Top 5 Films of 2025

2025 has had its fair share of highs and lows in the world of cinema. There has been an ever-increasing fear that the theatrical experience will become extinct, the superhero fatigue debate continued, and discussions regarding Hollywood's lack of original content dominated throughout the year. Although some of these debates were valid, the year showcased many examples that cinema, when done right, is still thriving on all levels. So, here are our picks for 2025’s top films. Enjoy!

One Battle After Another is a gritty, emotionally charged film that leans into quiet tension rather than spectacle. The cast is excellent across the board, creating a grounded, lived-in world where every conflict feels personal. Sean Penn stands out with a raw, restless performance that gives the film its emotional spine. It’s the kind of movie that stays with you—not for its volume, but for its weight.

Sinners is stylish, sweaty, and unapologetically bold—and I’ll admit upfront, I’m biased. I’m always rooting for Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, and seeing them team up again already puts the film a step ahead for me. Coogler leans hard into atmosphere and theme, blending genre thrills with social weight, while Jordan delivers a performance that’s magnetic even when the story gets dark and messy. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s an ambitious one—moody, confident, and clearly made by artists swinging for something bigger than safe entertainment. As a fan, Sinners feels less like a gamble and more like a reunion I was always going to enjoy.

Train Dreams is a film few have heard of, and even fewer have seen, yet it is a quiet masterpiece destined to become a timeless classic. It stays with you long after the credits roll, a rare feat in modern cinema. Director Clint Bentley impressively compresses an entire lifetime into under two hours, creating a journey that feels perfectly paced and deeply affecting. This is elevated by breathtaking cinematography, where practically every shot is hauntingly beautiful, and a career-best performance from Joel Edgerton. Though set against the rugged backdrop of the American frontier, its themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning make it both relatable and enduring.

While I have nothing against brooding superheroes (I'm a Batman guy through and through), Zack Snyder’s take on the Man of Steel never quite clicked for me. Thankfully, James Gunn and David Corenswet’s version of the first-ever superhero reminds us why the character became iconic in the first place. They swap brooding introspection for a refreshing sense of optimism, delivering a character that feels vibrant, hopeful, and deeply human. All the usual 'Gunn-isms' are here—quirky side characters, parental trauma, weird creatures, and themes of belonging—and I’m a sucker for all of it. Gunn creates a world that feels straight out of a comic book yet remains oddly relevant to our current global climate. The film’s central theme is that goodness can be inspiring; it may be viewed as naïve by the jaded, but much like the titular hero, it’s a message carried with confident sincerity.

Director Joseph Kosinski and legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer brought audiences the ultimate big screen experience in 2022 with Top Gun: Maverick - a four-quadrant film predicated on its stunning practical aerial sequences, and the star power of Tom Cruise. Therefore, when the duo wanted to repeat the process, this time in the world of Formula 1, with Brad Pitt leading the charge, audiences were naturally curious. Thankfully, the final product not only delivered a visual spectacle but a near-perfect summer blockbuster.

Telling the story of a struggling Formula 1 team that recruits a once young prospect, Sonny Hayes (Pitt), seeking redemption, F1 effortlessly merges story, star power, and stunning races – all greatly enhanced by an IMAX experience. Kosinski once again displays his ability to present our favourites as true “movie stars,” as Pitt exudes cool, charm, and an intensity that captivates you at every moment. There’s no better example of this than Pitt’s now iconic “I’m flying” monologue, which somehow sounded fantastical while simultaneously making us emotionally invest in Sonny’s need to drive. Sure, the writing was terrific, but in the hands of any other actor, it would have likely not had the desired effect.

Accompanying Pitt’s star power is a terrific soundtrack, an irresistible romance between Sonny and Kate (played by the fantastic Kerry Condon), and racing sequences that are both authentic and nail-biting due to our stars being behind the wheel for real. Like all great sports films, even if you’re not a fan of the sport, you’ll quickly forget about the world this narrative exists in and simply become immersed in the journey of its characters. Plus, much like Top Gun: Maverick, Kosinski leaves no stone unturned in making this one of the most spectacular-looking films you’ll ever see. Watch it, and if it ever returns to IMAX, do yourself a favour and experience it. Like Sonny Hayes, you’ll be “flying.”

Words by Humza Hussain, Nabeel Hussain, and Imran Hussain.