- - The Best Films Of 2025

Erin E. Evans, Njera Perkins, Alexandra Niforos December 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM

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Michael B. Jordan as Stack and Smoke in director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Warner Bros.

This article is part of HuffPost’s Best of 2025 coverage. Be sure to check out our best TV shows, albums and podcasts.

The year in moviegoing can, perhaps, be summed up by one fact: “Sinners” is the only film in the Top 10 list of highest-grossing movies in the United States that isn’t based on existing IP and isn’t a part of a popular franchise.

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That alone is enough reason for the Ryan Coogler-directed film to make this list, which is full of other wholly original films. The Southern Gothic horror set in the Jim Crow South was one of the most talked-about films this year, down to the very last minute, as it racked up coveted nominations for the 2026 awards season and was left off a few big best-of lists.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t some worthy adaptations that held our attention, like “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet” and “Wicked: For Good.” But there’s something special about several of the lesser-known films on this list that deserve your attention, too.

In this year-end roundup, HuffPost staffers talk about their favorite films of the year, including popular animated movies, gripping documentaries and captivating scripted dramas. Be sure to add these to your watchlist if you haven’t seen them yet.

‘Bring Her Back’

Jonah Wren Phillips in "Bring Her Back." A24

Talk about a film that scared the absolute daylights out of me. “Bring Her Back” takes grief to a whole different level with Sally Hawkins’ bone-chilling portrayal of a foster mom still mourning the death of her daughter. After taking in two siblings alongside a troubled orphan she already cares for, Laura (Hawkins) secretly and sinisterly summons a demon to carry out a resurrection ritual to bring her daughter back to life.

I probably cringed and squirmed through the better half of this film because it was just that disturbing. I still wince whenever I think about that brutal knife-eating scene. But as grisly and unsettling as the movie is, all the gore serves well in portraying the all-consuming emotions that the loss of a loved one brings, and in desperate times, what it could drive one to do. — Njera

‘Elio’

Elio (voice of Yonas Kibreab), a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, including Glordon (voice of Remy Edgerly), a tender-hearted princeling. Pixar

“Elio” feels like one of the more slept-on Pixar films in the last decade — yet the film is smart, heartwarming and relatable for both kids and adults. The animated tale tells the story of 11-year-old Elio (Yonas Kilbreab), who’s being raised by his Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña) after both of his parents die. Elio becomes obsessed with life in outer space, and then, he finally gets abducted by aliens. He meets Glordon (Remy Edgerly), a worm-like alien with a bunch of teeth who is being pressured to become a warlord like his father. Elio and Glordon become fast friends because they both feel misunderstood. At the end of a long adventure, they both realize a lesson: Sometimes you can find connection in the most unexpected places. — Erin

‘Hamnet’

Jessie Buckley stars as Agnes and Joe Alwyn as Bartholomew in director Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet." Agata Grzybowska

“Hamnet” is one of the most devastating films of the year, replete with knockout performances from its cast; Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Jacobi Jupe, Joe Alwyn, Olivia Lynes and Noah Jupe will bring you to tears. While Buckley is dominating the female lead nominations for the 2026 awards season, it is Jacobi Jupe’s heartwrenching performance that isn’t being talked about enough.

The Chloé Zhao-directed film is an adaptation of author Maggie O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet,” a fictional 16th-century tale of William Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, his death from the plague — and how it inspired the play “Hamlet.” This movie will shatter you, but it is one of the best things you’ll watch all year. — Erin

‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’

Rose Byrne in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." A24

Masterful storytelling and acting is the best way to describe what writer-director Mary Bronstein and Rose Byrne achieve in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” This intense yet brilliantly honest portrait of a Grade A maternal crashout didn’t make as much noise as the blockbusters that dominated film discourse this year, but it surely deserves all the praise. Byrne’s outstanding performance as Linda, a burned-out mother and therapist losing control of her life, impressively juggles dark humor and drama simultaneously. And Bronstein’s script, inspired by her own life, does such an amazing job at rooting the audience in Linda’s perspective throughout the movie in a way that allows us to empathize with her poor decisions, even when we feel like we shouldn’t. It’s a harrowing depiction that goes beyond the sacrifices of motherhood to what happens when you lose your sense of self entirely. — Njera

‘John Candy: I Like Me’

John Candy in "John Candy: I Like Me." Courtesy of Prime

“John Candy: I Like Me” is a tear-jerker as it paints a portrait of its hilarious and kind subject: actor-comedian John Candy. The documentary is told through the stories of some of Candy’s loved ones, including his wife and kids, along with a handful of actors and comedians who closely worked with him. Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Mel Brooks and Macaulay Culkin, among many others, appear in the doc to share funny anecdotes and touching moments about Candy. Directed by actors Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds, the film introduces us to John Candy, the family man, who dealt with crippling anxiety throughout his life, ever since his father died on his 5th birthday. Often, our most tortured comedians bring audiences so much joy and laughter, and Candy was never short on delivering both through his work. “John Candy: I Like Me” is a touching ode to him and his talent. — Erin

‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’

When they aren't selling out stadiums, K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet — an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise. Netflix

It’s pretty easy to see why “K-Pop Demon Hunters” dominated the Netflix charts — and the box office — for so long. The animated musical is an addictive global sensation; it follows K-pop supergroup Huntr/x — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — as they protect their fans from a huge threat: the Saja Boys, a rival boy band made up of demons. The soundtrack to the film includes several earworms: “Golden,” “What It Sounds Like,” “Soda Pop,” “Your Idol” and more all made it to Billboard’s top movie songs chart, and the album reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 in September. It’s a testament to how ubiquitous the series and its songs were this year. And talk about the film isn’t going to end soon — it’s been nominated for a few Golden Globe awards. Plus, there’s already a sequel planned for 2029.

‘The Long Walk’

David Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, Ben Wang and Tut Nyuot in "The Long Walk." Lionsgate

Any Stephen King adaptation is bound to get people talking. But it’s not the source material itself that makes “The Long Walk” such a compelling watch. The gruesome concept of making a contest out of forcing young men to walk non-stop or face death is, indeed, as brutal to watch as it sounds. However, the brotherhood that is born between Cooper Hoffman’s Ray Garraty and David Jonsson’s Peter McVries as they push each other to stay the course makes the film easier to stomach, even through its most graphic (and gross) scenes. Jonsson’s performance is perhaps the most arresting when it comes to carrying the emotional depth of the movie, but don’t sleep on Hoffman. The duo add a sense of hope to this bleak tale, even if it is short-lived. — Njera

‘On Becoming A Guinea Fowl’

Susan Chardy as Shulu in "On Becoming A Guinea Fowl." Chibesa Mulumba/A24

“On Becoming A Guinea Fowl” opens with Shula (portrayed effortlessly and beautifully by Susan Chardy) driving down the streets of Zambia in some gold, futuristic headgear, sunglasses and a big, black, trash-bag-looking suit a la Missy Elliot in “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” music video. It’s a fun, fleeting moment before she rolls by her uncle, Fred, laid out dead in the middle of the street. The film that follows is a searing look at grief, the dark secrets we carry and how harmful traditions can perpetuate trauma. The 95-minute dark comedy ends in a stunningly chaotic way — and now that it’s streaming on HBO Max, everyone should add it to their must-watch list. — Erin

‘One Battle After Another’

Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills in "One Battle After Another." Warner Bros.

Let me start this by saying “One Battle After Another” is by no means a perfect movie, as some critics would have you think. Paul Thomas Anderson makes a lot of interesting choices in his dizzying action-comedy epic, some of which continue to spark film discourse — namely its problematic racial themes on which a lot of the plot is built on, which could definitely use some unpacking from the director.

However, those issues aside, I still found the film highly entertaining, and understand why so many others do, too. For one, performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro and breakout star Chase Infiniti help round out a plot that goes from centering a group of radical revolutionaries to a manhunt for a father and daughter both dealing with the consequences of their pasts. High-octane sequences of car chases and shootouts also add more thrills to the movie when it starts dealing with heavier topics of white supremacy and immigration crackdown. “One Battle After Another” is jam-packed, indeed, but it’s a fun watch. — Njera

‘One Of Them Days’

SZA and Keke Palmer in "One of Them Days." Anne Marie Fox

It feels egregious to say we haven’t gotten a proper buddy comedy starring two Black women in over 25 years, but thankfully, “One of Them Days” broke the drought this year with a fun film that’s as hilarious as it is endearing. The Lawrence Lamont-directed, Issa Rae-produced flick follows best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) on the verge of eviction after the latter’s boyfriend blows their rent money. Their ridiculous cash pursuit to pay back their ruthless landlord leads to a wild set of misadventures that turns into, well, one of them days.

Palmer and SZA are the comedic duo we never knew we needed in this film (although their infamous “Saturday Night Live” sketch was a hint). And Syreeta Singleton’s screenplay brought both their humor and charm — plus the rest of the hysterical cast — to life in a way that made their characters feel so real and relatable. It’s funny; “One of Them Days” made me realize we’ve been starved of Black women buddy comedies for far too long. But thanks to its success, which helped greenlight a forthcoming sequel, it seems the tide in Hollywood just might be turning in our favor. — Njera

‘Pee-Wee As Himself’

Paul Reubens in "Pee Wee As Himself." HBO

A lot of celebrity documentaries can come off as just nostalgic looks at a famous person’s life, nothing more than a highlight reel with some commentary about the most talked-about moments in pop culture. Thankfully, “Pee-Wee As Himself” expertly manages to be way more than that — it is a gripping look at the life of Paul Reubens, the pop culture icon who donned a signature gray plaid suit with a red bow tie. The two-part documentary, directed by Matt Wolf, who’s known for creating projects built on huge archives, dives deep into Reubens’ personal history, his rise from small comedy circles to the main stage of Hollywood, and his sordid legal issues. “Pee-Wee As Himself” centers Reubens in his own story in a rich portrait of his life. If you loved Pee-Wee, getting to know Reubens through this lens is very satisfying. — Erin

‘Sinners’Michael B. Jordan as Stack and Smoke in director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Warner Bros.

I’ll admit “Sinners” is a film that initially had to grow on me. Ryan Coogler’s wholly original screenplay is filled to the brim with deeply personal messaging about Black lineage and the power of blues music in depicting pain, defiance and community. That’s not even counting the vampire lore that turns this sweltering Southern tale into a spellbinding horror thrill, where twin brothers (magnificently portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) who escaped the North find out that just as much evil lurks for them back home. I was both mesmerized and overwhelmed the first time I saw the film. But that’s what made me want to watch it again and again and again. It makes sense why the movie became one of the most talked-about of the year and is rightfully earning awards buzz, especially with standout performances from newcomer Miles Caton and the rest of the supporting cast, including Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson and Jack O’Connell. — Njera

‘Sentimental Value’

Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in "Sentimental Value." Neon

With his latest movie “Sentimental Value,” Norwegian director and writer Joachim Trier captures a touching story of a family embroiled in a generational habit of hurting, abandoning and subsequently attempting to mend the wounds of the people they love the most. Co-written with Eskil Vogt, the movie follows sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) who reconnect with their estranged famous father (Stellan Skarsgård) when he decides to make a film about their complicated family history.

Although it seems like an emotionally heavy conceit, there’s a surprising levity and comfort throughout; a vulnerable scene between the sisters toward the end of the movie simultaneously broke my heart and put it back together. Mirroring the picturesque yet flawed family home at the center of the story, watching this film feels like stepping into my own childhood home; it holds memories good and bad, both of which are nonetheless comforting in their own way. –– Alexandra

‘Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)’

Sly Stone, the frontman of Sly & The Family Stone. Stephen Paley

Questlove is becoming an expert of sorts when it comes to music documentaries, but with “Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)” he goes beyond simply chronicling a famed musician’s life and legacy. The film is not a linear timeline of all the Sly and the Family Stone frontman achieved, but rather an exploration of its subtitle — and not just through Sly Stone. Figures like Chaka Khan, André 3000 and the late D’Angelo appear in interviews to dissect what it means to be Black and famous and the responsibility that comes with that. Out of the many celebrity documentaries we’ve gotten lately, this outlier feels the most honest. — Njera

‘Songs From The Hole’

Musician JJ'88 in Netflix's "Songs From The Hole." Netflix

“Songs From the Hole” is another documentary with an authentic perspective because it is the literal manifestation of its title. Partially a visual album, the Contessa Gayles-directed film recalls how formerly incarcerated musician JJ’88 was sentenced to life in prison at 15 years old for murder — only for his brother to be killed three days later. Struggling to process his pain while in solitary confinement (aka the hole), JJ’88 wrote the songs that became “Songs From the Hole.” The film visualizes these tracks as JJ’88 imagined them behind bars with vibrant music videos that help tell his story.

Meanwhile, the documentary portion features narration from the musician, as well as interviews with his family members, to further tell who JJ’88 really is. “Songs From the Hole,” also created in collaboration with executive producer richie reseda, is a deeply moving testament to the healing power of music. What makes the film especially unique is that it does not focus on a man’s incarceration experience, but rather his road to forgiveness and redemption. — Njera

‘Weapons’

Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys in director Zach Cregger's "Weapons." Warner Bros.

There’s a certain thrill about a film that can legit make you scream out loud in a movie theater. That’s part of the magic of “Weapons,” Zach Cregger’s terrifying horror mystery. When 17 elementary school children disappear from a town, everyone questions who exactly is behind their disappearances, and the reveal is satisfyingly unhinged. It’s a gory, scary and haunting film that had audiences begging for more — and thankfully, it worked. Cregger said he’s planning a prequel film centered on Aunt Gladys, a wicked portrayal by Amy Madigan. I can’t wait. — Erin

‘Wicked: For Good’

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in "Wicked: For Good." Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Speaking of “Wicked” portrayals, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo wowed audiences with their stellar performances as Glinda and Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good,” Part 2 of Jon M. Chu’s whimsical adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 fantasy novel. In this installment, audiences got to see more “Wizard of Oz” lore in the film, with a peek at Dorothy Gale and the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. For those of us unfamiliar with the Broadway production, there were delightful moments at every turn. For “Wicked” aficionados like HuffPost contributor Sarah Hunter Simanson, the second film captured the same magic that made “Wicked” the musical resonate more than 20 years ago. — Erin

CORRECTION: This story has been amended to correctly identify actor Jonah Wren Phillips in the second photo.

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