The tradition continues. 169 (!) new-in-2025 movies seen by me in theaters (no streaming, sorry Netflix 🥲) ranked from worst to best. Some unexpected/little-known names in the Top 10. Here we go!
IMAX: I DOLBY CINEMA: DC AMC PRIME: AP SOUTH KOREA: SK JAPANESE ANIME: JA CHINA: CH CANADA: CA WESTERN: WT DIRECTED BY A WOMAN: W
168. BRIDE HARD 167. STRANGE HARVEST 166. THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA 165. THE TOXIC AVENGER: UNRATED ('25) 164. SHELBY OAKS 163. QUEEN OF MANHATTAN 162. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER ('25, W) 161. OMNISCIENT READER: THE PROPHECY (SK) 160. GUNS & MOSES 159. SHADOW FORCE 158. WARFARE 157. LAST BREATH 156. ROSARIO 155. THE RITUAL 154. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S 2 (DC, W) 153. IN THE LOST LANDS 152. DIE MY LOVE (W) 151. WOLF MAN ('25) 150. Disney's SNOW WHITE ('25, I) 149. DEATH OF A UNICORN 148. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON ('25, I) 147. DEAD TO RIGHTS (CH, I) 146. JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH (DC) 145. ELIO 3D (DC, W) 144. ANACONDA ('25, AP) 143. THE ALTO KNIGHTS (I) 142. CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (I) 141. AFTERBURN 140. THE BRIDE, aka CO DAU MA (VIETNAM) 139. EX-HUSBANDS 138. LONG SHADOWS (WT) 137. CLEANER 136. ELEVATION 135. HELL OF A SUMMER 134. WILLIAM TELL (UK/ITALY) 133. ELEANOR THE GREAT (W) 132. EXORCISM CHRONICLES: THE BEGINNING (SK) 131. UNTIL DAWN 130. ABRAHAM'S BOYS: A DRACULA STORY (WT, W) 129. LOVE HURTS 128. LILO & STITCH ('25, I) 127. SINK YOUR TEETH: A TOKYO GHOUL CELEBRATION (JA) 126. ASH 125. BONE LAKE (W) 124. THE HOME 123. 40 ACRES (CA) 122. JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION (JA) 121. A WORKING MAN (I) 120. THE DAMNED (IRELAND/UK) 119. SHE RIDES SHOTGUN 118. QUEENS OF THE DEAD (W) 117. RIFFTRAX LIVE: TIMECOP ('25/'94) 116. TRUST (W) 115. AMC DOUBLE FEATURE #1: VINCENT MUST DIE (FRANCE) 114. NOBODY 2 113. LONDON CALLING 112. FLIGHT RISK 111. AMC DOUBLE FEATURE #2: HALLOW ROAD (UK) 110. DROP 109. THE PROSECUTOR (CH) 108. THE UNHOLY TRINITY (WT) 107. MY DAUGHTER IS A ZOMBIE (SK) 106. WITCHBOARD ('25) 105. SARDAAR JI 3 (INDIA) 104. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR (SPAIN) 103. NOVOCAINE 102. THE SHADOW'S EDGE (CH) 101. BELEN (ARGENTINA, W) 100. CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD 99. BALLERINA (DC) 98. THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME 97. THE LONG WALK 96. GOOD BOY 95. DOIN' IT 94. TRON: ARES (I) 93. FACKHAM HALL (UK) 92. CHAINSAW MAN - THE MOVIE: REZO ARC (JA) 91. DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA 90. IS THIS THING ON? 89. HAMNET (W) 88. THE AMATEUR (I) 87. TRAP HOUSE 86. KARATE KID: LEGENDS (AP) 85. BROWNSVILLE BRED (W) 84. DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE (JA) 83. MICKEY 17 (I) 82. AMERICANA 81. THE RUNNING MAN ('25, DC) 80. BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN (DOC., I) 79. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN ('25) 78. given THE DOUBLE ALBUM: HIIRAGI MIX/TO THE SEA (JA, W) 77. MATERIALISTS (AP, W) 76. WATCH THE SKIES (SWEEDEN) 75. MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE 74. INHERITANCE 73. LURKER 72. HIM (I) 71. OPUS 70. HONEY, DON'T! 69. 100 NIGHTS OF HERO (UK, W) 68. REGRETTING YOU 67. FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (I) 66. SISU: ROAD TO PERDITION (FINLAND) 65. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT ('25, CA) 64. SPLITSVILLE 63. EDDINGTON 62. THE MONKEY 61. EDEN 60. BLACK PHONE 2 59. THE SHROUDS (CA) 58. HARD TRUTHS (UK) 57. CODE 3 56. 28 YEARS LATER (I) 55. THE NAKED GUN ('25) 54. FREAKY TALES (W) 53. TOGETHER 52. SKETCH 51. DUST BUNNY 50. HEART EYES 49. NO OTHER CHOICE (SK) 48. NUREMBERG 47. FLIGHT OR FIGHT 46. BLACK BAG 45. RULE BREAKERS 44. THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE 43. SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES (I) 42 THE LIFE OF CHUCK 41. KEEPER 40. M3GAN 2.0 (DC) 39. ETERNITY 38. ROOFMAN 37. AVATAR: FIRE AND ICE 3D (I) 36. DARK NUNS (SK) 35. BRING HER BACK (AUSTRALIA) 34. THE HOUSEMAID 33. MARTY SUPREME (70mm) 32. RENTAL FAMILY (US/JAPAN, W) 31. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING (I) 30. SENTIMENTAL VALUE (NORWAY) 29. SUPERMAN ('25, I) 28. IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU (W) 27. SORRY, BABY (W) 26. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE (I, JA) 25. THE SECRET AGENT (BRAZIL) 24. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (I) 23. THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE (70mm) 22. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (DC) 21. THUNDERBOLTS*, aka THE NEW AVENGERS (I)
Yikes! Just realized l missed putting a 'W' next to "The Testament of Ann Lee" for Mona Fastvold's direction. If you catch any movie directed by women that l didn't label as such, please let me know. 🫣😌
20. F1: THE MOVIE (I) 19. SONG SUNG BLUES 18. ZOOTOPIA 2 (I) 17. DON'T LET'S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT (SOUTH AFRICA, W) 16. COMPANION (I) 15. BUGONIA (70mm) 14. THE UGLY (SK) 13. OH, HI! (W) 12. SCARLET (JA) 11. PREDATOR: BADLANDS
RANDOM 20-11 NOTES: Joseph Kosinski turns a dull/predictable racing/sports flick into a gripping, old-fashioned "F1" Brad Pitt star vehicle (pun intended 😛🫣)...#17 is like "E.T." set in 1980 Rhodesia as a little kid witnesses her white family losing the only home/way of life she's ever known... l didn't know anything about "Companion" before seeing it, so l got the full effect of the narrative as the filmmakers intended...l could watch Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson singing nursery rhymes. The chemistry! 😎
"The Ugly" is the complete opposite of the director's "Train To Busan," a super slow-burn drama of a blind old man whose life choices (relived in lengthy flashbacks) come to a head in an emotional gut-punch ending. Not for everybody..."Oh, Hi!" benefits from a female director's POV in seeing the silliness underneath the dangers of relationship miscommunication. Big laughs hide some unexpected pathos... Unlike the ton of Japanese anime l saw pushing the violence/gore quota insanely high, "Scarlet's" PG-13 rating upped the creativity of the visuals and allowed its time-transporting/fantasy narrative to breath.
10. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (70mm, I) 9. SISTER MIDNIGHT (UK/INDIA) 8. RELAY 7. DANGEROUS ANIMALS (AUSTRALIA) 6. ELLA McCAY 5. KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (70mm, '03/'04-'25) 4. Hi-FIVE (SK) 3. CAUGHT STEALING 2. SINNERS (70mm, l) 1. TIE: LOVE ME/WEAPONS (I)
RANDOM 10-1 NOTES: What everyone else seems to get from P.T. Anderson's epic is what Darren Aronofsky's "Caught Stealing" delivers for me. I've seen "OBAA" thrice, and while l like some parts/scenes/actors more than others (Benicio's calm, joyful demeanor quietly steals the show) the entirety of "CS" (even its needlessly upbeat, colorful closing credits scroll) feels like a master filmmaker cutting loose in a comedic genre out of his comfort zone. P.T. has Sean Penn, though 🤨... "Sister Midnight" feels like torture p-o-r-n as its dirt-poor protagonists suffer even more indignities, but its class/gender commentary makes the gory bits necessary complements... From 1987 to 2024 only one James L. Brooks movie (1997's "As Good As It Gets") has come close to his 80's heyday of "Terms of Endearment" and "Broadcast News." So you'll forgive me for celebrating "Ella McCay" capturing a fraction of that magic, as well as the fact the Brooks' (James directing and Albert starring) complement Emma Mackey's star-making lead performance. Yes, l'm old (turned 53 last Tuesday! 🥺😭)...
"Relay" is currently streaming on Netflix and l'd be curious what your reaction is. It's the only movie l saw in a theater where the few patrons attending sought each other out (myself included) afterward because we were dying to talk about what we had just seen..."Hi-Five" may not have the best special effects/characters/narrative (at times feels like "Heroes 2.0"), but S. Korean civilians receiving transplant organs from a dead superhero (and the villain that covets those organs for his own dastardly plans) is the closest a superhero flick came to make feel like a kid again..."Dangerous Animals" is one of the few shark movies that learned "Jaws'" primary lesson: focus the story on the humans and make sharks the ever-present background danger. And Jai Courtney at his most wild/unhinged is a thing of beauty to watch... The few times "Sinners" opens its matte framing to the full IMAX AR count as highlights in a movie full of them. Where is Michael B. Jordan's acting Oscar? He deserves at least two.✌️😎
"Love Me" and "Weapons" represent indie and commercial cinema, respectively, at their very best. No franchise hook or IP trapping, just good actors bringing life to wildly improbable scenarios. I couldn't choose one over the other, l love them both dearly as my favorite movies of 2025. 🤠👍
Holy moly. I just looked and I have a grand total of three 2025 movies. I thought I had been to the theatre more than that? There's probably more that I forgot to add to the list. I don't think I'm going to make a list. I love yours though and thanks for sharing.
JM looks at other top 10 lists and says 'hold my beer'. ha! Huge Thanks JM for this list!!!!!! I adore that you see so much cinematicaly and realllllllllllllly appreciate you taking the time to share with the F This folk! Another great list of suggestions and..if im being honest...opportunity to cherry pick a few from the bottom of the list now and again just for fun. Woot!
Thanks Mashke. 👋🙂 l'm sad that so many '25 movies l personally liked ranked so low, sometimes even below 100! 😢😪 But that forces me to really try hard to ask myself what stays with me long after leaving the theater. That's how titles like "Love Me" (January release) rise to the top of my personal movie crop. Hope you enjoy my suggestions and not hold it against me if you don't like the stuff that moves me. 🥰🤓
I had forgotten to add Sinnners to my list. But my list would go Train Dreams, One Battle after Another, Sinners, A House of Dynamite, everything else that I haven't seen yet.
CORRINA, CORRINA (1994) Story about a grieving widower (Ray Liotta) and daughter (Tina Majorino) who find healing and family again through their new nanny/housekeeper, Whoopi Goldberg. A lot of jazz music featured. This is one of the most tender movies I know, with some of the cutest kids ever to be onscreen. Ray Liotta is perfect in this very intimate family film. One of my favorite rewatches.
Im a huge fan of 'heady scifi'. By this i mean science fiction cinema that is so well written that it doesnt rely on, nor need, huge scale sets and special effects. Coming off a perfect example, Bugonia, last week and into Pluribus, im beyond stoked.
I went in knowing VERY little and would suggest thats the best approach. Brilliant Vince Gilligan has taken a well trod premise similar to Invasion of Bodysnatchers and created an entire new world around it. The shows pacing is deliberate and i think most folks will know if its for them or not in an episode or two. I couldnt turn it off an watched entire season in one day.
One Battle After Another (2025 hbo)
Another amazing film from 2025!! Again, went in pretty blind and absolutely enjoyed it. Its a bit of a grab bag of a movie that at its core is a bit of an action thriller but layers in alot more. The characters are so well done that its a cinematic joy to join them in the actions within. Cant wait to rewatch. If you've been on the fence, i HIGHLY recommend.
(Slight spoiler musings: I think if you strip away the context of the action the plot is pretty basic thriller/action and really well done. But adding real life settings from the truly scary times we live in elevates the tone. For me the stand out performances were Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, and most of all Sean Penn who channels his intensity into one of the best embodiment of evil villains in a long long time. Lots of great quotes within. And as for the Illuminati-esque evil racist organization? They gave me vibes of some classic villains of the 70s: 1) conspiracy baddies such as The Parallax Corporation and 2) evil villains from blacksploitation classics such as Three The Hard Way)
I had issues with Pluribus, but they're the same issues found in most modern tv series. The setup is pretty cool and intriguing, i'm hooked. And because i'm kind of a contrarian, my favorite episode was the one where nothing's happening (ep7) and most people hated because nothing's happening
Everyone’s year-end lists has be overwhelmed with how many movies I missed this year. So here’s my 2025 top ten, OF THE ONES I’VE SEEN:
10) FANTASTIC FOUR FIRST STEPS. Not perfect, but it makes a good case of why these characters matter. The Blu-ray extras really had me appreciating everything director Matt Shakman brought to this.
9) ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. Liked but didn’t love it. Leo was great in a disheveled, non-movie star performance, but the heavy hand was just the heaviest.
8) HEART EYES. Rather than go all meta and deconstruct the slasher genre, here’s a straightforward slice n’ dicer like we want. Sequel, anyone?
7) DROP. A super-fun low-stakes whodunit. Everyone says they miss mid-budgeted thrillers, and yet here’s a good one.
6) WEAPONS. The puzzle box structure and the dark humor are a winning combination. I imagine this’ll be one of those movies where you notice some new detail every time you watch it.
5) MICKEY 17. Always great to see sci-fi about exploring oddball ideas, and not just action and spectacle.
4) FRANKENSTEIN. Del Toro goes full-on gothic/romantic, as well he should.
3) THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME. I’ll follow Wes Anderson on whatever journey he wants to take me on. Definitely a star-making turn from Mia Threapleton.
2) THE BASHFUL BUCCANEER. Oh wait, that’s from my "Best of 1925" list.
1) SINNERS. Explosive action and horror that’s also smart and thematic, along with one of the best musical numbers ever filmed? This is an all-timer.
Worst movie of 2025: A MINECRAFT MOVIE. Just… no.
Best new-to-me movie of #Junesploitation 2026: BILLY IDOL: STATE LINE (2024). Rock the cradle of love!
Best new-to-me movie of #ScaryMovieMonth 2026: THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (1964). Vincent Price goodness!
Best TV of 2025: Not everyone liked it, but the STRANGER THINGS finale nailed it for me.
Best game of 2025: BLUE PRINCE. Opening the garage door changes everything!
Best comic book/graphic novel of 2025: I thought I was done with Scott Snyder, but ABSOLUTE BATMAN shows he’s still got the goods.
You're right that the 'making-of' extras in "F4" (lot more practical effects/sets that l'm used to with MCU) make me appreciate the movie and Shakman's direction more.
Glad someone else appreciates "Heart Eyes" (50 out of 169 for me, not bad for a holiday-themed slasher). I avoid movies l know l'm not going to like ("Minecraft Movie," "Happy Gilmore 2") or don't care for ("SpongeBob Squarepants Movie"), so even movies at the bottom of my 169 aren't the bottom of the barrel. I just like the movie ranked above it more, and so forth times 168. 🤓
Predator - Badlands (2025): There's a bit of Disney-fication at play here, which I don't necessarily care for, but I still enjoyed the movie a lot. I like how they explore more of the predator (they're called Yautja) mythos and not just do another predator hunting humans thing. I'm sure Trachtenberg is full of ideas for the future of the franchise and I hope he gets to do them, because so far he's done great things.
My experience is that those that have seen Dan Trachtenberg's previous entries in this franchise ("Prey," the animated one where they actually revealed the 'Yautja' name) tend to rank "Badlands" as 3rd best behind the previous two. Not me, l think "Badlands" is the payoff for the world re-building that Dan did before and a great sci-fi/action banger. Let's hope Disney suits don't ruin the good thing they have going here. 🤞😬
I watched A House of Dynamite (2025). Wow so good. Please give Kathryn Bigelow money to make more movies. I know Detroit wasn't so good, they can't all be bangers, but she had such a fucking great track record before then.
The tradition continues. 169 (!) new-in-2025 movies seen by me in theaters (no streaming, sorry Netflix 🥲) ranked from worst to best. Some unexpected/little-known names in the Top 10. Here we go!
ReplyDeleteIMAX: I
DOLBY CINEMA: DC
AMC PRIME: AP
SOUTH KOREA: SK
JAPANESE ANIME: JA
CHINA: CH
CANADA: CA
WESTERN: WT
DIRECTED BY A WOMAN: W
168. BRIDE HARD
167. STRANGE HARVEST
166. THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA
165. THE TOXIC AVENGER: UNRATED ('25)
164. SHELBY OAKS
163. QUEEN OF MANHATTAN
162. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER ('25, W)
161. OMNISCIENT READER: THE PROPHECY (SK)
160. GUNS & MOSES
159. SHADOW FORCE
158. WARFARE
157. LAST BREATH
156. ROSARIO
155. THE RITUAL
154. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S 2 (DC, W)
153. IN THE LOST LANDS
152. DIE MY LOVE (W)
151. WOLF MAN ('25)
150. Disney's SNOW WHITE ('25, I)
149. DEATH OF A UNICORN
148. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON ('25, I)
147. DEAD TO RIGHTS (CH, I)
146. JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH (DC)
145. ELIO 3D (DC, W)
144. ANACONDA ('25, AP)
143. THE ALTO KNIGHTS (I)
142. CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (I)
141. AFTERBURN
140. THE BRIDE, aka CO DAU MA (VIETNAM)
139. EX-HUSBANDS
138. LONG SHADOWS (WT)
137. CLEANER
136. ELEVATION
135. HELL OF A SUMMER
134. WILLIAM TELL (UK/ITALY)
133. ELEANOR THE GREAT (W)
132. EXORCISM CHRONICLES: THE BEGINNING (SK)
131. UNTIL DAWN
130. ABRAHAM'S BOYS: A DRACULA STORY (WT, W)
129. LOVE HURTS
128. LILO & STITCH ('25, I)
127. SINK YOUR TEETH: A TOKYO GHOUL CELEBRATION (JA)
126. ASH
125. BONE LAKE (W)
124. THE HOME
123. 40 ACRES (CA)
122. JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION (JA)
121. A WORKING MAN (I)
120. THE DAMNED (IRELAND/UK)
119. SHE RIDES SHOTGUN
118. QUEENS OF THE DEAD (W)
117. RIFFTRAX LIVE: TIMECOP ('25/'94)
116. TRUST (W)
115. AMC DOUBLE FEATURE #1: VINCENT MUST DIE (FRANCE)
114. NOBODY 2
113. LONDON CALLING
112. FLIGHT RISK
111. AMC DOUBLE FEATURE #2: HALLOW ROAD (UK)
110. DROP
109. THE PROSECUTOR (CH)
108. THE UNHOLY TRINITY (WT)
107. MY DAUGHTER IS A ZOMBIE (SK)
106. WITCHBOARD ('25)
105. SARDAAR JI 3 (INDIA)
104. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR (SPAIN)
103. NOVOCAINE
102. THE SHADOW'S EDGE (CH)
101. BELEN (ARGENTINA, W)
100. CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD
99. BALLERINA (DC)
98. THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
97. THE LONG WALK
96. GOOD BOY
95. DOIN' IT
94. TRON: ARES (I)
93. FACKHAM HALL (UK)
92. CHAINSAW MAN - THE MOVIE: REZO ARC (JA)
91. DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA
90. IS THIS THING ON?
89. HAMNET (W)
88. THE AMATEUR (I)
87. TRAP HOUSE
86. KARATE KID: LEGENDS (AP)
85. BROWNSVILLE BRED (W)
84. DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE (JA)
83. MICKEY 17 (I)
82. AMERICANA
81. THE RUNNING MAN ('25, DC)
80. BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN (DOC., I)
79. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN ('25)
78. given THE DOUBLE ALBUM: HIIRAGI MIX/TO THE SEA (JA, W)
77. MATERIALISTS (AP, W)
76. WATCH THE SKIES (SWEEDEN)
75. MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE
74. INHERITANCE
73. LURKER
72. HIM (I)
71. OPUS
70. HONEY, DON'T!
69. 100 NIGHTS OF HERO (UK, W)
68. REGRETTING YOU
67. FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (I)
66. SISU: ROAD TO PERDITION (FINLAND)
65. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT ('25, CA)
64. SPLITSVILLE
63. EDDINGTON
62. THE MONKEY
61. EDEN
60. BLACK PHONE 2
59. THE SHROUDS (CA)
58. HARD TRUTHS (UK)
57. CODE 3
56. 28 YEARS LATER (I)
55. THE NAKED GUN ('25)
54. FREAKY TALES (W)
53. TOGETHER
52. SKETCH
51. DUST BUNNY
50. HEART EYES
49. NO OTHER CHOICE (SK)
48. NUREMBERG
47. FLIGHT OR FIGHT
46. BLACK BAG
45. RULE BREAKERS
44. THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE
43. SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES (I)
42 THE LIFE OF CHUCK
41. KEEPER
40. M3GAN 2.0 (DC)
39. ETERNITY
38. ROOFMAN
37. AVATAR: FIRE AND ICE 3D (I)
36. DARK NUNS (SK)
35. BRING HER BACK (AUSTRALIA)
34. THE HOUSEMAID
33. MARTY SUPREME (70mm)
32. RENTAL FAMILY (US/JAPAN, W)
31. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING (I)
30. SENTIMENTAL VALUE (NORWAY)
29. SUPERMAN ('25, I)
28. IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU (W)
27. SORRY, BABY (W)
26. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE (I, JA)
25. THE SECRET AGENT (BRAZIL)
24. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (I)
23. THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE (70mm)
22. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (DC)
21. THUNDERBOLTS*, aka THE NEW AVENGERS (I)
Yikes! Just realized l missed putting a 'W' next to "The Testament of Ann Lee" for Mona Fastvold's direction. If you catch any movie directed by women that l didn't label as such, please let me know. 🫣😌
Delete[CONTINUED FROM POST ABOVE]
ReplyDelete20. F1: THE MOVIE (I)
19. SONG SUNG BLUES
18. ZOOTOPIA 2 (I)
17. DON'T LET'S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT (SOUTH AFRICA, W)
16. COMPANION (I)
15. BUGONIA (70mm)
14. THE UGLY (SK)
13. OH, HI! (W)
12. SCARLET (JA)
11. PREDATOR: BADLANDS
RANDOM 20-11 NOTES: Joseph Kosinski turns a dull/predictable racing/sports flick into a gripping, old-fashioned "F1" Brad Pitt star vehicle (pun intended 😛🫣)...#17 is like "E.T." set in 1980 Rhodesia as a little kid witnesses her white family losing the only home/way of life she's ever known... l didn't know anything about "Companion" before seeing it, so l got the full effect of the narrative as the filmmakers intended...l could watch Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson singing nursery rhymes. The chemistry! 😎
"The Ugly" is the complete opposite of the director's "Train To Busan," a super slow-burn drama of a blind old man whose life choices (relived in lengthy flashbacks) come to a head in an emotional gut-punch ending. Not for everybody..."Oh, Hi!" benefits from a female director's POV in seeing the silliness underneath the dangers of relationship miscommunication. Big laughs hide some unexpected pathos... Unlike the ton of Japanese anime l saw pushing the violence/gore quota insanely high, "Scarlet's" PG-13 rating upped the creativity of the visuals and allowed its time-transporting/fantasy narrative to breath.
10. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (70mm, I)
9. SISTER MIDNIGHT (UK/INDIA)
8. RELAY
7. DANGEROUS ANIMALS (AUSTRALIA)
6. ELLA McCAY
5. KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (70mm, '03/'04-'25)
4. Hi-FIVE (SK)
3. CAUGHT STEALING
2. SINNERS (70mm, l)
1. TIE: LOVE ME/WEAPONS (I)
RANDOM 10-1 NOTES: What everyone else seems to get from P.T. Anderson's epic is what Darren Aronofsky's "Caught Stealing" delivers for me. I've seen "OBAA" thrice, and while l like some parts/scenes/actors more than others (Benicio's calm, joyful demeanor quietly steals the show) the entirety of "CS" (even its needlessly upbeat, colorful closing credits scroll) feels like a master filmmaker cutting loose in a comedic genre out of his comfort zone. P.T. has Sean Penn, though 🤨... "Sister Midnight" feels like torture p-o-r-n as its dirt-poor protagonists suffer even more indignities, but its class/gender commentary makes the gory bits necessary complements... From 1987 to 2024 only one James L. Brooks movie (1997's "As Good As It Gets") has come close to his 80's heyday of "Terms of Endearment" and "Broadcast News." So you'll forgive me for celebrating "Ella McCay" capturing a fraction of that magic, as well as the fact the Brooks' (James directing and Albert starring) complement Emma Mackey's star-making lead performance. Yes, l'm old (turned 53 last Tuesday! 🥺😭)...
"Relay" is currently streaming on Netflix and l'd be curious what your reaction is. It's the only movie l saw in a theater where the few patrons attending sought each other out (myself included) afterward because we were dying to talk about what we had just seen..."Hi-Five" may not have the best special effects/characters/narrative (at times feels like "Heroes 2.0"), but S. Korean civilians receiving transplant organs from a dead superhero (and the villain that covets those organs for his own dastardly plans) is the closest a superhero flick came to make feel like a kid again..."Dangerous Animals" is one of the few shark movies that learned "Jaws'" primary lesson: focus the story on the humans and make sharks the ever-present background danger. And Jai Courtney at his most wild/unhinged is a thing of beauty to watch... The few times "Sinners" opens its matte framing to the full IMAX AR count as highlights in a movie full of them. Where is Michael B. Jordan's acting Oscar? He deserves at least two.✌️😎
"Love Me" and "Weapons" represent indie and commercial cinema, respectively, at their very best. No franchise hook or IP trapping, just good actors bringing life to wildly improbable scenarios. I couldn't choose one over the other, l love them both dearly as my favorite movies of 2025. 🤠👍
Holy moly. I just looked and I have a grand total of three 2025 movies. I thought I had been to the theatre more than that? There's probably more that I forgot to add to the list. I don't think I'm going to make a list. I love yours though and thanks for sharing.
DeleteThank you for reading it. 😁 And whether you saw 169 or 3 movies in theaters last year, we all love movies equally here at FTM. WE ROCK! 🤘😎
DeleteJM looks at other top 10 lists and says 'hold my beer'. ha! Huge Thanks JM for this list!!!!!! I adore that you see so much cinematicaly and realllllllllllllly appreciate you taking the time to share with the F This folk! Another great list of suggestions and..if im being honest...opportunity to cherry pick a few from the bottom of the list now and again just for fun. Woot!
DeletePeace .n. Cinema Love
Mashke
Thanks Mashke. 👋🙂 l'm sad that so many '25 movies l personally liked ranked so low, sometimes even below 100! 😢😪 But that forces me to really try hard to ask myself what stays with me long after leaving the theater. That's how titles like "Love Me" (January release) rise to the top of my personal movie crop. Hope you enjoy my suggestions and not hold it against me if you don't like the stuff that moves me. 🥰🤓
DeleteGreat list as usual. I've seen only an handful of 2025 movies, and most of them were big studios crap. No list for me
DeleteThanks Kunider. ✌️😁
DeleteI had forgotten to add Sinnners to my list. But my list would go Train Dreams, One Battle after Another, Sinners, A House of Dynamite, everything else that I haven't seen yet.
DeleteNever even heard of "Train Dreams." 😳🧐
DeleteCORRINA, CORRINA (1994)
ReplyDeleteStory about a grieving widower (Ray Liotta) and daughter (Tina Majorino) who find healing and family again through their new nanny/housekeeper, Whoopi Goldberg. A lot of jazz music featured. This is one of the most tender movies I know, with some of the cutest kids ever to be onscreen. Ray Liotta is perfect in this very intimate family film. One of my favorite rewatches.
The rare movie in Ray Liotta's filmography where he's likable and almost normal... almost. 🫠
DeletePluribus (2025 S1 Apple)
ReplyDeleteIm a huge fan of 'heady scifi'. By this i mean science fiction cinema that is so well written that it doesnt rely on, nor need, huge scale sets and special effects. Coming off a perfect example, Bugonia, last week and into Pluribus, im beyond stoked.
I went in knowing VERY little and would suggest thats the best approach. Brilliant Vince Gilligan has taken a well trod premise similar to Invasion of Bodysnatchers and created an entire new world around it. The shows pacing is deliberate and i think most folks will know if its for them or not in an episode or two. I couldnt turn it off an watched entire season in one day.
One Battle After Another (2025 hbo)
Another amazing film from 2025!! Again, went in pretty blind and absolutely enjoyed it. Its a bit of a grab bag of a movie that at its core is a bit of an action thriller but layers in alot more. The characters are so well done that its a cinematic joy to join them in the actions within.
Cant wait to rewatch. If you've been on the fence, i HIGHLY recommend.
(Slight spoiler musings: I think if you strip away the context of the action the plot is pretty basic thriller/action and really well done. But adding real life settings from the truly scary times we live in elevates the tone. For me the stand out performances were Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, and most of all Sean Penn who channels his intensity into one of the best embodiment of evil villains in a long long time. Lots of great quotes within. And as for the Illuminati-esque evil racist organization? They gave me vibes of some classic villains of the 70s: 1) conspiracy baddies such as The Parallax Corporation and 2) evil villains from blacksploitation classics such as Three The Hard Way)
I had issues with Pluribus, but they're the same issues found in most modern tv series. The setup is pretty cool and intriguing, i'm hooked. And because i'm kind of a contrarian, my favorite episode was the one where nothing's happening (ep7) and most people hated because nothing's happening
DeleteEveryone’s year-end lists has be overwhelmed with how many movies I missed this year. So here’s my 2025 top ten, OF THE ONES I’VE SEEN:
ReplyDelete10) FANTASTIC FOUR FIRST STEPS. Not perfect, but it makes a good case of why these characters matter. The Blu-ray extras really had me appreciating everything director Matt Shakman brought to this.
9) ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. Liked but didn’t love it. Leo was great in a disheveled, non-movie star performance, but the heavy hand was just the heaviest.
8) HEART EYES. Rather than go all meta and deconstruct the slasher genre, here’s a straightforward slice n’ dicer like we want. Sequel, anyone?
7) DROP. A super-fun low-stakes whodunit. Everyone says they miss mid-budgeted thrillers, and yet here’s a good one.
6) WEAPONS. The puzzle box structure and the dark humor are a winning combination. I imagine this’ll be one of those movies where you notice some new detail every time you watch it.
5) MICKEY 17. Always great to see sci-fi about exploring oddball ideas, and not just action and spectacle.
4) FRANKENSTEIN. Del Toro goes full-on gothic/romantic, as well he should.
3) THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME. I’ll follow Wes Anderson on whatever journey he wants to take me on. Definitely a star-making turn from Mia Threapleton.
2) THE BASHFUL BUCCANEER. Oh wait, that’s from my "Best of 1925" list.
1) SINNERS. Explosive action and horror that’s also smart and thematic, along with one of the best musical numbers ever filmed? This is an all-timer.
Worst movie of 2025: A MINECRAFT MOVIE. Just… no.
Best new-to-me movie of #Junesploitation 2026: BILLY IDOL: STATE LINE (2024). Rock the cradle of love!
Best new-to-me movie of #ScaryMovieMonth 2026: THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (1964). Vincent Price goodness!
Best TV of 2025: Not everyone liked it, but the STRANGER THINGS finale nailed it for me.
Best game of 2025: BLUE PRINCE. Opening the garage door changes everything!
Best comic book/graphic novel of 2025: I thought I was done with Scott Snyder, but ABSOLUTE BATMAN shows he’s still got the goods.
You're right that the 'making-of' extras in "F4" (lot more practical effects/sets that l'm used to with MCU) make me appreciate the movie and Shakman's direction more.
DeleteGlad someone else appreciates "Heart Eyes" (50 out of 169 for me, not bad for a holiday-themed slasher). I avoid movies l know l'm not going to like ("Minecraft Movie," "Happy Gilmore 2") or don't care for ("SpongeBob Squarepants Movie"), so even movies at the bottom of my 169 aren't the bottom of the barrel. I just like the movie ranked above it more, and so forth times 168. 🤓
See you next Wednesday. 😉😛
Predator - Badlands (2025): There's a bit of Disney-fication at play here, which I don't necessarily care for, but I still enjoyed the movie a lot. I like how they explore more of the predator (they're called Yautja) mythos and not just do another predator hunting humans thing. I'm sure Trachtenberg is full of ideas for the future of the franchise and I hope he gets to do them, because so far he's done great things.
ReplyDeleteMy experience is that those that have seen Dan Trachtenberg's previous entries in this franchise ("Prey," the animated one where they actually revealed the 'Yautja' name) tend to rank "Badlands" as 3rd best behind the previous two. Not me, l think "Badlands" is the payoff for the world re-building that Dan did before and a great sci-fi/action banger. Let's hope Disney suits don't ruin the good thing they have going here. 🤞😬
DeleteI watched A House of Dynamite (2025). Wow so good. Please give
ReplyDeleteKathryn Bigelow money to make more movies. I know Detroit wasn't so good, they can't all be bangers, but she had such a fucking great track record before then.