Category: Lists

2025 has come and gone, and now we're into 2026, which promises a lot for movie fans. Looney Tunes fans will finally get to see Coyote v. Acme after the studio tried to bury it. Millennials can expect legacy sequels to The Devil Wears Prada and Practical Magic, plus new Toy Story and Scream movies. Christopher Nolan's latest epic, The Odyssey, will undoubtedly wow moviegoers, while Disney continues with their soul-sucking live-action remakes. But before we look ahead, let's take a minute to see what 2025 had to offer. As with past lists, this is only my opinion, and your lists may differ from mine. Also, I didn't see every movie last year, so if any aren't there, that's why. So, without further ado, these are what I consider to be the Best and Worst Films of 2025!

#10: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

Even if Warner Bros. doesn't seem to care about them, The Looney Tunes are a pop culture staple. Despite underperforming at the box office, The Day the Earth Blew Up helped reintroduce the Looney Tunes to today's audience. In a world dominated by 3D animated movies, this one shows that 2D animation still has its place. The artists here successfully captured the fluidity and anarchy of animators like Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and Chuck Jones. While the plot is pretty predictable, and some of the gags don't land, the movie succeeds more than it fails. Like the classic shorts, young and old alike can enjoy this wacky tale of friendship, overcoming obstacles, and chewing gum. If you missed it in theaters, give The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie a watch. Ironically, while the old shorts are unavailable, you can still watch the movie on HBO Max.

#9: Superman

Despite its few bright spots, the DC Extended Universe was mainly a failure of unrealized expectations and below-average quality. When the news broke that James Gunn would reboot the universe, audiences weren't sure whether he could pull it off. Thankfully, his Superman proved that he is more than capable of succeeding where Zach Snyder couldn't. While Man of Steel was a bleak, desaturated mess that did Superman a disservice, Gunn's movie was hopeful and fun. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult fit their roles as Superman and Lex Luthor perfectly, with the supporting cast also excelling. The action is excellent, the humor is mostly on-point, and the film leaves you with a sense of hope. Though I generally think a "cinematic universe" has been done to death, Gunn's movie shows tons of promise. But whatever the future holds, we can safely say James Gunn delivered a quality Superman movie.

#8: One Battle After Another

Paul Thomas Anderson is a filmmaker who's consistently delivered high-quality work, including Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love. One Battle After Another is another solid effort, even if it takes some time to get going. Once it gets going, the action keeps going, from intense gunfights to some of the best car chases ever filmed. Heavy hitters like DiCaprio, Penn, and Del Toro deliver great performances, while relative newcomer Chase Infinity shows tons of promise. Not only is this film a great action-thriller, but it also has a satirical edge that doesn't feel condescending. The movie pokes fun at political issues and modern societal norms in a refreshingly honest way. Admittedly, the film takes a while to find its footing, but once it does, you start to understand its message. While it's not as good as others say, it still earns a spot among 2025's best films.

#7: KPop Demon Hunters

I have to give a major shoutout to Patreon supporter BodaciousLab for requesting that I review this movie. If not for him, I probably wouldn't have watched KPop Demon Hunters, let alone reviewed it for my site. Going into this movie, I didn't know what to expect, so color me shocked when I ended up enjoying it. The animation is stunningly fluid and stylish, brimming with color and high energy without feeling overwhelming. Additionally, the characters feel strong but flawed, which is refreshing in a world of "girl boss" stereotypes. Each of the girls has their own personality that makes them distinguishable and memorable rather than acting like cardboard cutouts. The action is exciting, the songs are catchy, and the film explores themes anyone can relate to. Regardless of age, race, gender, or societal standing, you'll find something here that you'll enjoy.

#6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

For the past few decades, The Fantastic Four have never had an excellent or even good movie made about them. While the unreleased 1994 film tried, neither it nor the 2005 or 2015 movies managed to capture the characters successfully. After years of disappointment, The Fantastic Four: First Steps comes along and gives the characters the justice they deserved. Each of the four leading actors delivers an exceptional performance and has excellent chemistry with the others. Additionally, Julie Garner and Ralph Ineson make for exceptional villains, making them feel three-dimensional and threatening. The 1960s aesthetic fits the film perfectly, making the world feel unique and lived-in rather than just window dressing. Unlike past MCU movies, this one dials back on the humor and CG-infested fights in favor of greater storytelling. No matter what the future holds for the MCU, they at least got Marvel's first family right.

#5: Bugonia

Yorgos Lanthimos is another filmmaker who I feel always delivers quality cinema, from The Favourite to Poor Things. 2025's Bugonia, which also stars Emma Stone, is no exception, giving us the absurdist satire he's known for. Stone delivers another exceptional performance, and Jesse Plemons also works great, but huge props go to newcomer Aidan Delbis. Like Chase Infiniti, he shows a lot of promise for his first film, and I'm excited for his next project. The movie not only works as a satirical piece on conspiracy theorists but also as a deconstruction of humanity. The fact that so many otherwise insignificant scenes are made to look larger than life contributes to the satire. Though labeled as a comedy, the movie is more cynical than laugh-out-loud funny, so your mileage may vary. However, if you liked Lanthimos' other works, you'll no doubt enjoy this.

#4: Frankenstein

I don't think I'm saying anything new when I say that Guillermo del Toro is a master filmmaker. Every single one of his movies has more heart, soul, and creativity put into them than most Hollywood blockbusters. His adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is no exception, delivering the same gothic look and grand scale he's known for. From Tamara Deverell's excellent production design to Dan Laustsen's brilliant cinematography, this film looks beautiful. Additionally, the performances across the board are outstanding, especially from Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Jacob Elordi. The way the film tells the Frankenstein story is also unique, splitting it between the doctor's and the monster's perspectives. Despite some dodgy CGI and a slow pace, this is an expertly crafted film from a highly celebrated filmmaker. Even at two and a half hours long, this is a monster movie that you shouldn't miss.

#3: Weapons

Zach Cregger exploded on the scene with 2022's surprise hit, Barbarian, and he continues to prove his talents with Weapons. He takes a simple concept and crafts a compelling horror-thriller that takes you to unexpected places. What could've been a simple missing children story turns into a conspiracy involving town secrets, hidden deception, and even witchcraft. Julia Garner and Josh Brolin deliver some exceptional performances, and Amy Madigan deserves all the praise she gets. Like the best horror films, this one builds suspense and tension effectively before providing a great payoff. Larkin Seiple's cinematography, combined with the musical score by Cregger, Ryan Holladay, and Hays Holladay, adds a hauntingly eerie feeling. While the nonlinear storytelling and tonal shifts might be off-putting, that shouldn't dissuade you from checking it out. Fingers crossed that Zach Cregger will be able to deliver on that Resident Evil movie he's working on.

#2: Warfare

Like last year, this film and the next one were fighting neck-and-neck for the #1 spot. Even though Warfare is at #2, that doesn't mean it's any less of a film. Much like Platoon or Saving Private Ryan, this is the closest a movie has come to accurately depicting wartime combat. However, what sets this film apart is how the filmmakers put you right in the middle of the action. You genuinely feel like you're with the soldiers holed up in this house, fighting for their lives against insurmountable odds. It probably shouldn't come as a shock, considering that the director, Ray Mendoza, served in SEAL Team 5. From the camerawork to the editing, everything feels chaotic and frenetic, just like in an actual war. Combined with some great performances, Warfare is a reminder of how war can change a person forever.

#1: Sinners

I don't claim to be a fortune teller, but I knew Sinners would be great once I saw the trailer. However, what I couldn't have seen was that the movie would blow my expectations out of the water. The film is an excellent spin on the vampire story, making them the ones in power rather than the outsiders. Thankfully, it never feels like the filmmakers are more concerned with delivering a message than making a good movie. Ryan Coogler understands how to tell a good story with a message baked in, and he does it here. The performances are excellent, the music is phenomenal, the suspense is on point, and it's a blast to watch. The fact that my only complaint is that some scenes could've been trimmed speaks volumes about the film's quality. With all of that said, Sinners rightfully earns its place as my favorite film of 2025.