Sonia's Favorite Movies of 2025

by Sonia Mansfield

Happy New Year, friends! In general, 2025 can kick rocks with open-toed shoes. But it wasn’t all bad.

While the world was worlding, I was able to escape for a little while and watch some pretty great movies. Some of my favorites this year made me laugh or cry, or both. And, some reminded me of what’s waiting for me when I leave the theater and step back into the real world, but they gave me hope.

These are my 10 favorite movies of 2025, and a few honorable mentions.

10. The Ugly Stepsister (directed by Emilie Blichfeldt)

It’s Bridgerton meets The Substance. There’s no Instagram filters or plastic surgery for Elvira (Lea Myren), who goes to extreme lengths to try to look beautiful and steal the prince’s affection from her gorgeous stepsister. From self-mutilation to, ummm, questionable eating habits, this gory take on the classic Cinderella story is probably the grossest movie I saw this year. It’s also got a lot to say about oppressive beauty standards and the pressure to conform. (Streaming on Shudder and Hulu)

9. KPop Demonhunters (directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans)

I’d love to say I watched this because my son wanted to, but then I’d be lying. The truth is, everyone was talking about it, and I felt left out. I’m glad I gave it a chance. K-pop girl group Huntrix play stadiums and fight demons. Suck it, Jonas Brothers. The characters are fun. The animation is cool, and every song is a bop. It’s definitely my favorite animated movie of the year. Sorry, Zootopia 2. (Streaming on Netflix)

8. One of Them Days (directed by Lawrence Lamont)

Patrick, Adam, JB, and Rob already sang this comedy’s praises on the podcast, and I don’t have too much more to add. I looooooved Friday back in the day, but during a recent rewatch, I discovered that it hasn’t aged well. It made me want to cry in the car. IYKYK. One of Them Days definitely scratches the itch of two best friends having a time. Keke Palmer is a star, and SZA was such a delightful surprise. Kinda like Booksmart, I can see myself going back to this one when I need a laugh. (Streaming on Netflix)

7. Freaky Tales (directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck)

As a native San Francisco Bay girlie, I had to put this hella good movie on my list, and not just because it has Pedro Pascal, although that doesn’t hurt. The movie also stars Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, the late Angus Cloud, Jack Champion (it’s your boy, Spider, Patrick), and a little-known actor named TOM HANKS. The movie is four interconnected stories, all set in Oakland in 1987, ranging from a female rap duo battling Bay Area legend rapper Too Short (ask me about his favorite word), a criminal who is just trying to quit to biz, and various people kicking nazi ass, which is probably another reason why I love it so much. I won’t spoil why “Freaky” is in the title. This movie got mixed reviews, and I wonder if my love for it is just because it gets so many Bay Area things right. Check it out for yourself and let me know in the comments. I think it’s a gem. (Streaming on HBOMax)

6. No Other Choice (directed by Park Chan-wook)

A family man (Lee Byung-hun) works at a paper company, and after he gets fired, he tries to kill off the competition for a job at another paper company. The movie is obviously perfectly directed by Park Chan-wook (duh). I love Lee Byung-hun’s performance in this movie. His character gets fired for standing up for his employees and doing the right thing. He has a good heart, but after a year of unemployment, he’s ready to chuck his soul into a paper shredder and rub out anyone who’s in his way for another job. That’s awful, but you still feel bad for him, and somehow it’s funny, too. (In theaters now)

The podcast crew talked about my top 5 movies, so I’ll make it quick.

5. Companion (directed by Drew Hancock)

Unfortunately, the twist was ruined for me, but I saw it with a friend who didn’t know. I loved listening to him freak out during the reveal. It was one of my favorite theater-going experiences this year. The movie perfectly weaponizes Jack Quaid’s nice guy demeanor, and Sophie Thatcher rules in what is essentially two roles. I don’t want to spoil it so you’ll just have to see it for yourself. (Streaming on HBOMax and Prime Video)

4. Sorry, Baby (directed by Eva Victor)

I walked into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it other than (similar to Rosalie) I was worried for the cat on the poster. My friend reassured me that the cat would be OK. It turns out it’s about trauma, friendship, and finding connection. Something almost everyone can relate to. This movie could have been heavy-handed but it’s written and directed by Eva Victor with the lightest touch. I rewatched it again, and I loved it even more the second time, which is the sign of a special movie. (Streaming on HBOMax)

3. Weapons (by Zach Cregger)

I’m getting tired of movies and TV shows that tell a story out of order. It’s overused and sometimes it feels lazy, like the only way the creators can build suspense is mixing everything up so nothing makes sense. I roll my eyes so hard when a show starts with some crazy action sequence and then says, “15 hours earlier.” Sigh.

BUT, Weapons, which is divided into chapters by character, didn’t make me feel that way. This story would’ve been nightmare fuel anyway they told it. As a parent, it’s a nightmare that something would happen to your child. As a kid, it’s a nightmare that something would happen to your parents. It’s my nightmare that Josh Brolin would be mad at me. There’s something for everyone to be afraid of in this movie. Also, shout-out to Aunt Gladys, a real fashion icon.

2. One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson)

In so many ways I feel like Hollywood is not rising to meet the moment. There’s some absolutely batshit stuff happening in the world, and most movies are still about whether this comic book hero will get to the thing that’s beaming a blue light into the sky in time. I’m sure that has more to do with the big corporate overlords than writers and directors, but somehow One Battle After Another made it through.

The thing that really stood out to me (besides all the terrific performances) are the levels of resistance. There’s the French 75, which has passwords and weapons with the goal of being disruptive and getting attention. And then there’s Sensei’s resistance, which is underground and quiet with the goal of helping individuals. Both can work. Both have value.

With each rewatch, One Battle After Another one gets closer to becoming my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson, and I fuckin’ love Boogie Nights and Magnolia. And it has to do with the fact that this movie gave me hope that maybe the next generation will continue to fight the good fight and do it better than us.

Honestly, this movie could’ve been no. 1, too, but I had to make a choice.

1. Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler)

Y’all, I have watched this movie four times this year. I can’t remember the last time that happened with a new release. I saw it in IMAX, and I was blown away. I immediately wanted to see it again. I love the performances. I love the music. I love the story. I love movies like this. You can go as deep as you want. You can watch Sinners and think it’s about the erasure of black culture and the allure of assimilation. Or you can watch it and think, “Oh cool, vampires!” It’s a shame the trailer revealed the vampires. It would’ve been cool to have a From Dusk til Dawn experience in which I had no idea that vampires were gonna show up. But still, this movie is an all-timer for me.

Honorable mentions: The documentaries The Alabama Solution (HBOMax) and The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix). Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent, Jennifer Lawrence in Die My Love, Josh O’Connor’s neck tattoo in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and Tom Middleston’s dancing in Life Of Chuck.