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The Best Movies of 2025 (So Far): From Good To Great

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - July 6th 2025, 17:00 GMT+2

Cropped 28 years later — 15. 28 Years Later

*28 Years Later* catapults the iconic horror franchise into the 2020s with a gripping, decades-later chapter that still delivers ferocious thrills. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, this post-apocalyptic coming-of-age horror finds Great Britain quarantined 28 years after the Rage Virus outbreak, as a new generation of survivors on an isolated island faces fresh nightmares. The film reunites much of the original creative team – Boyle’s kinetic direction and Garland’s sharp storytelling – giving it a visceral authenticity that fans appreciate.

Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson lead the cast as hardened survivors, while Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas as a mysterious doctor seeking a cure. Equal parts brutal zombie thriller and poignant human drama, *28 Years Later* explores themes of fear, love, and hope amid chaos, proving this series can evolve with surprising heart and intensity. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped how to train your dragon 2025 — 14. How to Train Your Dragon

The beloved animated adventure soars into live action with *How to Train Your Dragon*, a dazzling reimagining that retains all the heart of the 2010 classic. Original trilogy director Dean DeBlois returns to helm this fantasy adventure, bringing Berk’s Viking village and fire-breathing dragons to life with stunning visual effects and practical detail. Newcomer Mason Thames charms as Hiccup, the awkward teen who befriends a dragon, alongside Nico Parker as the courageous Astrid, and the film even features Gerard Butler reprising Stoick the Vast in live action.

The story follows Hiccup and Night Fury dragon Toothless forging an unlikely friendship that bridges two worlds, delivering exhilarating aerial action sequences and warm humor. Produced by DreamWorks and Universal Pictures, this remake honors the emotional core of the original – the bond between a boy and his dragon – while expanding its scope. The result is a crowd-pleasing saga that balances epic spectacle with a touching coming-of-age journey, enchanting a new generation of fans. | © DreamWorks Animation

Cropped materialists — 13. Materialists

Writer-director Celine Song, fresh off her acclaimed debut *Past Lives*, reinvents the modern rom-com with *Materialists*, a sly and soulful romance set against New York’s high-end dating scene. Dakota Johnson stars as a sharp-witted matchmaker who has made a career of pairing the rich and eligible, yet finds herself torn between a charismatic billionaire client and her idealistic ex-boyfriend. Opposite Johnson, Chris Evans brings movie-star charm as the venture capitalist suitor, while Pedro Pascal adds warmth and intrigue as the struggling actor ex – their chemistry crackles in every scene.

Song uses this love triangle to explore the age-old question of marrying for love or money, infusing the film with incisive commentary on materialism and intimacy in the 21st century. Lushly shot in upscale Manhattan locales and set to Daniel Pemberton’s jazzy score, *Materialists* feels at once classic and cutting-edge. Backed by indie stalwarts Killer Films and distributed by A24, it earned praise for its witty script and heartfelt performances, marking another impressive step in Song’s exploration of modern relationships. | © Killer Films

Cropped F1 The Movie — 12. F1: The Movie

Blurring the line between Hollywood and the racing circuit, *F1: The Movie* is a turbo-charged sports drama that puts viewers in the driver’s seat of Formula One. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film stars Brad Pitt as a former F1 champion who comes out of retirement after 30 years to save his old teammate’s underdog team from collapse. Pitt’s effortless charisma anchors the story, playing a seasoned driver mentoring a talented hotshot (played by rising star Damson Idris) while chasing one last taste of glory.

The supporting cast revs with talent: Kerry Condon brings steely resolve as a team engineer, and Javier Bardem chews up the screen as a brash team owner – not to mention F1 legend Lewis Hamilton as a producer, lending real-life authenticity behind the scenes. Filmed with unprecedented access to real Grand Prix events, *F1: The Movie* delivers roaring engine sound design and visceral on-track sequences that capture the speed, danger, and glamour of professional racing. It’s as much about the human drama in the pit as the split-second decisions on the track, and Kosinski’s sleek direction keeps adrenaline and emotions running high. With backing from Apple Studios, this high-octane crowd-pleaser races past the finish line as one of the year’s most exciting cinematic spectacles. | © Apple Studios

Cropped nouvelle vague 2025 — 11. Nouvelle Vague

Director Richard Linklater pays homage to the French New Wave in *Nouvelle Vague*, a playful behind-the-scenes tale set in 1959 during the filming of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless. This French-American comedy-drama invites cinephiles to time-travel to the smoky backlots of Paris, where youthful rebels were rewriting cinema’s language. Newcomer Guillaume Marbeck portrays a young Godard with wry intensity, while Zoey Deutch embodies actress Jean Seberg in radiant form, recreating the iconic pixie-haired ingénue of Breathless.

The film follows the chaos, passion, and creative clashes on set – from impromptu script changes to radical camera experiments – all captured in Linklater’s signature long takes and fluid Steadicam shots. With its ARP Productions pedigree and a premiere at Cannes, *Nouvelle Vague* brims with inside jokes and loving recreations. Yet even for those new to French New Wave lore, the film charms as a breezy ensemble piece about artistic risk and youthful zeal. It’s a cinephile’s delight that doubles as a tribute to filmmaking itself – celebrating a historic moment when cinema felt truly nouveau. | © ARP Productions

Cropped the ballad of wallis island — 10. The Ballad of Wallis Island

A quirky mix of music, melancholy, and British humor, *The Ballad of Wallis Island* hits a sweet note as one of the year’s indie gems. Directed by James Griffiths, this comedy-drama follows a washed-up folk musician (played by writer/comedian Tom Basden) who’s lured to a remote Welsh island by an eccentric lottery winner for a private concert. Basden’s real-life comedy partner Tim Key plays the oddball superfan hosting the gig, and the two have a hilarious, poignant chemistry as their characters reckon with unfulfilled dreams. The twist? They reunite with Basden’s former singing partner, portrayed by Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, who delivers a standout performance showcasing deadpan comedic chops alongside sincere emotion.

Adapted from Basden and Key’s own acclaimed short film, the story balances dry wit with heartfelt moments as the impromptu folk duo confront past regrets and the power of music to heal. *The Ballad of Wallis Island* earned chuckles and tears at its Sundance premiere and later a boutique release via Focus Features. With its folksy soundtrack and scenic windswept locale, the film feels like a cozy yarn told over a pint – Baby Cow Films’ latest production is a funny, bittersweet ode to friendship, lost love, and the crazy lengths we go to chase a song. | © Baby Cow Films

Cropped Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning — 9. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise delivers one of his most daring performances (literally hanging from a biplane) in *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning*, the explosive eighth entry in the spy saga and the culmination of Ethan Hunt’s journey. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this high-stakes thriller sees Hunt and his IMF team race against time to stop “the Entity,” a rogue AI capable of annihilating humanity. The plot ties directly to 2023’s *Dead Reckoning Part One*, raising the stakes with globe-trotting set pieces and jaw-dropping stunts that push Cruise’s legendary commitment to new extremes.

The film boasts an ensemble of franchise favorites and new faces: Hayley Atwell joins as a savvy thief drawn into the chaos, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg return as Hunt’s trusted partners, and Angela Bassett lends her formidable presence to the cast. With a massive budget and on-location shoots spanning multiple countries (from narrow European streets to dramatic South African landscapes), *The Final Reckoning* is as much a globe-trotting spectacle as it is a character-driven finale. McQuarrie’s direction balances slick espionage intrigue with emotional payoffs, giving Ethan Hunt a heartfelt send-off after nearly three decades. Propulsive, polished, and genuinely tense, this film proves the *Mission: Impossible* series can still outdo itself – a fitting “last mission” that earned praise as one of 2025’s top action blockbusters. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped bring her back — 8. Bring Her Back

The sibling filmmakers behind 2022’s hit *Talk to Me* up the scare factor in *Bring Her Back*, a supernatural horror that’s as psychologically disturbing as it is bloody. Australian twin directors Danny and Michael Philippou immerse us in the tale of two foster siblings who discover a chilling occult ritual in their new home – a ritual intended to resurrect their foster mother’s dead daughter. Young actor Billy Barratt and newcomer Sora Wong play the unsuspecting brother and sister, conveying palpable dread and emotional vulnerability as they navigate a house filled with eerie symbols, strange behaviors, and ghostly presence.

Meanwhile, Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins delivers an unnerving turn as the eccentric foster mother whose grief has led her down a dark path. *Bring Her Back* skillfully blends visceral shocks (there are moments of gore involving teeth and flesh that genre fans will talk about) with mounting suspense, never losing sight of the emotional stakes for its teenage protagonists. Critics have noted the Philippou brothers’ knack for combining supernatural scares with real-world trauma, making the horror resonate on a deeper level. With A24 handling its North American release, this film solidifies the Philippous as rising stars of horror – a brutal, mesmerizing experience that leaves audiences equal parts terrified and moved. | © Causeway Films

Cropped Sorry Baby — 7. Sorry, Baby

Boldly mixing dark humor with heartfelt drama, *Sorry, Baby* announces comedian Eva Victor as a filmmaking talent to watch. In her feature debut, Victor writes, directs, and stars as Agnes, a young college professor navigating the aftermath of a sexual assault in her own offbeat way. Rather than a typical somber treatment, the film finds catharsis through quirky situations and wry comedy – all without undermining the gravity of its subject. Victor’s performance is raw and relatable, balancing pain and awkward hilarity as Agnes tries everything from oversharing at dinner parties to crafting the perfect sandwich (yes, even lunch becomes symbolic) in an effort to heal.

She’s supported by a stellar indie cast: Naomi Ackie shines as a compassionate friend and Lucas Hedges brings depth as Agnes’s caring brother, each adding layers to the protagonist’s support system. Produced by Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins’ Pastel and greeted with critical acclaim at Sundance 2025, *Sorry, Baby* has been praised for its authentic voice. The film’s style – intimate handheld camerawork, a warm lo-fi soundtrack, and sharp, laugh-through-tears dialogue – makes Agnes’s journey feel intensely personal yet universally resonant. It’s a delicate high-wire act between comedy and tragedy that pays off, offering a hopeful message about reclaiming joy and agency after trauma. | © Pastel

Cropped Freaky Tales — 6. Freaky Tales

A vibrant love letter to 1980s Oakland, *Freaky Tales* is a wild ride through four interwoven stories that celebrate the music, style, and grit of a city in flux. Directed by the duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film bounces among an ensemble cast as varied as its vignettes: Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn lead one storyline as colorful local figures, while Jay Ellis and singer Normani (in her film debut) light up another, joined by rising stars Dominique Thorne and Jack Champion. Each tale – from a punk rock riot at a legendary club to an encounter with an urban legend on the streets – carries its own genre flavor, be it comedy, drama, romance, or a touch of the supernatural.

What unites them is the electric energy of 1987 Oakland: the film pulses with era-perfect hip-hop and funk (underscored by Grammy-winner Raphael Saadiq’s soundtrack), bold vintage fashion, and the crackling tension of a city on the verge of change. Boden and Fleck use a mosaic approach reminiscent of *American Graffiti* or *Dazed and Confused*, but with a distinctly Bay Area twist – including nods to local rap icon Too $hort and the championship hopes of the Oakland A’s. While the narrative jumps between plots, the emotional through-line is one of community and perseverance. Entertainment One and MACRO Media’s production may not be traditionally “freaky” in a horror sense, but it’s a funky, nostalgic anthology that showcases the directors’ range and delivers plenty of Oakland soul. | © Entertainment One Films

Cropped warfare — 5. Warfare

With *Warfare*, director Alex Garland (partnering with debut co-director Ray Mendoza) trades sci-fi for gritty realism, crafting the most intense combat film in years. This Iraq War thriller drops you into the fire of a single harrowing mission in 2006, following a Navy SEAL platoon’s surveillance op that goes disastrously wrong in real time. Based on Mendoza’s actual experiences during the Battle of Ramadi, the film’s commitment to authenticity is absolute – from the claustrophobic house-to-house skirmishes to the heart-pounding sound of each bullet. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (from *Reservation Dogs*) anchors the ensemble as Mendoza, capturing the fear and resolve of a soldier under siege.

He’s joined by an excellent cast of young actors: Will Poulter is a standout as the platoon leader struggling to hold it together, Joseph Quinn (of *Stranger Things* fame) brings vulnerability as a gravely injured comrade, and Kit Connor and Cosmo Jarvis round out the brotherhood forged in battle. *Warfare* does not pull any punches – critics have hailed it as the most *unflinching depiction of combat since* *All Quiet on the Western Front*. Yet amidst the chaos, Garland and Mendoza find humanity: quiet moments of camaraderie, split-second moral decisions, and the lasting psychological toll of war. Produced by DNA Films and released by A24, *Warfare* proves both devastating and profound, a nerve-shredding real-time war film that immerses the audience like few others. | © DNA Films

Cropped sinners — 4. Sinners

Visionary director Ryan Coogler (*Black Panther*, *Creed*) ventures into bold new territory with *Sinners*, a genre-blending epic set in the Jim Crow South. *Sinners* is at once a gritty period drama, a supernatural horror story, and a homage to Blaxploitation style – a combination that Coogler miraculously pulls off. Michael B. Jordan takes on dual roles as twin brothers Smoke and Stack, World War I veterans who return to their Mississippi Delta hometown in 1932 seeking a fresh start, only to confront an ancient evil stalking their community. Jordan’s magnetic screen presence is doubled here, portraying one brother as a pragmatic hustler and the other a haunted romantic, both grappling with trauma and tempted by vengeance.

The film surrounds him with a powerhouse supporting cast: Hailee Steinfeld as a jilted lover entangled in the chaos, Jack O’Connell as a menacing figure from the brothers’ past, and Delroy Lindo bringing gravitas as a local patriarch – all while vampires, hoodoo magic, and even the Ku Klux Klan swirl into the mix of this ambitious narrative. Coogler uses horror and fantasy elements to confront real historical sins (racism, exploitation of Black art and labor) in a way that’s both entertaining and deeply resonant. The result has been described as *“a redemption story, a revenge movie with Blaxploitation flair, a blood-soaked horror movie, and also deeply romantic”*. Propelled by Ludwig Göransson’s blues-infused score and rich period detail, *Sinners* is a one-of-a-kind experience – equal parts thriller and morality tale – that became a surprise critical and box-office smash for Proximity Media and Warner Bros. | © Proximity Media

Cropped the ugly stepsister — 3. The Ugly Stepsister

You’ve never seen a fairy tale quite like *The Ugly Stepsister*, a wickedly inventive twist on *Cinderella* that mixes dark comedy and body horror to delicious effect. Norwegian writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt makes an audacious debut with this satirical shocker, taking the POV of the “ugly” stepsister and cranking the dial to eleven. In this version, the ballgowns and pumpkin carriages are accompanied by scalpels and screams – yet the film smartly satirizes society’s obsession with beauty even as it delights in gore. Lea Myren stars as Elvira, the overlooked stepsister who grows increasingly deranged in her quest to outshine her perfect sibling and win the prince’s heart.

Myren commits fearlessly to the role, making Elvira at once sympathetic and terrifying as she undergoes *extreme* measures (surgical and otherwise) to transform herself. Co-starring Norwegian talent Thea Sofie Loch Næss as the picture-perfect sister and Ane Dahl Torp as a wickedly funny fairy godmother figure, the film’s performances keep pace with Blichfeldt’s stylistic bravura. There are scenes in *The Ugly Stepsister* as grotesquely fascinating as anything in modern horror, yet under the blood and dark humor lies a sharp feminist bite – think *Black Swan* meets *Cinderella*. After turning heads at Sundance and winning over horror buffs on the festival circuit, the film saw a niche U.S. release via Shudder/IFC, earning praise for its elegance amid the excess (the Guardian called it an “elegant debut” for Blichfeldt). Daring, subversive, and oddly empowering, this cross-continental co-production from Zentropa is a fairy tale deconstruction you won’t soon forget. | © Zentropa

Cropped the phoenician scheme — 2. The Phoenician Scheme

Few filmmakers have as distinctive a signature as Wes Anderson, and *The Phoenician Scheme* finds him in peak form – crafting a whimsical espionage caper with his trademark symmetry, dry humor, and star-studded ensemble. Set in a fanciful mid-20th-century Mediterranean locale (a fictional sun-drenched principality that Anderson renders in storybook pastels), the film follows Zsa-Zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe, as he enacts a grand scheme to reunite his fractious family empire under the guise of a spy adventure. Benicio del Toro leads as the eccentric tycoon Zsa-Zsa, delivering a sly, deadpan performance that anchors the film’s emotional core. Around him orbits a who’s-who of Anderson regulars and new collaborators: Mia Threapleton shines as Zsa-Zsa’s sharp-witted granddaughter, Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson pop in with comedic turns as quirky relatives, and Riz Ahmed and Bryan Cranston play rival operatives entangled in the scheme.

The narrative unfolds like an ornate clockwork – part family dramedy, part spy-thriller spoof – complete with secret codes, a feigned kidnapping, and Anderson’s signature diorama-like set pieces. Of course, it’s all impeccably framed by cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel and set to an enchanting Alexandre Desplat score. Some critics have noted the film is more style-over-substance, but for Anderson’s fans, that style is the substance: *The Phoenician Scheme* is unabashedly an A-list variety show of whimsy. After a warm reception at Cannes, this Focus Features release has proven to be one of Anderson’s most enjoyable recent efforts – a lighthearted romp that also, sneakily, becomes a touching meditation on family legacy and redemption. | © Indian Paintbrush

Cropped it was just an accident — 1. It Was Just an Accident

Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, *It Was Just an Accident* is the latest act of artistic defiance from Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi – a tense thriller laced with sharp political commentary. Filmed covertly in Iran without official permission, the movie transforms Panahi’s critique of authoritarianism into a gripping narrative. The story centers on a former political prisoner who, along with other victims of state torture, kidnaps a man they suspect to be their onetime tormentor, intent on seeking justice or revenge. What follows is a claustrophobic van ride through the night as the captors wrestle with doubt and morality: is vengeance justified, and do they have the right man? Panahi draws extraordinary performances from a non-professional cast, heightening the realism – the tension and fear in the van are palpably real, punctuated by moments of dark humor and philosophical debate.

As a thriller, *It Was Just an Accident* delivers nail-biting suspense and moral complexity in equal measure. As a political statement, it’s even more potent: Panahi, who has faced imprisonment and bans for his filmmaking, uses the plot as a bold allegory for the cycle of violence and repression in Iran. The film’s very existence is an act of protest, and that energy infuses every frame. Co-produced by France’s Les Films Pelléas, it features Panahi’s signature minimalist style – long takes in cramped spaces, a script that blurs fiction and reality – making the audience feel like accomplices in the unfolding moral dilemma. By the time the dawn breaks, *It Was Just an Accident* has delivered both a riveting cinematic experience and a searing indictment of brutality and injustice. This is Panahi at his bravest and most unfiltered, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary. | © Les Films Pelléas

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As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it's the perfect time to reflect on the standout films that have graced our screens so far. From surprise indie gems to big-budget blockbusters, this year’s cinematic lineup has delivered a wide range of unforgettable stories, performances, and visual achievements. Whether you’re catching up on what you’ve missed or looking for your next movie night pick, we've rounded up the best movies of 2025 (so far) – ranked from simply good to truly great. Let’s dive into the titles that have defined the year in film up to this point.

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As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it's the perfect time to reflect on the standout films that have graced our screens so far. From surprise indie gems to big-budget blockbusters, this year’s cinematic lineup has delivered a wide range of unforgettable stories, performances, and visual achievements. Whether you’re catching up on what you’ve missed or looking for your next movie night pick, we've rounded up the best movies of 2025 (so far) – ranked from simply good to truly great. Let’s dive into the titles that have defined the year in film up to this point.