The end of 615 Film is here, but we’re going out on the highest of notes.
While it’s bittersweet to see this chapter close, the timing is right, as I detailed this past Monday. Personally, I’m looking forward to a short break. Between the conclusion of 615 Film and wrapping up a busy awards season with my incredible regional critics’ group, a recharge is essential before diving deep into a promising 2026.
Exciting things are on the horizon. Kevin and I are embarking on a new venture this March, with more details coming soon. For now, the best way to stay in the loop on that venture is to subscribe to this newsletter.
But before I head into a brief hibernation, we need to discuss the year in film. Contrary to what some are saying, 2025 wasn’t a “bad” year, though it was certainly a strange one. We had plenty of solid entries, even if truly memorable ones felt scarce. That said, the films that did hit the mark were exceptional.
Without further ado—and starting with a few honorable mentions—here are the best films of 2025. Thank you for reading my work here; your support means the world to me, and I hope you’ll join me on the next journey.
Honorable Mention: Eephus, The Long Walk, Is This Thing On?, F1: The Movie, Ne Zha 2
10. Predator: Badlands
Prey was a triumph, but director Dan Trachtenberg has somehow delivered an even better Predator film just three years later. Predator: Badlands is absolutely badass, offering fresh and improved mythology that manages to humanize the hunter we all love. From the new worlds and creatures to the *wink wink* connection to the Alien universe, every addition here elevates the franchise – and all done without a single human character appearing in the film.
9. The Testament of Ann Lee
“A place for everything and everything in its place.”
From the get-go, this film asks the audience to bear witness to a bold swing, and the results are raw, yet beautiful in this compelling view of the Shaker movement. Depicting genuine faith in film is tricky these days, often limited to the same standard religious stories done over and over again. Although the film and its title might lead viewers to believe that Ann Lee is the sole focal point, Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet argue the opposite. They present a community deeply committed to its religion, emphasizing the powerful bond that ties its members together—a crucial point about the nature of faith that I think some of this film’s earliest viewers have overlooked. Technically, this film is a masterwork: from the score to the choreography, the cinematography, the music, and every other element woven in between (how they do it all on such a minuscule budget amazes me). And anchoring this sweeping endeavor is Amanda Seyfried, who channels profound emotion and keen sensibility into a deeply committed performance that stands as the year’s best female performance.
8. Splitsville
The Fray being mentioned more than once in the year’s best comedy was not on my bingo card. So many gut-busting laughs in this screwball comedy that delivers for its genre, but also has plenty to say when it comes to relationships.
7. Superman
James Gunn’s vibrant vision of The Man of Tomorrow overflows with hope, humility, and grace, capturing the hero’s true essence—something our world desperately needs right now. This superhero has successfully helped revitalize a long-standing genre for a new era, and I can’t wait to see where Gunn’s universe takes us from here. Read our site’s review here.
6. Sentimental Value
Boasting the year’s best ensemble, this touching family dramedy features awards-worthy performances from Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and especially Stellan Skarsgård. Centered on two sisters and their estranged father, the film is both profound and deeply relatable. With several unforgettable sequences and a climax that hits with unexpected force, it is a bittersweet experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
5. Weapons
Zach Cregger’s take on suburban horror goes beyond simple shock and awe—even if the kids running like it’s Naurto have generated so many memes or funny conversations. This film is rich with great characters and themes, creating a layered story that feels like a damn good book you just can’t put down. Cregger’s direction is so tight that even if you can anticipate certain points of the plot, you remain completely locked into the film. And unlike so many other films in this genre, not a minute or a shot is wasted. Featuring the year’s most memorable antagonist and most shocking third act, this towering achievement helps give the audience a much-needed headliner filmmaker for the horror genre. Cregger’s work is proving to be a staple for spooky season, and he’s quickly become a director whose name is worth the price of admission alone.
4. One Battle After Another
Equally thrilling as it is hilarious, the latest from master filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is a timely powder keg of a film. So much has been said about this film, and if you want to add more, then let’s discuss over, “A few small beers.”
3. It Was Just an Accident
The latest from acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi takes a simple revenge setup–a mechanic kidnapping his former tormentor–as a launchpad for a profound, dialogue-heavy exploration of justice, trauma, and retribution. This film, which unmasks the lasting scars of political violence, possesses real heart as the characters confront the evil that ruined their lives through a series of twists and surprising humor, with the film’s final moments powerfully underscoring a tragic truth: no matter what resolution they achieve, it can never truly erase the horrors of their past. Read our site’s review here.
2. Sinners
By blending music and horror, director Ryan Coogler crafts a hypnotic, original experience that made for the best theatrical moviegoing experience of 2025. And when we look back on the year in film for 2025 years from now, we’ll remember Sinners standing out among the rest. Read our site’s review here.
1. Marty Supreme
True to its “Dream Big” tagline, Marty Supreme delivers an explosion of ambition where star power in the form of Timothée Chalamet and paddle power collide. The result is a high-octane character study of a protagonist who leaves a wake of destruction in his pursuit of a Wheaties box cover. In a year defined by chaos both on and off the screen, this film offers a rare brand of escapism that reminds us of why we even think about venturing over to our local movie theater. It’s a cinematic odyssey that finds humor and heart in a sport many consider irrelevant, leaving the audience with a persistent grin and a deep appreciation for this chaotic, niche world. And that ending? The year’s best that puts a nice bow on this story and the year in film as a whole. Read our site’s review here.