Weapons to Materialists: The 16 Best Films of 2025 (So Far)
Weapons to Materialists: 16 of the Best Films of 2025 (So Far)
As the year unfolds, 2025 has already delivered a richly diverse cinematic landscape—from thrilling horrors to satirical rom-coms. Here are 16 standout films that have captured imaginations, headlines, and box office success.
1. Weapons
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A visceral horror thriller about a mass disappearance of children, Weapons captivates with its eerie ambiguity. Amy Madigan's standout performance as Aunt Gladys is generating early Oscar buzz in the Best Supporting Actress race . It also dominated the box office with a $42.5 million opening weekend.
2. Materialists
This smart, anti-capitalist rom-com directed by Celine Song subverts the genre by exploring transactional modern love through satirical wit. Dakota Johnson and co-star chemistry anchor its emotional core.
3. Sinners
Hailed by critics as the best film of the year so far, Ryan Coogler’s vampire tale packs a powerful punch—especially its unforgettable "I Lied to You" long take.
4. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
The latest franchise entry delivers jaw-dropping action and critical praise. It’s already one of 2025’s highest-grossing films, earning $595 million worldwide.
5. Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)
Disney’s fresh take on the beloved animated classic became a box office juggernaut—smashing through the $1 billion mark and becoming the top-grossing live-action/animation hybrid in history .
6. Ballerina
A stylish and well-received spin-off from the John Wick universe starring Ana de Armas, Ballerina offers thrilling neo-noir action and has earned solid box office returns.
7. Companion
This sci-fi thriller with chilling twists explores identity and betrayal in a remote cabin setting. Praised for its dark unpredictability and strong performances from Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid.
8. Warfare
A gritty and realistic war drama co-directed by Alex Garland, depicting the intense Battle of Ramadi with harrowing authenticity
9. Black Bag
Steven Soderbergh returns with a sleek and sexually charged espionage thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a spy couple entangled in betrayal .
10. 28 Years Later
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland revive the beloved zombie franchise with a sequel that blends pandemic terror with modern anxieties in a taut survival tale (
11. The Brutalist
Brady Corbet’s monumental drama spans decades, following an architect’s struggle and ambitious creation, crafted in grand VistaVision detail.
12. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
This darkly comedic drama from Zambia offers a potent mix of family secrets and emotional confrontation, earning critical praise for its emotional depth.
13. I’m Still Here
Walter Salles’s gripping drama tells the emotional story of a mother’s resilience during Brazil’s military dictatorship, anchored by Fernanda Torres's powerful performance (TIME, KYMA).
14. The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson’s globe-trotting action film reinvents his style with polished wit and a compelling redemption arc for a morally conflicted powerbroker, played by Benicio Del Toro .
15. The Woman in the Yard
Jaume Collet-Serra builds chilling suspense around a widow protecting her children from an intruder, creating a haunting psychological horror sequence .
16. The Ballad of Wallis Island
A quirky British dramedy about a superfandom-fueled reunion concert, blending awkward humour with a deeply touching finale
Why These 16 Stand Out
- Genre diversity — From blockbuster action to intimate dramas and genre-bending horror, there’s something for every taste.
- Critical acclaim & innovation — Films like Sinners, Materialists, and I’m Still Here offer bold storytelling or fresh social insight.
- Box office strength — Titles like Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible prove that creativity and commercial success can go hand in hand.
- Craft and performance — Directors like Soderbergh and Boyle impress, while actors like Amy Madigan and Fernanda Torres deliver standout performances.
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year in cinema. From emotionally charged domestic dramas to awe-inspiring action spectacles, these 16 films showcase the range, ambition, and artistry that define this year so far.
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Conclusion:
From chilling horror to satirical romance, and from sweeping war epics to intimate human dramas, 2025’s cinematic offerings so far have been as diverse as they are captivating. Weapons and Materialists headline the cultural conversation, but the year’s film landscape is enriched by global stories like On Becoming a Guinea Fowl and I’m Still Here, alongside blockbuster spectacles such as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch.
Whether audiences seek pulse-pounding action, thought-provoking social commentary, or deeply personal storytelling, the first half of 2025 proves that cinema remains a powerful and evolving art form—one capable of thrilling, moving, and inspiring in equal measure. If the second half of the year delivers with the same ambition and variety, 2025 may well be remembered as a modern golden year for film.
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Discover the 16 best films of 2025 so far, from the chilling Weapons to the satirical Materialists, plus global dramas, blockbusters, and hidden gems shaping this standout cinematic year.