Film Focus Online Top 50 Films of 2025
- Film Focus Team
- 5 days ago
- 13 min read
January 2, 2026
2025 has been another outstanding year for cinema, delivering a rich mix of unforgettable experiences across every genre. From ambitious blockbusters and bold auteur visions to emotionally resonant dramas and breakout indie gems, this year’s films have challenged, delighted, and stayed with us long after the credits rolled. Our list of the Top 50 Films of 2025 brings together both the year’s very best and our personal favourites — the movies that thrilled us, moved us, and ignited endless debate. Whether you’re catching up on the big crowd-pleasers or seeking out under-the-radar discoveries, these are the films that defined 2025 and deserve your time.
Companion
Synopsis: A weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin turns into chaos after it's revealed that one of the guests is not what they seem.
"January is known as the dumping ground for movies, particularly horror, but Companion proves that this doesn’t always need to be the case. Smart, funny and inventive with its themes that sound familiar on paper but have a unique spin, Companion boasts fantastic performances, a pivotal message and competent filmmaking that makes it a must-watch for fans of the genre." — Read our review
The Monkey
Synopsis: When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years.
"The Monkey could undoubtedly have done more to develop the plot and focus on the rich backstory that must surround the toy itself – but, in all honesty, I’m glad it didn’t. If you walk into the cinema with the context that you’re about to see a fun example of switch-your-mind-off, buckle-up, and enjoy-the-ride comedy-horror, then you will have an absolute blast." — Read our review
I Swear
Synopsis: John Davidson: diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at a young age which alienated him from his peers, he struggled with a condition few people had witnessed.
Eternity
Synopsis: In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with and her first love, who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
"Eternity is a breezy, heartfelt, funny and unique spin on familiar romcom beats. Standing out from the crowd with its immersive world, great cast, big ideas and simultaneously wholesome yet at times tear jerking atmosphere." — Read our review
Pillion
Synopsis: A directionless man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.
Zootopia 2
Synopsis: Brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers.
"Zootopia 2 is the rare follow-up that justifies its existence. It expands the world in ways that feel purposeful, deepens its central duo without betraying their charms, and populates its streets with characters — from Gary the Snake to Pawbert the Lynx and the beleaguered Beaver — who are as funny as they are meaningful." — Read our review
Wolf Man
Synopsis: A family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable.
Good Boy
Synopsis: A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.
"More than 25 years after The Blair Witch Project, it feels as if the found-footage horror genre has evolved into a new era of interesting POV storytelling, and Good Boy is a worthy innovator." — Read our review
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Synopsis: A group of friends are terrorised by a mysterious killer who knows about a gruesome incident from their past.
"Jennifer Kaytin Robinson was under extreme pressure to execute something worthwhile, and I firmly believe she did. The bold twist in narrative will no doubt create discourse and divide audiences but at the same time, its ultimately thrilling and fresh feel is noteworthy for other films to take such risks." — Read our review
The Roses
Synopsis: A tinderbox of competition and resentments underneath the façade of a picture-perfect couple is ignited when the husband's professional dreams come crashing down.
"If you are looking for a smorgasbord of sharp British humour, toxic marital arguments, and intrusive thoughts winning the day – this is the film for you." — Read our review
Hamnet
Synopsis: After losing their son Hamnet to plague, Agnes and William Shakespeare grapple with grief in 16th-century England. A healer, Agnes must find strength to care for her surviving children while processing her devastating loss.
"Hamnet will always be a special film because of the way it handles loss and grief; it knows death is never the end." — Read our review
Clown in a Cornfield
Synopsis: A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge.
"Clown in a Cornfield uses plenty tongue in cheek horror tropes, rendering itself predictable in the 3rd act but neither of those distract you from enjoying the clown fuelled carnage and its interesting premise which flips on its head, surprisingly." — Read our review
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Synopsis: Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, a college student returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that inevitably awaits them.
"Final Destination is a well-loved franchise, though the first five films certainly had their flaws. Bloodlines feels like a fresh and thrilling revival—bringing new life (and death) to the series, with inventive sequences and a cinema experience I won’t soon forget." — Read our review
K-Pop Demon Hunters
Synopsis: A world-renowned K-Pop girl group balance their lives in the spotlight with their secret identities as demon hunters.
Sentimental Value
Synopsis: An intimate exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
Synopsis: While trying to manage her own life and career, a woman on the verge of a breakdown must cope with her daughter's illness, an absent husband, a missing person, and an unusual relationship with her therapist.
"If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is motherhood portrayed as pure anxiety. A constantly uncomfortable, darkly funny and extraordinarily intrusive assault on the senses from Mary Bronstein while Rose Byrne gives the performance of her life and makes you feel every second of her relentless downward spiral. As engrossing as it is hard to watch." — Read our review
Train Dreams
Synopsis: Based on Denis Johnson's beloved novella, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly-changing America of the early 20th Century.
The Lost Bus
Synopsis: A wayward school bus driver and a dedicated school teacher battle to save 22 children from a terrifying inferno.
"The Lost Bus is a devastating, true-to-life drama, with stellar performances from all involved. It’s ultimately a moving, haunting experience that I will wholeheartedly rewatch again. Paul Greengrass has a solid here; it's terrifying and beautiful in all the right ways." — Read our review
Bring Her Back
Synopsis: A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother.
"Bring Her Back is a harsh, raw and uncompromising experience that will prove skin-crawling for most viewers and genuinely tough to watch at points." — Read our review
On Falling
Synopsis: The story focuses on Aurora, a Portuguese worker in a Scottish warehouse, navigating loneliness and alienation in an algorithm-driven gig economy as she seeks meaning and connection amidst solitude and workplace confines.
She Rides Shotgun
Synopsis: A girl marked for death must fight and steal to stay alive, learning from the most frightening man she knows: her father. An adaptation of Jordan Harper's award-winning novel.
Thunderbolts*
Synopsis: After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must go on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
"Thunderbolts* is a very solid MCU flick and proves doubters of this misfit team wrong. Its tighter plot, and character heavy focus, coupled with strong action and some distinct stylistic choices deserve praise." — Read our review
Beast of War
Synopsis: A group of young soldiers, fresh out of boot camp, find themselves stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean after their ship is sunk by the enemy and must battle for their lives against a giant hungry great white shark.
Roofman
Synopsis: A charismatic criminal, while on the run from the police, hides in a hidden space of a toy store. There, he adopts a new identity and becomes involved with an employee, beginning a relationship as unlikely as it is risky.
"Roofman will make you laugh, make you gasp, and it just might make you cry, too. A must-see for anyone looking to have a good time as we wave goodbye to another superb summer of movies." — Read our review
Predator: Badlands
Synopsis: A young Predator outcast from his clan finds an unlikely ally on his journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
"Predator: Badlands is an absolute blast from start to finish. Delivering a fresh feeling story which takes bold swings and is laced with themes of honour, family and challenging expectation." — Read our review
Flow
Synopsis: Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences.
"Flow is a unique, beautifully animated, wholesome easy viewing adventure that coasts along its short runtime. The animal antics are wholesome, the stunning backdrops and immersive sound design make it a must watch on the big screen and essential viewing for all cat lovers!" — Read our review
The Housemaid
Synopsis: A struggling young woman is relieved by the chance for a fresh start as a maid for a wealthy couple. Soon, she discovers that the family's secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
"Ultimately, The Housemaid is a slick, gripping psychological thriller that thrives on strong performances and a willingness to lean into its darker impulses." — Read our review
No Other Choice
Synopsis: After being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Synopsis: Detective Benoit Blanc teams up with an earnest young priest to investigate a perfectly impossible crime at a small-town church with a dark history.
"Wake Up Dead Man could be considered the best of the series because the mystery is compelling, and the message of love is strong." — Read our review
Dangerous Animals
Synopsis: When Zephyr, a savvy and free-spirited surfer, is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer and held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.
"If you’re looking for 90 minutes of outlandish horror entertainment this week, then look no further than Dangerous Animals." — Read our review
Mickey 17
Synopsis: During a human expedition to colonize space, Mickey 17, a so-called "expendable" employee, is sent to explore an ice planet.
"Mickey 17 is an ambitious, if imperfect, return to the genre for Bong, further cementing his reputation as a director unafraid to push boundaries." — Read our review
Friendship
Synopsis: A suburban dad falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor.
"Friendship is a wild, unsettling black-comedy, its balance of absurdist situations and intense dread making it a future cult staple." — Read our review
The Running Man
Synopsis: A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to flee anywhere in the world, are pursued by "hunters" hired to kill them.
"The Running Man remains one of the action highlights of 2025, with plenty to say about modern society and the dark hole we risk tumbling down." — Read our review
Nosferatu
Synopsis: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
"Nosferatu is a near perfect gothic horror triumph. The brilliant cast, gory imagery, piercing scares, phenomenal cinematography and instantaneously engrossing world had me fully succumb to the darkness." — Read our review
The Choral
Synopsis: A choral society's male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding Dr. Guthrie to recruit teenagers. Together, they experience the joy of singing while the young boys grapple with their impending conscription into the army.
Jay Kelly
Synopsis: Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron. Poignant and humor-filled, pitched at the intersection of regrets and glories.
"The conclusion of Jay Kelly brings all of Baumbach’s ideas together in a bittersweet and overwhelmingly emotive scene. The same honesty which brims out of Marriage Story reveals itself here too. It might view Jay Kelly’s career with a hint of rose tinted glasses, but it also acknowledges everything he has sacrificed too." — Read our review
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Synopsis: Jake and Neytiri's family grapples with grief, encountering a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.
"James Cameron proves he can deliver unmatched spectacle and filmmaking craft." — Read our review
How to Train Your Dragon
Synopsis: As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.
"How to Train Your Dragon is a breath-taking live-action triumph that soars with heart, spectacle, and fidelity to its animated roots." — Read our review
Materialists
Synopsis: An ambitious young New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.
"At times, Materialists is too guarded in mainstream appeal, and I wish it had the guts to stay away from a happily ever after ending. At least here, the ending is open-ended to a degree." — Read our review
The Brutalist
Synopsis: A visionary architect flees post-war Europe in 1947 for a brighter future in the United States and finds his life forever changed by a wealthy client.
"The Brutalist taps into a mythological ideal that is grounded in reality, yet elevated by its scope, the characters strive and quest to deliver their lofty ideas. The more I have typed out this review, the more I realise just how much this film delivers in pretty much every single aspect." — Read our review
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
Synopsis: The Bride must kill her ex-boss and lover Bill who betrayed her at her wedding rehearsal, shot her in the head and took away her unborn daughter. But first, she must make the other four members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad suffer.
"The Whole Bloody Affair isn’t just the definitive cut. It’s one of the greatest cinematic experiences I’ve ever had, full stop." — Read our review
Sorry, Baby
Synopsis: After a tragic event, a woman finds herself alone while everyone else continues with their lives as if nothing had happened.
Superman
Synopsis: Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.
"In this new era for DC Studios, James Gunn moves away from the dark tone of past films and embraces the vibrant spirit of comic books. Superman isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a strong and refreshing step forward, laying a solid foundation for the future of the DC Universe." — Read our review
Bugonia
Synopsis: Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
"Bugonia is a Greek sentiment that bees manifest from the carcasses of dead oxen. It’s paradoxical in that death breeds life and vice versa, but it is quite pessimistic, and at the heart of it, Bugonia is about the inevitability of our self-destruction as a society." — Read our review
28 Years Layer
Synopsis: A group of survivors of the rage virus live on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors.
"Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite 23 years after their hit, genre-defining cult classic 28 Days Later to deliver one of the greatest horror sequels of all time." — Read our review
Weapons
Synopsis: When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
"Weapons is masterful at building suspense, on par with some of the best thrillers out there, even if it refuses to confine itself to one single genre. It is unapologetic in its complex world-building that allows horror and comedy to gurgle together on the surface like oil and water." — Read our review
The Long Walk
Synopsis: A group of teenage boys compete in an annual contest known as "The Long Walk," in which they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot.
"The Long Walk is a brutal, tense, emotional journey, peppered with moments of snarky humour. The vast landscapes, myriads of weather conditions and bursts of savage practical effects are presented effectively." — Read our review
Frankenstein
Synopsis: Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
"Frankenstein is a near masterpiece of emotion, craft, and imagination that reanimates Mary Shelley’s tale for a new generation. Guillermo del Toro delivers a film that’s as heart-wrenching as it is gorgeous, fusing the gothic and the human with unparalleled artistry." — Read our review
One Battle After Another
Synopsis: When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.
"One Battle After Another is outrageous, hilarious, visually stunning, and emotionally charged, a rare studio epic that feels vital, and completely uncompromising." — Read our review
Sinners
Synopsis: Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
"Sinners may take its time getting going—which won’t be to everyone’s taste—but that slow burn allows its themes to sit at the heart of the story before the final act sinks in with a powerful bite." — Read our review
