As we close out the year, I reflect on all the movies I’ve had the pleasure of discovering in these past 365 days. 2025 had some rough patches when it comes to film (specifically films such as WAR OF THE WORLDS or THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER TWO…), but more importantly, it had some wonderful gems. In a time when sequels and reboots are dominating the box office, we have been blessed with so many original stories, and it’s clear that those were the best of the year. In 2025, I saw 61 new pieces of content- from theatrical films, streaming releases, pro-shots, and everything in between. I have narrowed it down to the best 10, with a good-old honorable mention, of course.
Honorable Mention: WICKED: FOR GOOD 😊
I went back and forth on whether this should take the tenth spot on the list, and ultimately, I decided to put it as an honorable mention because I felt too bad to shut it out completely, especially since its predecessor held the winning spot on my 2024 list. However, WICKED: FOR GOOD falls short, especially compared to the first film, which defied every expectation I had for it. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo give incredibly moving performances both emotionally and vocally, but the script does not support them enough. While Act 1 of WICKED has so many fan-favorite songs, WICKED: FOR GOOD does not possess those same catchy tunes. It doesn’t hold the same magic, which is why it fell so short on my list. The song “For Good” always made me incredibly emotional, and as a WICKED fan, I’m sure I’ll watch the film more in the years to come, but I didn’t feel the same connection as I did with the other films on this list.
My Letterboxd review(s): “When I’m sharing a moment with my best friend but I start to hear a faint clock tick and I remember all roads lead to the wizard”, “You take the man out of the SpongeBob not the SpongeBob out of the man” and, “I used to think I was a MM… turns out I’m more of a WW” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars which turned to a 3 1/2 by the third watch.
10. ZOOTOPIA 2 🤩
We have not gotten a Disney film with this much heart and substance in a very long time. ZOOTOPIA 2 is not only funny and incredibly well written, but also has so much more to say about society than I expected to get from the theater. Getting to see my 9-year-old cousin genuinely shocked by the plot twists reminded me of how I felt in the theater watching FROZEN or even the first ZOOTOPIA. Besides WICKED: FOR GOOD, ZOOTOPIA 2 is the only sequel on the list. When I first heard there would be a second ZOOTOPIA, I laughed and said it wasn’t needed. However, after seeing the box office profits and my own reaction to the film, I now see that it was very much needed. We got my whole entire family to come out and see it on Tuesday morning before Christmas, and 12 people going to see a movie that’s already been out for over a month in a pretty packed theater is really beautiful in its own way.
My Letterboxd review: “The world will never be a better place if no one is brave enough to do the right thing”, which is a quote from the movie that really stuck out to me. 4 out of 5 stars.
9. BUGONIA 🤩
My first Lanthimos film, and I was utterly amazed by it. I think BUGONIA is to Lanthimos what TWIN PEAKS is to David Lynch. If you’re going to start somewhere, start easy before diving into the weirder stuff. I saw BUGONIA with my mom, and we both loved it equally. Similar to ZOOTOPIA 2, it has a lot to say about the world, and I found myself being totally invested from the first shot. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are just the best people to pair up with Lanthimos, really creating a dream team.
My Letterboxd review: “My theater teacher is a bald man… it just makes you wonder.” 4 out of 5 stars.
8. FRIENDSHIP 🤩
If I had to choose one guy to represent my 2025, it might be Tim Robinson. FRIENDSHIP was my introduction to him, which led me to I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE, which brought me to what might be one of my favorite pieces of media to be released this year, THE CHAIR COMPANY. Tim Robinson has a very specific style of comedy that does not translate for many people, but I think he is a genius. Guys like him and Nathan Fielder remind me of the power of unconventional comedy and why it’s my favorite form of laughter. It’s so weird and uncomfortable and exactly what you’d think of when you hear “A24 comedy”.
My Letterboxd review(s): “Jimp, like jump but with an i”, “when IT happens, I will be eating my own version of the SEAL team 6”, and “most literal use of Chekhov’s gun” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
7. THE LIFE OF CHUCK 🤩
Probably the deepest and most introspective film on my list. I recently rewatched it and was reminded of how special it is. I think it holds some extra magic for me when I remember that I just chose to see it on a random Monday and walked out of the theater with a completely different perspective on life. I love the different timelines, how the story is told, and how simple it is. Remembering the film makes me tear up a bit, but it’s such a beautiful reminder to romanticize the mundane and never take a moment for granted.
My Letterboxd review(s): “Where there’s a screen, Chuck will be seen,” and my second review was just some highlights from my full-length review that you can read, which I’ve linked here. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
6. THE FANTASTIC 4: FIRST STEPS 🤩
When people say “Marvel is back!”, most of the time, Marvel is indeed not back. Marvel has not been back for a very long time. Yes, you might get some hidden gems here and then, but Marvel has not been on a generation run since AVENGERS: ENDGAME. However, I feel confident that with THE FANTASTIC 4: FIRST STEPS, Marvel might have set themselves up for success again. This was the only Fantastic 4 media I’ve seen, and I really enjoyed it. I LOVED Johnny Storm, and that was actually the second new Marvel character I’ve found myself connected to this year, as I also highly enjoyed Bob (or “The Sentry”) in THUNDERBOLTS*. The cinematography and score make this film incredibly exciting, mixed with the 60’s aesthetic and star-studded cast. I enjoyed this film leaps and bounds more than SUPERMAN, and I think it’s really great that everyone got a superhero film for themselves this year.
My Letterboxd review: “Maya likes movies. Maya likes Johnny Storm. Maya sees Johnny Storm in a movie. Maya thinks there’s a connection.” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
5. F1 🤩
It’s very TED LASSO-esque, which makes me think that’s a reason I like it so much. I got F1 on DVD for Christmas, and I’m very cautious to watch it because I feel like it’s sacrilege to watch it on anything but the big screen. It’s also crazy to me that I completely forgot Brad Pitt did this, given that I’ve been doing my Oscar nomination predictions for best leading actor. This movie is a lot of fun, and all members of my family liked it, which is another win for us all.
My Letterboxd review(s): “Walked out of the theater thinking that maybe I could be an F1 driver… incredibly inspirational” and “My car is in the shop right now, and I’m wondering if I should pull a Sonny Hayes and tell them how to do their job to make a better car” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
4. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER 🤩
My first PTA film! It took me a while to get to the theaters to watch this film, solely because of the runtime. After watching it, I was frustrated that 2 weeks had gone by without me seeing it. I just watched it with my grandma, and it is definitely a film that is enhanced by the theater experience. Obviously, Leonardo DiCaprio is great, but if there’s one thing we got out of this film, it’s Chase Infiniti. I want her to win the Oscar so bad, but it’s also one of those cases where I know she has a long career ahead of her, so she’ll get what she deserves. The score and script are the highlights of this film, as is the insane car chase at the end.
My Letterboxd review(s): “Methinks the current president of the United States might be a Christmas adventurer…” and “Who up hanging out with BoBo and Bluto rn” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
3. MARTY SUPREME 🤩
I’m not sure what I can say about MARTY SUPREME to convey its brilliance that I haven’t already said in my review. I am in the pursuit of greatness, and that greatness is my pursuit of the MARTY SUPREME jacket. Yes, I bought a MARTY SUPREME Wheaties box. Yes, I bought a MARTY SUPREME ornament. Yes, I made a “Maya Supreme” pink ping-pong ball. I’m so glad other people have seen the movie now and that the internet has been flooded with discussion on this epic film. After seeing it a second time, I really hope Timothée wins that Oscar, but then I’ll feel bad for Michael B. Jordan. But if Michael B. Jordan wins, I’ll feel bad for Timothée, and the cycle will continue. I suppose the problem of “too much great talent” is a wonderful issue to have.
My Letterboxd review(s): “I love watching Marty Supreme when I’m having a bad day cause no matter what kind of a day I’m having Marty is having a worse one” and “It’s time for Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Michael B. Jordan to compete in a ping pong match and the winner gets the Oscar” 5 out of 5 stars.
2. THE LONG WALK 🤩
Similar to MARTY SUPREME, I think my review covers it all. I love THE LONG WALK dearly and consider it tied for #1. I got the steelbook for Christmas and have found myself obsessing over it again. It’s just perfect. Francis Lawrence is a genius, and now that it’s officially 2026, he’s going to destroy us all again with SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. If I can convey one message with this list, it’s that you simply must watch THE LONG WALK.
My Letterboxd review(s): “Wow. Easily the strongest final scene of the year and one of the best in cinematic history. I got too connected to the characters and didn’t want anyone to die, which is a real issue when you look at the plot of the film”, “A reminder that every moment does matter, and to always choose love. Such a powerful movie.” and, “When I went to Disneyland, I learned very quickly that I would not do as well in The Long Walk as I thought…” 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, which has now become 5 out of 5 stars.
1. SINNERS 🤩
I can’t believe I didn’t do a full-length review on SINNERS. I think that’s also because I don’t even know where to begin when discussing this film. I just watched the finale of STRANGER THINGS in theaters, spent about 10 minutes sobbing in the same exact restroom stall where I cried when I saw SINNERS, and was also uncontrollably crying. I spent my Halloween night driving from Phoenix to Tempe to watch SINNERS in 70MM. I recommend this film to every person I encounter. We had some great films this year, but SINNERS is special. It goes so much deeper than being a film about vampires. The themes of music, family, love, and race are what make this film an absolute journey. There is a scene in SINNERS that not only completely reshaped my view on film, but also reminded me why I love it so much. It is undoubtedly the film of the year. It’s not often that we are blessed with a film as special as SINNERS.
My Letterboxd review(s): “This movie better win best picture, but I suppose if Bad Guys 2 took home the title I wouldn’t be too upset.”, “Alright, now I love The Long Walk more than the average person but let’s be careful throwing around “best movie of the year” when there was a modern masterpiece released on April 18, 2025!!” and, “Crazy how Sinners was the first movie to ever be made in the history of the universe” 5 out of 5 stars.
Well, there it is! That’s the list. Looking back, there are so many films that I can’t believe didn’t make the list. THE MONKEY, BAD GUYS 2, MICKEY 17, 28 YEARS LATER, WAKE UP DEAD MAN. I love film, and I’m deeply excited for what 2026 holds. So far, I’ve been accepted into two colleges for film and media studies, and I’m waiting on three more decisions. I’m graduating from high school and moving out of state. I’m converting from Harkins to become an AMC A Lister, which is… something I’ll have to adjust to. Some of my best memories of 2025 were spent at the theater, and I hope 2026 is just as good. Happy New Year!