And just like that, another year has come and gone. 2025 has been a strange one for movies. As expected, it has had its share of noteworthy surprises and several unfortunate letdowns. There has been the usual big box office successes, even more undeserved bombs, and a handful of trendy darlings that are being ushered through awards season. Like last year, things started slow but thankfully picked up in the final quarter.
Now here we sit in late December, that time of the year where we critics commit to our silly but fun annual ritual of choosing the ten best movies from the year that was. While a lot of the same movies are popping up on most lists, I found many of the popular picks to be massively underwhelming. So mine may not line up with others, but that’s part of the fun. So enough jabbering. It’s time to get down to business. As always, let me start by showing some love to my #11-20….
- #20 – “The World Will Tremble” [REVIEW]
- #19 – “Rebuilding” [REVIEW]
- #18 – “A House of Dynamite” [REVIEW]
- #17 – “Wake Up Dead Man” [REVIEW]
- #16 – “F1” [REVIEW]
- #15 – “Nuremberg” [REVIEW]
- #14 – “Weapons” [REVIEW]
- #13 – “Avatar: Fire and Ash” [REVIEW]
- #12 – “Song Sung Blue” [REVIEW]
- #11 – “Sentimental Value” [REVIEW]
And now my Top 10 Films of 2025
“Jay Kelly” – Now here’s a movie that has steadily grown on me since first seeing it. To no surprise, Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” has far more depth than any single viewing might reveal. And the more you consider it, the more emotionally resonant it becomes. The film features many Baumbach signatures. But it also stands out with its noticeably grander scale, broader story, and classic Hollywood style. George Clooney seamlessly plays a version of himself while Adam Sandler delivers one of his best performances in years. [REVIEW]
“Black Bag” – Steven Soderbergh delivered in spades with “Black Bag”, a taut spy thriller from earlier in the year that deserves to be part of the awards season conversation. The film could sell itself on its two stars alone, Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender. The pair have a crackling chemistry which is fueled by screenwriter David Koepp’s sizzling dialogue. Soderbergh does the rest, surrounding the tightly plotted script with the kind of visual craftsmanship that has become a hallmark of his movies. All together it’s one enthralling recipe. [REVIEW]
“Eddington” – The politically-fueled and wildly entertaining “Eddington” is the latest off-kilter venture from writer-director Ari Aster. It’s an exceptional feature that excels as a classic neo-Western and a sharp modern-day satire, consistently making us laugh and squirm at the same time. Setting his film amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aster leaves no political side unscathed, equally using edgy violence and pitch-black humor to spotlight the depths of our nation’s division and the consequences that come with it. And that only scratches the thematic surface of this blistering case study. [REVIEW]
“The Phoenician Scheme” – While almost all of my fellow critics and awards season voters have lined up behind another filmmaking Anderson, it’s Wes who delivered one of the best films of 2025. Wes Anderson is a director who remains compelling even when his movies don’t fully land. “The Phoenician Scheme” most certainly does. It’s another film marked by Anderson’s distinct visual and narrative style, but it has a surprisingly big heart. It features another great cast littered with new faces and Anderson favorites, who are all in-tune with the film’s wonderfully wacky wavelength. [REVIEW]
“Violent Ends” – One of the biggest and best surprises of the year was “Violent Ends”, a tough and textured independent film from writer-director John-Michael Powell. Highlighted by a career-best performance from Billy Magnussen and a chillingly vile James Badge Dale, the film has a distinct regional flavor and a script that’s part crime story, family drama, and revenge thriller. It all coalesces into a gritty and tragic feature that’s keenly crafted, narratively, visually, and thematically. [REVIEW]
“Warfare” – Distributor A24 released several good movies in 2025. For my money, their best was “Warfare”, a grounded, no-frills war film that more people should be talking about. It’s co-directed by Alex Garland and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza. It’s a real-time account drawn from Mendoza’s own experiences and other personal testimonies about a platoon of Navy SEALs whose mission goes awry, leaving them trapped in a two-story house as insurgents converge. Incredible attention to detail, riveting storytelling, and a superb ensemble make the film an unforgettable experience. [REVIEW]
“Frankenstein” – I’m not sure you could find a better match of director and source material than Guillermo del Toro and “Frankenstein”. It’s a story so perfect for del Toro’s narrative and visual style. The cast is superb, led by Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as The Creature. But it’s the Oscar-winning filmmaker who exceeds the already high expectations with a transcendent adaptation that mines more from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel than most other films have. His film crackles with creative energy while setting a new standard for Frankenstein movies. [REVIEW]
“Anemone” – It’s hard to believe “Anemone” came and went with such little fanfare. It’s further proof that even the best movies don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. Sure, the movie had its detractors. But I found myself glued to the powerhouse return of Daniel Day-Lewis. The acclaimed actor pours every ounce of himself into this incredibly complex role. And he’s helped by a criminally underrated supporting performance from Sean Bean. “Anemone” is a rich, dense, and at times searing character study that shouldn’t be missed or dismissed. [REVIEW]
“Nouvelle Vague” – Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague” is a film so in-tune with the bygone French New Wave that it runs the risk of pushing away any viewers who aren’t. While it certainly comes with some modern day polish, Linklater’s love letter captures the very essence of the movement, from its restless style to its maverick spirit. Sure, it’s a niche project. But it’s impeccably made by an inspired filmmaker who has a clear vision, a strong affection, and a willingness to take big risks. [REVIEW]
“Train Dreams” – No movie in 2025 moved me quite like “Trains Dreams”. Powered by the assured direction of Clint Bentley and arguably the best performance of Joel Edgerton’s career, “Train Dreams” offers a rich and affecting snapshot of life as seen through one solitary man’s odyssey. It’s a quiet and soulful meditation that’s also a visually captivating experience. Bentley says as much through his camera as his dialogue which only enriches the film even more. This is cinematic storytelling at its finest and a movie that will stick with you well after the final credits. [REVIEW]
And that wraps up my Top 10 Films of 2025. What are your thoughts on my list? What are your feelings on the movie year as a whole? What would top your list? Let me know in the comments section below. Until next year…
Keith & the Movies 