My Top 10 of 2025

 

Today, I am going to compile my top 10 films that I have seen in 2025. A few caveats to be included in my list: these films featured have all been cinema releases in 2025, in the UK; these, in my opinion, are what I consider my favourites of this year.

Ever since the lockdown of 2020, I have been determined to go to the cinema as often as possible, since restrictions were lifted. So without further ado, here is my top 10:

10. Heart Eyes (2025)

I didn't know what to make of this film when I first saw the trailer. I was intrigued to watch a slasher film, but I was worried Heart Eyes would take itself too seriously. I'm happy to report that this was not the case, the film was a fun horror, similar in the vein to Happy Death Day (2017). The film follows the serial killer known as The Heart Eyes Killer, a person intent on massacring couples on Valentine's Day. A little predictable, considering it followed the usual tropes of a slasher, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

9. The Monkey (2025)

Yet another horror film making the list. The Monkey is a film based on a short story written by Stephen King. That alone was enough to intrigue me; I am a big King fan and I have been impressed by recent adaptations of his work. A man tries to sell a toy wind-up monkey, although the toy has other ideas. Eventually, the monkey ends up in the hands of the man's twin boys, setting up wild events that seem to be all the doing of this toy menace. Even though I have not read this particular King story, I still enjoyed the film version and all of the different deathly scenarios the toy cooked up. Theo James carried out a memorable performance of the two twins he portrayed. Although, of all the King adaptations, it doesn't really stand out compared to the other films I have previously seen and enjoyed.

8. 28 Years Later (2025)

One of the most highly anticipated films of 2025, which might be a surprise considering it is not lower on my list. 28 Years Later follows on from the very successful 28 Days Later (2002), a zombie thriller based in England. 28 Years Later shows that the rage virus that was the cause of the zombie breakout in the first film, has now been eradicated worldwide, apart from the UK. Jamie and his son Spike travel to the mainlands, away from their secluded island filled with friends and family, on a coming age-of-age task for Spike. There, in between surviving the infected, Spike discovers a doctor who claims he can cure Spike's mother, who remains on the island and appears to be dying. Spike decides to risk everything to get his mother to the doctor, all while having to avoid and survive the infected.

I enjoyed the film for what it was, but I think it was so far removed from 28 Days Later, that it could have been a stand alone film. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but what I loved about the first film was its low budget quality, the very independent feel, and the small cast of characters. 28 Years Later felt a bit of a blockbuster film, far more polished than the first, and pretty removed from the events of that movie.

7. Flow (2024)

I know that this next film has a 2024 release date, but Flow was released in UK cinemas in 2025, so I am including it here. I really didn't know anything about this film when I went to see it, I just knew it was an acclaimed animation. The movie, an animation with no dialogue, follows a cat wandering through a forest, before getting caught up in a flood. The cat manages to get aboard a boat, joined by a capybara, lemur, and a labrador. As the film progresses, we see the animals trying to navigate and survive the flooded terrains. 

I did not realise how stressful and tense an animated film about a cat could be, until I saw this film. The film manages to convey tension throughout, a huge feat considering there is zero dialogue involved. The lack of dialogue allows the audience to focus on all of the animation, without being overly distracted. The animation and storyline are breathtaking and original, and you somehow end up caring for a cat throughout, even if you're not a fan in real life. Definitely a memorable animation for all of the right reasons.

6. Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

A surprise addition to myself, I really did not think I would be including a Fantastic Four film on this list. The Marvel film that has been rebooted to death, and never quite managing to be successful previously, First Steps had a new cast, who were announced to be part of the next Avengers film shortly after this film was announced. The less said about the previous instalments, the better. Which was why I surprised myself by attending a showing of this latest version. I think the pull mainly was in the casting of Pedro Pascal, and the desire to see any decent Marvel film since the Spiderman films. This reboot follows the four heroes as they navigate the threat from Galactus, a planet-devouring cosmic being. Not only do they have to fight such an intense threat, but Mr Fantastic and Invisible Woman have discovered they are expecting a baby. I have never been a fan of the Fantastic Four series; I remember being dismayed whenever the characters would show up in the animated Spiderman series, but I found myself actually enjoying this version. I do have to say that I did prefer Chris Evans' portrayal of the Human Torch over Joseph Quinn's, but overall the film does a good job in making the audience believe in and root for the characters. I am intrigued to how they fit into Avengers: Doomsday when it arrives, even though I am very apprehensive of that film itself.

5. Nobody 2 (2025)

A fun little follow-up to 2021's action Nobody, the sequel follows Hutch navigating getting back to his usual mundane routine, after the first film saw him re-enter his life as an assassin. This time round, Hutch decides his family is in need of a vacation, and they travel to Plummerville, with a theme park 'resort'. Of course, because this is an action film, soon the action catches up to Hutch and he has to juggle the corrupt owners of the park, along with the corrupt sheriff. This leads to a showdown with the big boss, as played by Sharon Stone. I thoroughly enjoyed Nobody and the sequel wasn't a letdown. I always love seeing Bob Odenkirk pop up in films and shows, and seeing him as an unexpected tough, skilled assassin is a delight. Along with Christopher Lloyd and Colin Hanks, there is enough humour to balance the action. Sometimes it's just fun to have a mindless action film being played to take your mind off serious issues in the world.

4. Nosferatu (2024)

Again, a film with a 2024 release date, Nosferatu was released in the UK in January 2025, and was the first film I saw in the cinema this year. Another horror, this one being an adaptation of the king of all horrors: Nosferatu (1922), itself being a take on the Dracula story. Directed by the acclaimed director Robert Eggers, who had previously brought us The Witch (2015) and The Northman (2022), the film already had a reputation of being an epic before it was released. Nosferatu follows Ellen, played by Lily Rose Depp, who prays for a companion, somehow getting the attention of the ancient vampire himself, Count Orlok. Ellen's husband Thomas goes away for business, and happens to be selling a house to the Count, leaving Ellen alone and vulnerable to the vampire's powers, eventually becoming under his spell. Throughout the film, Thomas attempts to free his wife from the clutches of Orlok's spells, with Ellen eventually leading a sacrifice that ends the Count's madness. An epic of a film, I initially could not gel with Depp's acting, pretty annoyed by the nepo casting. She does eventually warm up, and while not able to match Nicholas Hoult (portraying her husband, Thomas) or the master of modern horror, Bill Skarskård, she makes a passable effort. I'm always a fan of Skarskård's work, and he is so consumed by this role, I was not aware that it was him until the end credits, although I had my suspicions. It's always appreciated to seeing Nicholas Hoult pop up in the films that he's in. A bit long, but an enjoyable horror overall.

3. Companion (2025)

We're finally in the top 3, and now we're cooking. I was intrigued by this film when I originally saw the teaser trailer and vowed to see it as soon as I heard Jack Quaid was the main male character. One of the best nepo actors out there, I try to watch as many projects starring him as possible, and I am glad I decided to watch Companion. The film follows Quaid, who plays Josh who has started dating Iris. They travel to a lakehouse to meet Josh's friends, but soon, things don't appear to be normal, with Iris killing one of the friends in self-defence. We soon find out that Iris is a companion robot, bought by Josh, and whose feelings and emotions are all controlled by him. Iris escapes capture from Josh and his friends, and goes on a quest for revenge and to escape the utter controlling behaviour of her former boyfriend. After I left the cinema, I declared this film as my favourite of the year yet, quite an achievement considering it was released in January 2025. Obviously, other films came to knock it out of top place, but I am still a fan of its originality, and the tension the film built throughout. A shame that the plot was revealed in a longer movie trailer, the film was still a delightful thriller to watch.

2. Sinners (2025)

A film that was going to be number 1 on my list, narrowly missing out by the contender that crept in at the last minute. Sinners is a beautiful film set in 1932, and follows twins Smoke and Stack, two businessmen who start up a juke joint for their Black community, providing live music by their cousin. Unfortunately, the joint happens to be in an area inhabited by a group of vampires, intent on causing mayhem. Stack is turned into a vampire, and his twin Smoke is left to protect his community from the raging monsters. Smoke eventually defeats Stack, and assists his cousin in killing the other vampires. Later, in 1992, we see that Stack has actually survived and visits his cousin, who is now a successful musician. What a movie, beautifully shot by director Ryan Coogler, with the twin roles handled perfectly by Michael B Jordan. The standout scene is the blues song being played by the band in the joint, such a powerful performance, that it evokes other eras of the past and present, piercing the veil between life and death as it were. I have never seen anything like that particular scene before, and it's definitely the standout in the entire film, showing the influence of black music throughout history. I'm a sucker for a vampire movie (oh man, that pun...) and Sinners is the best I've seen in a very long time.

1. Pillion (2025)

I have no words for this next film, but I will try my best to sum it up. I first heard of this film when I saw the trailer in October of this year. I was instantly sold on the concept and was eager to watch the film in the cinemas. Harry Melling plays Colin, an introverted character who is on a self-discovery. Colin lives with his family, who are very supportive in Colin's homosexuality, and are very encouraging on him finding his love. On a blind date, Colin comes across a biker gang enjoying the drinks at the local pub, and one particular guy catches Colin's attention. It is Ray, played by Alexander Skarskård, who takes Colin on a journey into the world of BDSM. Throughout the film, Colin gets an insight into Ray's world and we as an audience, are able to navigate alongside Colin, experiencing it for the first time. The film does what the Brits do best: humour, awkwardness, tenderness, all wrapped up besides the subject that films do not normally cover. I cannot stop thinking about this film, each performance allows the audience to feel what each character is going through, with tremendous turns by Melling and Skarskård. The topic feels authentic, and it's so refreshing to watch a film that deals with relationships, no matter the sexual orientation. The film is explicit, sure, but it doesn't do it in a shock value way, every event feeling natural with themes that can relate to everyone. The chemistry between the two main leads is incredible, and I am excited to see more of Melling's work. I've always been a fan of the elder Skarskård, and I love his non-conventional roles, and his willingness to take a risk in his work. A film so good, and tender, that I have viewed it twice in the cinema.

And that's it! Here's to 2026 and more exciting films to discover.

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