10 Best Films of 2025
2025 turned out to be a year where bold visions and quiet personal stories finally met on equal ground. From international gems to unexpected breakthroughs, these ten films didn’t just define the year — they reminded me why I love cinema. Here are the movies that mattered most.
#10 The History of Sound
A haunting, slow-burn meditation on memory, love, and emotional repression, anchored by quietly devastating performances from Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Oliver Hermanus delivers a film that rewards patience with a powerful, lingering emotional payoff.
#9 Die My Love
A hypnotic psychological drama anchored by a stunning Jennifer Lawrence. Lynne Ramsay’s precise direction, immersive cinematography, and sound design make this emotionally demanding film unforgettable.
#8 Pillion
A wild, provocative dive into desire, control, and self-discovery that’s as raw and uncomfortable as it is surprisingly humane. Its audacious story lingers long after the credits roll.
#7 The Secret Agent
A vivid, neo-noir journey through fear, resistance, and hope under Brazil’s military dictatorship, anchored by a powerhouse performance from Wagner Moura. Ordinary people, extraordinary circumstances, and a story full of color, life, and quiet resilience.
#6 Marty Supreme
A chaotic, stylish ride through ambition, ego, and human flaws, carried by an electrifying Timothée Chalamet. A film that’s messy, fast, and full of energy — and impossible not to watch until the very end.
#5 Sentimental Value
A quiet, piercing study of regret, family, and the subtle ways people hurt and heal one another. Trier’s understated storytelling makes the emotional impact feel intimate and profoundly human.
#4 Rebuilding
A tender, quietly powerful story about loss, connection, and the courage it takes to start over. With delicate performances and a warm, empathetic touch, it reminds us that rebuilding isn’t just about what we’ve lost—it’s about who we become in the process.
#3 It Was Just An Accident
A tense, morally complex road movie that explores vengeance, justice, and the lingering scars of oppression. Panahi masterfully balances darkness with humor, creating a story that is as emotionally gripping as it is politically fearless.
#2 One Battle After Another
A sprawling, genre-defying epic that fuses political urgency with intimate human drama. Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a razor-sharp, emotionally charged story of revolution, survival, and the costs of resistance.
#1 Hamnet
A heartbreakingly intimate exploration of grief, love, and parental loss, brought to life with haunting clarity by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Chloé Zhao crafts a poetic, timeless story that resonates far beyond its historical setting.
