As the year winds to a close, we’re sharing lists of our favorite films we’ve seen (so far).

I’m cutting it up to the last wire with my list of the top ten movies from 2025, and I know that immediately after it’s published, I’m going to wish I could change my list. But despite the question of “what’s your favorite movie” being every film critic’s worst nightmare and best dream, I need to commit sometimes. So here is my list of some of the best parts of 2025, no matter how hard it was to whittle down. 

Late into the year I kept thinking to myself that I really hadn’t been floored by any one film. In the past I had one or two that I held onto as I saw them and could at least say “Yes, this one will definitely be on my list” but for some reason a lot of films fell flat for me this year. There were some contenders at SIFF of course, the sheer volume and diversity made that possible. Then, as the year neared its end, out came the the stars and I am left, yet again, with some tough decisions to make. Below are what I came up with, but I’ll probably wish I could change it again tomorrow.

As the year winds to a close, we’re sharing lists of our favorite films we’ve seen (so far).