The Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)
From Sinners to One Battle After Another, this year’s cinema offers great reasons to visit the theater.
A Silent Voice Director’s Latest Animation
Naoko Yamada’s new film is a joyful story about three teenagers using music to navigate their future. Filled with whimsical fantasy and deep abstractions, it remains true to the inner world of Totsuko, a high-school girl who can see people’s [translate: «цвета»]. Yamada has crafted a beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age animation that might become the best film of the year.
Marvel’s Phase 5: Florence Pugh Shines
Despite an underwhelming Phase 5 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Florence Pugh’s role as Russian assassin Yelena Belova stands out. Her part energizes a deliberately rough-around-the-edges team-up movie addressing trauma, depression, and mental health amid battles with a new superhuman threat. Marvel deserves credit for moving away from endless VFX spectacles toward a more restrained, in-camera style led by Jake Schreier, formerly an indie director known for Paper Towns.
The other members of the Thunderbolts also deliver enjoyable performances, especially David Harbour as an ex-Soviet hero facing obsolescence and a bulging midriff. The post-credit scene is also worth the wait.
Paul Greengrass’ Signature Style
Paul Greengrass continues to build his reputation by blending fast-paced action with moral complexity.
“Paul Greengrass has built a career on mixing hyper-kinetic action with moral complexity.”
Author’s summary: The best films of 2025 combine heartfelt storytelling, strong performances, and innovative filmmaking, making this year memorable at the cinema.
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