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The year 2025 was excellent for cinema. Whether you’re a fan of horror or heartbreak, secrets or superheroes, there was something great for everyone. With the close of the year and the beginning of awards season, here are five films from the last 12 months that rose to the top of the pile.
This film is arguably the culmination of everything Timothée Chalamet has been working toward for the last five years. Marty Mauser is a little bit Bob Dylan, a little Paul Atreides, and just a dash of Willy Wonka, distilled into a story about ambition, deception and the earth-shattering importance of international table tennis.
“Marty Supreme” is not a walk in the park; it’s easily the most stress-inducing trip to the theater you’ll have this season, but it’s wholly entertaining and awash with flawless performances. The choice to cast numerous non-professional actors, including rapper Tyler the Creator and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, gives the whole thing a grounded energy and helps elevate what is certain to be Chalamet’s first Oscar-winning performance.
The event movie of the summer received applause from critics and audiences alike, and for good reason. Despite coming off an impressive run of films, Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance in years as a burned-out former revolutionary who is determined to rescue his daughter, played to perfection by newcomer and future superstar Chase Infiniti.
It’s everything you love about a classic western transplanted onto an uncomfortably modern America. At its core, it’s a funny, heartwarming story about fatherhood and duty, but when told against the backdrop of a country in distress and in the constant shadow of a nefarious authoritarian society, it becomes the kind of movie that will remain relevant for decades to come.
The first big hit of the year remains one of its best. Ryan Coogler’s action-horror masterpiece took the world by storm on release, and it set the standard for what a smart, exciting blockbuster could be. Paired with beautiful cinematography and unparalleled musical numbers, it’s the kind of movie Hollywood just doesn’t make anymore.
While not what you might consider a traditional monster movie, “Sinners” sprinkles classic vampire mythology into a story about liberation in the deep south, an approach that is nothing short of genius. And with career-defining turns from Michael B. Jordan, Jack O’Connell and Hailee Steinfeld, plus one of the best finales of the year, “Sinners” is a great pick even for audiences that don’t usually lean toward scary movies.
DC Studios took its first outright victory over Marvel since 2008 last year with “Superman,” a new reimagining of the big blue Boy Scout that, in addition to being a great movie, feels intrinsically linked to the world of today. While it might not reach the iconic status of the original 1978 classic, it’s a spectacular return to form for the franchise and a brilliant interpretation of the character.
Despite being another movie about Superman versus Lex Luthor, it’s not afraid to take risks, and it fully leans into the wacky side of old comic books in a way that feels almost revolutionary. Maybe it’s the influence of all the dark, edgy interpretations of the character we’ve had recently in shows like “The Boys” and “Invincible,” but it feels good to finally have a Superman who wants to be a hero.
Benoit Blanc’s latest mystery may well be his best, and it delivers in all the ways we’ve come to expect from our own American Poirot. As with “Knives Out,” the real star of the show is the detective’s sidekick, this time brought to life by Josh O’Connor. His turn as a troubled young priest is by far his best performance yet, and his dynamic with Daniel Craig, who takes to his role once again like a duck to water, is a real highlight of a movie packed with highlights.
It’s another great mystery full of great characters, able to balance sincerity and humor without having to sacrifice either. The movie will keep you guessing to the end and works just as well on a second viewing as you pick up on all the missed clues. If you’re looking for a solid family movie to get people talking, you really can’t go wrong with this franchise. Let’s hope they make a dozen more.
Other honorable mentions from 2025 include “Weapons,” “28 Years Later,” “Frankenstein,” “Black Bag” and “The Naked Gun.”
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