My 10 Favourite Films of 2025

I watched over 400 movies this year, and while only about 150 of those were new releases, a surprising number left a real impact.
According to my Letterboxd, there are around 40 films that I genuinely loved, but for the sake of this column, I’ve narrowed it down to 10. These movies truly stood out to me, and to be honest, some sneaked their way onto the list over the last few days.
I’ll also throw in 10 movies that narrowly missed the cut. These aren’t necessarily the best or biggest movies of the year, they’re the ones that stuck with me, challenged me, and reminded me why I keep coming back to the cinema. Simply put, these are my 10 favourite movies of the year.

10. Better Man
Better Man stands out as a biopic that refuses to play by the usual rules. It’s creative, emotionally raw, and willing to take risks, which made it one of the most memorable and affecting film experiences I had all year. I still listen to the soundtrack almost every day, and before that I hardly ever listened to Robbie Williams. I also want to add that him being played by a monkey was pretty cool.

9. Predator: Killer of Killers
Predator: Killer of Killers strips the franchise back to its most essential elements. It’s tense, brutal, and focused, making the Predators feel genuinely terrifying again through sheer atmosphere and restraint. It is three movies in one, and it expands the franchise and makes me hopeful for the future of the franchise. After watching Badlands, I’m even more excited to see who will be the next Yautja prey.

8. Avatar: Fire and Ash
With Avatar: Fire and Ash, James Cameron once again delivers jaw-dropping spectacle, but this time with a darker emotional edge. The film expands Pandora in bold ways while grounding the story in grief, conflict, and consequence. I used to be one of those people who continuously dismissed this franchise, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t wait to see where they go next. I trust that James Cameron will go even bigger.

7. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc blends explosive action with surprising emotional depth. Beneath the chaos and violence is a tragic, intimate story that perfectly captures why this series resonates so strongly. We’re also getting a season 2 to the show, which means there might be another movie in the works as well. This was my first anime-in-cinemas experience, and I can’t wait for more.

6. Wake Up Dead Man
Wake Up Dead Man is a mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s clever without being smug, layered without being confusing, and consistently rewards close attention. The performances blew me away. It perfectly balances the serious stuff with the humour. This is one of those franchises that always hits the mark, and hopefully there are more Benoit Blanc stories in the future.

5. Superman
Superman reminded me why the character has endured for generations. It focuses on empathy, hope, and responsibility, delivering a sincere and uplifting take that understands the heart of the Man of Steel. Some say it’s controversial, and I say it’s the best Superman adaptation ever. I trust James Gunn with this character, and I want nothing but success for the DCU.

4. F1
F1 pulls you in with sheer energy and immersion, making every race feel urgent and personal. It balances adrenaline with obsession and pressure, even for viewers who aren’t hardcore fans of the sport. I actually became a bigger F1 fan because of the movie. I now play the F1 games, and I try to keep up with all the news and races.

3. Thunderbolts*
With Thunderbolts⁎, Marvel delivered something refreshingly rough around the edges. The film thrives on flawed characters and moral grey areas, feeling more like a character study than a standard superhero spectacle. Apart from Spider-Man: No Way Home, I think this is the best MCU film post-Endgame. It’s definitely a story I needed, and most of the characters feel like a reflection of myself.

2. One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another takes a restrained, deeply human approach to politics. By focusing on the psychological cost rather than spectacle, it delivers some of the most quietly powerful moments of the year. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his best performances to date, and the supporting cast is really strong. This might be my favourite Paul Thomas Anderson movie.

1. Sinners
At the top of my list is Sinners, a film that lingered in my mind long after it ended. Its moral complexity, emotional weight, and refusal to offer easy answers made it the movie that affected me most this year. I really don’t have to say much, because I talked a lot about this movie. It not only had a big cultural impact, it also had an impact on the film industry. This is the kind of movie people want to experience in theatres. It’s the kind of movie that makes my work worth doing.

Just missing out on the top 10 were Frankenstein, Zootopia 2, Final Destination: Bloodlines, KPop Demon Hunters, and The Accountant 2. If you want to see the rest of my favourite film list, then go follow me on Letterboxd.