BEST FILMS OF 2025

 LIST WEEK RULES  RECAP:

- It doesn't matter what year the film was made as long as I saw it for the first time in 2025.

- I have to watch the film in it's entirety for it to make a list

Merry Christmas! I'll be taking a break over the Christmas/ new year holiday season and I will be back on the 5th of January in the new year.

HERE WE GO, we are finally here, the big boy list. I'm not going to beat around the bush and I will keep this introduction brief. here are in my opinion the best films I saw in 2025. 

20. A GHOST STORY (2017)

I really loved the story that was told, didn’t make it higher though due to this film being one of those that you either get or you don’t and with minimal dialogue it won’t be for everyone.

19. RHYMES FOR YOUNG GHOULS (2013)

             I enjoyed this drama much more than I thought I would, well worth seeking this one out.

18. WHEN EVIL LURKS (2023)

I have no idea what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting that, the amount of tension on display was

 remarkable. 

17. LILO AND STITCH (2025)

A feel-good family film, one of the only Disney live action remakes I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

16. JACOBS LADDER (1990)

This is a horror film but also not in a way. I know that makes no sense but that is as much as I am willing to say without spoiling anything. Go check this one out.

15. TOOMELAH (2011)

An Australian drama about a young indigenous boy who lives in a remote community, very eye opening as the subject matter is very close to home.

14. PIG PEN (2015)

A coming-of-age film that takes a turn into the most insane clusterfuck I have seen in a long, long time, this one must be seen to be believed as I’m not doing it justice.

13. THE DEAD GIRL (2006)

One of, if not the bleakest film I’ve seen this year. I felt deflated by the end and that was its mission, to let you know that sometimes life has no happy ending.

12. THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017)

There is something oddly innocent about seeing kids be kids and this film captures that perfectly.

11. THE BIKE RIDERS (2024) 

I regret not going to see this one in theatres, especially with how much I ended up loving it. As a crime film it is well worth your time.

10. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS ( 1986)

Tragic, when you first realize the dire situation, the main characters find themselves in and then secondly that it’s only going to get worse, this film is designed to break you, where it succeeds and then some. 

9. THE SAMURAI (2014)

Just haunting, this was nothing like what I expected, and it turned out to be riveting as a result, another must watch.

8. FLEE (2021)

This animated documentary was a mesmerizing and thought-provoking account of life as an illegal immigrant and the challenges they face.

7. SINNERS (2025)

A vampire film that was way better than perhaps it ever should have been. This film blew me away. Well worth a watch.

6. LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL (1994)

As heartfelt as it is action packed, this film caught my attention, dragged me in and did not let go, was great from beginning to end.

5. FRANCIS BACON AND THE BRUTALITY OF FACT (1987)

A fascinating look into the mind of one of the art world’s more interesting figures. 

4. A MAN CALLED OTTO (2022)

I loved this one way more than I thought I would, Tom Hanks performance was great, and he really delved deep into the role. Give this one a go you won’t be disappointed. Will make you laugh, cry and all the things in between.

3. AWAY (2019)

A film that paints a beautiful story without using a single word, sure the animation can be a little spotty in places BUT it more than makes up for it with the world building.

2. PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025)

This film was fantastic, I had high hopes due to the hot streak this franchise has been on since “PREY”, and it smashed my expectations out of the ballpark.

1. MEMOIR OF A SNAIL (2024)

The world that is on display in this film could only have been created by Adam Elliot. A truly unique, heartwarming experience that is a must watch, this film is further proof that Adam is a master of his craft.