5 Favorite Movies This Year & 5 to Look Forward To
A solid year with much to look forward to
*I’m a wimp who did not see Sinners. I’m sure it would be on this list if I were not a wimp. Also, this list is my opinion. I’m not saying these are the best movies of the year, but these are my favorites. Don’t come at me.
BEST OF 2025
Presence directed by Steven Soderbergh
This movie subverts horror movie expectations like nothing I have ever seen. Its premise sounds like a classic, jump-scare-riddled horror movie, but the perspective of the movie creates a completely original atmosphere. The plot is somewhat loose, and the characters lack depth. However, Presence earns its place on this list solely based on its originality.
I recommend this movie to horror fans, fans of family drama, and those who appreciate unique perspectives in storytelling.
Superman directed by James Gunn
As a modern, pop-punk take on the classic comic, this movie could have been a disaster. Thankfully, it manages to be a perfect blend of humor, sincerity, and action. The performances are pitch-perfect and the movie’s design surrounds the audience in a bright, colorful world. It always feels like you’re watching a movie but in the best possible way.
I recommend this movie to comic fans, pop-punk millennials, and fans of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Mickey 17 directed by Bong Joon Ho
This movie is far from perfect, but it’s a fun time with lots of feeling. The characters are entertaining, and the premise is just absurd enough to work. As funny as the movie is, it also manages to capture human connection beautifully. I left the theater laughing, with much to ponder.
I recommend this movie to those who enjoy dark humor, satire, and sci-fi.
One Battle After Another directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
PTA did it again. Everything from the performances to the production design to the cinematography knocked this movie’s competitors out of the park. It has it all: a compelling story, stunning visuals, a great screenplay, and star actors. However, its failures to depict the depth of some characters leave this movie a little hollow for me. It’s an unbelievable achievement with a poison edge.
I recommend this movie to fans of car chases, California, and stories about revolutions.
The Phoenician Scheme directed by Wes Anderson
I left the theater after seeing this movie in utter disbelief. It combines the best of Anderson’s eras of filmmaking into one singular achievement. The production design was stunning— as usual— but what kept me thinking about this movie was its unexpected tenderness. Anderson tends to keep his subjects at a distance, but this movie allows us to truly know its characters. Its lukewarm reception by critics and moviegoers is an utter disappointment.
I recommend this movie to fathers and daughters, fans of dry humor, and those who can appreciate the absurd.
LOOKING FORWARD
Sentimental Value directed by Joachim Trier
This movie follows a woman and her sister grappling with the death of their mother and their relationship with their distant father. It caught my attention as the follow-up film to Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, which was among my favorite movies of 2021. Sentimental Values comes out November 7.
Marty Supreme directed by Josh Safdie
Any Safdie brother film is immediately exciting, but when it stars Timothée Chalamet, that’s another level. This movie is about the rise of table-tennis champion Marty Mauser. The premise does not sound incredibly interesting, but I have faith in Josh Safdie to find the untapped potential in a story. Marty Supreme comes out December 25.
Hamnet directed by Chloé Zhao
This is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name. The original novel centers on William Shakespeare’s family, particularly his son Hamnet, who died at age 11. Any literary nerd should be pumped for this one, but its director and lead actress also tell us that it will be no ordinary adaptation. Hamnet comes out December 12.
Frankenstein directed by Guillermo del Toro
Mary Shelley’s original novel is one of my favorite books of all time. So, this movie is particularly personal for me. Guillermo del Toro seems to be the perfect person to entrust with such a task, as he is known for capturing the absurd in refreshing ways. Even though I’m a wimp and will surely get scared, this is not one I could miss. Frankenstein comes out October 17.
Nouvelle Vague directed by Richard Linklater
Yes, this is a pretentious pick. However, anyone who appreciates film history should be ecstatic. This movie chronicles the making of Breathless, one of the most influencial movies of the French New Wave of cinema (Nouvelle Vague). It’s supposed to be funny, sentimental, and an ode to a beloved time in film. This one may not be for everyone, but I hope it finds its audience. Nouvelle Vague comes out October 10.