This was a big year for films across all genres, with horrors, dramas and sci-fi epics bringing the goods. There were heavy hitters from big directors, indie horror films that stunned and legacy sequels that revived franchises for a new audience. There’s even a film on here about a clown and his girlfriend that is absolutely fantastic… no, not that one. This year’s list is quite competitive, but every film really earned its spot and still lives rent free in my head. As for those that didn’t quite land a spot, let’s have a look at the honourable mentions.
Honourable Mentions
Here we have a few honourable mentions that didn’t quite make the list, and to be honest I don’t think are good enough to be on the list. Part of why I still want to mention them is because, ironically, they’re all horror films. Bring Her Back is a sick, disturbing and dirty horror film that showcases the brilliance of Danny and Michael Philippou. It’s unsettling even when there’s nothing objectively creepy happening on screen, so when chaos unfolds, it’s just pure mayhem. The Conjuring: Last Rites sends the Warrens packing with a sequel that’s as scary as it is emotional. It puts a lot of focus into ensuring its characters have fleshed out arcs, while ensuring it delivers the supernatural chaos you expect. Fear Street: Prom Queen is a guilty pleasure throwback slasher with great chills and fantastic kills. It’s a little campy with how it plays into 80s and 90s slasher elements, but there’s so many kills in its 90-minute runtime that it’s just a load of fun. Lastly it’s The Monkey; a fun, blood-soaked supernatural horror that’s very morbid in how it weaves horror and comedy in a unique way. You have to have a sick sense of humour to get a kick out of this movie, but it’s well worth the watch.
#10 – Predator: Badlands
First we have a film that is on this list in the exact same position as its predecessor, Prey. The Predator franchise is in good hands with Dan Trachtenberg at the helm. Badlands is the refreshing shift that the franchise needed, contrasting the “stick to the script” attitude of Prey. It’s a buddy-cop adventure on an alien planet where a Yautja is the protagonist, not the villain. It’s stacked with action-packed moments that are both awesome and hilarious, with Dek utilising a slew of new and familiar weapons to leave bodies in his wake. Not only that, but it’s quite deep in its narrative and character arcs, turning it into more than just a blood-soaked action film. To put it simply, I’m even more excited about the future of this franchise than I was previously.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Predator: Badlands by clicking here.
#9 – Thunderbolts*
It feels great to be excited about the future of the MCU again, and Thunderbolts* is perhaps the main reason why. This film had absolutely no right to be as good as it was, pairing together a bunch of the MCU’s misfits who I (mostly) didn’t care about against a villain I’d never heard of. Yet somehow it defied the odds and delivered an emotional, fun, comedy-packed adventure that packs a lot of heart into its two hour runtime. It’s a very balanced experience that brings back the joy felt while watching early MCU adventures. Florence Pugh’s Yelena is at the forefront of the story, elevating it in every way and strengthening her character for this journey and inevitable future stories.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Thunderbolts* by clicking here.
#8 – Black Phone 2
I love when a horror franchise treats its sequels with a hint of intent and ambition as opposed to just cheap thrills and money making schemes. Black Phone 2 does exactly that; opting against the idea of “playing it safe” and instead expanding the depth of its narrative tenfold. It takes the franchise in a new direction; doubling down on the supernatural elements, shifting the focus to a new protagonist and incorporating truly terrifying dream sequences. This film has some of the most spine-chilling horror sequences of the year; using an overwhelming of the senses via grainy visuals and the sound of static to give you a sense of unease. With intriguing characters and the performances to back them up, this is a great watch for horror-thriller fans.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Black Phone 2 by clicking here.
#7 – Bugonia
Bugonia is exactly the film you expect when you see Yorgos Lanthimos’ name attached to a dark comedy. It’s terrifying, unsettling, compelling and hilarious, following a bonkers narrative that’s somehow both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. Much like Lanthimos’ other films, the first act is a little tough to get into due to the strange tone, odd characters and vaguely developing story. However with time, the narrative grows to the point of being one of the best screenplays of the year. The dialogue is phenomenal and the performances from Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are riveting, with the two of them exhibiting stellar chemistry. Being a dark comedy, there’s plenty of dark, serious content as well as a hefty dose of satire, and both are felt throughout. This is the very definition of “not everyone’s cup of tea”, but the themes and messages Lanthimos conveys are well worth the journey on its own.
My review of Bugonia will be linked here when completed.
#6 – F1
F1 could have very easily been one of the worst of the year. If they failed to nail the tension and excitement of the race sequences, it would’ve been quite a bore. However that’s the furthest thing from true, as every race sequence in here is absolutely exhilarating. The story is light, if not a little overdramatised, but it moves at a lightning-fast pace and pushes through major moments with enough haste to eliminate any chance of boredom. The film’s only flaw is some average dialogue, but the strength of its race sequences and impressive visuals is enough to propel it high up my list. Plus Brad Pitt is a captivating presence on screen, elevating every moment with a dash of charisma.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of F1 by clicking here.
#5 – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
The Mission: Impossible franchise has stood the test of time, getting better with age as it embraces its ridiculous stunts and twist-packed narratives. With The Final Reckoning, the franchise has been brought to a close in a satisfying way that hits all the beats you’d expect from a spy thriller. Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie poured a lot of love into this film, honouring the franchise’s legacy and the fans who have followed it for 30 years. It’s packed with suspense-filled sequences and action aplenty… and yes, Tom Cruise running. When it comes to high-quality action thrillers, this is the best option of the year – a must-see thrill ride.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning by clicking here.
#4 – Sinners
Sinners is one of the best films of this year for a number of reasons. One reason being I saw it way back in May and it has stuck with me, while other films have slowly drifted from memory. This is a spine-chilling blend of supernatural horror and drama, one where the more human horrors are at times scarier than the supernatural threat. It’s a film of two halves; the entire first half of the narrative is a slow, dramatic character study and it’s phenomenal. I came for the horror but stayed for the incredible writing. The second half is where the horror elements take over, leading to a number of exciting, gripping, emotional and terrifying sequences. Complete with two brilliant Michael B. Jordan performances, this is a triumph in horror and storytelling.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Sinners by clicking here.
#3 – The Fantastic Four: First Steps
What a year for the MCU. First we had Thunderbolts* come out guns blazing, signaling a potential return to quality for the dwindling universe, then The Fantastic Four: First Steps said “hold my beer” and put together the best MCU film since Endgame. This movie really did have it all; from a fun aesthetic and emotional character beats to immensely thrilling sequences and awesome action moments. It’s not a crazy think piece, but it did have me entirely hooked from beginning to end, with a thrilling adventure that’s enjoyable across every minute. The chemistry amongst the actors makes this crew the best iteration of the Fantastic Four we’ve ever seen.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps by clicking here.
#2 – Weapons
Weapons is a horror film that intrigued me on premise alone; I went into this experience having not seen a single trailer, and I feel like I loved it even more for that. The premise is as simple as it comes, yet the path it takes from the opening scene to the climax is full of unpredictable twists and absolutely wild turns. Zach Cregger loves telling a story with a chapter-like structure, and it seems he’s been given full creative freedom with how to tackle this narrative. The use of overlapping chapters, with each one focusing on a different character is a brilliant way to keep you hooked. Then there’s the horror; where Cregger relies more on atmospheric scares to create a spine-chilling experience, and does so with remarkable success.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Weapons by clicking here.
#1 – Avatar: Fire & Ash
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind when it came to predicting my best film of 2025 that it would be Avatar: Fire & Ash. James Cameron has proven time and time again that he is the king of producing epic money-making blockbusters. This third entry in the franchise isn’t even as good as the chart-topping Avatar: The Way of Water, yet it still trumps every other film to release this year by a landslide. The performances are incredible, the narrative is poignant and packed with moving character arcs, and the visuals are breathtaking. There’s not a facet of this film that doesn’t work in building it up to masterpiece-status. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this world is so rich and teeming with narrative opportunity that I could watch an endless supply of these Cameron-produced films.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Avatar: Fire & Ash by clicking here.
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