Who knew a film based around Formula 1 could be this entertaining and tense? It’s one thing to be engrossed by an actual prix, but perfectly capturing the ferocity, drama, and nail-biting suspense of a world championship is a whole different beast. Luckily, when you’ve got Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski bringing his signature in-your-face directing style to the table, and a starry cast led by Brad Pitt who all put pedal to the metal, you get an unmissable Apple TV movie. One to keep the proverbial race car flying around the track now that the 2025 F1 season has ended.

Inspired by real events that transpired during 2018’s Northern California fires, this Paul Greengrass-directed flick deserved to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Unfortunately, this Apple Original only dropped on the tech giant’s streaming platform, which doesn’t fully do justice to the visual spectacle. Nevertheless, anchored by star performances by Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, it’s a tension-filled survival drama that’ll have you on the edge of your seat throughout.

I wasn’t sure whether to include this film. After re-reading my review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and rewatching it on Disney+, though, I convinced myself that, to paraphrase a completely different Marvel hero, it was worthy of a spot. It’s not without its faults – its first act is sluggish and, with a sub-two hour runtime, the rest of the Marvel Phase 6 movie ironically felt rushed. Still, The Fantastic Four’s latest big-screen adventure is not only easily the group’s best film adaptation, but also features one of the most thrilling and best-looking chase sequences I’ve seen in years.

The first of two Disney films that made over $1 billion globally in 2025, the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch was a cinematic juggernaut upon its arrival in May. Sure, fans were livid over the narrative tweak to the original animated film’s ending, but that didn’t stop it from making a ton of money in ticket and merchandise sales. Of the back of its unprecedent success, a sequel has been greenlit – and, after a few live-action remake misfires, Disney feels emboldened to make more. *sigh…*

In a year with new Captain America and Fantastic Four films, nobody expected Thunderbolts to be the year’s best-received MCU movie, but it was. Okay, like its 2025 siblings, it didn’t earn enough to be considered a box office success. As I pointed out in my Thunderbolts review, though, “”when the comic-book giant takes big swings from storytelling and thematic perspectives, that bravery pays off in spades with expectation-defying films like this that I’ll want to watch over and again”. Make more films like this, Marvel.

Just when I thought we’d seen the back of them for good, Judy Hoops (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), the unlikely cop duo, returned almost a decade later and booked a spot in the top five highest-grossing films of 2025. Zootroplis 2 wasn’t a sequel initially on my radar, but it completely bowled me over. The city of Zootopia extends to the aquatic Marsh Market, which is one of the most exciting biomes Disney has introduced across the board. But, it’s people’s prince Ke Huy Quan as Gary D’Snake who breaks your heart in two, and made me feel bad about ever hating reptiles in the first place.

2025 will be remembered for numerous pop culture moments, but few will top the surreal scenes we witnessed first- or second-hand from those A Minecraft Movie public screenings. Sure, Minecraft is a universally beloved videogame, but I don’t think anyone expected to see people taking actual chickens to their showings, or losing their minds whenever Jack Black spoke and/or sang. Based on my review of A Minecraft Movie, I didn’t believe it’d be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, either. Clearly, Warner Bros. built something special with this one – and, with a sequel in early development, there’s more block-based bizarreness to come.

When I first saw Companion‘s trailer, I was worried that it spoiled too much of the plot. But, I was pleased to eat my words later on, when I realised that there were still plenty of surprises in store. The Boys’ Jack Quaid teams up with Heretic’s Sophie Thatcher for a gripping sci-fi thriller, which follows a man and his companion robot girlfriend, who are among those staying in a remote cabin on a trip. Nothing could possibly go wrong here, right? To say too much would spoil it, but I had a blast watching this.

Final Destination is famous for making people scared of literally everything, whether it’s getting on a rollercoaster or going to the dentist. Throughout its long-running franchise, we’ve seen plenty of ways to die, though some entries have been of questionable quality. Final Destination Bloodlines, however, is a welcome return to form and there’s even more creative (and sometimes silly) ways to kill off characters. Get ready to be scared of everyday life once again as you dive into this brilliant and bonkers movie.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s love for Thomas Pynchon has produced yet another cinematic marvel. Following Inherent Vice in 2014, Anderson adapted Pynchon’s fourth novel, Vineland, into an action-packed political thriller that captures the paranoia and radicalism of our times. Leonardo DiCaprio’s fearful ex-revolutionary and Sean Penn’s eccentric racist colonel dominate the spotlight, but the real-life skateboarding ‘Vato’ quartet quietly steal the film for me. Their grounded, effortless performances cut through the chaos, driving the story forward and giving it momentum. In a movie full of larger-than-life characters and swirling chaos, these four are the understated heart of the film, making it even more unforgettable.

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is the most original vampire movie you’ll ever see. It’s incredible that just an eight-minute sequence could become my favorite cinematic moment of the year, but the whole production – whether that’s the music, choreography, camera work, set design, costumes, casting (Michael B Jordan is a standout), and a thought provoking screenplay – all came together flawlessly. I had literal goosebumps during the scene in question (if you know, you know) and still do thinking about it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and for that sheer innovativeness, alongside everything else that’s terrific about this film, it deserves to be counted among the best movies of the year.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s one of the best superhero movies of 2025. DC Studios co-chief James Gunn’s signature blend of comic book whimsy, heartstring-tugging storytelling, and absurdist humor – with a dash of sociopolitical commentary to boot – is written all over Superman and, while that means it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s the fun-filled and optimism-soaked comic book film we need right now. A superb way to formally kick-off the rebooted DC Universe (DCU) and deliver the best Man of Steel movie since the Christopher Reeve-starring 1978 original.

Just when I thought Zach Cregger couldn’t beat Barbarian, he stunned us all with Weapons (see why I gave it five stars in my Weapons review). I was immediately hooked when I saw its clever viral marketing campaign, but it still couldn’t prepare me for what I saw. It’s darkly funny with some effective scares, and the fact the scariest moment was in the middle of the day made it one of my favorite horror movies of 2025. Movies like this prove that original horror is here to stay, and it’s made me even more excited for the future of the genre.

The Predator film series received a much-needed shot in the arm with Prey – and new franchise overlord Dan Trachtenburg proved that the 2022 prequel movie wasn’t a fluke with not one, but two new movies in 2025. The second of those, Predator: Badlands, is a marked departure from its forebears due its PG-13 age rating, Yautja protagonist, and lack of human characters. Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining sci-fi action romp that continues to show that the franchise is in good hands under Trachtenburg.

An anthology-style animated movie, Killer of Killers is further evidence that evolution is key when it comes to reinventing struggling film franchises. A far more violent film than Badlands, but one as equally enjoyable as its live-action counterpart, it’s a Hulu original that also did plenty to expand upon the movie series’ lore. If, like Prey, Killer of Killers and Badlands is the kind of high-quality, universe-expanding content we can expect from Trachtenburg moving forward, give us 20 more Predator flicks, I say.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reuniting to revisit the post-apocalyptic rage-infected world they first unleashed in 2002 was always bound to create something original. The creative duo had stepped away from the sequel to 28 Days Later and will again for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, but their love for the franchise is clear in 28 Years Later. Indeed, you just have to watch Sony’s coming-of-age folk horror to see the same experimentation and technical ingenuity that made the original so damn memorable. It has an immersive impact that goes beyond the screen and, even long after watching, those eerie landscapes linger, forever changing cross-country walks.

Sally Hawkins always delivers a great performance, but she blew me away in Bring Her Back. It’s perhaps the eeriest we’ve ever seen her as she takes on the role of a foster mother with a dark secret. A worthy follow up to the Philippou Brothers’ first movie, Talk to Me (also on HBO Max), this A24-developed flick is as bleak as horror movies get but, if you’re in the mood to be chilled to the bone, I can’t recommend this one enough. The future of the horror genre is in excellent hands and I’m so keen to see what the siblings do next.

With a global box office haul of around $670 million, this anime outperformed other big movie hits including F1: The Movie, Superman, and Wicked: For Good to secure sixth spot on the highest-grossing movies of 2025. Admittedly, a third of its haul came in Japan, but there’s no denying that Demon Slayer‘s latest big-screen offering is worthy of a spot on this list. That much is also clear by its 98% critical and 98% audience RT scores so, if you landed a Crunchyroll subscription for Christmas, this is one you’ll want to stream immediately.

With the 70s conspiracy movie trend in full swing, I couldn’t leave out this year’s most divisive release. Ari Aster’s neo-western thriller has become a marmite film for its sprawling plot that tackles pandemic paranoia, conspiracy culture, social anxiety, identity crises, political unrest, and racial tensions. That’s a lot to pack into an already long two-and-a-half-hour runtime, but that’s what makes it so ambitious. Aster steps well out of his comfort zone, and he does it with such discomfort that it proves, to me at least, the gamble fully paid off.

Before we go any further: no, the dog doesn’t die – and, no, that’s not a spoiler! Good Boy turned the horror genre on its head by telling the story of a family’s haunted house from a dog’s perspective. While there’s ultimately a happy(ish) ending, you’ll be sobbing your eyes out within about 30 seconds of the film starting. Frankly, it’s the best performance from a canine since Messi the dog in Anatomy of a Fall (please YouTube that), and that was a tough act to follow. With a simple, classic premise, you’ll be freaked out in a entirely new way.

To the exercise averse among us, a long walk does sound pretty scary. It’s a good job we don’t live in this Stephen King universe, then, because failing to complete the titular walk results in your death. Indeed, the fifty boys at the center of King’s story compete in an annually televised competitive walking marathon meant to inspire others, with the winner who lasts the longest receiving a large cash prize and the fulfilment of one wish. It’s as dystopian as you can get, something that director Francis Lawrence has become known for, especially as he’s returning for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping next year. Watching people walk for miles has never been so entertaining and brutal, and this Lionsgate adaptation proves it.

Officially the world’s biggest money spinning film of 2025 with an eye-watering haul of $1.9 billion, Ne Zha II probably isn’t a movie that’s on your radar. But, with the animated flick due to land on HBO Max on December 24, you’ll want to stream this fantasy sequel, which is inspired by Chinese mythology, when its English language edition makes its western streaming debut on Christmas Eve. A stunning action-drama spectacle that’ll have you laughing and crying, and leave you in awe if you watch it this holiday season.

There’s only one 2025 movie that has Sorry, Baby beat for me, and that’s fellow A24 movie Marty Supreme. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a similar age to debut director and star Eva Victor, but I feel as though her character Agnes knows me better than I know myself. Taking a hard-hitting and vulnerable subject and addressing it with such tact and tenderness, Sorry, Baby is more than a life-crisis movie, becoming something much more profound with every scene. It also highlights the importance of female friendship at a time where we can’t move for romantic propaganda.

In my glowing Frankenstein review, I called it “the Mary Shelley adaptation of my dreams” and I meant every word. Guillermo’s Del Toro’s latest movie is proof that gothic horror is still alive, much like the film’s central monster, played brilliantly by Jacob Elordi. Opposite Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein, these two really shine resulting in a stunningly beautiful and devastating take on the classic novel. You won’t get a straight adaptation here, but you will find a reimagining that will go down in history as one of Del Toro’s best. Even 206 years after the original story was published, we’re still obsessed with it, and with good reason.

As if there was any doubt that Kpop Demon Hunters wouldn’t be on this list. A movie that nobody expected to the cultural phenomenon of 2025, the animated flick showed the rest of the industry how it’s done done done. With its incredibly catchy soundtrack (I genuinely can’t get ‘Soda Pop’ out of my head…), gorgeous visuals, relatable characters, and emotionally resonant themes wrapped up in a family-friendly package, it’s not only one of the year’s biggest movie hits, but a record-breaking vehicle that’s the most-watched Netflix film of all-time. With a sequel in early development, things will continue to look up up up for a franchise that’s quickly become the latest Golden egg that Netflix has laid.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it a thousand times more… Train Dreams is the best Netflix movie of the year. Following the fictional life of lumberjack Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), we’re transported through his eyes from life to death, living all of his hardships and heartbreaks along the way. For a man living in remote wilderness in the early 1910s, boy did he suffer a lot of avoidable trauma. At a period of time where it was so important to be a man’s man, Robert balances the bravado of his work with the tenderness and truly equal respect for his wife and daughter.

Even just remembering Knives Out 3 (officially called Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery), I have a smile on my face. It’s unquestionably Benoit Blanc’s (Daniel Craig) best outing to date, and certainly director Rian Johnson’s boldest creative efforts. For the classic armchair detectives among us, it’s the closest we can get to a parody of Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder at the Vicarage’, complete with a camp pantomime breakdown from Glenn Close. The A-List cast is packed, the stakes are higher than ever before, and I guarantee you won’t be able to guess who did it before Benoit tells us. Hear me wax lyrical about it in more detail in my Knives Out 3 review.

UK viewers might accuse me of cheating here – after all, this film initially landed on BBC One last Christmas. However, Vengeance Most Fowl didn’t make its international debut on Netflix until New Year’s Day 2025, so it deserves a spot on this list. It fully earned one, too; Aardman’s latest adventure being one of the funniest and well-made animated movies of the year. Grab your crackers and cheese and stick this rip-roaring, 80-minute romp on for one final time before 2025 ends.

Tom Cruise’s (potentially) final outing as Ethan Hunt wasn’t the film franchise capper that many were hoping for. Indeed, its bloated plot made for a jarring watch, but there’s no denying that, from an action spectacle standpoint, it delivered the goods once more. If this is the end of the line for Cruise’s iconic agent in the Mission: Impossible movie series, he’s had more than a good run with it. So long, Ethan, and thanks for all the memories.

Looking for a Christmas movie that isn’t exactly a Christmas movie, just like the Die Hard debate? Meet Roofman. Telling the true story of Jeffrey Manchester – who robbed 45 McDonalds restaurants before breaking out of prison and hiding out in a branch of Toys ‘R’ Us for six months – the Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst caper is as unhinged as you’d expect. However, there’s a real warmth with this flick that’s out now on Paramount+. Sometimes, we just wanted to be loved unashamedly and, thankfully, Jeffrey got that (at least for a little while). Unironically, this is the best performance of Tatum’s career so far. Read more on why that’s the case in my Roofman review.

Yorgos Lanthimos saw the conspiracy-heavy movie slate of 2025 and said, “hold my beer!” I won’t lie, I saw the ending coming a mile away, and you probably will too if you’re familiar with the director, but that doesn’t make the payoff any less satisfying. His latest film, which is a remake of South Korean movie Save the Green Planet!, is laced with metaphors – the most prominent being the title, which is an ancient Greek word meaning ‘ox birth’ that’s linked to the belief that bees can spontaneously emerge from a dead cow (there’s a lot of symbolism here). On the surface, it may seem straightforward, but the script is brilliantly layered, with lines that linger long after the credits roll, cementing it as one of the year’s most memorable films.

This might sound rather gauche to say, but think of the final Downton Abbey movie as Dame Maggie Smith’s public funeral. It’s the part of the trilogy that we really didn’t need, but I’m really glad that we have it in hindsight. Regardless of whether you’ve been a hardcore lover of the franchise or just dipped in and out of it over the years, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a final farewell we’ve been subconsciously holding space for (to quote the Wicked press tour). Personally, I’ll miss fellow Dame Penelope Wilton’s Lady Crawley the most, even if it’ll have a forever home on Peacock TV.

Jurassic World Rebirth introduces an all-new cast to the beloved dinosaur series, something that ended up being a divisive choice among fans. Even so, an ensemble of Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend add even more star power to the franchise and helped it earn over $800 million globally despite its middling reviews. For me, though, it’s definitely a improvement from Jurassic World: Dominion and worth watching for one big T-Rex scene alone and its excellent sound design, as I noted in my Jurassic World: Rebirth review.

As I outlined in my Wicked: For Good review, I loved it more than 99.9% of other entertainment critics – and I stand by that. Sure, the second act isn’t as joyous as the first, but Jon M. Chu’s vision for the finale is a lot more dynamic and emotional. I dare you not to sob your way through Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of ‘For Good’, while Erivo’s ‘No Good Deed’ might be one of the best movie-musical numbers of all-time. Sprinkle some Jeff Goldblum charm, talking animals, and elements of The Wizard of Oz in for good measure, and you have the ingredients for a terrific musical movie.

It was a difficult task trying to find an original film from Amazon that deserved recognition on this list. Thankfully, with its 90% RT critical score, Deep Cover ensured there was one Prime Video entry worthy of inclusion. It’s a pretty by-the-numbers action crime caper, but there’s enough substance to go with its style that means this Bryce Dallas Howard-led vehicle is worth your time.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.