Another year in film has come and gone! While it may not have served up hits as consistently as 2024, there were enough treasures to go around if you knew where to look. With the future of the theatrical experience resting on tenuous ground, new layers have been added to the act of reminiscing on my 2025 movie-going experiences. How many of these films may not have even been greenlit in a consolidated distributor model? Which types of stories may no longer rise to prominence when a dwindling number of individuals control the narrative? Deep questions to ponder during the holiday season, but I remain hopeful that filmmakers will continue to be able to wow us with cinematic spectacle for years to come, even if the process of getting there may look different. Maybe that’s a topic to worry more about next year! For now, here are my top 10 favorite movies of 2025, along with some honorable mentions (because who can pick just 10?):

Honorable Mentions (in Alphabetical Order):

• 28 Years Later
• Bring Her Back
• Bugonia
• Caught Stealing
• Elio
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Mickey 17
• Sorry, Baby
• The Wedding Banquet

10. The Perfect Neighbor

It’s not often that a documentary makes my top 10 list, so you know that The Perfect Neighbor made an impact. Geeta Gandbhir’s film takes us to a largely Black community in Ocala, Florida with a vibrant and active neighborhood full of children who play innocently among the streets and empty lots. The anger of a racist and erratic White neighbor simmers as she constantly scolds and berates the children, whom she sees as nuisances. Her vitriol spills over one night when she shoots and kills one of the children’s mothers through her doorway after a mere knock triggers her irrational fear. The film is presented primarily through police bodycam footage, a simple choice that goes a long way in letting us experience the horror inflicted on this community. There’s not an attempt to explicitly tie this story to a larger national narrative—but the intensely personal nature of the effect this tragedy has on the families we come to know sounds the alarm bell even more effectively.

9. Weapons

I was shocked by the boldness of Zach Cregger’s first solo directorial horror feature Barbarian, so I couldn’t wait to see what diabolical terrors he had cooked up for Weapons—and once again, he went there! We’re immediately thrown into the mystery of how 17 children from a single elementary school class simultaneously fled their homes in the middle of a calm Pennsylvania night, leaving just one of their classmates behind. In true Cregger fashion, the story that unfolds is unexpected, gripping, and a little bit wacky. The film’s biggest claim-to-fame is Amy Madigan’s performance as the campy and menacing Aunt Gladys. She brings to life an instantly iconic character that bled into the cultural zeitgeist, inspiring memes, Halloween costumes, and social media standom. It’s rare for The Academy to recognize horror performances, but Madigan is right there in the mix—and is my personal pick for Best Supporting Actress this year.

8. Twinless

How does one move through the world while carrying the unique pain of losing their twin? That’s the initial question Dylan O’Brien’s character Rocky must grapple with in Twinless. Then he meets Dennis (played by writer/director James Sweeney) and the film swerves in a way I never expected, elevating what could have been a typical exploration of grief to something much less straightforward. O’Brien gives his best performance to date—a raw and nuanced turn that should be attracting more serious awards attention. He even doubles as Rocky’s twin Roman, giving him an opportunity to express his full range across two distinct characters. While O’Brien is the heart of the film, the cherry on top is Lauren Graham in the role of Rocky’s mother, Lisa. Gilmore Girls fans know all too well the ease with which Graham can shake your soul, and that’s certainly the case here in her limited screentime. Let the campaign for her Hollywood resurgence start here!

7. Train Dreams

It’s a shame that most people will only experience Trains Dreams at home, because it’s truly fit for the big screen. I was lucky enough to catch it at the Heartland International Film Festival this fall, and felt immersed in the simple, beautiful world that the film transports you to. That’s due in no small part to DP Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography, which is among the best this year. The story, at its core, is one about struggling to find purpose amid a changing world, and we’re there every step of the way with Robert, played brilliantly by Joel Edgerton. While his backbreaking work in railroad construction and logging may be foreign to most, his journey is universal—because who among us hasn’t wondered who they should be? The climactic scene is one of the most genuine and tender sequences I’ve seen in a while and serves as the perfect reflection on a thoroughly lived life.

6. A Nice Indian Boy

More than anything else on my list, A Nice Indian Boy flew under the radar this year—and with the heart and humor the film oozes, it deserves to be seen by a wider audience. The premise centers on Naveen, (Karan Soni) who brings his White boyfriend Jay (Jonathan Groff) home to meet his traditional Indian family. The setup may not be groundbreaking, but it’s the engaging dynamics of this specific family as they attempt to understand their son’s world that set this film apart. Soni’s performance is one of my favorites from a lead actor this year, as he balances the comedy and emotional weight of the film in a way that catches you off guard and shatters your heart. Zarna Garg, who plays Naveen’s mother Megha, steals the show, delivering a knockout wedding speech in the final act that will leave you grasping for your tissues. The rom-com is alive and well.

5. Rental Family

Brendan Fraser seems to be in his renaissance era as of late. Fresh off his win for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars for 2022’s The Whale, the native Hoosier returns in Rental Family—a touching dramedy from Japanese writer/director Hikari. Her name may not be familiar to most, but her work has already resonated with American audiences, having written and directed several episodes of the award-winning anthology series Beef. Here, she weaves a tale of an American expat living in Japan who finds work in a rental family agency—being hired out to serve as a companion, caretaker, friend, fake spouse, and eventually father. The film does an incredible job bringing empathy and understanding to this practice that may seem peculiar to those who are not part of the culture. Fraser is as good as ever, but it’s veteran actor Akira Emoto whose performance has lingered with me many months later. His character Kikuo’s trek to reconnect with his past punctuates the film with an emotional gut-punch that I wasn’t ready for.

4. Wicked: For Good

I know! You didn’t find the sequel as thrillifying as part one. I may be in the minority, but I believe Jon M. Chu nails the film adaptation of Wicked: For Good, the stage musical’s second act, and more than justifies splitting the show into two entries. The film finds Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) initially battling their demons apart from each other, before eventually coming back together in an attempt to mend the unspoken fissures in their relationship that have developed over time. There’s not as much glitz and glamour as the first film, but there was never going to be—the story is heavier and darker, and that tonal shift is certainly felt throughout. If Grande and Erivo embodied their respective witches in the first film, they’re truly living them here. Their characters’ relationship is the core of the film and has deepened alongside that of the actresses who play them. It all culminates in a stunning performance of the second act’s standout gem “For Good”, a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship.

3. KPop Demon Hunters

If you had told me at the beginning of the year that an animated K-pop musical would charm its way onto my top ten list, I wouldn’t have believed you! Enter KPop Demon Hunters, one of the biggest smash hits of 2025, and Netflix’s most streamed original movie of all time. The film follows girl group Huntrix as they step into a long legacy of hunters tasked with defending the barrier that protects their world from demon attacks. The plot may be straightforward, but there are many elements that elevate the film—including memorable voice performances, animation that’s unique and fresh, and a soundtrack that fires on all cylinders. Among the film’s best bops, breakout hit “Golden” spent 7 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart (although my personal favorite from the soundtrack is “Your Idol” from rival boyband Saja Boys). K-pop has seen rising crossover popularity here in the states, and the success of this film suggests that it’s here to stay.

2. One Battle After Another

I’ll admit that I have some blind spots when it comes to Paul Thomas Anderson’s filmography, and while I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve seen from him, I’ve appreciated more than I’ve loved his films. That changed with One Battle After Another. The auteur writer/director somehow manages to tell a story centered on family that feels personal and specific while also speaking to the realities of a nation that’s as divided as it’s ever been. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, darkly concerning, and edge-of-your seat entertaining. Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his best performances ever as a father who’s out of his depth among the ongoing revolution he’s committed to, and newcomer (and Indianapolis native) Chase Infiniti makes her case as one to watch in Hollywood with a powerhouse performance as a young revolutionary in the making. While the film has many merits, perhaps its highest achievement is ringing true to the current moment while simultaneously feeling instantly timeless.

1. Sinners

The film I’ve come back to time and time again while recounting the year is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. When stripped to its bare bones, it’s a vampire film—but Coogler has crafted something wholly original that can’t be placed in a single genre box. It’s a horror film, period drama, and a Western all blended seamlessly in a way no one but Coogler could forge. While it’s not a musical by definition, music runs through every fiber of the film. There’s a one-take shot that serves as a love letter to the long history of Black music that is so expertly directed that it left me leaning forward in my seat, forgetting I was in a movie theater. In addition to the year’s best direction, the film boasts an acting ensemble that scorches the screen. Among the many standouts, Michael B. Jordan shines in my favorite performance by any actor this year. He renders two clearly defined characters in twins Smoke and Stack, giving each their own flavor and identity, and commanding the film at every turn. If you only have time to watch one more movie before turning the page on 2025, make sure it’s Sinners—you can thank me later!