Top movies of 2025, rated by AP film critics

While box office numbers might suggest otherwise, 2025 proved to be an impressive year for cinema. Directors both inside and outside the studio system delivered daring, personal, and imaginative projects. Some even achieved mainstream success its remarkable that Sinners ranks among North Americas top earners alongside predictable sequels and reboots. Many others are poised to become cult classics. Hollywood itself is in flux, with Warner Bros. facing a potential merger, yet the industry continues to adapt and survive.

Audiences demonstrated a persistent desire for the theatrical experience, whether it was reacting loudly to quirky moments or helping KPop Demon Hunters achieve box office success months after its Netflix debut. Several exceptional films went underseen, but in a year marked by the loss of cinema legends like David Lynch, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Gene Hackman, its worth remembering that lasting impact comes from the films themselves, not temporary awards or ticket sales.

Lindsey Bahr's Picks for 2025

1. One Battle After Another Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a cinematic rollercoaster blending farce, thrill, drama, and comedy. Every performance shines, and the ambitious, distinctive vision culminates in a truly cinematic experience. (In theaters)
2. If I Had Legs Id Kick You Mary Bronstein transforms personal domestic turmoil into a surreal exploration of maternal exhaustion and madness, anchored by Rose Byrnes fearless performance. (Available to rent)
3. Marty Supreme Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein present a thrilling, fast-paced story of a struggling table tennis player in mid-century New York, featuring a standout performance by Timothe Chalamet. (In theaters Dec. 25)
4. Sentimental Value Joachim Trier explores family, grief, and artistic loneliness with humor and tenderness, anchored by Stellan Skarsgrds moving portrayal of a father reconnecting with his daughters. (In theaters)
5. The Naked Gun Akiva Schaffers bold studio comedy reboot/sequel embraces absurdity with full commitment. (Streaming on Paramount+)
6. Sinners Ryan Cooglers genre-blending vampire-gangster musical is vibrant, symbolically rich, and emotionally powerful, featuring an exceptional ensemble cast including two Michael B. Jordans. (Streaming on HBO Max)
7. Sound of Falling Mascha Schilinski crafts a haunting, ethereal story spanning four timelines on a North German farm, merging ghostly atmospheres with coming-of-age themes. (In theaters Jan. 16)
8. It Was Just an Accident Jafar Panahis tense, darkly humorous moral exploration questions justice and retribution in the aftermath of imprisonment and torture. (In theaters)
9. The Voice of Hind Rajab Kaouther Ben Hania documents the Israel-Hamas conflict entirely within a rescue dispatch center, using real audio to create a profoundly moving and urgent cinematic experience. (In theaters Dec. 17)
10. Urchin, The Chronology of Water, Dont Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight Three debut features that impress: Urchin portrays homelessness with clarity and compassion; Kristen Stewarts The Chronology of Water is an electric memoir; Embeth Davidtz confronts Rhodesian bush war experiences with grace. (Available to rent or in select theaters)

Jake Coyle's Picks for 2025

1. One Battle After Another Andersons work, though tied to historical movements, creates its own narrative and rhythm, highlighting resistance and the extraordinary presence of Teyana Taylor. (In theaters)
2. No Other Choice Park Chan-wook adapts Donald E. Westlakes novel into a darkly comedic tale of ambition and murder, showcasing his mastery in building tension and complex moral narratives. (In theaters Dec. 25)
3. It Was Just an Accident Panahi delivers a film that is simultaneously courageous, entertaining, and deeply human, reflecting on pain, justice, and resilience. (In theaters)
4. Marty Supreme A thrilling New York tale of ambition and perseverance, driven by Chalamets energetic performance. (In theaters Dec. 25)
5. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Rian Johnsons latest whodunit mixes suspense, humor, and emotion, featuring standout performances including Josh OConnor. (In theaters and on Netflix Dec. 12)
6. Afternoons of Solitude Albert Serras documentary captures bullfighting with intense focus on the ritual, offering a near-pure cinematic experience. (Available for digital rental)
7. Sinners Cooglers genre mashup continues to impress with its unique vision and compelling ensemble. (Streaming on HBO Max)
8. Secret Mall Apartment Jeremy Workmans documentary uncovers a hidden mall space in Rhode Island, revealing a story about creativity, community, and resilience. (Available for digital rental)
9. Blue Moon Richard Linklater captures the charm and melancholy of songwriter Lorenz Hart, offering a warm, immersive chamber drama. (In theaters)
10. Afternoons of Solitude Serras intimate focus on one bullfighter and his bulls offers a disciplined and mesmerizing cinematic study. (Available for digital rental)

Other notable films include Caught by the Tides, One of Them Days, Eephus, My Fathers Shadow, The Testament of Ann Lee, Cloud, Sentimental Value, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Bugonia, and Sorry, Baby.

Author: Chloe Ramirez