The decade is halfway through, and 2025 has given us moments that dramatically shifted the world we live in, but one consistent thing remains: great movies. We have already gone over the 5 worst movies of 2025, but now it is time to look at the 5 best movies of 2025!
A few films missed the cut due to their late releases, such as Marty Supreme and Avatar: Fire and Ash, but what we have here on this list is still nothing short of incredible filmmaking. This is a crazy list, but only one can, can be crowned the best movie of 2025. Let’s not waste anymore time, here are the
Top 5 Best Movies of 2025
#5: Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning
Nicole Kidman once said, “This is why we go to the movies,” and there is no greater truth than that statement right there. The Mission: Impossible franchise has been a fact of life in pop culture longer than its audience has been alive. The finale of the greatest espionage franchise of all time, you heard me, had to go big for its go-home mission, and boy did it deliver.
While not without its flaws, particularly the pacing and fan service departments, The Final Reckoning is an epic, fun, intense, and amazing send-off to an all-time great franchise. When I left the theater, it was clear to me that Tom Cruise is the greatest movie star of all time. He’s a great actor, without a doubt, but in terms of a star with aura and a resume that speaks for itself, there is no better than Tom. The Final Reckoning, in many senses, feels like a tribute to Tom and his greatness.
The stunts are bonkers, the pressure is immense, the stakes are the highest, and the action is packed. While the rest of this list are all standalone films, Mission: Impossible– The Final Reckoning is why we go to the movies; it is an outstanding adventure and awesome! 8/10!
#4: Eddington
Ari Aster is on a generational run, and I do not understand why this film and his previous, Beau is Afraid, are not receiving the same amount of love that his first two films, Hereditary and Midsommar, are getting. Set in New Mexico in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, a sheriff and the town’s mayor butt heads in an increasingly tense grab for power.
Now, while you would not be wrong for thinking this movie would suck solely based on this being about the COVID-19 Pandemic, that is a catalyst for our story rather than a simple timeframe. Eddington weaponizes the array of political approaches to the pandemic and escalates every second towards an explosive ending that needs to be seen to be believed. The performances between the dueling Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix are strong; their chemistry is intense, and each scene between them intensifies the tension to the point where I was on the edge of my seat, afraid of what would happen next.
Eddington is an expanding balloon that is desperate to pop, and every so often bursts into an angry barrage of violence. I liked Eddington quite a bit, and although I understand why it may not be everyone’s flavor, I still think this film is exciting, visceral, brutal, sharp, and excellent across the board. This is the Neo-Western we have been sorely missing from the movies, as well as a genuinely good film for modern times. Eddington deserves its flowers; it is one of the best movies of 2025, and I will always be here to fight for it. 9/10!
#3: Weapons
I wrote a full review on Zach Cregger’s Weapons a few months back, but for those who missed the film or the review, Weapons is bonkers. At 2:17 AM, all but one student from Justine Gandy’s class disappeared from their homes and were never seen again. The film follows several perspectives from the townsfolk, and it all leads into a demented spiral that no one could have anticipated.
I saw this film in theaters with my girlfriend, and I know I said The Final Reckoning is why we go to theaters, but my experience seeing it with a crowd was top-tier. Zach Cregger’s script is funny and sharp; the story is unique; the performances are all great; and the mystery takes unforeseen turns that never stop being entertaining. Weapons is brutal, electrifying, twisted, funny, and memorable from start to finish.
2025 was a sick (Complimentary) year for horror, and Weapons brought a rad approach to a modern setting with some terrifying mystical elements. Amy Madigan’s performance as Aunt Gladys is a standout in the modern era, and now an Oscar-nominated role. From her look to her dialogue to her presence alone, Amy Madigan is the best, and I cannot wait to see interpretations of her for several Halloweens to come.
This movie was going great and was good until Madigan showed up, and things ramped up to a really awesome nightmare.
Weapons is, as the kids are calling it, a banger, and is as much fun as you can have at the movies. It was a true and worthwhile theater experience, the story snaked into unpredictable regions, and it is by far one of the best movies of 2025. As of now, Cregger is set to direct a Resident Evil film reboot, but after that, I am beyond excited to see what else Zach has next. 9/10!
We are currently in an era of excellent auteur horror, and there are some incredible talents at the top. Among those names is the director of my number 2 pick:
#2: Sinners
Oh man, this is such an awesome movie! A good film gives you a good time, but a great film stays with you in ways you didn’t think it could. Sinners is a great film, and everything you have heard about this movie is true. Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, and the great Buddy Guy all give some lasting performances that could all feasibly win a major award without any complaints.
Ryan Coogler’s direction is absolutely incredible. When I tell you I have never experienced such a euphoric rush watching all of the aspect ratio changes, you know I mean business. Sinners could have just been a cool vampire blockbuster, but Coogler’s approach to this story, world, and perspective blew my damn mind.
I will not have enough time to talk about every theme or detail covered in this film, and that is awesome. This movie is loaded with some of the richest approaches to storytelling and world-building.
Good lord, where do I even begin with Sinners? Michael B. Jordan is incredible playing the Smokestack Twins. The music and score of the film are transcendental to the point that I felt like I was levitating. Coogler’s direction is so good that it brings me to tears.
All of the aspect ratio changes are equivalent to taking your glasses off after eating something good and slamming those glasses down. The coloration and cinematography are the stuff of dreams. The plot is ridiculously great and something I am still trying to wrap my head around.
Sinners Continued
As of this writing, Sinners has become the most-nominated film in Oscar history with 16 nominations. Although I do have favorites in some of the other categories, there is no category where this film is not 100% worthy of winning. Take your pick. Michael B. Jordan can and should win for perfectly playing two brothers. Ludwig Goransson’s score is encapsulating and stunning. Ryan Coogler’s direction is insane. Autumn Durald’s cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. Miles Caton was totally robbed of an Oscar nomination because, oh my god, they put Sammy through so much in this movie, and Caton played it all perfectly.
The lists, names, features, and moments go on forever. I mentioned how a great film stays with you in ways you didn’t know it could. Sinners maintains a space in my brain because every time I try to pick a single scene that I liked the most, I can’t. Each moment is a powerful, packed, and special scene that packs a heavy punch at the time, but hits even harder by the end of the film.
When looking for a clip to put here, I was incredibly fortunate to find the best scene in the movie, which is linked right below this. Truly, this scene is something beyond special, and I have rewatched it ten times since finding it. Enjoy!
I never would have guessed that a vampire movie would feature such intense passion with its themes of race, religion, music, culture, history, love, fear, anger, freedom, wealth, relationships, and/or time. I am still missing at least 13 ideas that this film touched on, but that is okay, because now I have the perfect opportunity to look for more details I missed from my first viewing.
Everything about that is what makes Sinners a great film. It is an absolute monster, no pun intended, and I can not wait to watch it again! Sinners is one of the easiest movies I have ever seen to give a perfect 10/10.
Sinners is the best movie of 2025. Yes, it is, you heard me, but the other best movie of 2025 is yet another beast of a film from one of modern cinema’s greatest directors. That would be
#1: One Battle After Another
Paul. Thomas. Anderson. The last time we saw Paul on the big screen, he gave us the lovely Licorice Pizza. To return to the world with an absolute masterclass in mimicking the insanity of the real world through the lens of a father/ daughter reunion story is bonkers. One Battle After Another is a story of one family’s struggle to reunite, disguised as a war comedy, disguised as a war epic. There is humor and intensity, but at the center of it all, there is heart and determination.
Battle is one of PTA’s strongest films to date and has immensely gratifying rewatch value. With a total runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes, Battle offers more on each rewatch and rewards you with the same good stuff you know already. Action-packed, hilarious, personal, epic, satisfying, and chaotic, One Battle After Another is the full package.
Give everyone every Oscar if you can, because oh my god, this movie rips hard. Every performance is pure perfection. DiCaprio is in top form. Teyana Taylor leaves the biggest impression long after her character exits the movie, and long after watching the film.
Chase Infiniti was robbed of an Oscar nomination because her performance was the best of anyone in the year. Yes, I mean that totally and completely, she was the best. Sean Penn is back at the top after his performance as Colonel Stephen Lockjaw. He is beyond ridiculous, but Penn manages to bring some needed intimidation to the role.
The score reunites Anderson with long-time collaborator and Radiohead member, Johny Greenwood, for another knockout soundtrack. While the coloring is not as lush or broad as the other films on this list, there is so much unmatched beauty in the fiery revolutions, rooftop escapes, desert car chases, monastery takeovers, or even stealth crawls in a karate dojo.
The Best Movie of 2025 Continued
One Battle After Another has so much to say and takes its time to say everything, while never sacrificing entertainment. War is happening, but we are witnessing a small man in a tight shirt take a DNA test while a stoner in a bathrobe chases them in his bathrobe. Stuff like that makes this film special.
If you vaguely described any scene at any point, it sounds ridiculous, but there is real power behind every moment. Final example- a former revolutionary is denied access to a rendezvous point because he smoked too much and forgot the password. Absolute cinema.
One Battle After Another is a densely layered examination of war, governing powers, family, the American Dream, racism, the consequences of past generations, and revolution. Battle is so sick, so funny, so slick, so cool, and an absolute beast of a film. “Epic” has been redefined, and Paul Thomas Anderson is to thank. Watch One Battle After Another if you have not yet, because it is so awesome. 10/10!
The Best Movie of 2025 by Nolen Kelly
2025 had a severe case of banger-after-banger syndrome, and if this list of 5 proves anything, it is that we will be talking about these greats for years to come.
One Battle After Another and Sinners are currently leading the pack in terms of their respective nominations as well as the race to win Best Picture. Eddington, Weapons, and Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning may not have swept the awards, but they are still top-tier examples of peak entertainment.
I have said enough, and I want to hear your thoughts!
What was your favorite movie of 2025?
What did you think of these movies on this list? For more movie lists and reviews, stick around here on Respect My Region!
