2025 delivered another great year in film. We saw some great original films, Marvel’s First Family returned to the big screen, Soderbergh delivered two great films, Marty was supreme, original horror films made a big splash, and Final Destination was still interesting 25 years later. Here are my favorite films of the year.

Sinners

Directed by Ryan Coogler

I don’t know what else to say about Sinners that hasn’t already been said. Ryan Coogler’s talent as a director and storyteller was on full display. The film is a beautiful blend of culture, history, and horror. A lot will be said about Michael B. Jordan’s performance but the real scene stealer is Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim. He delivers one of my favorite performances of the year. 20 years from now when we look back at the films from 2025, Sinners will be one of the films that hold up and stands out. I can’t wait to see what Coogler and company coo up next.

Presence

Directed By Steven Soderbergh

What a year for Steven Soderbergh. Presence is one of his 2025 releases. The least you know about the film, the better. It’s a high concept film about a family that believes there’s a presence in their new home. The film is shot through the perspective of the presence. It’s a ghost story but not a horror film. It feels like your regular found footage style film at first, but really kicks into another gear during the third act. It’s one of the most beautifully told stories I’ve seen in a long time.

One Battle After Another

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

I’m not surprised this film was good; I’m surprised it is as good as it is. We get a great performance from Leonardo, an Academy Award performance from Sean Penn, and this year’s breakout actress Chase Infiniti. The film is entertaining, exhilarating, funny as hell, and has a social justice issue at the center of it. My absolute favorite sequence in film this year is Willa (Chase Infiniti) steals the car and the ensuing chase. I love the way the character locks in and takes control. I think this movie will have a big day at the Academy Awards

Weapons

Directed by Zach Cregger

The first time I heard about Weapons it was a story that sounded like a marketing gimmick. The story goes Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions were so pissed they lost the bidding war for Robert Creggers new movie. Apparently Peele was so mad he fired some people fired.  I can see why Peele was upset.  Weapons is such a crazy story that’s told in different chapters that all feel like mini movies. The film really peaks when the stories start to intersect. Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys is one of the best performances of the year. He’s so creepy and evil.

Bring Her Back

Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou

I’m someone that routinely falls asleep watching horror movies. I love them. I can stomach most anything on screen. I had to look away multiple times during this film and that’s rare. The Philippou brothers need prayer! They really know how to tell a great horror story. This film, like their last, does a great job showing what grief will make people do. In a world that respects horror, Sally Hawkins would be winning awards for her performance as Laura.

Black Bag

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

The second Sorderbergh film on my list is what I would describe as a thriller for grownups. It’s a simple story about an intelligence agent being accused of betrayal. It’s beautiful people in cool clothes saying and doing very cool things. Not to mention, Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett are fantastic in this. If you like a good spy thriller, this is perfect for you.

The Long Walk

Directed By Francis Lawrence

Stephen King adaptations aren’t always easy. Maybe it’s the time we’re in that makes this adaptation work, but it works very well. The world outside the walk isn’t shown but you learn so much from listening to the boys discuss their reasons for wanting to win. The great performances from Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Charlie Plummer help distract from how brutal the movie is.

Influencers

Directed by Kurtis David Harder

The sequel to 2022’s surprise hit Influencer. My jaw dropped when I saw the trailer. What do you mean CW is in love and traveling with her partner through Europe? How did she get there? What happened to Madison? The film answers all those questions and gives us some amazingly unlikable characters to get killed off. Kurtis David Harder can keeping making these movies. Influencer and Influencers are great introduction movies for people that want to start watching horror.

Frankenstein

Directed By Guillermo Del Toro

I can’t believe I care about a Frankenstein story in 2025. The way Del Toro tells this story is what makes this version feel fresh and new. Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi are so good they made me care about characters I haven’t cared about in decades. I really want a sequel to see what happens next.

KPop Demon Hunters

Directed by Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang

I wanted to hate this movie and I couldn’t.  I smiled he entire time. It was really good. The animation, the music, and the story were all excellent. The song Golden is a hit. It’s probably going to win a bunch of awards. The film delivers on every level. What more could you want from an animated film? It’s a rare cultural phenomenon that lives up to the hype. . I hope we get a sequel soon.