Saw a lot of movies last year, and I even dropped a few reviews in ~movies along the way. I didn’t spend much time watching movies on streaming in 2025, mostly because it’s starting to feel bland and what cable TV felt like in the 90’s. Most of what I watched was in theaters, because I’m big on supporting local theaters, creatives, artists, and musicians in my community.

Honestly… it wasn’t a legendary year for movies. It was hard to even get to a Top 10 without stretching a bit. 2026 already looks more promising.

Quick notes before you dive in

1. Spoilers ahead. I’m giving quick blurbs, videos of scenes and some of them will step on plot points.
2. If a big movie is missing, I probably saw it and just felt it was too mediocre to earn a slot on here.

🎬 Top 10 Movies I Watched in 2025🎬 Top 10 Movies I Watched in 2025

10. Final Destination: Bloodlines10. Final Destination: Bloodlines

Saw this with ek and he clapped at the end like it was Cannes. 😂
It was a fun theater watch if you’re in the mood for chaos, momentum, and that “the universe is doomed” kind of thinking. I can’t do the gore for long stretches, but the set pieces are creative enough to keep it moving. Especially that opening scene sets the tone for the whole movie.

See my review here.

9. The Gorge9. The Gorge

The premise, music and score are so strong that it almost feels unfair. Two great young actors taking swings in roles you don’t normally see them in, and it works. Also, talk about building chemistry onscreen with a whiteboard and a sharpie.

The action in and around the gorge was intense.👌 This is one of those “man, I wish I saw this with a crowd” films. It deserved a proper theatrical run instead of being trapped in the streaming world where everything feels disposable.

8. Caught Stealing8. Caught Stealing

One of the coolest “city as a character” movies I’ve seen in a while. It nails that gritty ’80s NYC texture without feeling repetitive. Also just a solid action flick with the kind of pacing you’d expect from an early '90s type of release, where the movie isn’t afraid to just be a movie.

7. Predator: Badlands7. Predator: Badlands

Came in with high expectations after Predator: Killer of Killers… and it didn’t disappoint.
This one understands what Predator is supposed to be tension built action, animalistic stalking, in world problem solving, and that slow build to an incredible ending scene “wait what” when you realize the Predator rules have changed.

6. Superman6. Superman

Low key one of the best “go to the theater and enjoy yourself” picks of the year. It’s a great date movie, a fun watch, and it doesn’t overthink itself into a lecture like past Superman movies. I’m genuinely excited for part 2.

See my review here.

5. 28 Years Later5. 28 Years Later

I was anticipating this all year and it delivered.
The atmosphere is heavy in the right way, and it feels like the world has actually aged since the earlier films, not just “same premise, new zombies.” The last scene is a twist that I’m still not fully sold on, but everything around it is strong enough that I’m still in for what’s next even though it will be hard to top.

4. Sinners4. Sinners

On the surface, you get a great vampire movie. Action hits, banter lands, and some of the best character acting I saw all year. But underneath, it’s really about culture, music, and predation. Not just monsters in the literal sense more like the “vultures” that circle artists once they smell something special. The symbolism is layered, and it's there if you’re paying attention but most people won’t notice it.

3. The Life of Chuck3. The Life of Chuck

This could’ve been my #1 even with its missteps.
It’s the kind of movie that swings at something big in multitudes like meaning, memory, grief, time, and the weird beauty of being alive at all. It doesn’t nail every landing, but it has heart, and it sticks with you.

See my review here.

2. Weapons2. Weapons

Creepy on another level.

The premise is immediately unsettling, and the structure is so unique it feels like the movie is playing with you in real time. It’s one of those movies you’ll remember for years… and probably never rewatch, because once is enough.

1. Bugonia1. Bugonia

This one was incredible. It reminded of so many great movies where you walk away not knowing what you just saw. I genuinely wish I never saw a trailer, there were reveals I would’ve rather discovered raw. Creatively, the plot is sharp, the acting is superb, and it operates on that higher level where the movie is asking questions instead of handing you answers. At its core, it’s about perception in how we construct reality, how we project meaning, and how two people can look at the same world and walk away with completely different truths. It leaves the right things unresolved, leaving the audience to decide.

✅ Worthy Mentions✅ Worthy Mentions

NovocaineNovocaine

Too much fun not to mention. If you like comedy, action, and dumb plots that know they’re dumb, this is for you.

Predator: Killer of KillersPredator: Killer of Killers

Not saying much because it’s better that way. If you’re even remotely a Predator fan, it’s worth your time.

One Battle After AnotherOne Battle After Another

I wish this dropped in a different decade. It has ingredients, but it didn’t land for me the way it wanted to. Funny enough, I think Bugonia pulled off what this movie couldn’t.

CompanionCompanion

Interesting AI bots going haywire premise, especially once humans start hacking the system. Not the best thing I saw this year, but there are ideas in here worth watching.

❌ Terrible Mentions❌ Terrible Mentions

The Long WalkThe Long Walk

Just…no.
See my review here.

Mission Impossible: The Final ReckoningMission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

A very disappointing ending to a franchise I loved.

Black BagBlack Bag

Soderbergh at his worst. Felt like a bland training recruitment video. Absolute waste of great actors and budget.

BallerinaBallerina

Hard watch. Incredibly bad all around.

⏱️ Didn’t Watch in 2025⏱️ Didn’t Watch in 2025

F1F1

Still need to catch it.

FrankensteinFrankenstein

No Netflix, and it didn’t get a long theater run. I’ve heard from a couple people I trust that it’s great though.

Marty SupremeMarty Supreme

Hearing good things, but I’m skeptical. I’m not exactly rushing to watch a table tennis movie. I’ll check it out eventually.