A Window Into the Top Film and Television of 2025

After a relatively slow 2024 for movies, the 2025 announcements excited many and made them believe that the year would be the best for film in the post-pandemic era. Several high-profile blockbusters were released, as well as a variety of passion projects from popular directors and actors. 2025 was quite a good year for film releases, with exemplary performances from many actors being a particular selling point. However, much like in 2024, television once again stole the show and produced many of the best projects of the year.

10. One Battle After Another 

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is easily one of the most daring films of the year. The performances, especially from Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio, are unique, and they contrast each other perfectly. While DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a washed-up revolutionary who’s done with that life, Sean Penn plays Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, a racist government official who will stop at nothing to further himself as a white supremacist and destroy the revolutionaries. The directing particularly shines, with Anderson crafting a western-survival and family story mashup with meticulously shot scenes throughout. However, the film never comes together as well as it should. The comedy overshadows the tonal darkness, and the score sounds like random keys on a keyboard, giving it an almost video game- like quality. Also, the pacing is extremely inconsistent; the movie opens with a fast-paced revolutionary raid in the past, but it comes to a screeching halt as soon as it returns to the present and only picks up again in the final 30 minutes. One Battle After Another is a good film that had the potential to be great.

9. Sinners 

Sinners is a complicated film. It has a fantastic ensemble of characters that each has a distinctive personality with complex backstories. The cinematography is sublime. It is a thematically strong film that explores tensions of racial violence, the pursuit of success, and the power of culture. However, the acting and personality of characters like Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) or Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) are so strong that they overshadow the leading role of the twins (Michael B. Jordan), with Jordan’s acting falling short of his co-actors. The music is amazing— though Sinners was marketed as a horror film, in reality, it is at the intersection of various genres, more of a period piece that has musical and supernatural elements. The primary issue is the lack of narrative direction. Certain scenes carry tension, but there is a lack of an overarching tone or plot that can make the story itself muddled and boring. Simply, the film needs to ground itself, but Director Ryan Coogler creates a very experimental film that hopefully will set some new precedents for inter-genre movies, and is a movie that you will not regret watching. 

8. Superman 

Following the failure of the DC Extended Universe—particularly in its handling of Henry Cavill’s Superman—expectations were high for James Gunn’s rebooted version. Thankfully, Superman does not disappoint. The film wisely avoids retreading the character’s origin, instead placing the audience in a world where metahumans have existed for centuries. This choice allows the story to focus on Superman’s (David Corenswet) morality, a central theme of the film. Even when facing monsters, his moral compass never wavers. He embodies truth, hope, and kindness, serving as an inspiration in a world that increasingly views those values as old-fashioned. This tension adds dimension to the character and avoids reducing him to the overly idealized portrayal seen in Christopher Reeve’s version. The film honors Reeve’s legacy while evolving the character, particularly through its score. The track “Last Son” draws from John Williams’ iconic theme but adds a darker, more cinematic tone, reflecting Corenswet’s imperfect yet hopeful Superman. From its music to its world-building, Gunn’s Superman reminds audiences why the character remains one of DC’s most vital figures, launching the DC Universe with a confident and soaring beginning.

7. Wake Up Dead Man 

Wake Up Dead Man, the third film in the Knives Out trilogy, is a bold and surprisingly introspective entry that trades some of the series’ fast-paced mystery flair for a deeper thematic and emotional film. It still delivers the hallmarks: an eccentric ensemble, Benoit Blanc’s (Daniel Craig) Southern charm, and a mystery (this time a locked-room murder). However, Director Rian Johnson pushes into more daring territory, exploring religion, guilt, and forgiveness with surprising nuance.

Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) provides the emotional core of the film, offering a refreshingly sincere, conflicted character with a “Dark and Troubled past” that makes the audience invested in the mystery. He’s matched by the thunderous, scene-stealing performance of Josh Brolin as Monsignor Wicks, a puritanical pastor who preaches hate, guilt, and sin over Duplicity’s grace and love. Against the backdrop of rising Christian nationalism in the USA, the film reflects a very modern conflict with these two foils. 

It’s not without flaws. The pacing lags in the second half, the ensemble cast is far less memorable than previous installments, and at times the film gets lost in its dialogue-heavy scenes. Still, Wake Up Dead Man distinguishes itself with its emotional maturity and an honest, even generous, portrayal of faith. It’s less a whodunnit and more a why-it-matters, and in that way, it is a really beautiful film that keeps you on your toes. 

6. Marty Supreme 

“Dream Big.” The same words that define the film’s tagline are the words that drive Marty (Timothée Chalamet) to be the best, stopping at nothing in pursuit of that goal. He believes he can achieve anything he sets his mind to, yet his inability to ever slow down brings him as much trouble as it does success. Marty Supreme isn’t a film about ping pong; it’s about purpose, obsession, and how far someone is willing to go to fulfill it. Throughout the film, Marty exists perpetually on edge, facing challenge after challenge for even the slightest chance at greatness. Chalamet delivers one of the strongest performances of his career, mirroring Marty’s relentless drive with a performance fueled by ambition and urgency. That shared hunger for greatness makes the character feel strikingly real. While the film drags slightly in its middle stretch and leaves some narrative threads unresolved, its raw portrayal of determination, coupled with Chalamet’s performance, makes Marty Supreme unforgettable and one of the year’s most impactful films.

5. Adolescence 

Netflix has had several popular miniseries in the past, such as The Queen’s Gambit, but Adolescence might just be their best yet. The show is a technical marvel, having every episode shot in one take. This difficult technique draws viewers in and forces them to experience the story simultaneously with the characters. Furthermore, the show’s rich, methodical exploration of incel culture in adolescent men is profound and makes the audience sympathize with Jamie (Owen Cooper) despite his troubled actions. Furthermore, the ensemble’s acting remains gripping throughout, especially from Jamie and his father (Stephen Graham). Graham brings emotional depth to the show; he’s initially positioned as an accessory character to Jamie, but the final episode fleshes him out and makes the audience resonate with him. Despite being so young, then 14-year-old Cooper’s performance is legendary and makes him one of the most terrifying yet relatable characters of the year. This is displayed in his therapy scenes, where he frequently bursts into anger while struggling to cope with his actions and the reasoning behind them. Adolescence’s incredible acting and its gripping storytelling through its exploration of the psyche make it unlike any other show this year, and easily one of the best.

4. Invincible

Since its inception in 2021, Invincible has reshaped the landscape of animated superhero television, and this season might be its strongest yet. Each episode deepens the increasingly dark overarching narrative of Mark Grayson (Stephen Yeun) coming into his own as a grittier, more unpredictable hero. This season also puts him against his most destructive challenges yet—from the terrifying Invincible clones to the long-awaited arrival of Conquest—pushing the stakes to a point where every scene feels potentially fatal for its characters. In doing so, the show crafts sustained tension rarely seen in the genre. This season effortlessly surpasses the second, and potentially even the first; its expert writing, mounting tension, and powerful voice performances cement it as one of the year’s best, while leaving audiences eager for the fourth season.

3. F1 

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) stole the hearts of both audiences and critics, easily becoming one of the most popular blockbusters of this decade. Director Joseph Kosinski brings the same high-octane, flashy style to F1, and it certainly delivers again. This film puts the viewer in the cockpit, with every turn feeling just as jarring and force-inducing as being in the car itself. Its immersiveness never lets up for a second, leading to the lengthy runtime flying by. Through this, action becomes the selling point, with the other elements of the film complementing it just as well. Brad Pitt is captivating in the lead role of Sonny Hayes, an egotistical has-been who’s impossible not to root for. Similarly, Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce serves as the perfect foil to Pitt, taking a vastly different approach to racing and his fame. Beyond the stars, the film makes every person on the team feel invaluable, even the pit crew. Whether through fixing the car during its frantic pit stops or their emotional support of Hayes, the crew makes the viewer root for the entire team, not just the driver. Although the story feels slightly cliché, having many of the typical racing or even sports film story beats, this is exactly what it's meant to be. It’s a throwback blockbuster in the best way possible, an entertaining combination of story, action, and romance that keeps viewers gripped through the unrelenting excitement on screen.

2. Severance 

Severance’s second season is masterful. It is far more Kafkaesque and bizarre than the preceding season, having white corporate rooms filled with dirt and goats or an insane mindbender when the group goes to a corporate retreat with severed animal heads and haunting religious undertones. You’re never sure what direction the show is heading, and this season trades off stronger tension for a more creative, extravagant tone. This shift is evident in the visual feast this season delivers: muted tones, disorienting shots, strobing lights, and jagged memory shifts. The web of narratives is complicated, but they weave together by the end, and the conflict between the severed “innie” (an innie is the work-self of the employees who have a surgically split consciousness), Mark S. (Adam Scott), and his “outie” is a phenomenal plot dynamic that is really divisive and heart-wrenching. The show is not a fast-paced crime series that keeps you on your toes, but a simmering narrative with the most elegant visuals and creative choices of the year that marinate in your mind. 

Honorable Mentions: Andor Season 2, Train Dreams, Sentimental Value, Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Bear Season 4, Zootopia 2, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

1. The Pitt 

The medical television genre is often heavily criticized, especially by doctors, for being an unrealistic look at the subject matter and instead focusing on relationship and workplace drama. The Pitt, thankfully, avoids this pitfall and instead soars to new heights for the genre. It has continuously been praised for its gritty realism, and it's easy to see why. Whether it's an amputation or open-heart surgery, every scene masterfully builds tension that feels part of a larger chaotic lifestyle. Moreover, the themes of death and loss force the viewer to both fear and accept their own mortality. The show is not for the faint of heart, but instead a graphic representation of the daily chaos endured by doctors and nurses across the world. The characters drive the story, and each one feels equally part of the larger, well-oiled machine of the ER. Every character, from the volatile yet caring Dr. ‘Robbie’ Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) to the quippy charge nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa), offers a different perspective through which the story is told. This allows viewers to weave through the different perspectives and form their own perceptions by immersing them in the slow, methodical storytelling. The Pitt may not be for everyone, but it is undeniable. The Pitt’s characters, storytelling, and commitment to realism leave an impact unlike any other show this year, redefining the medical genre in the process and securing its place as the year’s best. 

2025’s films did not always live up to their potential. A Minecraft Movie turned out to be nothing more than a meme, several films were simply soulless live-action remakes, and others were outright disappointing. Avatar: Fire and Ash, for instance, was essentially a longer repeat of the second film with less originality, which made it a chore to sit through. It was far too long, and the writing made watching the film unbearable at times.

 Thankfully, the year did have some standouts. The comic-book genre, which included Superman, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, finally took a turn for the better following a difficult post-pandemic decade. Likewise, several prestige films, such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Marty Supreme, resonated with both audiences and critics, which were few and far between last year. 

However, television easily stole the show. From groundbreaking seasons of Invincible and Severance to new, fresh swings with The Pitt and Adolescence, television comprises most of the top five positions for good reason. Similar to Shogun (2024), The Pitt methodically builds tension and keeps the viewer engaged. It crafts a beautiful ensemble and story that makes it impossible not to click the next episode when binging.

 Looking ahead, 2026 promises a strong year for both mediums. With The Odyssey looking to dominate the summer, as well as several other blockbusters such as the potential ‘Dunesday’ (Avengers: Doomsday & Dune: Messiah) film, will be thriving. Similarly, many television shows are looking to get exciting new seasons, such as The Bear, The Pitt, and Invincible. With so many films and shows poised to make their mark, 2026 could be the year that sets a new standard for both the big and small screens.