If you’ve been following along with the weekly editions of Movie Reviews 2025 this year, then you will know I’ve covered a heck of a lot of movies. In fact, from the first edition in January through to the 50th edition which lands in mid-December, I will have reviewed over 250 movies.
But if you have been a touch busy this year and you’ve not kept up-to-date with all the films which have been released during 2025 don’t panic! This edition of Movie Reviews Special is here to help you out.
I’ve trailed back through this year’s reviews and have picked out the 35 films I believe you should watch. These are the movies which were either excellent, very good, or in some way they made a cultural impact throughout 2025.
You may not agree with all of the choices – that’s your prerogative and I’m sure there will be some debate about Snow White – but I believe if you are looking for a significant cross-section of this year’s films, these are the movies to seek out. Below you’ll find comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, music, animation, and so much more.
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Better Man (2024)
What is it?
Bio-pic of British pop star Robbie Williams, where the Robster is portrayed as a monkey.
You should watch it because…
“Better Man finds a way to freshen up the tried-and-tested bio-pic format, adds plenty of warmth and depth to Williams’ story, and is quite frankly mesmerising.”
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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)
What is it?
Claymation comedy starring the loveable British duo, Wallace & Gromit.
You should watch it because…
“This is classic Wallace & Gromit, it is incredibly funny, and whether you’re an old hand to this or a complete newcomer, you’ll most certainly want this movie on your tele-box (or tablet if you’re that way inclined).”
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White Bird: A Wonder Story (2024)
What is it?
Captivating loose spin-off to 2017’s Wonder, starring Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson, Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt.
You should watch it because…
“(White Bird is) beautifully shot and superbly acted, with particularly strong turns from Ariella Glaser as Sara and Orlando Schwerdt as Julien Beaumier.”
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A Real Pain (2024)
What is it?
Comedy-drama written, directed, and starring Jesse Eisenberg which focuses on two Jewish cousins who embark on a heritage trip to Poland.
You should watch it because…
“Eisenberg doesn’t over egg the pudding in order to appeal to everyone, and this ensures the film’s success. The light comical touches blend effortlessly with the drama, and the end result is the sort of film which doesn’t come around all too often.”
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Anora (2024)
What is it?
Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn lead this drama-comedy about an American sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
You should watch it because…
Anora is a lot of fun, but most importantly it won the Academy Award for Best Picture! So, according to the Academy, Anora is a big deal.
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Presence (2024)
What is it?
Supernatural thriller about a house inhabited by a poltergeist, with the story told from the ghost’s perspective.
You should watch it because…
“The storytelling technique in play is first-rate, really capturing the imagination, while the sound, lighting, and staging of the drama keeps the investment level riding high.”
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Mickey 17 (2025)
What is it?
Quirky sci-fi comedy from director Bong Joon-ho.
You should watch it because…
“This is a stand-out tale with plenty to offer. From the script which is filled with lashings of black comedy, to the blend of genres that combines sci-fi, horror, and romance (with a bit of room for satire), Mickey 17 is unlike any other picture.”
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Flow (2024)
What is it?
Oscar-winning Latvian animated movie about a black-grey cat as it traverses the landscape.
You should watch it because…
“This is not your standard animated film and those after a spot of whimsy should appreciate what’s on offer.”
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Snow White (2025)
What is it?
Divisive Disney live-action remake which reworks and updates the animated classic.
You should watch it because…
Snow White received a dreadful amount of online hate in 2025 (ridiculous levels) and yet it is not awful like many will have you believe. It updated an animated film from 1937, which had plenty of room for an update, and it offered lots of family-friendly fun. And this is the hill I will die on!
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A Minecraft Movie (2025)
What is it?
Fantasy adventure movie based on an extremely popular video game series which young gamers love.
You should watch it because…
A Minecraft Movie is one of the highest grossing movies of the year, and it encouraged kids to pester their parents to take them to the cinema, at a point in time where cinema attendance is down.
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Drop (2025)
What is it?
Slick dark-thriller about a young woman terrorised by a mysterious caller who digi-drops disturbing messages to her phone.
You should watch it because…
“Drop delivers an enjoyable mystery, a level of intrigue worthy of Hitchcock, and some excellent cinematography.”
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Sebastian (2024)
What is it?
Independent LGBTQ+ drama about an aspiring novelist who moonlights as a sex worker.
You should watch it because…
“Sebastian is an accomplished picture, which I expect will connect with a great deal of audiences, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.”
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Sinners (2025)
What is it?
Ryan Coogler’s Gothic horror about two brothers who return to their hometown in 1932 to set up a juke joint but encounter something sinister.
You should watch it because…
Sinners became one of the surprise hits of the year and did great business based on word of mouth. It is also a thoroughly engrossing, genre-mashing movie.
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Thunderbolts* (2025)
What is it?
Marvel superhero movie about a rag-tag group of anti-heroes led by Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell.
You should watch it because…
“(Thunderbolts* is) an impressive and important stepping stone in the MCU. If you’re of the opinion some of the recent Marvel Studios movies have felt a little light and inconsequential, then Thunderbolts* should make you happy.”
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Nonnas (2025)
What is it?
Drama about a middle-aged man who opens up a restaurant staffed by nonnas. The film is also based on a true story.
You should watch it because…
“It’s a touching picture which looks at the pain of grief, as well as the triumph of togetherness.”
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Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
What is it?
Stunt-filled Tom Cruise action-thriller in which Ethan Hunt attempts to save the world for possibly the final time.
You should watch it because…
Tom Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie, and Paramount Pictures became so dedicated to this movie everything but the kitchen sink was invested in making it a show-stopper. Outside of a Bond film, you’ll never see this amount of money chucked at this amount of spectacle again. Savour it.
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Warfare (2025)
What is it?
Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland write and direct this brutal war drama based on Mendoza’s experiences during the Iraq War.
You should watch it because…
“Warfare is a compelling, completely unflinching picture, with arguably one of the most realistic depictions of conflict ever committed to screen. It puts a new slant on the traditional war film, bringing audiences much closer to the battlefield.”
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Dangerous Animals (2025)
What is it?
Australian survival horror about a young woman who finds herself at the mercy of a psycho with a shark obsession.
You should watch it because…
“(Dangerous Animals) is a dark and twisted picture, and one which is confident in its approach and execution. There is a gritty realism to the elements of fantasy, and there are moments of beauty amongst the darkness.”
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28 Years Later (2025)
What is it?
Excellent horror sequel focusing on a young boy who comes of age in a world ravaged by a virus.
You should watch it because…
“The story is engaging, the action electric, and the horror unnerving. There are scenes in the film which raise the pulse, and there are other scenes which tug at the heart strings.”
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KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
What is it?
Animated adventure-musical about a trio of demon hunters who moonlight as a K-pop band.
You should watch it because…
KPop Demon Hunters is one of the biggest success stories of the year. The movie was released direct to Netflix during the summer, but proved so popular it was later re-released at the cinema TWICE!
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F1 (2025)
What is it?
Brad Pitt sports drama abotu a former Formula One driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a driving prodigy.
You should watch it because…
F1 was another surprise of the summer, coming out of nowhere and entertaining with smart direction, an excellent performance from Pitt, stunning cinematography, and a brilliant score from Hans Zimmer.
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Superman (2025)
What is it?
Effective reboot of the Superman mythology from Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn.
You should watch it because…
“(Superman contains) great action scenes (some of the best in a Superman film); plenty of sci-fi imagery; and a good handle on Superman’s character. More importantly, the film sets out the right foundations for the future.”
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Bring Her Back (2025)
What is it?
Australian supernatural horror about two step-siblings who find themselves in care following the death of their father.
You should watch it because…
Bring Her Back is a mesmerising, nail-biting horror and easily one of the best of the year. No question.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
What is it?
Marvel Studios’ reboots the Fantastic Four movie series with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn.
You should watch it because…
Fantastic Four: First Steps is a hope-filled, fantasy-heavy reworking of the FF mythology with a superb design aesthetic. Think The Jetsons meets Jonny Quest.
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The Naked Gun (2025)
What is it?
Belated sequel / reboot of The Naked Gun movie series starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.
You should watch it because…
Neeson and Anderson prove to be a great combination, who not only understand the assignment in The Naked Gun but help to bring some belly laughs.
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Weapons (2025)
What is it?
Zach Creggers’ mystery-horror about a community trying to make sense of the sudden and bizarre disappearance of 17 children.
You should watch it because…
Weapons became a huge hit during the summer and is easily the best horror of the year (despite stiff competition from Sinners and Bring Her Back).
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Eddington (2025)
What is it?
Ari Aster’s drama about a heated mayoral contest between two town officials in New Mexico.
You should watch it because…
“This is a well-constructed drama. Aster has a knack for exploring dark underbellies, and there’s plenty of darkness in here.”
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Caught Stealing (2025)
What is it?
Austin Butler-starring crime-thriller about a bartender who gets mixed up with the criminal underworld.
You should watch it because…
“(Caught Stealing offers) slick direction, a strong script, and Butler providing a terrific performance result in a triumphant film. Caught Stealing is jolly good stuff and then some!”
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The Long Walk (2025)
What is it?
Dystopian survival-thriller about a deadly walking contest, which is also based on a Stephen King novel.
You should watch it because…
“With its social, economical, and harrowing commentary, The Long Walk is a brilliant picture – and the sort of film Hollywood needs to be focusing more on. Not necessarily bleak, dystopian stories (let’s not give Hollywood the wrong idea), but movies which are intriguing, different, and don’t get bogged down in lore, or multiverses, or too many ideas.”
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One Battle After Another (2025)
What is it?
Leonardo DiCaprio leads this superb action-thriller from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson.
You should watch it because…
One Battle After Another is one of the best (non-horror) movies of the year. DiCaprio is fantastic, while Anderson’s story and direction is excellent.
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I Swear (2025)
What is it?
British biographical comedy-drama based on the real-life story of Scottish Tourette’s campaigner, John Davidson.
You should watch it because…
“(With) some great drama, an excellent dose of humour, and one or two heartfelt moments capable of drawing a tear from a glass eye, I Swear is a triumph. It’s one of those brilliant British movies which seems to come out of nowhere but you can’t help but get swept up in it.”
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Roofman (2025)
What is it?
Channing Tatum-starring crime comedy-drama from filmmaker Derek Cianfrance about a convict who breaks into buildings via the roof.
You should watch it because…
“The combination of Tatum’s charm and Cianfrance’s direction ultimately proves to be a winner. Roofman is an enjoyable crime-caper which should bring a smile to your face on more than one occasion.”
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Sketch (2024)
What is it?
Children’s fantasy comedy-horror about two siblings who bring some unsettling drawings to life.
You should watch it because…
“Sketch is a creative picture, which deserves to be seen and is almost certainly going to become one of those movies that the current younger generation will look back fondly on in about 20 years from now.”
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Frankenstein (2025)
What is it?
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro adapts a literary classic with Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth amongst the cast.
You should watch it because…
“This is one of the best adaptations of Frankenstein to date. The movie is an enthralling, visually stunning, Gothic epic.”
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And finally…
Wicked: For Good (2025)
What is it?
Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated sequel to 2024’s Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
You should watch it because…
Of all the film’s released this year, Wicked: For Good is arguably the most talked about. It also drove audiences into cinemas and created a genuine buzz about going to watch a movie on the big screen, selling plenty of hotdogs and novelty popcorn buckets in the process.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this edition of Movie Reviews Special. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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