The motion picture industry is proving to be resilient and has the potential to grow despite recent challenges. In 2025, the global motion picture market will increase from $51.7 billion to $56.37 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The surge in production signifies a strong industry recovery and renewed enthusiasm for cinematic storytelling after the pandemic.
So, it’s time for us to reflect on the top 10 films of 2025 in our film industry. We have selected our favorites, so please check out what we chose. (Here’s our selections on year 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Bugonia
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Eternity
Nuremberg
Eddington
Jay Kelly
One Battle After Another
Frankenstein
Together
In “The Voice of Hind Rajab” fiction blends with a true story and original footage, the film portrays with utter sensibility the tragedy of the Gaza conflict, without ever pushing for tearjerking reactions. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” is brilliant in conveying how human kind has damaged the planet, whilst taunting and exposing conspiracy theorists in a compelling manner. With “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” fans will find the best conclusion to the darling saga that has followed the Crawley family through the years, furthermore the film homages all characters in a touching manner. “Eternity” focuses on the way love is about nurture and respect, the film could have taken a more individualistic route, but ultimately chooses a very enlightening path to descrive the dynamics of relationships. The chapter in history exposed by “Nuremberg” is represented by the performance of a talented cast, as the film has the courage to include original footage of the victims of the Holocaust that serves as a warning bell for future genocides. The Western genre is used in “Eddington” dissects the modern world in an extravagantly poignant way, ranging from the Covid pandemic, to political rivalries that interweave with social justice-minded movements. Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” takes a sociological angle to explore the concept of stardom, which may occur serendipitously and becomes an entity of its own, leaving an individual to question his life choices. A wackily energetic “One Battle After Another” makes no concessions to left or right extremists, and uses a dysfunctional family to reiterate the importance of family bonds, through a succession of enticing roller-coaster scenes. Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” revives the myth of Mary Shelley in a raw and compassionate manner, rising above the original material with visual grace. The supernatural body horror genre used by “Together” meets philosophy from Ancient Greece, as Aristophanes’ theory of the nature and origin of eros is thrust in our contemporary realm, to make us reflect on how precarious our sense of identity can be if we believe in finding completion through a partner.
Adriano Ercolani
Blue Moon
Eddington
The History of Sound
A House of Dynamite
One Battle After Another
Resurrection
Sentimental Value
Sirāt
Sovereign
The Things You Kill
My Top 10 of the year is, to me at least, a quite radical split between two ways to perceive cinema: on one side movies that endorse storytelling and the development of significant characters; on the other side movies that show a powerful mise en scene. “The History of Sounds“, arguably my favorite of 2025, belongs to the first group. The time that the director Oliver Hermanus grants to the characters and the story to unfold is admirable, and creates an atmosphere so dense and emotional that it is impossible not to feel the enduring love between the protagonists. The same process, even if directed in an opposite way, allowed Sovereign by Christian Swegal to be my personal surprise of the year. “Blue Moon” by Richard Linklater and “Sentimental Value” by Joachim Trier are instead the confirmation of how these authors (together with their remarkable actors) can produce cinema of believable emotions.
On the other hand there is the power of images and the other instruments of movie-making: the shocking power of “Sirāt“, the incredible tension of the first part of “A House of Dynamite“, the last of “One Battle After Another“, the precious aesthetic of “Resurrection” and the symbolism of “The Things You Kill” and “Eddington“. Cinema which has been realized through a vision, imperfect but absolutely powerful. The order is alphabetical.
P.S. – I need to endorse the mini-series “Mussolini: Son of the Century“, streaming on MUBI. A piece of art that talks about the origins and raising of totalitarianism. Extremely contemporary, other than incredibly fun to watch.
Edward Moran
Goodbye June
Frankenstein
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Last Samurai Standing
Vermiglio
Green and Gold
Zootopia
Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie
Elijah
Kate Winslet’s “Goodbye June” is destined to be a new Christmas classic for its sensitive portrayal of a family as it gathers in a vigil for their dying matriarch, superbly played by Helen Mirren. Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is notable for its brilliant characterizations by Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi as the sinister doctor and his equally sinister creation, and for Kate Hawley’s amazing costumes. Another literary adaptation, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another”, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineyard, stars Leonardo de Caprio and Sean Penn in a black comedy thriller with a contemporary focus, as activists challenge the government’s detention of immigrants. Vampires abound in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners”, a supernatural thriller in which Michael B Jordan plays the role of twin brothers who return home to Mississippi after a dalliance in the Chicago underworld. For devotees of the martial arts genre, “Last Samurai Standing”, based on Shogo Imamura’s manga, offers an action-packed and mind-bending look into a deadly survival game in post-Edo Japan. Maura Delpero’s “Vermiglio”, about a Waltonesque peasant family in the Italian Alps during World War II, is a little masterpiece of style and sensibility. In the same vein is Anders Lindwall’s “Green and Gold”, a tribute to salt-of-the-earth virtues in rural, non-MAGA America. On a lighter note, Jared Bush and Byron Howard have reunited to create a sequel to their “Zootopia” animation, which continues to charm audiences with its unique combination of slapstick and social commentary. Another lighthearted documentary, David L Bushell’s “Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie”, traces the rise and fall of the iconic duo who characterized the drug-fueled counterculture of the 1970s. “Elijah”, a short documentary by Bengali filmmaker Razid Season, deserves plaudits for its poignant story about a transgendered child seeking acceptance from their father, an immigrant taxi driver in New York City.
Joe Bendel
Tatami
It was Just an Accident
The Road Between Us
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Meeting with Pol Pot
Scarlet
The Colors Within
Little Amelie or the Character of Rain
Brothers on Three
Sinners
“Tatami”, This historic collaboration between Iranian and Israeli artists certainly depicts the hypocrisy and thuggery of the current Iranian regime. Yet, it also dramatically portrays an Iranian athlete’s struggle to stay true to herself and her sport. It is the year’s best. “It was Just an Accident”, Jafar Panahi’s darkly absurdist thriller brings several victims of Iran’s police state face-to-face with their former torturer, except they have never seen his face during their imprisonment. It represents a creative triumph from the exiled director finally working outside the regime’s rigid controls. “The Road Between Us”, Chronicling Noam Tibon’s personal rescue operation during the 10/7 terrorist attacks, Barry Avrich’s documentary is a deeply personal story of family and community, as well as a gripping real-life thriller.
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin”, a truly shocking and genuinely courageous documentary that exposes the politicization and militarization of Russian civilian education, through propaganda mandated by the Putin regime. Obviously, it was documented at great personal risk, by the school employee, who became an international whistle-blower. “Meeting with Pol Pot”, Rithy Panh’s return to narrative drama is a withering indictment of the Khmer Rouge’s collectivist madness as well as the media’s willingness to obscure the truth for ideological reasons. “Scarlet,” Mamoru Hosoda’s epic anime feature looks big and sounds big, but it is also the most inventive and original riff on Hamlet in years. “The Colors Within”, a charming release from GKIDS, this anime feature happens to be one of the best teen dramas of the year. Its themes of music, faith, and personal responsibility should resonate for multiple demographics, including young adults and Catholic audiences. “Little Amelie or the Character of Rain”, This vibrant animated film looks equally inspired by Henri Matisse and Studio Ghibli, yet its toddler perspective on life, death, and family makes it easily accessible and relatable. “Brothers on Three”, you have to root for the Army rugby team, especially in the stirring documentary. They were called to serve (and are over 300% more likely to reach General rank than their fellow cadets), so viewers should feel called to cheer. “Sinners”, the combination of blues legend Buddy Guy and vampires can’t fail to entertain, but Ryan Coogler truly knocked it out of the park.
Karen Benardello
Blue Moon
Eternity
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Rental Family
Rosemead
Sinners
Train Dreams
Zootopia 2
The best films of 2025 all stand out for their ability to highlight storytelling, emotional impact and craft in distinctive ways. Blue Moon’s intimate tone and visual restraint prove that quiet filmmaking can feel monumental. Eternity explores love and time with ambition and emotional clarity. Hamnet’s screen adaptation uses grief as a lens for beauty and meaning. Marty Supreme blends character study with sharp cultural observation. One Battle After Another is powerful for both its moral urgency and the scale in its personal conflicts. Rental Family uses an unconventional premise to examine loneliness and connection. Rosemead impresses with its grounded realism and emotional honesty while also remaining deeply compassionate. Sinners combines genre elements with social commentary in a way that feels both thrilling and thoughtful. Train Dreams distinguishes itself through poetic pacing and visual storytelling, capturing the passage of time with rare elegance. Zootopia 2 proves that animated sequels can still feel essential while expanding their series’ world, while also delivering sharp humor and relevant themes. Together, these films represent the best of 2025 because they effortlessly balance artistry, ambition and emotional resonance.
Niclas Goldberg
Sirat
The Mastermind
Cactus Pears
Sentimental Value
The Love That Remains
It Was Just an Accident
The Secret Agent
Resurrection
Nouvelle Vague
If I had Legs I’d Kick You
In a year filled with great films, a few truly linger in the memory. Among them—along with others that narrowly missed the list— was “The Mastermind“, a wonderful and unlikely 1970s-set heist movie, from one of America’s quietest master Kelly Reichardt, with Josh O’Connor as the flawed art thief. Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho likewise looks back to the decade in the unpredictable epic “The Secret Agent“, anchored by an impressive Wagner Moura on the run from his past. The brave Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi returns with one of his finest films yet, “It Was Just an Accident“, once again collaborating with a courageous and talented cast.
Two directors’ love letters to cinema were wittily captured in Richard Linklater’s surprisingly skillful “Nouvelle Vague“, and in Chinese director Bi Gan’s dazzling vision, “Resurrection“. The majestic yet inhospitable Moroccan desert provides the backdrop for Oliver Laxe’s bold, beautiful, and shocking cinematic experience, “Sirāt“, about a father searching for his missing daughter among a traveling rave collective, while the remote Icelandic landscape sparkles in Hlynur Pálmason’s strange and tender domestic dramedy, “The Love That Remains“.
Norwegian director Joachim Trier also explores family tension in the splendid “Sentimental Value“, boasting an incredible ensemble cast, while Rose Byrne delivers a stunning performance as a woman on the verge of a breakdown in Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You“. Finally, the quietly delicate vitamin kick of Rohan Kanawade’s “Cactus Pears“, set deep in the Indian countryside, offers a cool companionship to all the above.
Matthew Schuchman
No Other Choice
The Ballad of Wallis Island
28 Years Later
Any Day Now
Mickey 17
Eddington
Caught Stealing
Dust Bunny
It Was Just an Accident
Sentimental Value
Like every year, my favorite 10 monies of the year come in no particular order; but my top pick is 100% my favorite of the year. I recently used this explanation when describing how good Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” is to a friend, and it bears repeating. When a world famous musician/band is x-amount of years into their career, whilst they still turn out great material all along, it somehow feels illegal for them to drop their greatest effort 20 years down the road. I don’t know why it feels wrong, but there is something about Park Chan-wook releasing something this good, at this point of his career, feels like it shouldn’t be. That is just how good “No Other Choice” is.
And while you’ll see popular choices such as “Sinners“, “One Battle After Another“, or “Weapons” missing from my list, that doesn’t mean I don’t think they are great films (2 of them, at least). But, they don’t move me the same way some smaller overlooked films have this year.
“Any Day Now” came and went with no one even knowing of its existence, but there is a brilliant layer of charm that beams out of this film that doesn’t exist in any other release this year. The same could be said of “Dust Bunny“, which on paper sounds like a gimmick that someone tried to stretch out for longer than it deserves, but the final product is tightly crafted and expertly executed.
With all this being said, “No Other Choice” takes the cake over everything this year, and it isn’t even close in my mind.
Nobuhiro Hosoki
Sirāt
Jinsei
Song Sung Blue
The Testament of Ann Lee
Kokuho
Cutting Through rocks
No Other Choice
The Chronology of water
Hamnet
100 meters
“Sirāt“, in the Moroccan desert, massive speakers are positioned, bringing crowds to a trance-like state, while the dancing youth and spectators are drawn in by the thunderous beats. Unlike any other film, the sound and footage are still vivid in my mind. “Jinsei”, director Ryuya Suzuki’s ambitious project depicts a man’s century-long life, never named by his real name, in the context of the entertainment industry’s dark underbelly and war, and I found his talent to be comparable to Makoto Shinkai’s. “Song Sung Blue”, it’s truly a magical depiction of the life of entertainers Mike and Claire Sardina, remarkably portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Their chemistry is electrifying. The live recording was very effective. “The Testament of Ann Lee”, an intuitive musical experience unlike any I had ever experienced was offered through the Shakers’ dance, which is rooted in their faith and their connection to the earth and nature. It is a strong contender for an Oscar. “Kokuho”, actor Ryo Yoshizawa’s performance exemplified the harshness and emptiness of the Kabuki world, where one must eliminate everything about oneself. Director Lee’s direction, set design, and music all made the stage a perfect art form.
“Cutting Through Rocks”, the Sundance winning film is a tribute to Sara Shahverdi, the first female councilor in her Iranian village who inspired and gave hope to young Iranian women. “No Other Choice”, after being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job, the concept is truly crazy but no one could pull this off making an engaging, suspenseful and comical movie like Park Chan-wook and Lee Byung-hun, two of the finest Korean talents at the center. “The Chronology of Water”, Imogen Poots and Thora Birch embraced Kristen Stewart’s ambitious directorial debut film as a poetic and visceral expression of female voices, which resonated with the audience.
“Hamnet”, This masterpiece is set in 16th-century England and depicts the love between Agnes and William Shakespeare, which was both cruel and difficult, but ultimately blossomed into love. It chronicles their journey until the completion of the classic play Hamlet, with a stellar performance by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. “100 Meter”, the synergy between human movement and music creates a powerful experience that leaves no room for words, capturing the sheer intensity of dedicating one’s life in a mere 10-second burst.
P.S: “One Battle After Another“, “Sinners“, “Sentimental Value” and “Weapon“, although they are engaging and intriguing and likely to be nominated for the Oscar, they didn’t have enough impact to motivate me to give them a second viewing, I’ve selected the films that giving me some reasons why we go to theaters where the seats that allow you to share the atmosphere with others in the dimly lit room can transport you into another world and inspire you as a true form of art.