Best Films of 2025… So Far
- Darren Zakus
- Jul 4
- 8 min read
Best Films of 2025… So Far
We are officially halfway through the year, even though it feels like January was only a few weeks ago. But regardless of how fast the year is flying by us, there have been some incredible films released this year in all genres. It has been a strong year for the horror genre with films like Sinners, 28 Years Later, The Monkey and Bring Her Back, with Together still awaiting its theatrical release at the end of the month after premiering on the festival circuit to rave reviews earlier this year. Thunderbolts* was a breath of fresh air for superhero cinema, with two major releases for the genre only a few weeks away, and festival darlings like The Life of Chuck and The Ballad of Wallis Island have delighted audiences, while Stitch has kicked up a frenzy at the box office. And there are still another six months of films to come this year, with highly anticipated titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein and Wicked: For Good still to be released! Not including films I’ve seen on the festival circuit which are still awaiting wide release, as if I was including those films Kiss of the Spider Woman would be on this list, my favourite films of the year so far are:
10. Bring Her Back
Every few years, a horror film comes along that is so unhinged and unsettling, that it creates a nightmarish vision on screen, and that is what Danny and Michael Philippou have accomplished with Bring Her Back. Not only is their craft as both directors and storytellers elevated to the next level after their film debut, but they have delivered a deeply disturbing, aching and haunting tale of despair and grief that makes for one of the year’s best horror films. Led by a brilliantly deranged performance from Sally Hawkins, the descent into madness and frightening on screen images that Danny and Michael Philippou conjure up in Bring Her Back is nothing short of pure, unadulterated terror that relishes in its madness and delivers an unnerving horror experience that will rattle even the genre’s biggest fans.
Read Darren's Full Review Here
9. Lilo & Stitch
Quickly earning its spot amongst the best of Disney’s live action remakes, there is never a moment in Lilo & Stitch where entertainment, heart and Disney magic is not front and centre. Dean Fleischer Camp not only masterfully balances the mixture of CGI animation and live action as he did in his previous film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, but he ensures that the beating heart of the beloved Disney animated film is not lost but amplified in a reimagining that will both satisfy fans of the original film and have audiences falling in love all over again with Lilo and Stitch. Deepening the themes of ohana and the emotional connection between the beloved Disney characters, Lilo & Stitch beautifully translates to the live action format thanks to a thoughtful and respectful reworking of the story, magnificent VFX work that brings Stitch to life with all the heart and chaos, and a star making performance from Maia Kealoha that ensures there is not a second of the film not bursting with Disney magic!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
8. The Ballad of Wallis Island
If audiences are lucky, every year or two there is a film that comes along that is so delightful and moving that it has the power to nurture the soul of all who watch it, and that is exactly what Tom Basden and Tim Key have achieved with The Ballad of Wallis Island. With an effortless charm and comedic energy that ensures that there is never a second where the film is shy of heart and entertainment, Tom Basden, Tim Key and Carey Mulligan shine throughout while bringing to life this beautifully moving story that is going to leave viewers hearts full and with tears of joy. Blending music, relationships, and self-healing all into one masterful story that equally tugs on viewers heart strings and has them laughing uncontrollably, Tom Basden and Tim Key have created something truly meaningful in The Ballad of Wallis Island that thanks to their excellent performances alongside the ever talented Carey Mulligan, ensures that The Ballad of Wallis Island will be remembered as one of the best films of the year!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
7. Thunderbolts*
Proving that true heroes come in all shapes and mental states, Thunderbolts* is a resounding triumph for the Marvel Cinematic Universe that displays the power of character centric storytelling. Expertly crafted to evoke the thrilling excitement of the superhero genre while evoking a deeply emotional story about mental health that breaks new ground for the superhero genre, Jake Schreier has crafted an impeccable Marvel film that soars in every frame due to its superior technicals and pitch perfect cast. Going to emotional and honest depths that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has not seen before with its exploration of mental health and depression, Thunderbolts* not only evokes that classic feeling of early Marvel with an action packed and hilarious blockbuster experience, but with an exceptional cast led by the brilliant performances of Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman, promises that there are still exciting and meaningful stories to be told within the superhero genre!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
6. Materialists
Firmly cementing herself as one of the most gifted new storytellers with an unparalleled sense of capturing deeply personal and human stories with a sincerity and honesty that leaves viewers thinking about what they just experienced long after they leave the cinema, Celine Song delivers another phenomenal film with Materialists. From the beautiful storytelling that exquisitely deconstructs modern dating and shatters perceptions of finding the perfect person that reminds of what true love actually is, to the incredible performances from her leading stars, Celine Song delivers a new romantic classic that tackles love in the modern age like no other film has done. Dakota Johnson delivers a luminous performance that showcases her talents as an actress unlike any other film has previously done for her that is only strengthened by the ever wonderful Pedro Pascal and expert filmmaking from Celine Song, but when amplified by a career best performance from Chris Evans that electrifies the entire film with a beautiful heartbreak that will leave audiences sobbing, not only is Materialists one of the best films of the year, it is unequivocally the most romantic film of the year that will make audiences believe in true love again!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
5. 28 Years Later
Equally as mortifyingly dread-inducing as it is moving, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland have outdone themselves with 28 Years Later. Being a rare legacy sequel that does not simply rehash the narrative of the beloved original film, but instead builds off the ideas it sets up and explores rich themes while delivering blood curdling moments of terror throughout, solidifying itself as the best film of the entire franchise . Easily cementing itself as one of the best legacy sequels ever made while paving the way forward for the franchise thanks to its intelligent storytelling, excellent direction and visuals, and powerful performances from Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland create a breathtaking cinematic experience in 28 Years Later, blending deadly horror and an emotional soul while exploring the human condition in what is destined to be a new masterpiece for the zombie genre!
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4. Black Bag
Not only is it an incredibly well acted film thanks to its stellar ensemble cast, it’s a slick, well crafted and meticulously plotted thriller that ensures each reveal not only takes viewers further down the treacherous rabbit hole full of deceitful characters each with their own agenda, but an experience that will have audiences fully invested in the film. With the outstanding performances of Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett and a scene stealing turn from Marisa Abela bolstering the entire film, Black Bag fires on all cylinders thanks to Steven Soderbergh’s precise direction and David Koepp’s finely tuned screenplay that not only delivers a nerve wracking and exhilarating spy thriller that throws back to the genre’s origins, but a truly masterful film that will go down as one of the best films of 2025!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
3. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Saying goodbye is never easy, but not only have Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie done so to the Mission: Impossible franchise with a beautiful sendoff that makes it okay for fans to say goodbye, they have done so with one of the most bombastic, exciting and emotionally satisfying blockbusters of the decade! Delivering all the excitement, mind boggling stunts and emotional stakes that the Mission: Impossible franchise is known for, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is a love letter to the franchise and the character of Ethan Hunt, crafted by a director, cast and crew all working at the top of their game. With heart pounding excitement, jaw dropping stunts with the submarine and airplane sequence both making an excellent argument for being two of the most amazing stunt set pieces ever caught on camera, and a beautiful farewell to Ethan Hunt by Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is everything that fans of the series wants and delivers the action film of the year full of spectacular action, world ending stakes and an emotional high that the series has not seen before!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
2. Sinners
Every filmmaker has one, but it feels like Ryan Coogler has created his magnum opus with Sinners in only a matter of five films. Crafting a visionary horror film that features stellar use of song, a haunting musical score from Ludwig Göransson, excellent performances, jaw-dropping cinematography and an excellent take on the vampire subgenre, this is not only a film that demands to be seen in IMAX, but a vampire film unlike anything you have ever seen or probably ever will again. Led by the phenomenal performances of Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton, Ryan Coogler’s epic foray into the world of horror and vampires is nothing short of show-stopping featuring magnificent cinematography, brilliant use of music and song, bloody mayhem, and an undeniable horny energy that makes Sinners not only one of the year’s best films, but a crowning achievement within the horror genre itself!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
1. The Life of Chuck
Every once in a while, there is a film that profoundly connects with audiences and takes them on an entertaining and moving journey, and Mike Flanagan has accomplished all of this and more with the spellbinding The Life of Chuck as he existentially explores life and mortality. Full of his signature character driven storytelling, audiences will be filled with joy as they are introduced to the life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz as the importance of embracing all of life’s moments is explored in one of the best Stephen King adaptations to ever grace the big screen. Led by an outstanding ensemble cast featuring incredible performances from Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and featuring one of the best dance sequences in recent memory, Mike Flanagan delivers yet another masterpiece in storytelling with The Life of Chuck that is unequivocally the best film of 2025!
Read Darren's Full Review Here
What have been some of your favourite films of the year so far? Let me know in the comments below!
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