The Best of 2025 | Thomas’ Top 20 Movies of 2025

Thomas takes a retrospective look back at the biggest hits of 2025 to share his top 20 movies of the year!

The end of the year is near, so it’s time to look back at what 2025 has offered us. And this has been a phenomenal year for cinema with the debut of the DCU, a new iteration of the Fantastic Four, and so much more. So, which films made it to my top 20? Let’s find out!

20 – FRANKENSTEIN

Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein is an intimate, compelling tale that is also a heartbreaking take on hubris and humanity, with great emotional depth. The visuals are sumptuous. Jacob Elordi delivers a haunting performance, perfectly conveying his character’s loneliness. Oscar Isaac is also outstanding in this role.

19 – LILO & STITCH

Lilo and Stitch is genuinely a great Disney live-action remake. It beautifully captures what made the original animated film so special while also being unexpectedly more emotional. And the CG is surprisingly good!

18 – THUNDERBOLTS* – THE NEW AVENGERS

Thunderbolts* is not your usual Marvel film. It feels fresh and different, breaking from the typical formula. This is the best MCU film in a long time and one of the best team-up films. It’s a dark, profoundly moving story about lonely, broken characters who come together. Florence Pugh excels as the lead of this great team. She owns the screen! Visually, it’s the best the MCU has looked, with director Jake Schreier leaning on practical effects and filming on location, which makes all the difference.

17 – THE LIFE OF CHUCK

The Life of Chuck is a heartfelt and inspiring non-linear tale. It’s an ode to life that asks us to live as fully as we can. This story is profoundly human, exploring the complexities of who we are as beings, for we contain multitudes. It’s an absolute joy to see Tom Hiddleston shine in this role. It’s also great to see Mark Hamill and Jacob Tremblay on the big screen again.

16 – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is the darkest and the one with the highest stakes of the franchise. It’s an epic and action-packed film with some of the most insane stunts Tom Cruise has ever done.

15 – HAMNET

Hamnet is a raw and intimate tale of love and grief. Jessie Buckley delivers a guttural and truly astonishing performance. Paul Mescal is also outstanding. Both deserve Oscar nominations. Once again, Chloé Zhao shows all her talent as a filmmaker. And Max Richter’s score beautifully seamlessly fits with the story.

14 – THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an absolute triumph with gorgeous production design and a cool 60s retro style. This film features some of Marvel’s best visuals and significant practical effects. The cast has amazing chemistry. Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby own the screen. It’s without any doubt the best Fantastic Four film. I also love that this film tells a self-contained story.

13 – GOOD NEWS

Good News is an incisive satire about bureaucracy and the intricacies of international cooperation. At the same time, it’s a tense and completely ridiculous film. With its energetic pace, it keeps you entertained all the way through. Byun Sung-hyun has delivered a film that perfectly mixes genres. He has also assembled a talented international ensemble cast.

12 – HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

How to Train Your Dragon is a triumph. This is the definition of how you remake a classic. This film perfectly captures the magic of the original. Mason Thames was born to play Hiccup, and Nico Parker was the right choice for Astrid. It’s also great to see Gerard Butler bring to life the character he voiced in the original films. Hearing John Powell’s iconic score again is an absolute joy, and the visuals are stunning. It’s the film of the Summer!

11 – A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

A Complete Unknown is a compelling retelling of Bob Dylan’s rise to fame. Timothée Chalamet delivers a career-defining performance. He impresses both with his acting and singing skills. I totally get why he is nominated at the Oscars. We’ve got a winner here!

10 – PREDATOR: BADLANDS

Predator Badlands is precisely what this franchise needed. It’s a non-stop, sci-fi, action-packed adventure that does a great job of fleshing out its characters. This film turns the Predator into a hero you’re rooting for: stunning visuals and a powerful musical score. Best film of the franchise, think of it as The Mandalorian of Predator.

9 – ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

One Battle After Another is a fast-paced and entertaining film. There’s never a dull moment. With great action pieces, Paul Thomas Anderson has delivered a visually stunning film meant to be seen on the big screen. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a strong performance.

8 – WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

Rian Johnson has done it again; he’s a master of this genre! Wake Up Dead Man is another captivating and twisted whodunit that had me guessing the whole time. This one is darker and more enigmatic than the previous films; everything comes together most satisfyingly and surprisingly. Moreover, this film also has a lot to say; it’s an intricate examination of humanity. Josh O’Connor is a scene stealer of this all-star cast. May we get more adventures of Benoit Blanc because Daniel Craig absolutely nails it every single time.

7 – SUPERMAN

James Gunn delivers a solid opening for his DCU. He understands who Superman is, and it shows. Superman is an action-packed and entertaining blockbuster. This film feels like a comic-book coming to life and is not afraid to explore the silly aspects of the comics; it embraces them. It also feels nice to have a reboot that doesn’t start from scratch, but instead begins with a universe already established. David Corenswet IS Superman, and Nicholas Hoult is deliciously evil as Luthor. The Justice Gang is another highlight from the film. The CG isn’t always great, but it’s suitable for the most part.

6 – THE SMASHING MACHINE

The Smashing Machine is a sincere and gritty film that explores in-depth Kerr’s struggles and successes. Dwayne Johnson delivers a tour de force performance, a performance of a genuine actor, the best of his career; he truly excels in the dramatic scenes. The emotional tug-of-war between him and Emily Blunt is heart-wrenching.

5 – DOG 51

Dog 51 is a gripping dystopian thriller that delivers on its promises. It’s an ambitious film with a clever script, striking visuals, a powerful score, and an all-star cast. Gilles Lellouche and Adèle Exarchopoulos make an unlikely duo that works perfectly.

4 – SINNERS

Ryan Coogler has delivered one of the best films of 2025. It’s the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits end. Sinners is a dazzling visual display with exceptional performances from its cast. It’s just as much a visceral vampire story as it is a profoundly touching human drama. This film aches and sings in the best of ways.

3 – ZOOTOPIA 2

Zootopia 2 is a fantastic sequel that was worth the wait. It’s as good as the original, if not even better! The new characters are compelling. Judy and Nick are still the irresistible duo we all love. And Shakira’s latest song is a memorable one.

2 – K-POP DEMON HUNTERS

Sony has proven yet again that they rule with animation. K-Pop Demon Hunters is irreverently entertaining and heartfelt. It has everything – dazzling animation, stylish action scenes, and songs that will get stuck in your head.

1 – F1 THE MOVIE

Joseph Kosinski delivers another visual spectacle with F1. The races are captured in all their intense glory, sublimated by Hans Zimmer’s score and other songs; it’s meant to be seen on the big screen! Brad Pitt’s effortless charisma drives this film.

 

What are your best movies of 2025? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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