Top 25 Films of 2025

I've put out my biggest disappointments of 2025, then my biggest surprises of 2025, which leaves just one more list in my year-end wrap up. It's time to count down my top 25 films of the year, a list that was honestly tough to make thanks to how many great movies we got in 2025. I've written full reviews for most of these so if you want more in depth thoughts just hit the links beside the titles. Before I start I will also preface that these all had to be 2025 releases, so while there are a couple movies I saw at TIFF that may have made their way on here, those will be held off for next year's list. I also haven't had the chance to see every movie I may have wanted, so if you're wondering why something isn't on the list I either haven't gotten around to seeing it, or I just didn't like it more than these 25. Here are a few honourable mentions to get us started: Eephus, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Is This Thing On?, It Was Just an Accident, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Splitsville, The Threesome, Thunderbolts*, Train Dreams, Warfare, Zootopia 2. Now onto the top 25... (edit: it's technically a top 26 now because I started writing this and then saw a movie that absolutely had to be added but since I already wrote about two movies they'll be counted as 25A and 25B)

#25B - Roofman

Roofman was on of those movies that always felt like it would rise above its central premise. The story follows an escaped convict played by Channing Tatum who hides out in a Toys 'r' Us to avoid the police. The premise sounds goofy, but it's based on a true story and has Derek Cianfrance, a quite serious filmmaker, behind the camera. Roofman is a ton of fun, but the heart Cianfrance and Tatum give to the story is really what makes this one special. Tatum's charm and the alleged charismatic persona of the real life man whom this is based on make for a lead character that's impossible not to root for despite his constant string of bad decisions. Bringing back to life an old school Toys 'r' Us and multiple old school McDonalds also infuses this with a ton of nostalgic charm only heightened by the fun dramedic tone Cianfrance delivers. This is such an easy film to recommend to everyone, just an absolute delight.

#25A - The Secret Agent

If you asked me what exactly happened in The Secret Agent I'd honestly struggle to tell you. That's a testament to how great the movie is though, as despite knowing next to nothing about Brazilian politics I was completely hooked. Despite being dropped into a historical landscape without any context for nearly three hours, The Secret Agent grips you from start to finish thanks to a constantly thrilling tone and an incredible lead performance from Wagner Moura. There's so much style on display, and the film balances tones masterfully, without a doubt a film we'll be seeing at the Oscars in the International category.

#24 - Little Amelie or the Character of Rain

2025 wound up being a pretty strong year for animation, and the cream of the crop in my opinion was the short but sweet French film Little Amelie or the Character of Rain. Clocking in at under 80 minutes, this film manages to hit all the right emotional notes in a short amount of time. We follow a little French girl living in Japan who becomes fascinated by her family's housekeeper, discovering the beauty of the world through their friendship. The beauty of adolescence is brought to life through 2D animation filled to the brim with colour, delivering a film that is deeply sentimental but never in a way that feels inauthentic. 

#23 - Jay Kelly - FULL REVIEW

Jay Kelly has sadly fallen off of the awards radar for the most part, which is a shame as I found it to be a highlight of the December movie slate. Starring George Clooney as a world renowned actor, we follow Clooney as the titular Jay Kelly as he comes to a crossroads in his life and career. This is a worthwhile watch even if just for the chemistry between Clooney and Adam Sandler as his manager, but director Noah Baumbach infuses the film with a lot of beautiful ideas regarding the sacrifices needed for greatness and how fame can shape one's relationships. On top of a screenplay that I really appreciated, the film is in my opinion the best Baumbach has made from a visual standpoint, with some beautiful setting captured in gorgeous cinematography. I'd definitely give this one a shot if you haven't already.

#22 - Nouvelle Vague

This is the first of two Richard Linklater movies on this list, and this one is actually the one I was anticipating more. Nouvelle Vague tells the story of the making of Breathless, Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave classic. This was simply a ton of fun as a cinema lover, at times feeling like a film version of an Avengers movie with iconic names randomly popping up all over the place. There's a messiness to the film that I think perfectly encapsulates the story of making Breathless, and Guillaume Marbeck perfectly embodies the role of Godard. I'll always be a sucker for films about filmmaking, and having one of my favourite filmmakers tackling the making of a classic, not to mention doing so in another language, was an absolute treat.

#21 - The Phoenician Scheme - FULL REVIEW

There are few filmmakers as instantly recognizable as Wes Anderson, and somehow after nearly three decades his style still hasn't gotten old. Where I've struggled a bit with some of his recent work is just trying to figure out what is actually going on, and there's a lot of The Phoenician Scheme that echoes that confusion. Despite not always knowing where Anderson was going with this story, the film is an absolute riot. I was laughing from start to finish thanks in equal parts to Anderson's script and the deadpan performances of everyone in the ensemble but especially Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton. The sets and cinematography are great as always with Anderson's work, but his ability here to have the comedy constantly hitting is what made this a highlight of the year for me.

#20 - 28 Years Later

Were it not for a bizarre ending serving the main purpose of setting up the next film, this would rank a lot higher. Up until the insane tonal shift in the last minute this is a somber, emotional entry to the zombie subgenre with a lot more depth than I expected. Director Danny Boyle is pulling out all kinds of camera tricks as he throws us into a Britain nearly three decades deep into a zombie pandemic. What wowed me most with this one though is how human it is, focusing less on the infected and more on the relationship between a young man and his sick mother. Alfie Williams is a revelation, with Jodie Comer delivering great work as his mother and Ralph Fiennes playing one of the most fascinating characters of 2025. This follow up to 28 Weeks Later was long awaited, so I'm glad we're already getting the next entry in a week.

#19 - The Ballad of Wallis Island - FULL REVIEW

Once in a while I think we all need a movie that gives us that fuzzy feeling of warmth. The Ballad of Wallis Island feels almost like it's from another era in how much of a by the numbers crowd pleaser it is, but that's what makes it work. You know exactly where the story is going but you don't care because of how charming everyone involved is. Whether it be Tom Basden gruff grouchiness, Tim Key's almost childlike joy and innocence, or Carey Mulligan sitting somewhere in the middle, the characters here are impossible not to love, and the film's focus on folk music only adds to that cozy nostalgic feeling. This is the kind of movie I think you can recommend to pretty much everyone, a must watch for anyone that needs a bit of joy on a rainy day.

#18 - Black Phone 2 - FULL REVIEW

This checked in at the #2 spot on my top 10 surprises of 2025, and now I get to talk about it again. As I said in that list, I enjoyed The Black Phone quite a bit, but Black Phone 2 is just a step up in pretty much every way. I love how this one used the supernatural elements of the first to keep the story going, and Ethan Hawke is even creepier in this one. I'm obsessed with the grainy look of the cinematography and the at times distorted sound design, and I won't lie, there were moments that scared the shit out of me. This was a bold and exciting horror sequel that I absolutely loved.

#17 - Materialists - FULL REVIEW

My #1 movie of 2023 was Celine Song's debut Past Lives, so I was beyond excited for Materialists. As time has passed I'm not as enthusiastic about it as when I first saw it back in June, but it's still easily one of my top 20 of the year. It may not be the throwback rom-com that some expected it to be, but I loved how Song dissected the complexities of modern dating and the transactional approach to it many take nowadays. The trio of Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal is amazing, with Evans doing some of his best work, but really it's the way Song highlights the importance of genuine connection amidst the messiness of the dating world that made this speak to me. I wish the masses gave this one more credit, as I think it's a lot deeper of a film than some people give it credit for.

#16 - Eternity - TIFF REVIEW

Back to back romantic comedies on the list, but Eternity gets a slight leg up for hitting both my love of rom-coms and my constantly spiraling fear of not knowing what comes next after we die. If you haven't seen Eternity yet, go see it right now, it's the kind of romantic comedy that truly feels made for everyone. It follows Elizabeth Olsen as a woman who passes away and arrives in the afterlife, where her husband of 65 years is waiting for her, along with her previous husband who died in war. There's so much natural emotion in the drama of choosing between the one you lost and the one you spent your life with, and the trio of Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner each bring so much charm to the screen. Seeing Teller playing an elderly man is worth the price of admission alone. Alongside the trio though, we have a truly hilarious Da'Vine Joy Randolph performance, and an intricately crafted portrait of the afterlife packed with tons of detail and creativity. Loved this movie.

#15 - Bugonia - FULL REVIEW

Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most interesting filmmakers working today, and his latest collaboration with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons only further cements that. Following a conspiracy theorist (Plemons) who kidnaps the CEO of a major company (Stone) under the belief that she is secretly an alien. This is actually a remake of a 2003 South Korean film that I definitely need to see, but there's no question that this is a Lanthimos film through and through. His bizarre style is all over this, but what I loved so deeply about the film is how well Stone and Plemons bounce off of each other to make you as a viewer question whether she is an alien or not. The ending is certainly divisive, but this is just such a fun watch.

#14 - Frankenstein - TIFF REVIEW

Is there a clearer match made in heaven than Guillermo del Toro bringing his fondness for monsters to arguably the most iconic monster novel in history? I don't think so. Mary Shelley's iconic novel has been adapted countless times before, but no one has felt more right to tackle the story than del Toro. Sure enough, he brings his tender style to this often misunderstood story, giving us a portrayal of the monster that truly empathizes with him. When the Oscars come around I doubt anything will stand a chance against the production, costume, or hair and makeup design here, as del Toro's team is firing on all cylinders as always. Frankenstein is just simply gorgeous, with cinematography worthy of an art gallery and sets that I'd kill to visit. 

#13 - Wake Up Dead Man - TIFF REVIEW

Rian Johnson's whodunnit series is easily one of my favourite franchises running today. Knives Out was on of the best of 2019, and while not quite as strong Glass Onion was still a blast. Wake Up Dead Man waits longer than either previous film to bring Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc into the fold, but in doing so gives us the series' best side character thus far in Josh O'Connor as Father Jud Duplenticy. Johnson brings a religious gothic style to this film that throws a bit of eeriness into the mix while also tackling some pretty deep ideas regarding faith and religion. The whole of the ensemble is a bit weaker than the previous films, but Craig and O'Connor more than make up for it, and the mystery at hand is a ton of fun to watch unfold.

#12 - Resurrection

Resurrection is the highest ranking movie on this list that I don't have a separate review for, largely thanks to just how big and hard to dissect the film is. Bi Gan's epic is set in a world where people have sacrificed the ability to dream in exchange for immortality, and follows the last dreams of a deviant (one who still dreams). This essentially plays out as an epic of loosely related vignettes all tied in some way to the five senses. The end result is a sprawling and ethereal vision of the power of dreaming and cinema brought to life with some of the most visionary production design and cinematography I've seen in some time. The vignettes are each fascinating on their own, but the way they eventually become tied together in the film's gorgeous ending really sold this as one of my favourites of the year. An amazing musical score only adds to a true beast of a film, this is a complex one but a rewarding one at that.

#11 - Sorry, Baby - FULL REVIEW

To echo Julia Roberts' sentiments from the Golden Globes this weekend: go watch Sorry, Baby. Eva Victor's debut is an equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking dramedy about a woman struggling to get her life back on track after something traumatic happens to her. Victor handles sensitive topics with the perfect amount of tenderness, and the supporting cast of Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch only add to Victor's terrific lead performance. Whether it be the dialogue or the film's structure, Victor's script is damn near perfect, and with topical subject matter handled in such a strong way this is an easy must watch.

#10 - The Chronology of Water - FULL REVIEW

And now we reach the film that led to this top 25 list having 26 movies in it. Upon seeing Kristen Stewart's debut feature there was no way I was leaving it off this list. Based on Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir of the same name and featuring a masterful performance from Imogen Poots, Stewart's debut is a fierce and somewhat abstract look at the self-destructive life of a woman whose autonomy is stripped from her at a young age. Through the cinematography and sound, this is an angry film that will definitely not work for everyone, but the amount of passion Stewart pushed into this and her clear, singular vision make it one that absolutely wowed me. Not one I would recommend to all, but definitely a film I connected with deeply.

#9 - The Life of Chuck - TIFF REVIEW

It's been almost a year and a half since I first saw The Life of Chuck at TIFF, and it's still a film I hold dear. I'm a massive Stephen King fan and Mike Flanagan is in my opinion the best horror filmmaker working today, so the two teaming up again was already enough to have me excited. What really stands out about The Life of Chuck though is having these two working away from the horror genre, where their more emotional sensibilities get to shine. Flanagan is a master of horror, but his work (especially his television work) always has an emotional side to it. King is often cited as THE master of horror, but throughout his work there are countless instances where his writing captures real beauty. The Life of Chuck may be overly sentimental at times, but it delivers an existential look at a man's life that hit all the right notes with me. It's a film that makes you laugh and cry, and it's unique narrative structure gives an exciting spin to the story. I love this one, and it's one I can easily see myself revisiting countless times down the road.

#8 - Blue Moon - FULL REVIEW

Now we get to the second of the two Richard Linklater films on here, with Blue Moon surprisingly being the one I wound up gravitating towards most. Blue Moon is a chamber piece following Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart on the opening night of his former writing partner's new musical Oklahoma!. This is simply everything I love in a Linklater movie. It feels like you're just hanging out with all these characters for the entirety of the film's runtime as Hawke rambles out brilliant dialogue. He plays Hart with a hypocritical dance between kissing the ass of his contemporaries and besmirching their work behind their back. It's a portrait of a clearly insecure artist at a crossroads in their career and Hawke nails that. The ensemble around him make the film even more special, with terrific turns from Margaret Qualley, Andrew Scott, Bobby Cannavale, and Jonah Lees. For a film taking place almost entirely in one setting, it's beyond impressive how entertaining this is, truly feeling like you're watching a great stage play.

#7 - No Other Choice - TIFF REVIEW

Park Chan-wook is among the most exciting filmmakers from South Korea, and his latest film No Other Choice continues his string of incredible work. In this dark-comedy thriller we follow a man recently laid off from his long time job as he realizes the best way to find a new one is to take out the competition. Lee Byung-hun's lead performance is terrific, as he perfectly balances the film's comedic sensibilities with the underlying sadness and disappointment of a man stuck in his position. Chan-wook's filmmaking is a ton of fun, with truly one of a kind cinematography and editing. Clocking in at nearly two and a half hours this is certainly a long film, but it flies by thanks to how entertaining and topical it is. If you've been waiting for something similar to Parasite this is the one for you.

 

#6 - Marty Supreme - FULL REVIEW

And now we reach the Christmas film of the year. Marty Supreme is the latest Timothee Chalamet movie and also the one that had cinephiles questioning whether they could sneak away from Christmas dinner for three hours. Director Josh Safdie follows up Uncut Gems with another chaotic saga of an egotistical man in the midst of a constant string of bad decisions, this time with the central character being a professional ping pong player. While the focus is more on Marty's constant stream of chaos, the actual table tennis scenes are low-key exhilarating, and Chalamet gives one of his best performances as a despicable character you can't help but root for. Throw in great supporting performances from Odessa A'zion, Tyler the Creator, and shockingly Kevin O'Leary, and you have the big hit of the holiday movie season. Now if someone could just send me one of the Marty Supreme jackets that would be much appreciated.

#5 - Weapons - FULL REVIEW

Weapons deserves a high spot here just for how it ruined other movies for most of August. I saw it twice and then any time I saw something I didn't love I'd walk out and see Weapons next door and just think "damn, I could have been watching Weapons again." Zack Cregger's sophomore film is just awesome, a non-linear horror movie following multiple different points of view as we piece together a strange but gripping story. The whole ensemble is terrific, with Amy Madigan being a clear standout so strong she's even getting awards recognition, something very rare for a horror movie. Alongside her are great turns from Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, and Alden Ehrenreich, as well as some sneaky great cinematography. This is such a big swing from Cregger and he hit it out of the park.

#4 - Sinners - FULL REVIEW

What is there to say that hasn't already been said about Sinners? Ryan Coogler's period vampire epic is just a remarkable feat of filmmaking that has managed to stay relevant all throughout the year despite coming out back in April. Whether it be the masterful dual performance from Michael B. Jordan, the revelation that is Miles Caton, the immensely captivating Jack O'Connell, or any of the incredible supporting performers, this is just an outstanding cast. The cinematography may just be the year's best, but it is somehow one upped by Ludwig Goransson's score. It's a film that works as both a social commentary and a brilliant genre flick, and in one jaw dropping scene manages to showcase how the history of music has often been weaved by black musicians. There are just too many great moments here, and the fact that it only clocks in at #4 just goes to show you how strong this year was for cinema.

#3 - Hamnet - TIFF REVIEW

While Sinners blew me away more from a filmmaking standpoint, Hamnet gets a slight leg up due to the way it resonated with me emotionally. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's incredible historical fiction novel, this follows a fictional account of the loss of Shakespeare's son Hamnet and its influence on Hamlet. What makes this such an interesting story though is the choice to not follow Shakespeare himself but his wife Agnes. Agnes' grief is only heightened by the absence of her husband as he spends most of his time in London while she and the kids live in the country. Chloe Zhao tackles this story with a beauty and tenderness that allow all of its emotional richness to shine through, and Jessie Buckley's lead performance is one for the ages. Throw in Paul Mescal as Shakespeare himself, and the incredible use of Max Richter's "On the Nature of Daylight", and you have one of the most moving films of the year. This also introduced the world to Jacobi Jupe, this kid should be a star.

#2 - One Battle After Another - FULL REVIEW

One Battle After Another may not be in the top spot, but Paul Thomas Anderson seemingly being a lock to earn his first Oscar fills me with joy. PTA has been one of the greats going all the way back to the 90s, so seeing him deliver what may be his best work and getting the mass acclaim he has is just amazing. One Battle After Another is just one of a kind, offering a sprawling epic that when you boil it down is really just a story of a father trying to get to his daughter. The film somehow offers a wild blend of gut busting laughs and pulse pounding tension, leaving the end result something that constantly hooks you in a variety of different ways. The performances are incredible around the board, with Benicio del Toro being a personal favourite, and Leonardo Dicaprio is doing some of his best recent work. The whole second act is a masterpiece on its own, but thrown in the sharply political opening and the thrilling car chase in the third act, and you have nearly three hours of just incredible cinema. Here's hoping the Modelos are flowing come Oscar night.

#1 - Sentimental Value - TIFF REVIEW

My top film of 2021 was The Worst Person in the World, so even before its Cannes debut Sentimental Value was my most anticipated of the year (and boy did it deliver). I still think I prefer Joachim Trier and Renate Reinsve's previous collaboration, but Sentimental Value still hit all the right notes for me. This features a quartet of some of 2025's absolute best performances. Reinsve plays a below the surface sadness in a beautiful way that reminded me a lot of Paul Mescal in Aftersun, and it's such a small thing but the way she looks as though she's thinking through so many of the things she says make her performance feel so much more authentic than anything I saw all year. Stellan Skarsgard as a father who struggled to balance his work with caring for his kids give the film such a rich and complex emotional dynamic that we just don't see enough, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas acts as the film's beating heart as a middle man between Reinsve and Skarsgard. Throw in Elle Fanning as an actor wanting to do something lasting but struggling to connect with her director, and the end result is a film that offers a profound look at the complexities of family and the arts. The craft on display is also magnetic, with a central set that feels like a character on its own, a stunning score from Hania Rani, and editing that constantly cuts to black to let the previous scene's emotions linger for a little longer. This was my favourite ending of any film last year, and it's a film that hooked me from start to finish thanks to Trier's beautiful direction and the truly phenomenal performances. As soon as the Cannes buzz came out it felt like nothing else was going to have a shot, and sure enough Sentimental Value was my absolute favourite of 2025.