2025 was a year that, in many ways, can be charitably described as “not good.” Checking the news daily felt like high-intensity cardio, and that applies to both updates from the geopolitical world and the film industry. The one bright spot was the films themselves. After a rocky start, 2025 turned out to be a pretty spectacular year for movies, with one film in particular that has already established itself as a generational classic that will undoubtedly be considered one of the best of the century. As represented by my top 10, 2025 was a beautifully erratic film year that saw masterpieces in nearly every possible genre.
10. Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain
This delightful animated film seems simple in concept: we follow a girl named Amélie from birth through her toddler years. But the film is so much stranger than it sounds. The gentle, pastoral-sounding English title paints a somewhat overly sentimental picture of the film. Its French title translates to “Amélie and the Metaphysics of Tubes,” and the quirky energy that that conjures is much more accurate to the film’s vibe. The movie is borderline sci-fi at times, with an animation style that feels as boundless as a child’s imagination. The vibrant artwork genuinely looks like a warm, youthful memory, perfectly tying the form to the film’s themes. Combined with the gorgeous score by Mari Fukuhara, “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” is a moving, beautiful, 77-minute journey through the wonders – and weirdness – of childhood.
9. Marty Supreme
It’s not an original idea to say that the Safdie Brothers have a trademark boundless energy as a filmmaking team. In 2025, the two brothers released separate, solo-directed films. Benny’s “The Smashing Machine” received respectable but lukewarm notices, and Josh’s “Marty Supreme” is thrilling, propulsive, and unrelenting. Josh Safdie finds the perfect muse for his chaotic worldview in Timothée Chalamet. The young actor delivers a performance as the titular Marty that manages to be hectic in nature but strangely grounded in soul. Surrounding him is an enjoyably odd ensemble of character actors, familiar faces, and new stars, all inhabiting a period-accurate, expansive 1950s New York. The deeply authentic design details are counterbalanced with a thrilling synthetic score by Daniel Lopatin that, combined with Darius Khondji’s earthy, unvarnished cinematography, gives the film the feeling of a 1980s prestige picture. All of these unpredictable influences and elements mix to make a supremely enjoyable film, even in its many, many stressful moments.
8. Come See Me In The Good Light
Ryan White’s documentary about the late poet Andrea Gibson’s latter days is shockingly universal. The film chronicles Gibson’s daily life with their spouse, Megan Falley, as they navigate doctor visits and test results, all while Gibson attempts to prepare themselves for what will likely be their final live poetry show. Accompanying all of these various narrative threads are Gibson’s heartfelt poems, which the poet specifically wrote in such a way that they could be understood and appreciated by anyone, regardless of their familiarity with the form. The film was moving at Sundance, but since Gibson’s passing last July, it takes on an even more powerful, curiously empowering energy. Gibson worked to express the inexpressible through their work, and now this beautiful documentary stands as a living monument to their honesty, bravery, and borderless heart.
7. Sorry, Baby
Eva Victor’s stunning directorial debut is a truthful, funny, but unflinching story. The screenplay is equal parts hilarious and touching, and Victor maintains tonal control throughout. The film tackles thematically weighty material, but avoids becoming either dismissive or morose. “Sorry, Baby” is a supremely enjoyable film.
6. Avatar: Fire And Ash
James Cameron continues to push the limits of what we imagine is visually possible with each successive “Avatar” entry. But the scene that made the greatest impression in “Avatar: Fire and Ash” wasn’t a high-flying battle or a stunning exploratory sequence. It was a dialogue scene between Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and Varang (Oona Chaplin). She and her tribe look to Eywa not as an omniscient deity, but as a willfully neglectful mother figure. Cameron experiments with new, trippy visual stylings during this scene. Chaplin brings Varang to life with inscrutable intensity. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” proves You’ll see plenty of unexplored areas of the franchise for Cameron to explore.
5. Weapons
Zach Cregger’s “Weapons” is a roller coaster ride of a horror movie. The film’s now-iconic villain, Aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan), has become a lasting part of the cinematic landscape. The film is a thrilling and strangely funny look at paranoia in the suburbs. The final chapter is a triumph of filmed entertainment, and the film’s gruesomely cathartic conclusion is sure to delight. Cregger clearly has an instinct for what audiences want to see in their horror movies.
4. Tinsman Road
Robbie Banfitch’s “Tinsman Road” continues his exploration of found footage filmmaking. The film is a mournful look at how loss and grief can hover over our lives. The film’s tactile, analog feel complements the story. Banfitch and Leslie Ann Banfitch deliver heartbreaking performances. The film shows how grief can haunt us just as effectively as any imagined spirit.
3. Black Bag
Steven Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” is a tightly plotted, classy thriller. The screenplay is expertly constructed, and the film is a refreshing take on the spy genre. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender deliver sophisticated performances. Soderbergh continues his quest to direct essentially every genre, and the spy film is perfectly attuned to his innovative, efficient filmmaking style.
2. No Other Choice
Park Chan-wook is simply the most creative filmmaker working today. “No Other Choice” captures something specific and brutally honest about this moment in American history. Lee Byung-hun delivers the best leading man performance of the year. The film is a brutal metaphor for the way that cutthroat capitalism pits humans against each other. The film’s efficient editing and unstoppable cruising gear make for a thrilling experience.
1. One Battle After Another
When future film historians look back at 2025, the conversation will likely begin and end with “One Battle After Another.” Both in sheer cinematic accomplishment and in the way it captures something specific and brutally honest about this moment in American history, no other film from this year comes close. Paul Thomas Anderson’s film features no easy heroes. Sean Penn’s Col. Lockjaw and the Christmas Adventurers are parodies of the fascist-minded white Christian nationalists. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers what might be his greatest performance. The film is an unqualified masterpiece. The film’s highly efficient editing and propulsive runtime make it a truly unforgettable experience. The world only moves forward, and there will always be those ready to push against authority.
What do you think of my list? Check out Matt Neglia, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer’s Top 10’s of 2025.
