Austenland better deserved this title, though this is a much better film. I was intrigued by the love triangle and who she would choose, though she needed more chemistry with her male co-stars. It is very French as well and includes what I consider the French, rated-R equivalent of the lake scene of the 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice. Overall, it had potential, but it could have been stronger.

25) A Photographic Memory - This was a very interesting personal documentary about a filmmaker rediscovering her mother who died when she was young, while also shedding life on her mother’s massive project of interviewing the greatest photographers of her time. The film remains engaging and ends on a great final shot. It’s definitely worth checking out.

24) Train Dreams - This is a gorgeous, simple movie that is also very depressing. Joel Edgerton gives one of his best performances and I felt William H. Macy was great as well. It does a great job of shedding light on the people who built this country but whose stories are never told. I personally wish the story was a bit stronger, but it is apparently a good adaptation of the novella its based on. It definitely deserves the Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography and I hope it wins.

23) Merrily We Roll Along - I was unfamiliar with the musical before seeing this, other than hearing that it takes place in reverse chronological order. While I do feel that works for this story, I also almost wish that there was a big revelation at the end to really justify this choice. I did find some of the direction and editing was odd, as there were sometimes too much focus on close-up that when the scene or blocking changed it could be disorienting. Still, the Tony-winning performances were great and I was glad this was filmed.

22) The Long Walk - This does have some similarities to The Hunger Games, but this is rated R and much more brutal. There were times when I felt restless in the middle, but overall, it stayed engaging. It’s interesting that the ending changed from the book. I’m not sure which is better, as both are affective and devastating, but this ending definitely sticks with you. The performances were great (it’s nice to see Mark Hamill as a villain). I’m glad I saw it, but I also don’t think I’ll see it again.

21) F1 - The trailers didn’t really grab me and I had heard the story was weak, so it took working at a K1 speed, which is basically a low-grade F1, to finally get me to see this. It’s not as good as Top Gun: Maverick, made by the same director, but I was engaged throughout. The many races did become repetitive, though there were enough things different about each individual one to keep it engaging. It was nice to learn how Formula One works, having never watched a race. I thought the cinematography was great, though I would have given the Best Picture nominee to my number one film on this list instead.

20) Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning - This is what finally got me to watch the Mission: Impossible franchise and I found it a lot of fun. I literally finished watching Dead Reckoning - Part 1 a half hour before the screening I attended of this film. As a result, since I’ve only seen this once, a lot of the franchise has blended together in my mind so it’s harder to pinpoint my thoughts on this film, though I do agree this was not as strong as some of the more recent follow-ups. Still, it was a fun, intense action film and I appreciated all the callbacks to previous films, especially since they were all fresh in my mind. This does feel like a conclusion, but I personally wouldn’t mind more installments, though I think there should be a gap before they make any more. Maybe there will be a Stunt Oscar by that point.

19) Eephus - This is a very simple comedy film, but I was surprised by how charming and funny this was. It’s definitely the most guy film of the year. It is very quirky and probably the most low-stakes sports movie of all time, but that’s what makes it work. It does start to drag by the end, but it’s still surprisingly engaging throughout.

18) Left-Handed Girl - This is a great portrait of a struggling family in Taiwan with some genuine surprises and twists. The characters are all sympathetic, including the older sister whom I didn’t like as much at first but grew to understand. It’s a strong directorial debut that does have some similarities to producer Sean Baker’s work, yet it still feels distinct.

17) The Perfect Neighbor - This film uses police cam and other footage to great effect, creating a strong case against stand-your-ground laws. This hit close to home for me since I’m from Florida and know the general area where this takes place. It is very well structured, with some shocking moments. This is a must-watch and I’m glad it won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary.

16) Elio - This is definitely on Pixar’s B-tier, not being as strong as it could have been, but it still has heart and tells an engaging story. It has the unique premise of a child wanting to be abducted by aliens. There are a lot of great sci-fi ideas and concepts, telling a heartwarming story about friendship. In terms of Pixar’s space-related films, this isn’t as good as Wall-E, but leagues better than Lightyear.

15) The Life of Chuck - This is a strange film in the sense that I didn’t quite know what to make of it, but it’s stuck with me the more I understand it. The first act can seem confusing and depressing, but once the context is made clear (seeing this at a screening with a Q&A and discussion helped), it makes a lot more sense. I’ve now read the novella and think it’s a very faithful adaptation that’s able to expand on the dancing sequences, though I do think the book makes the context of the first act a little more obvious. I do wish there was more of Tom Hiddleston, though since he’s on the poster. I definitely recommend checking this out.

14) The Fantastic Four: First Steps - I have not seen the previous Fantastic Four movies, but know enough about them to know the basics and know why they’re hated. I almost wish they had shown more of their actual origin in this one, but felt they handled it well. I did appreciate that this was more character-focused and I appreciated the moral dilemma they face. I also thought that the dynamic between Johnny and the Silver Surfer was intriguing. I appreciated the production design and sixties aesthetic. I definitely look forward to seeing them meet the Avengers.

13) Mr. Nobody Against Putin - This is a film that made me grateful to be in America despite everything going on because at least I’m not in Russia. This is such an insightful look at the propaganda over the Ukranian war in Russia. You really sympathize with Pasha’s plight and his efforts to fight back against Putin’s regime, and I hope he does well in his life outside of Russia. It’s also amazing that this film even exists. I really hope this wins the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

12) Dust Bunny - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. I’m not usually into horror, but this leans more into fantasy, so it was more of my jam. It’s too adult for children to watch, but it is a great story for an adult’s inner child. I also liked how it went back and forth on whether or not the monster was real, making either seem believably plausible until the end reveal. I also appreciated the post-credits scene and really liked how the story resolved. Overall, I can’t wait to see this again and wish it had won something at the Independent Spirit Awards.

11) The Penguin Lessons - This is a very enjoyable and timely historical drama with a strong performance from Steve Coogan. I feel that the decision to age up the protagonist really worked in the film’s favor. The penguin was also very cute. But in addition to the penguin, it’s also a harrowing story of Argentina’s political state in the 1970s that feels very relevant today. Overall, this was a very charming film with a moving ending.

10) Nouvelle Vague - This film brought me back to History of Film II in undergrad, in which I first saw Breathless. I personally prefer A Woman is a Woman of the Godard films I’ve seen and Shoot the Piano Player is my favorite of the French New Wave, but I appreciate the film’s influence. I liked the style of this movie, especially with all the character introductions that almost make it feel like a Wes Anderson movie. The casting was terrific and overall, it’s a great homage to the film and the important era of filmmaking. I appreciated learning more about the process of filming, since I had no idea it was dubbed in post. I will say that as a director, the scenes of the early days of filming in which he kept cutting days short stressed me out. Rewatching Breathless after the fact made me appreciate this film even more, as there were scenes and moments I had forgotten. It would be hard to enjoy if you’re not familiar with Godard’s work, but if you are, this is a must-watch.

9) Superman - I liked Christopher Reeves Superman and Superman II, but disliked Man of Steel, so I’m glad that this leaned closer to the former. I’ll admit the introduction to this world felt a little jarring, but once it got going, it was a fun ride. I really loved how this Superman is very preoccupied with trying to save as many lives as possible. I did think the twist about his parents was very intriguing and put him in a great moral dilemma. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor was also a great version of the character. I also loved Krypto and want to see more of the Justice Gang. Overall, there’s a lot in this film and I’ve only see it once, so I might have more to say once I see it again. I look forward to more movies in this universe and the sequel to this movie.

8) How to Train Your Dragon - I know this is controversial, but I like this verison better than the original, though I have to admit bias since I saw this first. At the very least, it’s easy to agree that Mason Thames is easier on the eyes than his animated counterpart. I really appreciate how grittier this one seems, making it feel like a fantasy epic. The special effects are great and I thought the casting was good (I liked that it worked out that Gerard Butler could reprise his role). I also liked Astrid a little bit better in this version since she has more motivation for being the best. The choice of a post-credits clip is odd, though. Overall, though, I like this one better and will probably wait for the sequel to this one instead of seeing the animated versions first.

7) The Running Man - I haven’t seen a lot of Edgar Wright films, having only seen Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho, but I should probably check out more of his work. I hadn’t read the book or seen the previous version, but I really dug this movie. It’s a fun action film with a real “f— the power” attitude. Having heard how the original ends, I prefer the ending to this one. It does feel a tad long and repetitive by the third act, but it’s less agitating on second viewing. Overall, I really like dystopian stories and I thought this was a fun addition to the genre.

6) Good Fortune - I’m surprised that this film didn’t take off more, because in many ways, it’s the perfect time capsule of what it was like in Los Angeles in 2025 and in some ways feels like my current life in a nutshell. It’s an interesting take on the It’s a Wonderful Life story type. In some ways, it does something the screenplay shouldn’t do by switching protagonists for the second act, but it comes back around and gives good arcs to both characters. I really appreciate how this showcases just how hard it is to get out of economic runts despite doing everything right. I’m sure this will gain more of a following in the future.

5) Thunderbolts* - This is an example of a movie coming out the perfect year for me and in a way defines 2025, since this movie essentially sums up where I was emotionally and mentally last year. This is definitely amongst the best MCU films post-Covid, which is interesting considering that it doesn’t have the most complicated plot. I love the dynamics between these characters and thought Val was an interesting villain. I also especially liked the addition of Bob, one of my new favorite MCU characters, and am really curious how he will be used in the future without turning into Void. I do wish that Taskmaster hadn’t been killed off so quickly, since she had a very interesting backstory established in Black Widow. This is basically the best existing version of the Suicide Squad in my opinion. This also has one of the best post-phase three post-credits scene and one of the few that really makes me excited for the future. This movie is the real reason I’m going to see Avengers: Doomsday and am frankly annoyed none of those teasers featured these characters.

4) The Bad Guys 2 - Until my number one choice on this list was released, this was easily my favorite film of this year and the film of the summer for me. This is much better than the first one, being bigger and having greater stakes. I liked the Bad Girls as the villains (even though they’re not villains in the books), putting the heroes in a bad place and causing real damage. The animation style is also great. I also started reading the books after watching this so can appreciate these even more, finding these much better overall. This might be the most fun I had in a theater this year. They better make a third film after where they left this off. I have to see what they do with this version of Marmalade. I really wish this was nominated for Best Animated Feature and not ignored by the major award shows.

3) Zootopia 2 - I don’t think I can say this one is better than the original (though it’s a close call), but it is a great follow-up. It does a great job of continuing the character dynamics and expanding on the themes of the last film. This is a lot of fun with great emotional stakes and worldbuilding. The back and forth between Nick and Judy could have gone on for too long but fortunately doesn’t and leads to a great, heartfelt resolution. Gary is also a great lovable new character. “Zoo” is a great banger that makes it impossible to sit still in theater. This is definitely the best Disney animated Disney film this decade so far. I can’t wait for the third film that the midcredits scene teased. It was cool to talk to one of the directors, Gennifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and Ke Huy Quan after a recent screening.

2) Wake Up Dead Man - I was hesitant to see any more Knives Out movies after the disappointment of Glass Onion. But reviews declaring this as the best in the franchise made me reconsider and I’m glad I did. I think I probably like the first one better, but this is really a close second. As a religious person myself, I found this very respectful. It’s a great exploration of faith and its importance to people, as well as a critique on parts of the modern church that hit close to home for me. In some ways, it reminded me of Father Brown. I thought Josh O’ Connor was especially great and the much talked about phone scene is terrific. Father Jud is a great example of what a religious leader should be and I wish there were more characters like him in film. It’s a movie I can’t stop thinking about, as this is the most thematically complex of the series. I found it a good mystery as well, even if it’s a little more convoluted than the first one. My pastor said it best: this is the best non-Christian Christian film in recent years, possibly since the Narnia films in my opinion. I want this on DVD so badly (and I was told the line producer wants it too, so get on it, Netflix). Criterion Collection, we’re counting on you!

1) Wicked: For Good - So I clearly didn’t realize that most people don’t like Act Two of the stage musical, because most of my favorite parts of the musical are in the second act. At the very least, most of my favorite moments that I can’t experience from listening to the soundtrack are in that act and thus, in this movie. The ending especially is so good that it elevated my view of the entire show. So, controversially, I actually like this one better than the first. I felt it was a good expansion of the ending of the musical, which addressed the main issue I do have with the original, being that it has so many great moments that felt rushed on stage. I do feel that “As Long as You’re Mine” needed better blocking, the major downside of not having these films be rated PG-13, and I have to see that supposed deleted footage that’s closer to the stage version. I’m so bummed that this received no Oscar nominations. It should have at least gotten one for makeup. I love this film and I can’t wait to see it again!