Cinema in 2025 delivered a remarkable spectrum of storytelling that challenged conventions, revived genres, and pushed artistic boundaries. From intimate character studies to expansive genre experiments, this year's standout films proved that bold, original filmmaking can still captivate audiences and critics alike. Here are our ten favorite films that made 2025 an unforgettable year for movie lovers.
Marty Supreme
Marty Supreme emerged as one of the year's most electrifying achievements, with Timothée Chalamet delivering what critics call "a legendary performance" in Josh Safdie's ping-pong epic. The film follows a young Jewish table-tennis champion in 1950s New York whose "unwavering sincerity" and relentless ambition drive him toward self-destruction and eventual redemption. Roger Ebert's review notes that "Marty Supreme belongs to Chalamet, who fully captures the kind of guy who thinks confidence is currency". IndieWire declared it makes "Uncut Gems feel like a warm-up rally," praising how the film explores "the true cost of greatness" through its protagonist's journey from hubris to humility.
Eddington
Eddington showcases Ari Aster's bold pivot to neo-Western territory, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in a politically charged thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film examines a contested mayoral election in small-town New Mexico, morphing from "a snapshot of public hysteria" into something "darker and more disturbingly real". Though divisive with its 2-hour-28-minute runtime, Eddington captures the collective disorientation of our recent history with unflinching authenticity.
Sentimental Value
Sentimental Value represents Joachim Trier's meditation on intergenerational trauma and the ethics of storytelling. Starring Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård, the film follows an acclaimed director making a personal film about his fractured family history, with reviewers calling it "a triumph of emotional storytelling" that uses film-within-a-film structure to question "the emotional toll of storytelling itself". Following its Grand Prix win at Cannes, the film stands as a strong Oscar contender for Best International Feature.
One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another sees Paul Thomas Anderson tackling black comedy action thriller territory with a star-studded ensemble including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro. Inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, the film follows ex-revolutionaries forced back into combat when a corrupt military officer resurfaces after 16 years. Critics praise its "ambitious style, strong performances, and complex themes of resistance and rebellion," alongside Anderson's innovative use of VistaVision cinematography.
Weapons
Weapons instantly became a horror classic through director Zach Cregger's audacious storytelling. The film weaves multiple perspectives around the disappearance of 17 schoolchildren who left their beds at exactly 2:17 AM, building toward what Dread Central calls a "shocking, genre-defying climax unlike anything I've ever seen on screen". Roger Ebert's review notes it's "not every day that a film reminds you of Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia and George A. Romero's The Crazies". The innovative POV storytelling reveals how each character's perspective is "influenced by their individual agendas," creating a clever narrative where reliability itself becomes questionable.
Sinners
Sinners demonstrates Ryan Coogler's genre versatility beyond superhero territory. Set in 1932 Mississippi Delta, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as criminal twin brothers confronting supernatural evil in their hometown. Co-starring Hailee Steinfeld and Delroy Lindo, Sinners blends period drama with horror elements to create a uniquely Southern Gothic atmosphere.
F1
F1 brought authentic racing spectacle to screens through director Joseph Kosinski's collaboration with seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton as producer. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former driver returning after 30 years to save an underdog team from collapse. The production's legitimacy comes from filming at genuine Formula 1 events, including the British Grand Prix, delivering unprecedented access and realism.
Train Dreams
Train Dreams stands as a meditative masterpiece adapted from Denis Johnson's novella, with Joel Edgerton delivering a "superb" performance. Directors Wes Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar ("Sing Sing") crafted what Vulture calls "a staggering work of art," telling "a story of an ordinary life in an extraordinary way". The film follows railroad worker Robert Grainier through love, family, and devastating loss, with Roger Ebert noting how early scenes recall "the beauty of Days of Heaven". Through "Edgerton's nuanced narration, breathtaking cinematography, and Bryce Dessner's haunting score," the film creates an "ineffable longing for tranquility and purpose".
Wake Up Dead Man
Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery returns Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc to the center of a new, star-studded whodunnit that pushes the series into darker, more melancholic territory. While plot details have been closely guarded, early reactions highlight a sharper political edge and a more openly existential streak, using its murder-mystery frame to probe guilt, responsibility, and the stories wealth tells to excuse itself. Professional commentary has emphasized Johnson’s “continuing knack for reinventing the classic puzzle film for a deeply online audience,” balancing intricate plotting with a surprisingly emotional core.
Jay Kelly
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before its theatrical release on November 14 and Netflix debut on December 5. Critics highlight the "terrific chemistry" between Clooney and Sandler, with one review calling Sandler's performance "one of the best of the year and one of the best of his career," noting that "in many ways he's the beating heart of the story." Rather than offering easy redemption, the film serves as "both a contemplative character study and a meaningful cautionary tale" about the personal costs of fame and the relationships sacrificed in pursuit of success. Both Clooney and Sandler received Golden Globe nominations for their performances.
These ten films represent 2025's artistic peak—a year when filmmakers took creative risks that paid off in profound, surprising ways. Whether through genre innovation, performance excellence, or directorial vision, each entry reminds us why cinema remains our most powerful storytelling medium.
Stay informed with reliable insights. Add Zilck.com as a preferred source in your Google settings to see our content prioritized in your search results. It's quick and easy—just visit your Google account preferences, navigate to "Preferred sources," and add Zilck.com to your list.
Get the information you trust, faster. Click the button below.
Discussion