2025 Movies - My Top 10
First published: Monday January 5th, 2026
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2025 has been a good year for movies, atleast I would say so. This year, I got into movies due to having an excess of time on my hand and movies providing a great source of entertainment in a short time. I am not calling myself any film expert or anything close to it, because I am not; but the way I see movies has changed and evolved a lot this year. Maybe time to change from GeoPhilia to CinePhilia.
As of writing this blog, I saw over 40 movies that were released in 2025. This is a record for me, most movies watched in their release year. What better way to celebrate the start of the new year than looking back at the previous year and giving my top 10?
Brief note, all the images and posters used in this blog are sourced from TMDB.
Honorable Mentions
Before I delve to my top 10, I want to take a moment to talk about some of the good and unique movies I saw that didn't make the cut for my top 10. I'll divide them into 3 for English language and 3 for foreign language.
English Language Honorable Mentions:
Sorry, Baby
A directorial debut by Eva Victor, the movie explores themes related to struggles in the life of a woman, how just by existing she is at a disadvantage. The movie is one of the best indie movies I have seen all year, how it manages to explore the themes and how she just has to 'continue to live with it'. There are a lot of small moments in the movie that make me love it; the sandwich they share, the courtroom scene, the friendship and the monologue at the end. The movie knew how to end on a monologue.
The Long Walk
The best Stephen King adaption of the year, there were 4 and I watched 3 of those. I have read the novel as well and the novel has this grim, dark vibe - a feeling of dread and hopelessness. In some ways the movie failed to capture that for me, but on the other hand the movie had a world of its own, one of horror and surprise and shocks, which I think works for the better in the movie. A solid adaption with great performances with so many rising actors. The chemistry between the various characters also captured my heart.
Train Dreams
Set in the Pacific North-West, in Train Dreams we follow along the life of a man, from the start of the 20th century to his death. The movie shows us various people he met along his life, some he loved, some he didn't; the various tragedies he encountered; the misfortune that struck him and the little meaning of his life he kept looking for. An unexpected brilliance in story telling for me personally, its cinematography made me feel I was right there in Idaho. A simple story, but a wonderful one.
Foreign Language Honorable Mentions:
Caramelo - Brazil
Look, I'll be upfront with you, if you are seeking for some "Absolute Cinema", this ain't it. It is a simple story and very much a 'Netflix Slop', but my god is it an adorable slop. You make an adorable movie about the relationship between a human and a dog, you will get a mention in my list. I'm a simple man. It was an emotional ride but the feel good factor makes it leave a better taste in my mouth. It is sweet and heartwarming and I love it.
Brilliant acting from Amendoim (the dog) here, maybe the best acting we have seen from a canine this year? Nahh Indy, our "Good Boy" takes the cake for that. We need a "Best Canine Actor" award category this year.
Fun fact, this was the last movie I watched in 2025. As for the movie itself, it takes you on a roadtrip in the deserts of Morocco. You rave, you grief, you dance, you cry, the movie's got it. EDM makes a big part of the music in the movie, along with the rave culture. I am not a fan of EDM, not my thing; but the way the movie incorporated EDM in the background blew me away. About halfway through the movie, something happens which changes the mood of the movie drastically, and it took me by surprise. I was feeling uneasy, something is bound to go wrong, but the one moment I felt relief, it all went downhill (no pun intended). The movie's end left me unsatisfied, it felt unfinished in some ways, but the whole story preceding the ending made me think sometimes things are tend to be unresolved and nothing we can do about that.
10. The Naked Gun
Pure comedy is a hard genre. To make people laugh and keep it going for a feature length runtime? One of the hardest things to achieve. VFX and cinematography is cool and all, but to engage people with the movie in a way a comedy does, it is beautiful, and sometimes feel like a remnant of past. The Naked Gun, however, challenged the comedy style and presented an absolute banger.
I haven't ever laughed more at a movie I think, every minute there is a gag, a joke, something funny and the whole time I was losing my shit at this movie. So funny and incredible. While typing this I am realizing I should also watch the older Naked Guns, and guess what I am gonna do that real soon. Maybe I should have watched those beforehand for a better experience, but even without them the new Naked Gun was so fun that it shows the versatility of the movie.
Just with how much it made me laugh, this movie secures a spot in my top 10. There isn't anything much deep honestly, just a pure comedy gag from the starting scene to the end credits. Its a really fun movie and I would definitely recommend it. The performances by everyone is fantastic and they land the jokes really well. The movie is not even trying to be anything more than what it is and I love it for that.
Legacy sequels are always a little off in my eyes, and not having seen the original I can't say much for this one, but from what I have read, this was one of the better legacy sequels we have seen. I did see the old and the new Freaky Friday and for the most part I'd say that was also done well.
9. Bugonia
I found out about Yorgos Lanthimos this year through Poor Things. Immediately the unique style and the characterization made me fell in love with the movie, with the brilliant performance by Emma Stone, something we see in Bugonia as well. I followed it with The Lobster and Killing of the Sacred Deer, then finally Bugonia. There is a very different atmosphere in the earlier Lanthimos movie, make them feel almost like aliens pretending to be human, something which Bugonia lacked. Don't get me wrong, in its own right Bugonia was great, just saying it 'felt different', which isn't inherently a bad thing.
Focusing on just the Bugonia, it was a thrilling ride. Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone shine with their acing. The movie keeps you on your toes, always guessing. Till the very end I was not sure what will happen. There was a Lanthimos touch in the movie with some absurdist elements and given the theme of the movie those work beautifully.
I am a sucker for weird science fiction movies, having gone into the movie only knowing the premise I was expecting to be pleased and the movie did not dissapoint. In many ways the movie and the characters were witty, they kept challenging the viewers, and I loved that. At one point the movie just explains to you what is happening and I remember thinking "nah the characters are just making this up.", and then till the end you just think 'wait were they for real or just being crazy?' which isn't a stretch with how crazy the movie's scope is.
The movie ends with a scene that I can only describe as hauntingly beautiful. It made me feel empty but in awe and gave me a moment to ponder on the movie.
8. Homebound
Despite being from India, I didn't see a lot of Indian movies. I know, I should watch more, but very rarely I find something that interests me. I don't know what it is but Indian cinema is based on a style that doesn't work with me. But Homebound, from when I first found out about this I knew I need to watch it. The movie is about a friendship, a bond that can never be broken. The movie explores the bond, explores the ups and downs in the friendship and how despite everything their bond perseveres through any and all hardships.
The movie tackles a lot of the themes, their friendship as I mentioned, as well as the discrimination faced by both of them (one of the friends is considered an 'untouchable' by the Hindu caste system, the other is muslim man in a period where religion based tensions are on the high), and the response of the government to Covid-19 and how it negatively affected those already in a worse condition in the society. Some might argue that it works against the movie and makes it more convoluted than it needs to be. But I think these elements add to the story as for a common man these struggles stack up, every passing day becomes harder and just when you need hope the most, you feel the most helpless.
The performances by the actors wasn't anything fantastic, but the story was crafted beautifully. The third act took a sharp turn and changed the scope of the movie, but it made me sob uncontrollably. The pain it showed, the hardships with the appropriate determination, but still. I will not go too much into the spoilers, but it was a tough watch.
7. No Other Choice
Being a movie critic in this economy? Can you imagine? No time for jokes, I need to go fight for a job in this over saturated market. Let me prepare my chainsaw and a roman era full body armor.
No Other Choice is a satirical cautionary tale about the perils of job market in the modern economy, the layoffs and how they affect the people. Obviously for every country the situation is different, but with the wave of AI and automation related to that; as well as modern robotics, there has never been more uncertainties about jobs in such a widespread way, in the recent times.
The movie is in some ways very funny, but at others it can feel just as brutal. It is a satire but that is easy to forget while watching it. There's just something about this movie, the way it was shot and the way characters were portrayed. It walks on a fine line between satire and a thriller drama, something that helps elevate the movie. By leaning too much into either side, the movie might have strayed a bit too much from its course.
The desperation for a job presented in the movie feels on point, and portrays a failure of the system it exists in. The worth of the man is determined by his job, when every individual is much more than that. The movie laid emphasis on how worthless the main character feels without a job, and in the system he would feel like that; it shows how the system is designed to make you feel like you are doing something wrong if you don't help accelerate it, and forces you to lose your morals for it.
Don't expect any Parasite, another Korean satirical black comedy movie about the class differences, from this; it is not. And honestly I am a little sick of people making this comparison. The two movies deal with two completely different topics, they are connected only by their genres and country. A movie should not be seen in tandem with another work by another auteur, the movie stands really well on its own and I don't think anyone would regret watching this.
One last thing, the kids in the movie are named Si-One and Ri-One, and the dogs are named Si-Two and Ri-Two. I love that.
6. Weapons
A movie's marketing campaign has never grabbed me the same as Weapons. I love its marketing campaign, the posters, the teasers, the story being crafted months before the movie is even released. A new installment by Zech Creggar, I watched his Barbarian as well a few months before Weapons was released and knew if this is what he was able to offer, Weapon would be good.
I have never lived in a small American town, but the general vibe of the movie, the reactions of the people, it all felt so close yet so distant. The movie, it is debated what it is about, but Creggar has made it clear, is about grief and how people cope with it. There are obvious parallels to be made with the school shootings in US, but that would be looking at the movie from a single perspective and not seeing all the layers. The movie is about the community reacting to a grief, the collective grief and then moving on. The second part is easier for some than others, some may be trapped in the grief stage for a long time and despite it being visible to the whole world, they wouldn't get the help they need.
The movie itself, I love the storytelling. I watched Magnolia by PTA and after that found out in some ways Weapons was inspired by Magnolia and upon a rewatch that much was clear. The way the story is told if unique, everyone reacts differently to the difficult situation presented and this helped to show those various perspectives. Plus, I love when movies try something unique than just linear storytelling. Characters are great and memorable, Aunt Gladys lives in my head now (guess she found her next host, hehe). Her presence simply enhanced every scene she was in. And not just her, but the way others reacted to her is also fascinating; when the principal prevented Aunt Gladys from entering his home, his husband invited her in and that scene seems so simple but also so effective in showing her. There are various theories about the movie, and it is fun to think about these.
The movie is scary at times, but also very funny. Made by one of the "Whitest Kids U' Know", the comedy element shines. It probably has the funniest scene of the year near the climax. Due to the seriousness of the matter and difference in theatre going attiquettes, my hall was more or less completely silent during the screening. When that scene came, I was internally laughing loudly and my cousin leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Would it be okay if I laugh out loud right now?", followed by a hearty laugh from the both of us.
5. It Was Just An Accident
So fun fact about this movie, it was made illegally! And the director got a prison sentence for making this movie! Fun, I know. Iranian Director Jafar Panahi's latest movie, It Was Just An Accident, follows an extraordinary day in the now ordinary lives of those who were once oppressed. The movie is bold in how it treats its characters, bold in the questions it asks and moral dilemma it presents. It is an engaging story and will leave you confused as to what is even happening, but with time the past becomes clear and the pieces start to fall in places.
Despite a seemingly simple movie, it is very layered and speaks a lot. The movie also feels very close to its portrayal of the 'everyday people'. The way different people reacted to this event I will not spoil, it makes for a great character study. It has one of my favorite endings of the 2025 movies, the last 20 minutes were so gripping. There wasn't much happening, but a lot happened.
The movie felt grounded in a way with how it was shot, rather than it being a movie you'd think you are simply just following this group of people in a bustling Iranian city. In no way it is a big budget blockbuster with VFX and CGI and all that jazz, and you do not need those to make a great movie.
Though it is not a necessary information, in my opinion the story of how the movie was made and the behind the scenes, as well as what happens afterwards only adds to the experience. In some ways, it seems that the movie is being played in real life simultaneously, and it has played in the past as well.
4. The Ugly Stepsister
You all know about "The Substance", right? Have you ever wondered what would happen if we mixed The Substance and Cinderella? Well, that is exactly what The Ugly Stepsister is. A Norwegian movie set in a time long ago, it tells the tale of someone who has lived in the shadows and that someone who tried to make a spot for themselves in a world where beauty is the currency.
I am so very fond of this movie, the way it portrays its themes and the manner in which it connects to a story we all know. It acts as a perfect allegory of how those who are deemed 'unworthy' by the society will do to extreme lengths just to prove they are equal, or rather how they are forced to prove that. The familiar setting helps elevate this and shows the fairy tale from a new angle.
The movie had gore - nasty, odious body gore - this is not for everyone. Hell, even for me a few of the scenes were hard to watch and I had to physically shield my eyes. But here, I'd argue this gore was needed to sell the point, unlike a certain movie.
I did not like The Substance (if that wasn't obvious yet), hated the body horror in it and judged it way too harshly. But The Ugly Stepsister brought us a story more relatable to the common people and in a way more connecting. It doesn't seem like a science fiction dystopian invention, it feels real. Something The Substance failed at. The body horror elements in The Ugly Stepsister were done marvelously and made me feel sick so yay! You feel the pain, both physical and emotional.
3. Frankenstein
This was my most anticipated movie of the year. In the whole list, Frankenstein and Weapons were the only two movies I was somewhat excited to see. I watched it the weekend it was released digitally, and may I just say how big of a shame it is that this movie did not get a full theatrical release? The movie was stunning to watch, I loved every second of it. But I had to watch it on my laptop, I did not even have an opportunity to go to theater and fully immerse myself in the movie. I want that, and I don't like that Netflix is slowly taking that away from me. This movie deserved so much more.
Netflix rant aside, lets talk about the movie. I had full trust in Del Toro and he delivered. The man loves his monsters, you can see that. This was, surprisingly, my first time consuming any Frankenstein media. I have seen its reference in a lot of media, but nothing surrounding the original Frankenstein's Creature; I did not have the same view of those who have read Frankenstein, and maybe in some ways that helped me appreciate it more.
Like I mentioned before, the movie is a visual treat. You get the iconic Del Toro sequences in the tower and I so dig those, the daunting camera work, I loved everything about them. Even the scenes set in the nature are just as beautiful and make me want to enter the world it is set in, observe this with my own eyes and not through a screen. This really was Del Toro's darling. And look, it is beautiful, but there was something artificial about the whole sets, though I found that easy to look past.
Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the Creature was magnificent, he sold the character and the struggles of it really well. The chemistry with Mia Goth, the bond, however it was, defined the movie for me. The two together shared something unspoken, they both felt a stranger in their own worlds and carried the movie.
2. Sinners
There is a scene in the movie, I am not gonna mention what scene due to spoilers, but if you have seen it you would know. That scene is the best single scene I have ever seen on the big screen. It was like a religious experience, for that brief moment I felt connected to the movie on a different level, forgot everything else in the world and fully submerged my conscience into the movie. When the scene ended, me and my friend both looked at each other with a "Holy shit" look on our face.
Let's talk about the movie as a whole for a while, it is an 'erotic jazz and blues musical set in 1930s Mississippi featuring Irish vampires'. If that doesn't make you go watch this movie right now, I don't know what will. An incredible genre blend by Ryan Coogler, he showed his mastery with this movie. It was able to show what is possible with cinema and the limitation is only the imagination (and budget). The movie follows the story of a man, the story of songs, of history and future, the movie is a love letter to jazz and blues and the evolution of music and culture. Wonderfully created, this movie showed us what cinema can do, the potential cinema has in the modern day.
The songs of this movie; I will admit I absolutely love musicals and though this wasn't a musical in the conventional sense, like say West Side Story; the songs still left a big, lasting impact on me. I love listening to the songs in this movie. They are more unique to your average songs from the movies and tie into the story really well, always love that. I Lied to You, Last Time (I Seen the Sun), Pale Pale Moon, Rocky Road to Dublin, Will Ya Go Lassie Go, there isn't one song I don't love.
This, along with my a lot of my lists, showed to me that cinema is still alive and well and in a world full of sequels and remakes, original movies have a place forever and ever in our hearts.
1. One Battle After Another
The movie starts, a lot happens, the movie ends. I have never had a movie gripe me in from the first scene and kept the momentum till the end credits like OBAA has. This year it was the only movie I went to the cinema alone for, and it was so worth it. It is a movie that leans heavily into the political aspect, and manages to capture the actual humans as well as the bigger picture magnificently, something I have seen a lot of such thrillers fail at. It is so sharply edited that not a single moment is wasted. I walked out of the theater and thought to myself, "That was 3 hours?". I've seen many a movies that are smaller in their runtime but feel twice as long. And the way movie mixes in comedy with the thriller and action aspect, I am not sure if it is Delhi crowd or what, but at multiple points I was the only one laughing in the theater. They did not even laugh at "Semen Demon", can you imagine? Enough to say I enjoyed the movie thoroughly and the experience was one of the best I have had.
The directorial work of PTA shines with how he tells the story; the work of the entire crew on the cinematography, the visuals, the sound design. Oh the sound design, the background score in the movie was incredible and worked wonderfully. Those shots of the California landscape, I remember seeing it on the big screen and being mesmerized by it. The movie was shot using VistaVision, and I'll be real I don't know exactly what difference it makes, but the camera work and the picture quality gives it a unique feel. My friend mentioned that the movie looks like it is from another time, and I think I agree to some extent.
The performances of the actors were incredible, and it is one of those movies where side characters carried a lot more weight than the lead ones. Be it Del Toro's character or the Skateboarding kids or Comrade Josh, every character left an impact on the movie. It is a story about people, and this was the most important aspect and they got it right.
I can keep going about this movie, there is a lot I want to say but I don't want to give spoilers or over-hype it. Deciding between it and Sinners for #1 was harder than I thought, and I can't exactly say what makes me say this is the better one for me, but it is a movie that will be remembered for years to come.
I truly think this was a great year for movies, and that most years are if you look in the right place. Watching media from all over the world helped give me a better perspective on things and a more nuanced view of topics.
Most every movie I watched I enjoyed. All in my top 10 I'd be down to rewatch anytime, I know I will enjoy them just as much, or even more in a rewatch. Anywho, here's to hope that 2026 also presents us with a great cinema ;D
One thing I'll add: Creggar claims that Weapons is not about grief. In an interview, he said that horror movies with a grief metaphor were becoming genre cliches and he wanted to avoid that. He said the... uh... self-destructive things that happen... are metaphors for addiction. Note the alcohol, drugs, sex and candy and such. He did say that writing the movie helped him process his grief of losing a friend. I agree that themes of grief crept in, even if he avoided it, but I do see addiction, loss of control, and self-destructiveness as bigger themes.
For the Cregger and grief thing, yeah I was misremembering the interview I read. Him writing it as a way to cope with his grief was what I remembered the most and my brain filled in the lines and thought he also said the movie was about grief. Reading that interview, Cregger didn't want it to become solely about grief, but after talking with Ari Aster, he realised he needs to make it more personal, and that is why a common theme of grief emerged. But yes, with the individual characters you can see the other things at play, addiction with the teacher, anger with the father, and acceptance with the 18th kid.
Lovely blog! Hope we can see more from you ;)
Oh also, Anderson was my most watched director of 2025.