It’s that time of year again, when we look back at the best movies and put them on a list for everyone to debate and judge. As always, we don’t get around to seeing every single movie, and every writer has a different bias and preference. But here’s our writers’ list of the best movies. Let us know what you think and what your favourite films of the year are!
Sean Gallagher
I feel I did a good job keeping up to date with film this year. I didn’t get to see everything I wanted to, but I’m happy with how this list turned out.
Honourable mention: Revenge of the Sith 20th Anniversary
Technically, this movie came out in 2005, but it did screen earlier in the year for its 20th anniversary, and, in all honesty, it was a blast to see it again on the big screen. The Star Wars prequels may have some issues, but I love Revenge of the Sith and hearing it with modern cinema speakers was honestly a huge treat. I can gush about the sound mix for days. A fun time at the movies, to be sure!
Alright. Time for the top ten!
10. Sinners
A genre-bending movie that combines music, gangster tropes and supernatural horror, Sinners is maybe a little too long for its own good, but nonetheless a wild and creative ride with one helluva soundtrack that taps into the Mississippi Delta sound of the 1920s. I do prefer the film as a musical gangster story and less as a vampire genre film, so the second half didn’t grip me as much as the first.
9. F1
Sure, the F1 movie may not exactly be cinema gold, and it’s a bit frustrating to watch as a fan of the sport, but F1 was nonetheless the most fun I had at the movies this year, and for that alone, it deserves recognition. Often, these lists are about the “best” in terms of artistic merit, but I think fun factor should also be considered, and in that department, F1 excels.
8. Eternity
A surprisingly funny take on the afterlife with a heavy and front-loaded dilemma: who do you spend your eternity with? The one you shared your life with, or the one who didn’t get to spend your life with. Great performances, surprising humour, and a touching rom-com courtesy of A24.
7. Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man
A massive improvement over Glass Onion, Wake Up Dead Man may be a little too long, but it’s a fun, smart, and unexpected. Daniel Craig may be riding more of a supporting role in this third entry, but Jack O’Connor shines as a priest at the center of a whole new mystery. A strong entry in the Knives Out franchise.
6. Rental Family
A heartwarming tale of the impact one person can make upon the lives of strangers. Brendan Fraser does a great job in Rental Family as a struggling actor in Tokyo who finds himself playing various roles in other people’s lives. For those who love movies where the city feels like a character.
5. Frankenstein
It may take some creative liberties, but del Toro’s Frankenstein is one hell of a production, with great acting, fantastic set design, and oozing Gothic tone. I may not be the biggest fan of the design of the Creature in this adaptation, but the overall tone and story are great, and this movie is certainly worth watching.
4. Weapons
A non-linear suspense thriller with a touch of horror, Weapons is like an onion slowly being unravelled. Excellent storytelling, pacing, characters, and reveals, I was utterly engrossed while watching this one, which reminded me of a suburban urban legend being told.
3. I Like Me
The John Candy documentary I Like Me is a fantastic exploration of a wholesome personality who kept giving and giving, while the film industry slowly kept taking from him. It’s simultaneously heartwarming, informative and emotionally tragic.
2. Train Dreams
When watching Train Dreams, my initial thought was that it’s good but not amazing. But by the end of the film, and the days and weeks since, I find myself ruminating on the themes and questions posed in the film, a lot more than expected. Joel Edgerton gives one hell of a performance despite how reserved and quiet his character is.
1. Warfare
I’m pretty sure watching Warfare on the big screen gave me slight PTSD. While there’s no character development or political messaging, Warfare was effective in putting me into this incredibly tense situation. Confining largely to one building, it felt almost like a play, only one that showed the harrowing horrors of war. Thanks to outstanding audio design, I left the cinema with a wildly tense body and adrenaline pumping through my veins and a newfound fear of combat. Incredibly effective in its ability to put the viewer into a situation.
Best TV:
Adolecense, Andor S2, Task
Game of the Year
Clair Obsur: Expedition 33
Frédéric Bourgeois-LeBlanc
His favourite movies:
1) Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler)
2) One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson)
3) Train Dreams (directed by Clint Bentley)
4) Warfare (directed by Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza)
5) 28 Years Later (directed by Danny Boyle)
Honourable mentions:
Companion – Superman – Eddington – Materialists – F1 – Dangerous Animals – Thunderbolts* – Wake Up Dead Man – Frankenstein – Black Bag – TRON: Ares – Den of Thieves 2: Pantera – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – Jay Kelly
His favourite TV series:
– Adolescence (Netflix)
– The White Lotus, season 3 (HBO Max)
– Andor, season 2 (Disney+)
– Alien: Earth (Hulu, Disney+)
Eric Hanson
Now, when it comes to keeping up to date on movies, I’m not always the best. Due to a hectic year of moving and sorting out personal issues, I haven’t been able to get to the theater as much as my coworkers. But I’ve still taken time to enjoy new titles, big and small. Sure, I may have missed some big hits like Superman, and the new Avatar is still on my to-be-watched list. But still this has been a great year with a lot of unexpected treats.
Favourite movies:
1) Sinners
One of the things I really love is when a movie is willing to change genres, which can be risky, as essentially you pull the rug out from under the audience and drop them in a different movie. Sometimes the audience can be disappointed. Fortunately, Sinners has two stories, one about struggling to make ends meet in a racist Reconstruction-era South, and the other about vampires, and both are excellent. The first half of the movie does an excellent job building up its characters and story, and in the second half, it goes straight into horror thriller territory, in a seamless transition that makes no compromises on quality and ambition while still bringing its audience some genuine thrills.
2) Weapons
My most anticipated film of 2025 manages to top the director’s Barbarian. Weapons is surreal, moody, and at times, outrageously funny. An entire classroom of children vanishes in the middle of the night, leaving a broken community struggling to find answers. Weapons manages to keep the audience guessing where the story is headed, even after we seemingly have all the answers. The movie features standout performances from Amy Madigan as the sinister Aunt Gladys and Josh Brolin as a father struggling to find his missing son. Once this creative team announces their next project, you’d better believe I’ll be there.
3) Predator: Badlands
The Predator series has been eating well recently, and this latest outing from the director of Prey is one of the year’s most charming and fun films. Badlands takes the titular monster that has been horrifying audiences since 1987 and takes a book risk, placing the creature as the main character, with Elle Fanning playing an android, serving as their quite eager partner in crime. The chemistry between the leads is absolutely the highlight of the film, adding an undercurrent of humor, and a surprising amount of heart into the adventure that follows. Some much-needed fresh air for the series, and a great adventure for those just looking for a good time at the movies.
4) Zootopia 2
Disney’s highly anticipated sequel manages to build on the world, detailing an elaborate backstory that further elaborates on themes of discrimination that the first film dealt with so well. Ke Huy Quan joins the cast as the adorable Gary De’Snake in a sequel that brings reptiles and other creatures absent from the previous film into the forefront. With sophisticated animation and fun characters, the movie was a big success for Disney, and while not as good as the original, it shows this series has a lot of potential going forward.
5) The Bad Guys 2
Okay, so we have two movies with cute and fussy animals. While Zootopia is great, but not as good as the original, Bad Guys 2 manages to improve on its predecessor in most regards. The characters are still loads of fun, and the action set pieces in this more manic and fast-paced animated film are sure to excite not just the kids but anyone who likes a hot shot of adrenaline with a healthy helping of laughs. Like Zootopia 2, Bad Guys really takes advantage of the animated format, complementing its rich story and characters with some truly spectacular visuals.
Favourite TV:
1) Adolescence
Four episodes. All in a single take. All telling one long heartbreaking story. This surprise hit remains as emotional and haunting as it was upon release, and marks this studio as one to watch. Excellent writing, performances, and a top-tier crew who were able to pull off what few other crews could have with its one-take format.
2) Stranger Things, season 5 (Netflix)
The swan song for this series may have its share of ham, but what does work still works. In some ways, the latest season is better paced than the 4th, which had some who would argue overly long episodes. Season 5 has the episodes at a more manageable length, and in a show that sometimes struggles with its extensive cast, it never leaves anyone without anything to do. So far, it seems the show is ending on a high note.
3) Alien: Earth (Hulu, Disney+)
I was ambivalent towards the Alien show, and while I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it in the beginning, the show managed to win me over pretty quick. It’s not the kind of Alien story I would typically enjoy, but here the wild swings really worked, from its new creatures to a surprisingly sympathetic turn for the title monster. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this show is headed.
Alexander Abbey
Bob Trevino Likes It
This film has been at the top of my list since I first saw it in March. It is based on a touching story of the writer/director’s real-life experiences. Starring Barbie Ferreira as Lilly and John Leguizamo as Bob Trevino, this film is a must-see for anyone with a toxic relationship with their parents.
Kpop Demon Hunters
There is a reason KPop Demon Hunters has become a global cultural phenomenon, and it’s not just because of the catchy songs (though they certainly don’t hurt). It is tightly paced, visually stunning, and has a story that speaks to anyone who has felt forced to hide part of themselves from the world.
Pools
Pools is a cute coming-of-age film by writer/director Sam Hayes. It’s written and shot in the style of John Hughes and has more depth than you expect. The cast, led by Odessa A’zion, is fully committed to their characters’ journey. It’s one of the films that keeps coming back to me, reminding me of the beauty in the chaos of life.
Thunderbolts*
For many, Thunderbolts* was a turning point in recent Marvel storytelling. It dives into character, explores trauma, and switches up the climactic final battle trope in a way that surprised and delighted many. It has a profound message about mental health but still manages to keep all the classic MCU action.
Eenie Meanie
If yore looking for a fun, grungy, action-packed heist movie, Eenie Meanie is for you. With excellent performances by Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) and Carl Glusman (The Bikeriders), Eenie Meany is a fast-paced action crime comedy that you didn’t know you needed.
Mickey 17
Mickey 17 is considered by many to be one of the weaker films by director Bong Jun Ho, which still puts it head and shoulders above most of the competition. It is a masterful satire of modern society through the lens of a gritty, oddball sci-fi comedy. It also has a delightfully unhinged performance by Robert Pattinson.
Wicked: For Good
It’s widely accepted that the second half of most stage musicals is weaker than the first, and many have called out the Wicked movies for continuing this tradition. Despite this, Wicked: For Good succeeds as a full-fledged antifascist argument and contains some of the hardest-hitting emotional moments in either of the two films. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande give powerhouse performances, and the third-act songs are simply jaw-dropping.
Tv
Daredevil Born Again
The Pitt
Iron Heart
Devil May Cry
Taylor Swift: The End of an Era