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One Box-Office Battle After Another: The Best Movies of 2025

December 22, 2025Ben MK


From bloodthirsty vampires to immortal gods, 2025 was a banner year for movie lovers. Whether you consider yourself a fan of crime thrillers, underdog sports dramas, or gruesome tales of supernatural horror, there was legitimately something for every type of moviegoer — and a film to satisfy every possible niche a cinephile could have. Ultimately, however, narrowing down the year's best releases involves more than just choosing one movie to represent every conceivable cinematic category. For when it comes to selecting the best films of 2025, there are ten titles that stand head and shoulders above the competition.


A mesmerizing tale about bigotry and the supernatural, all set against the dangerous backdrop of the Jim Crow South, Sinners is a slick, satisfying and sultry vampire movie that also does triple duty as a gripping gangster story and a social commentary about present-day race relations. A brooding cinematic odyssey that has much more meat on its bones than your typical genre entry, director Ryan Coogler's contribution to one of the most storied subcategories in horror offers up a uniquely compelling take on vampire mythology. What truly sets Sinners apart from other similarly themed films, though, is Michael B. Jordan's captivating and powerful dual performance, as well as the soul-shaking notes of blues and folk music that serve to accompany viewers on this hypnotic and thought-provoking journey. Of course, that's not to say moviegoers simply thirsting for an old-fashioned and gory supernatural thriller won't be sated either. The beauty of Sinners is that it has plenty to offer audiences from both extremes of the spectrum — with a few extra gallons of blood to boot.


With critically acclaimed thrillers like The Vengeance Trilogy, The Handmaiden and Decision to Leave under his belt, Park Chan-wook has earned his place as not only one of Korea's most talented filmmakers, but as one of the best of his generation. Known for his distinctive directorial style, some might say he even helped define the general aesthetic of modern Korean cinema. And with his thirteenth, nail-biting feature, No Other Choice, Park is adding what's sure to be another modern masterpiece to his already impressive filmography. Bristling with dramatic tension and overflowing with his trademark sense of off-kilter dark humor, the result is a twisted tale of pride, envy and lust as only the 62-year-old filmmaker can tell. For newcomers, however, this may also just be his most accessible and audience-friendly movie in a decade. Make no mistake, No Other Choice still has its share of stomach-churning violence. But if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned thriller that also does double duty as razor-sharp satire, this film's title couldn't be more apropos.


Based on Thomas Pynchon's cult-classic 1990 novel, Vineland, One Battle After Another is an edge-of-your-seat journey down the twisty-turny roads of good versus evil, with Leonardo DiCaprio delivering what should deservedly go down as the best performance of his career. Yet, among all of the film’s impressive cast of actors, it's actually newcomer Chase Infiniti who ought to make the biggest impression with viewers, playing an innocent young woman caught in the middle of a bloody and long-running vendetta, and doing so in such a way that she's able to more than hold her own against both DiCaprio and Sean Penn in every single scene they share together. Make no mistake, there's much to unpack here beyond the performances, thanks to the always reliable writing and direction of Paul Thomas Anderson, whose movies have always stood on their own as unique cinematic masterpieces, irrespective of box office trends and audiences' changing tastes. But if you're expecting another PTA classic along the lines of Inherent Vice, you won't be disappointed.


An underdog sports drama that isn't afraid to step beyond the boundaries of the genre by blending an '80s New Wave soundtrack with '50s-era production and costume design, Marty Supreme is a non-stop roller coaster ride that will have audiences chuckling one moment and gasping for air the next. Still, for all its jaw-dropping twists and turns, what will resonate the most with viewers is Timothée Chalamet's hyperkinetic performance — one that can, without any hint of hyperbole, genuinely be called career-best. Factor in the unorthodox casting of business-investor-turned-reality-television-star Kevin O'Leary, and you have the makings of a film that definitely has fun challenging the status quo, not to mention the notion of what a prestige studio picture should be. And while die-hard sports drama enthusiasts might balk at its heightened melodrama, writer-director Josh Safdie and Chalamet give audiences plenty of reasons to root for this scrappy underdog, even as the world around him seems to be spinning faster than a ping pong ball hurtling through space and time.


Although he may have passed away over four centuries ago, the shadow of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare still continues to loom large over the landscape of modern cinema. Yet, despite actual details about Shakespeare's life being scarce, that hasn't stopped filmmakers like John Madden, Kenneth Branagh and Roland Emmerich from trying to piece together an idea of the events that may have shaped the Immortal Bard. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel, and featuring a pair of heart-wrenching performances from Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, Hamnet is less a film about Shakespeare and more a character drama about how we as individuals process grief. Still, while that subject matter may sound dour, it's the movie's message about love — the kind of undying love between a parent and a child — that will ultimately uplift viewers. Make no mistake, this Shakespeare-inspired bio-fic is a tear-jerker through and through. But as Thomas Fuller said, it's always darkest before the dawn. And with Hamnet, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright indeed.


Although he's played James Bond for more films than he has Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig has become just as synonymous with Rian Johnson's scrappy Southern detective as he has with Ian Fleming's suave British super-spy. It's certainly no small feat, especially with all the blockbuster mega-franchises ruling the box office. And with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Craig and Johnson are back for another go round, in what might be the series' most thrilling and suspenseful entry yet. Featuring an A-list cast that also includes Jeremy Renner, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Thomas Haden Church, Mila Kunis and Cailee Spaeny, the result is a definite step up from its predecessor and a strong contender for the best movie in the franchise. Unlike Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, however, Wake Up Dead Man isn't concerned with glossy celebrity cameos or showy set pieces. On the contrary, as far as mysteries are concerned, the question of whether this twisty-turny third outing is a worthwhile sequel is very clearly an open-and-shut case.


Told in several separate but related chapters, each unfolding from the unique perspective of its various participants, Weapons is a nail-biting ensemble character drama that's oftentimes downright terrifying and other times surprisingly funny. For fans of director Zach Cregger's Barbarian, though, what resonates strongest about Weapons is its commitment to telling a genuinely creepy, twisty-turny tale that feels very much of the same ilk as its predecessor. From the guess-whodunnit aspect of the narrative to the movie's big, third-act reveal, it's easy to see why Cregger has joined the likes of Ari Aster, Osgood Perkins and Robert Eggers as one of horror's new vanguard of filmmakers. Thanks to its own unmistakable tone and style, not to mention Cregger's bold, distinctive vision, Weapons is, without a doubt, one of the year's best movies. Just don't go into it expecting a conventional horror thriller — this may be a genuine contender come awards season, but it's certainly one of the most bizarre and bloody roller coaster rides you'll ever experience at the multiplex.


Best known for playing swashbuckling, Indiana Jones-like adventurer Rick O'Connell in The Mummy franchise, Brendan Fraser has had more than his share of ups and downs in Hollywood. However, ever since starring in Darren Aronofsky's critically acclaimed The Whale, the 56-year-old actor has been enjoying something of a renaissance, starring in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, playing Robotman in Doom Patrol, and acting alongside Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in Brothers. Directed by Hikari, Rental Family is an excellent contender for the year's most endearing film, thanks to sterling performances from the entire cast, especially Fraser. But while the movie is undoubtedly the kind of drama that's guaranteed to tug at viewers' heartstrings, it's its universal theme about finding sincere human connections that remains its strongest aspect. Suffice to say, no one should be surprised if Fraser wins another Oscar for his tender and touching portrayal. But even if he doesn't, this is one relatable story that's worth more than just a rental.


As the saying goes, you can't have it all. Still, when it comes to making the difficult choice between having a successful career and raising a family, that's subject matter that has given moviegoers ample variety over the years. Whether it's The Pursuit of Happyness, The Devil Wears Prada or Up in the Air, filmmakers continue to revisit this theme time and time again. And with his latest comedy drama, Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World director Joachim Trier is adding another film to that list. Touching, brilliantly acted, and relatable in every way, the result is a hard-hitting character drama that transcends language barriers and cultural backgrounds. For all its positive qualities, though, what will resonate with viewers the most are Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård's portayals of a father and daughter duo struggling to reconcile their differences and heal their broken relationship. It's their performances that help make Sentimental Value as compelling as it is. And come awards season, it's likely their names that will be honored as well.


Once the exclusive domain of powerhouse studios like Pixar and Dreamworks Animation, computer-animated feature films have come a long way since the '90s. And with the advent of faster, more powerful tools readily available at animators' fingertips, so too has the divide separating big budget productions from smaller, more independent fare grown smaller and smaller. Bursting with lively characters, scene upon scene of jaw-dropping animation, and enough mythology-fuelled narrative to fill not one but two fantasy-themed sequels, writer-director Jiaozi’s follow-up to 2019's Ne Zha is the rare kind of animated adventure that oftentimes exceeds its live-action counterparts, delivering an entertaining balance of childish humor, heartfelt emotion and exciting set pieces that will appeal to both young and old alike. What genuinely sets the movie apart, however, is its gargantuan scope. And while some animated adventures may aspire to such heights, Ne Zha II actually achieves it, thanks to its masterful grasp of what makes an enthralling cinematic experience.



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