When I signed up to write a Top 10 Films of 2025 list, I was very excited, but when I went to start actually writing it, I became overwhelmed. How would I put into words how much I love these films, and in so few words? Each one deserves their own essay for how excellent they are. Also, there are so many wonderful films from 2025 that it almost seems rude to cut off at 10. But after a couple of days of writer’s block, the adoration began to flow.

I have to acknowledge that based on my location and level of access, there are many films I haven’t seen, such as No Other Choice, The Testament of Ann Lee, It Was Just an Accident, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, that would definitely stand a chance to make it into my top 10 based on what I’ve heard about them. On a positive note, I have four horror films included in my list, which is a big deal for me. I grew up never being allowed to watch films of that genre, but now I’ve started to fall in love with them. Every year, I strive to broaden my taste in film and push myself to become a better person through the films I watch. I’m thankful for every film I watched in 2025 that helped me continue on that journey, but here are the top 10 films that resonated with me the most.

10. Train Dreams (Dir. Clint Bentley)

I had heard so many great things about Train Dreams before I finally got a chance to watch it on Netflix. The narration by Will Patton and Joel Edgerton’s calming onscreen presence made me feel like I was being hugged by a warm blanket. Every frame of Train Dreams looks as if it were a painted masterpiece. The film follows one man over the course of his lifetime as he figures out the purpose of life. Although Robert has major events in his life, it’s the small moments in between that might seem forgettable on a large scale that makes Train Dreams so special. The final section of the film, where the narrator explains how little impact Robert’s life had on the world, might seem sad on the surface, but the final plane ride shows he achieved what he was searching for all his life. Leaving a big legacy is not the most important part of life, and so few of us will do it. Just living it the best way you can is what matters. Robert might not have been a “great” man, but being a “good” man is even better. As someone who worries about this myself, Train Dreams provided me the assurance I needed.

9. KPop Demon Hunters (Dir. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans)

As someone whose day job is working with children, KPop Demon Hunters was something I was familiar with long before it became a sure thing in the awards season, although I didn’t watch it until the fall for some silly reason. The Huntr/x girls are so funny and relatable. They love couch time and vegging out, as do I. One of the best aspects of the film is how it embraces fandom and the fun that comes with being obsessed with something. This is a big part of so many people’s lives, and it’s great to see it on the big screen. Also, KPop Demon Hunters is a surprisingly romantic film. Rumi and Jinu’s connection will be so many kids’ first foray into wanting characters to be together and the fun tropes that are built into them. And no mention of KPop Demon Hunters is complete without mentioning the music. Although “Golden” may have been the song to become a sensation, all the songs are ridiculously catchy. KPop Demon Hunters has a beautiful message about shame and friendship, anthropomorphizing these feelings into literally fighting your demons. It’s without a doubt the best animated feature of the year.

8. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Dir. Rian Johnson)

Wake Up Dead Man is the third film in the Knives Out series, yet Rian Johnson still has the passion to write these mysteries. The topics needed for social commentary are ripe for the picking right now, and his decision to center this film on religion spoke deeply to me. I’m a strong critic of the church for its hypocrisy, so this film made me feel understood. Although it is set in a Catholic church, the issues he discusses are primarily connected to Protestant denominations, but nobody can deny that the Catholic aesthetic is a better choice. The gorgeous, gothic location and soft lighting through the stained glass windows make it a feast for the eyes. Daniel Craig returns to his role with his typical ease and charm, but Josh O’Connor is the true star here. Their chemistry makes for the best duo in all the movies so far. Wake Up Dead Man is effortlessly funny and unafraid to go for the jugular when it comes to its political commentary. The film is a good reminder that we are being complicit in evil when we do not speak up against it.

7. Weapons (Dir. Zach Cregger)

I was utterly surprised to love Weapons so much. Considering how chilling the trailer was, I was shocked that the film was so funny. Weapons includes some of the most hilarious moments of 2025, with Austin Abrams’ character James being the highlight. It has the right amount of jump scares and horror dread to counterbalance the comedy. The entire cast is excellent, including Cary Christopher, the young actor who played Alex. A big shoutout to Amy Madigan, whose performance as Aunt Gladys has become a fan favorite (and Oscar favorite!). She’s absolutely unnerving and only gets more chilling after she takes off the goofy wig. Reliving the story from different perspectives was a fresh and innovative way to keep viewers engaged with the relatively simple story. It’s a perfect film to show friends for the first time and watch their reactions.

6. One Battle After Another (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)

I watched all of Paul Thomas Anderson’s filmography this year, most for the first time, and I was blown away. Getting to watch One Battle After Another after seeing them all put into perspective just how monumental the film is to his career and to the film industry. This is one of the few films that everybody can agree that it rules. It is propulsive from start to finish, ending with an exhilarating car chase sequence. Chase Infiniti is a star in the making. She easily holds her own against film legends like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. Of all the excellent performances, Teyana Taylor is lightning in a bottle. She is the only thing you can look at anytime she’s onscreen. One Battle After Another is the movie of the moment. Although it touches on many topics, the main thesis is the passing of the torch from generation to generation, specifically regarding revolution. One Battle After Another makes me believe that there is some hope for the future after all.

5. Sinners (Dir. Ryan Coogler)

I saw Sinners twice in one day, back-to-back. Upon the first watch, I felt conflicted because I was expecting it to lean heavier into the vampire aspect, but when I watched the second time, I immediately locked into what Ryan Coogler was going for. Sinners is spectacular on every level. Coogler’s strong directorial vision is the true north for every craft, the highlights being the score, songs, and cinematography. As someone who loves oners, Sinners has the ultimate oner. The “I Lied to You” sequence is the best scene of the entire year, a beautiful celebration of black music culture of the past and present. It brings tears to my eyes because that scene is what cinema is all about. No praise of Sinners can be complete without commending the performances of the entire cast, led by Michael B. Jordan, who plays twin brothers. Two different performances with two different romantic partners, and equally as believable with both. Sinners is sexy and truly original. Coogler is the future of cinema.

4. 28 Years Later (Dir. Danny Boyle)

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reuniting after 18 years was one of the best things to happen in 2025. Although I enjoyed 28 Days Later, 28 Years Later was much more up my alley. It includes some of the coolest cinematography and editing choices of the year. The lore is expanded in many ways, including the differentiation of the fast and slow infected and the Alpha. It includes the perfect tease of the Jimmys, which we will watch in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The action may be well shot, but the most interesting part of the story is how humanity responds in the most dire of circumstances. It’s also a mother-child story, and as someone who is so close to their mother, the cathartic moment in the third act makes me bawl every time I watch. Jodie Comer’s performance is top-tier, and in a just world, she would be getting nominated for the film everywhere, as well as Ralph Fiennes. His desire to honor people who have lived through this impossible time is so touching. 28 Years Later could’ve been an easy cash grab, but instead it follows a much more interesting path.

3. Superman (Dir. James Gunn)

Superhero films are a dime a dozen at this point, but creating a truly good superhero film is a tough task. Superman is a character that everyone feels like they know, but it is actually a very hard character to bring to life. His earnestness and good heart can easily come off as corny, but James Gunn never makes Superman the butt of the joke. Instead, he embraces all the goofiness and sincerity of the comic book genre when so many films shy away from it. But without the right Superman/Clark Kent, it would all be for naught, but David Corenswet gives an excellent performance. You can tell how much he genuinely understands the character and cares about what he and Gunn are creating. There’s perfect casting all around; Nicholas Hoult is deliciously evil as Superman’s arch nemesis Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan has the exact energy Lois Lane needs. The messages that Superman was trying to impress on us felt unbelievably timely, both politically and emotionally. Kindness really is the new punk rock.

2. Frankenstein (Dir. Guillermo del Toro)

Guillermo del Toro is a director I’ve always respected, but Frankenstein is the first time I’ve truly fallen in love with one of his films. I was dying to see this movie way before it even premiered, and my gut feeling was right. It feels like del Toro made a film specifically with me in mind. From the ornate, lush sets to the beautiful, stylish costumes, I just want to live in this world. The main theme of the film is about the struggle of parental expectations, which is particularly resonant. Generational trauma is something people are now evaluating more than ever and trying to take healthier steps to avoid, which makes Frankenstein especially timely. Unsurprisingly, my favorite part of the film is Jacob Elordi’s performance. I feel personally connected to Elordi because his career was growing concurrently with my love and interest in film. It feels like I’ve been there since the beginning, and seeing him come into his own in Frankenstein fills me with joy.

1. Avatar: Fire and Ash (Dir. James Cameron)

It’s almost unfair for every other film when an Avatar film comes out. James Cameron is my favorite director, so it was essentially automatically going to be number one, but for good reason. What we are seeing with the Avatar film series might never again happen in the history of film. Genuine original filmmaking on a large scale like this never happens. Typically, mega-blockbusters are derived from IP, so there’s a safety net and a preset fanbase already going to bat for the film. With every Avatar release, people question James Cameron, but with every release, he proves them wrong. Not only are the Avatar films original, but Fire and Ash gets weird. While The Way of Water was primarily an action film, Cameron pushes the science-fiction elements in Fire and Ash. Also, Cameron juggles six main characters and gives them all satisfying arcs, including our favorite couple, Jake and Neytiri, who experience relatable struggles that everyone in the audience can understand. The new character introduced in this film is Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, who is one fabulous firecracker. Avatar: Fire and Ash is everything you could want from a film: gorgeous visuals, a thrilling story, and characters you’d follow to the ends of the Earth (or Pandora).