10 Best Films of 2025 Worth Seeing in Theaters or Streaming
From prestige dramas and political thrillers to bold international cinema and genre-defying stories, these are the 10 best films of 2025. Curated by film critic Dwight Brown, each selection delivers standout performances, strong direction, and Oscarยฎ-worthy craftsmanship across multiple categories.
These 10 best films floated to the top of the pack in 2025.
All are Oscarยฎ worthy on some level, in some category. Screen them in theaters or stream them and youโll see for yourself.ย
A woman in a forest has a lot to learn about life and forgiveness. Watching her metamorphosis is transfixing. It becomes a wondrous and increasingly enchanting narrative that segues into one of the most famous plays ever written. Scripted and directed by Oscarยฎ-winner Chloรฉ Zhao. Expertly acted by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Features drama of Shakespearian proportions. A catharsis that will leave audiences spent and in a meditative state.
โObject remains inbound!โ Those arenโt the words you want to hear when a nuclear missile is headed your way. Yet thatโs the ominous news that bombards government officials in this pulse-quickening thriller. Oscarยฎ-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) skillfully offers three perspectives of the same astounding incident. The sterling, lockstep ensemble cast includes Anthony Ramos, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Clarke and Idris Elba. Bigelow, Noah Oppenheimโs script and the talented actors take you there. By filmโs end youโll need a stiff drink, some strong weed or a calming walk around the block. Thatโs the mark of a riveting thriller. Thatโs whatโs coming inbound.
It started with a spark, and no one knew how it would end. Thatโs how the deadliest fire in California history went down on November 18th, 2018, in Butte County, California. School bus driver Kevin McCay (Matthew McConaughey) swings into action and tries to save lives. Meticulously, director Paul Greengrass (United 93) sets up the story, coordinates the genius special effects, places the characters in position and lights a blaze under it all. A sustained chaos lasts for two hours and nine minutes. Dread and fear linger. Thatโs why your nerves will be frayed long after the final credits roll.
Marty Supreme
Heโs reckless and ambitious. A loser who never gives up. Born poor but has big dreams. Ping-pong becomes his way up and out of his low-income Jewish American community on New Yorkโs Lower East Side. Marty Mauser (Timothee Chalamet) tries desperately to become a table tennis champion in the โ50s and โ60s. Writer/director Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems) has chosen a worthy subject and the perfect, brassy young actor for the lead. Itโs as if every role Chalamet has ever done was a building block to this moment. Kinetic. Chaotic. Continuously barreling towards disaster. Innovative direction. Pretty good script. Koto Kawaguchi, Gweneth Paltrow and Odessa Aโzion costar. If only roller coasters were this exciting.
โMay the four colors of the earth bless me. I will see you in my dreams.โ Writer/director Akinola Davies has a poetic way with words. Also, a great feel for sensitive and compelling storytelling in this father/son allegory. Two young bickering Nigerian brothers, the extroverted Remi (Chibuike Marvelous Egbo) and introverted Aki (Godwin Chiemerie Egbo), live in a rural town. The day they reunite with their estranged dad Folarin (แนขแปpแบนฬ Dรฌrรญsรน, Gangs of London) in Lagos, thereโs a monumental shift in their father/son relationship. Reminiscent of the Oscarยฎ winning film Moonlight. A touching meditation on fatherhood, political strife and the frailty of life.
Dead uncle in the middle of the road. Do you hit the brakes or accelerate? British writer/director Rungano Nyoni has her own take on the #MeToo movement as it concerns her home country, Zambia. She prefers a modern fable. One in which the protagonist must find her voice to speak her truths. Susan Chardy plays the twentysomething with a lesson to learn and abuse that must be exposed. A mirrored mask with imbedded sunglasses is her headwear, a black balloon-type costume is her garb. Itโs an indelible image. One of many in this modern, feminist allegory. Finally, guilt is heaved off the victim onto the perpetrator. Itโs a revelation.
โI am under a death threatโฆ itโs a dangerous situation.โ Marcelo (Wagner Moura, Narcos), a tech research scientist at a university is being hunted. During Brazilโs infamous military dictatorship in 1977, he and throngs of others are fleeing from those whoโd kill them. Kleber Mendonรงa Filho artfully writes and directs this historical political/thriller that blends genres and defies expectations. His thoughtful, intelligent and forewarning script drifts in and out of time periods. Those whoโre victimized and those who perpetrate evil will be revealed or exposed. Thatโs what this masterpiece tells all who will listen.
Absentee dads and the repercussions of their behavior drive the storyline in this Norwegian family drama. A large imposing red house in Oslo is the setting. Oscarยฎ nominated screenwriter Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World) directs from a poignant script co-written with Eskil Vogt. A wayward father (Stellan Skarsgรฅrd) tries to reconnect with his two grown and embittered daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas).ย Expect friction. Be surprised by the ending. Perfectly directed, written, produced and acted. Itโs like watching group therapyโand youโre in the group!ย
Writer/director Ryan Coogler digs into the horror genre and brings a formidable production crew with him.ย Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), production designer Hannah Beachler (Oscarยฎ-winnerย Black Panther), costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Oscarยฎ winnerย Black Panther) and others. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to rural Mississippi to open up a juke joint. Vampires wonโt leave them alone. Dazzling imagery, audio effects, skilled direction and strong performances. Somewhere in this hefty, 137-minute, audacious supernatural film is a more phenomenal 120-minute movie.
โIโve heard it said. That people come into our lives for a reasonโฆโ Figuring that out is the main task for Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Arianna Grande). But the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and his henchwoman Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) are out to destroy Elphaba and stopping them wonโt be easy. The narrative gets richer and more fanciful with every frame and swirls to an ending with enough twists to surprise everyone. Jon M. Chuโs direction and the excellent production elements are extraordinary. Though, the filmโs strongest elements are the two leads. A touching lesson about friendship gives them both room to shine.
Visit Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.