Here Are the 20 Best Movies of 2025 as Ranked by ‘Rolling Stone’

2025 was a remarkable year for movies, filled with ambitious new ideas, well-crafted remakes, and the welcome return of celebrated directors. Filmmakers explored all kinds of stories – from grand historical dramas to small, personal films – and challenged traditional genres to reflect the feelings and dreams of today’s world. International films led the way, with exceptional movies from countries like South Korea, Iran, and Zambia appearing alongside big-budget Hollywood productions. The films listed below are the very best released this year.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Following his previous hit, Zach Cregger delivers a sprawling horror film that connects the stories of high school students, a father who’s gone missing, and a tight-knit religious group. Josh Brolin and Julia Garner give powerful performances in a film that explores how secrets can ruin lives in a small town. The movie masterfully builds suspense with several storylines that ultimately converge in a shocking and memorable finale. This bold project establishes Cregger as a rising star in the horror genre.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro revisits the dark, atmospheric style he’s known for with a stunning new take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Oscar Isaac delivers a compelling performance as the driven Victor Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi powerfully portrays the Creature with both physical presence and emotional vulnerability. The movie delves into the deep sadness of being alone and the terrible results of trying to control life, all with a remarkable amount of compassion not often found in other film versions. With Del Toro’s masterful use of practical effects and a hauntingly beautiful style, this is arguably the best cinematic adaptation of the story.

‘Caught by the Tides’ (2025)

Jia Zhangke’s film is a beautiful and sweeping love story set against the backdrop of China’s dramatic changes over the first twenty years of the 21st century. It follows Qiao and Bin as their relationship faces challenges from economic upheaval, people moving around the country, and the simple fact that time passes. The director uses footage filmed over almost two decades, blending reality and storytelling to create a feeling of how fragile and fleeting memories can be. Ultimately, the film is a thoughtful and sad look at how a changing country impacts the personal lives of ordinary people.

‘The Phoenician Scheme’ (2025)

Wes Anderson’s latest film is a vibrant and stylish spy thriller, instantly recognizable for his precise visuals and dry wit. Benicio del Toro plays a former spy trying to solve a complicated plot involving a family company and global secrets. The story is told through short, carefully crafted scenes that nod to classic spy movies, but still feel uniquely Anderson. With stunning sets and a fantastic cast, the film creates a world that’s both visually striking and surprisingly moving.

‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ (2025)

Rungano Nyoni’s film is a darkly funny and thought-provoking look at grief and family customs in Zambia today. After her uncle dies unexpectedly, Shula finds herself caught between conflicting expectations for women who are mourning. The movie cleverly reveals hidden family truths and societal double standards with a biting wit, but it never loses sight of the characters’ deep emotions. Nyoni skillfully blends surreal humor with the difficult realities of life under a patriarchal system.

‘Orwell: 2+2=5’ (2025)

Raoul Peck’s documentary takes a powerful look at the life of George Orwell and why his political ideas still matter today. Narrated by Damian Lewis, the film uses old footage and connections to current events to show how Orwell’s famous novel, ‘1984,’ relates to our world. The film makes a strong case that Orwell’s warnings about oppressive governments, constant monitoring, and the twisting of facts are especially important right now. It’s a thought-provoking and moving film that feels like a visual argument.

‘Best Wishes to All’ (2025)

Yûta Shimotsu’s horror film is unsettling and follows a nursing student’s visit to her grandparents’ rural home in Japan. What starts as a pleasant reunion quickly turns terrifying, revealing a strange ritual where people achieve happiness by making others suffer. Through disturbing visuals, the film criticizes how society often chooses to ignore injustice in order to keep things peaceful. It’s a haunting story about the price of comfort and leaves a lasting impression.

‘Universal Language’ (2025)

As a total film buff, I recently stumbled upon Matthew Rankin’s movie, and wow, it’s something else! He’s created this incredibly bizarre and funny world where Winnipeg is transformed into a snowy city that somehow speaks Farsi. It’s a really imaginative place where different cultures just… clash in the most unexpected ways. The film weaves together a few different stories – I remember these kids finding money frozen in the ice, and a tour guide showing people around these really stark, concrete buildings. It’s hard to even describe the movie, honestly. It’s got this really dry, deadpan humor, but it’s also surprisingly sweet, especially when it comes to how it celebrates different cultures and, believe it or not, the magic of movies themselves. It’s visually stunning and just completely unlike anything I’ve seen from Canadian cinema – a truly unique and delightful experience.

‘Eddington’ (2025)

Ari Aster, known for his horror films, takes a different approach with a western set during the pandemic. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, the movie centers on two sheriffs in a small New Mexico town torn apart by political division and fear, all against the backdrop of an upcoming election. It’s a darkly funny and visually striking film that captures the strange and unsettling feeling of modern American life, while still building a sense of unease and satirizing the intense polarization of the time.

‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ (2025)

Ira Sachs’ film offers a personal and moving look at photographer Peter Hujar during one day in 1980s New York City. Ben Whishaw gives a captivating performance, portraying Hujar’s strong artistic beliefs and his close relationships within the vibrant downtown art world. Rather than a traditional biography, the film beautifully captures the small moments of everyday life and the delicate process of finding inspiration. It’s a heartfelt tribute to both a lost era of New York and a unique artist who saw beauty in unexpected places.

‘Sentimental Value’ (2025)

In this moving drama, director Joachim Trier again collaborates with Renate Reinsve, who plays an actress facing challenges in both her career and personal life. The return of her long-absent father forces her and her sister to deal with their family’s history and the ways they all present themselves to each other. The film thoughtfully mixes humor and sadness while examining what makes memories, art, and relationships meaningful. Reinsve gives a powerful and nuanced performance as she explores themes of loss and finding peace.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

Directed by Josh Safdie, this fast-paced movie is loosely based on the life of ping pong star Marty Reisman. Timothée Chalamet plays the charismatic player as he navigates the competitive and rough world of 1950s New York City ping pong. The film uses quick cuts and lively sound to capture the excitement of the sport, and it’s a vibrant look at a man who defied expectations and played by his own rules.

‘Sorry, Baby’ (2025)

Eva Victor wrote, directed, and stars in this witty and moving film about a woman finding her way back to herself after a difficult experience. The movie follows Agnes, a literature professor, as she deals with trauma in unconventional ways, while those around her try to live their own lives. It’s a uniquely funny and honest look at recovery, and Victor brings a personal, relatable touch to the story.

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

Park Chan-wook’s latest film is a darkly comedic thriller based on Donald Westlake’s novel ‘The Ax.’ It’s a sharp satire of corporate culture in Korea, where Lee Byung-hun plays a man driven to extreme measures – including violence – to keep his job and maintain his family’s comfortable life. The film blends shocking brutality with black humor to expose how cutthroat capitalism can strip people of their humanity. Despite its grim subject matter, Park’s masterful direction creates a visually stunning and suspenseful film that also asks big questions about right and wrong.

‘It Was Just an Accident’ (2025)

Jafar Panahi’s award-winning film is a suspenseful journey that begins with a small car accident and quickly escalates into a thrilling tale of revenge. An ex-political prisoner believes he’s found the man who tortured him years before, triggered by a familiar sound. The story follows a diverse group of people as they grapple with questions of justice and revenge, all set against a system of widespread oppression. This film is a powerful political statement and a brilliant example of filmmaking, continuing Panahi’s defiance of censorship.

‘Nouvelle Vague’ (2025)

Richard Linklater beautifully recreates the making of the classic film ‘Breathless,’ paying tribute to the French New Wave style. The film vividly captures the exciting, unconventional filmmaking energy of Jean-Luc Godard as he shot in Paris in 1959. It shows the creative partnerships and romantic relationships that fueled this cultural shift and ushered in a new age for movies. Ultimately, Linklater’s film is a celebration of youthful energy and a pivotal moment in cinema history.

‘Train Dreams’ (2025)

Clint Bentley’s film, based on a story by Denis Johnson, is a beautiful and thoughtful look at the changing American West and the impact of industrialization. Joel Edgerton plays Robert Grainier, a logger struggling with both a personal tragedy and the fast-paced changes of the early 1900s. The movie powerfully conveys the loneliness and immense scale of the landscape as Grainier confronts his isolation and the feeling of time passing. It’s a visually stunning film that quietly and respectfully laments the loss of a traditional way of life.

‘Black Bag’ (2025)

I just finished watching Steven Soderbergh’s latest, and wow, it’s a really gripping spy thriller! It takes place in London and stars Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender – both are incredible as intelligence agents. The whole movie feels like this intricate puzzle of surveillance and betrayal, really showing how cold and calculated modern spying can be. Soderbergh doesn’t bother with flashy stuff; he focuses on how things happen, the conversations, and this intense battle of wits between Blanchett and Fassbender. Honestly, it’s a masterclass in building tension – the direction is so precise and their performances are just ice-cold and completely captivating.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

Chloé Zhao beautifully adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, offering a moving and poetic look at grief and the creative process. The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as parents grappling with the tragic loss of their son – a loss that is believed to have inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It’s a deeply emotional story focusing on everyday life in Stratford and how a family is forever changed by heartbreak. Zhao’s realistic approach makes this historical tale feel surprisingly relevant and relatable.

‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, based on Thomas Pynchon’s ‘Vineland,’ is a sweeping and mind-bending journey through American history and the counterculture movement. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a former activist who must face his past when his daughter becomes the target of a government agent, portrayed by Sean Penn. The movie uniquely mixes humor, suspense, and family relationships to create a powerful and complex story about a divided nation. Many consider it a truly ambitious, chaotic, and emotional masterpiece – the best film of the year.

Tell us which of these movies you are most excited to see in the comments.

2025-12-03 21:17