BEST AND WORST MOVIES OF 2025
Each year I’m amazed that other critics like movies I hated, and vice versa. Every year I’m bothered by how the film groups I’m part of (Critics Choice Awards and San Diego Film Critics Society), always put people in the wrong categories. This year it’s Paul Mescal (Hamnet) and Stellan Skarsgard (Sentimental Value), listed in “supporting actor” when they were the lead actors in those roles. But this is about the movies I liked the most, and the least.
The Top 10 films I liked this year –
10. SORRY, BABY. This is literally the only movie on my list I wouldn’t recommend to most people. I don’t think it’s for everybody. It’s sad, and deals with pain and healing, but I loved it. There’s a scene with character-actor John Carroll Lynch trying to comfort a stranger in a parking lot. We know her pain, he doesn’t. And it’s one of the best scenes on screen this year.
9. SINNERS. This film is a great tribute to the blues (and other genres). Watching Delroy Lindro play Delta Slim, a talented harmonica player with a drinking problem, makes this worth the price of admission. Oh, and Michael B. Jordan (in a dual role) and newcomer Miles Caton aren’t bad.
8. THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND. As a huge music fan, this movie is right in my wheelhouse. There’s an eccentric guy living on an island. He won the lottery. His wife is dead. So what does he do with some of the money? He hires his favorite band (that broke up and hate each other), to perform a private concert for him on his island. We laughed when Sean Penn hired Van Halen to play his birthday party at the end of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but we all also thought – yeah, I might do something like that, too. Well, this movie did that, and it warms your heart in so many ways.
7. SPLITSVILLE. I think Dakota Johnson is the only person to appear on both best and worst lists for me. This movie is hysterical, and the roller coaster scene might be the funniest of the year.
6. BUGONIA. I’m not a fan of the director, and I’m confused as to why Emma Stone keeps working with him…yet I’m glad she did here. Fun story, and Jesse Plemons is amazing.
5. BLACK BAG. We know Steven Soderbergh is a great director, and that Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender are great actors. Did you know you can do a spy thriller without a bunch of shoot-outs and car chases? This is an intelligent movie for adults.
4. FRIENDSHIP. It’s a dark comedy that has so many laughs (many uncomfortable laughs).
3. COMPANION. Such a fun way to do the A.I. thing. Lots of fun twists and turns. Me and President Obama are the only ones that put this on our “best of” list.
2. WEAPONS. Why can’t a movie with horror elements make a Top 10 list? I still don’t know what the title means, but Amy Madigan gives the best performance of the year. The rest of the cast is terrific, too. Watching Austin Abrams as the homeless tweaker was a blast.
1. ETERNITY. This is what going to movies should be all about. A great story, lots of laughs, romantic as hell, sad in parts – you go through every emotion, and you love every character. Not just the three in the love triangle, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph and even Ryan Beil who plays long-suffering Fenwick in a few scenes. Of course, you won’t see this movie on other critic’s list because it’s not some dopey indie or foreign film that they think has an important message.
Honorable mentions: IS THIS THING ON?, RENTAL FAMILY, and OH, HI.
IN MEMORIAM honorable mention: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES.
It had a few funny moments, and it was nice to revisit the band. It was the last thing we’ll see Rob Reiner in,and direct. I’m glad he got to experience the thrill of getting Paul McCartney and Elton John to be a part of the fun.
The movie that makes my wife the angriest that isn’t on my list and would be on hers (which I liked, but not enough to go on my list): HAMNET.
The movie that will be on the most critics’ lists this year, that I deem:
Most Overrated Movie of the Year: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER.
Runner up would be: MARTY SUPREME.
The worst movies of 2025…
A reminder, I don’t put goofy horror movies on the list (sorry “Five Night at Freddy’s 2”), but movies the filmmakers actually made thinking they’d be good films.
Don’t make me explain why I didn’t like them. Devoting more time to this garbage isn’t worth it. My wife already gave me a hard time saying things like, “Do you really think ‘Materialists’ was that bad?” And we liked A$AP Rocky and Jeffrey Wright in ‘Highest 2 Lowest.”
Sure. I’ll concede those points. These films might have a few good actors, scenes or interesting stunts; but when characters do idiotic things and I check out of the movie because of stupid scenarios – or I expected so much more from those involved – it goes on the list.
10. ELLA McCAY
9. MATERIALISTS
8. A WORKING MAN
7. ONE OF THEM DAYS
6. THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
5. HIGHEST 2 LOWEST
4. THE SURFER
3. THE HOUSEMAID
2. ON SWIFT HORSES
1. CAUGHT STEALING
Dishonorable Mention: SNOW WHITE