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From a box office perspective, 2025 was the worst-performing non-COVID-19 pandemic year since 2001. There are many reasons for this, but at the top are Hollywood studios making theatrical titles available to stream too soon after their initial release. If people can wait a month or less to watch something at home, most will do so.
As far as the quality of films is concerned, 2025 was very good. I attribute this to the de facto death of comic book adaptations and the filling of that void with smaller-budgeted original pictures. This is reflected in my top 10 favorite movies of the year, where only two titles were released by major studios.
Thanks for reading and have a happy and healthy 2026!
‘Train Dreams’
Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) and Claire (Kerry Condon), in "Train Dreams." BBP Train Dreams
Ethereal and utterly mystifying, director Clint Bentley’s hypnotic and entrancing tone poem achieves perfection on almost every level. Adapted by Bentley and Greg Kwedar from the novella by Denis Johnson, the movie abandons the typical three-part narrative in favor of two distinct halves.
Spanning six decades, the only constant character is Robert Grainier, a logger and sawyer making a hardscrabble living in the Pacific Northwest. He has a wife (Felicity Jones) and a daughter, and he crosses paths with multiple colorful souls who all add their distinct flavor to the narrative.
‘Hamnet’
Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), in "Hamnet." Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features
This work of historical fiction is based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell. It examines the courtship and marriage of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and Agnes Hathaway (Jessie Buckley).
The couple’s relative bliss ends with the death of their 11 year-old son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) to what is suggested to be the bubonic plague. While Agnes sinks into an extended period of mourning, William channels his grief into his art by creating “Hamlet,” his most famous and most performed play.
‘Black Bag’
George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and Clarissa (Marisa Abela) re-task a satellite, in "Black Bag." Focus Features
My sole gripe with Steven Soderbergh’s taut spy thriller is that it was released so relatively long ago (March). Given that most critics have the attention span of a ferret after a double espresso, the movie hasn’t shown up on many year-end lists, which is tragic.
George (Michael Fassbender) and Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) are a married couple who both work for Britain’s National Cyber Security Center. The main plot point has George being charged with determining which of five of his co-workers is selling state secrets to the Russians. One of those suspects is Kathryn.
‘The Friend’
Another title released too early in the year (also March) is co-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s adaptation of the 2018 Sigrid Nunez novel. It goes where few animal-centric movies have gone before.
After the sudden death of her mentor and ex-lover Walter (Bill Murray), Iris (Naomi Watts) is told he has left custody of his Great Dane Apollo to her. As Apollo is the size of a small import car, the matchbox Manhattan apartment Iris inhabits becomes increasingly untenable.
What starts out as a bother for Iris transforms into deep affection, so much so that her friends start worrying. Prepare for an ending that will keep you guessing up until the final frame.
‘Anemone’
Daniel Day-Lewis (L) and director Ronan Day-Lewis on the set of "Anemone." Focus Features
For the third time, Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement, this time in support of his son Ronan making his directorial debut. Like “Train Dreams,” “Anemone” is long on atmosphere, low on dialogue, and focuses on a man coming to terms with his past.
Unfairly derided by most critics, I’m of a belief that the younger Day-Lewis’s auspicious first offering will age well and eventually become regarded as a major cinematic achievement.
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’
Rev. Jud (Josh O’Connor, L) and Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), in "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery." John Wilson/Netflix
The final installment in Rian Johnson’s spy thriller trilogy again finds detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) looking to solve a murder, this time at a New England church. As with the first two (“Knives Out,” “Glass Onion”), “Wake Up” is greater than the sum of its parts, thanks to a crack ensemble cast.
The real stand outs here are Glenn Close as a textbook “church lady” and Josh O’Connor as a former boxer turned priest still dealing with anger issues.
‘H Is for Hawk’
Helen MacDonald (Claire Foy), in “H Is for Hawk.” Roadside Attractions/MovieStillsDB
Based on the memoir by Helen MacDonald, this bold yet deliberately paced biographical drama stars Claire Foy as Helen, a Cambridge professor trying to cope with the recent death of her father Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson).
Employing frequent flashback, writer Emma Donoghue and director Philippa Lowthorpe build the momentum by placing the father dynamic up-front through their shared love of birdwatching, specifically birds of prey.
Helen buys a Goshawk, one of the most ill-tempered of all preying birds, and their getting-to-know-you period is tumultuous making the third act payoff all the more rewarding.
‘Frankenstein’
Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), in "Frankenstein." Netflix
Director Guillermo del Toro’s magnum opus is one of only a dozen of the hundreds of previous adaptations to adhere completely to Mary Shelley’s original text. The resulting film will surprise many. As technically spectacular as it is well told, it is anchored by a career-defining performance from Jacob Elordi as the Creature.
‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’
Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), in "Sisu: Road to Revenge." Screen Gems
The rare sequel is as good or better than its predecessor. This second “Sisu” flick is more of the same, only better. Finnish actor Jorma Tommila returns as the lead character, a World War II soldier who is the human equivalent of the Energizer Bunny. Offering excellent contrast as the antagonist is veteran character actor Stephen Lang.
‘Daniella Forever’
Nicolas (Henry Golding) grieves over the loss of Daniela (Beatrice Granno), in "Daniela Forever." Mediacrest Entertainment
Known mostly for his work in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “A Simple Favor,” leading man Henry Golding goes in a completely different direction with this moody sci-fi romantic drama.
Filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo employs multiple film stocks and aspect ratios to further enhance the fever-dream tone, turning the camera into another character. To be sure it’s not for all tastes, but if you don’t like your love stories force-fed and overly predictable, you should give it a shot.
The Rest of the Best
Best Lead Actor: Joel Edgerton, “Train Dreams”
Best Lead Actress: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
Best Acting Ensemble: “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
Best Director: Clint Bentley, “Train Dreams”
Best Original Screenplay: “Black Bag”
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Train Dreams”
Best Cinematography: “Frankenstein”
Best Documentary Feature: “Every Little Thing”
Best Animated Feature: “The King of Kings”
Best International Feature: “Sentimental Value”
Best Original Score: “Hamnet”
Best First Feature by a Director: Ronan Day-Lewis, “Anemone”
Best Breakthrough Performance: Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”
Best Voice Performance: Will Patton, “Train Dreams”
Best Stunts: “Ballerina”
Best Performance by a Non-Human: Bing the Great Dane, “The Friend”
MVP: Josh O’Connor
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Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
