Here are my 2025 Top 10 Movies — Part 1 (January-June). My rankings are very subjective. I am not trying to be 100% objective since I want them to reflect how I feel and my preferences in film. Generally, I most value films that 1. explore emotional and philosophical themes that Make You Think, 2. are intentional with its narrative where actions Make Sense, Happen For A Reason, and ultimately pays off, and 3. have protagonists worth rooting for. Complete, ever-updating rankings of all 2025 Movies watched here.
Honorable Mention: Return to Office
I love Janel Parrish and there's a self-righteous diatribe against generative AI. Full review on Letterboxd.
Honorable Mention: Ballerina
I wish Ana de Armas punched me in the face too.
#10: Heart Eyes
Slasher x Whodunit x Romantic Comedy starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding? Sign me up. A very charming and enjoyable movie theater experience.
#9 Final Destination: Bloodlines
Best since the original. Not only a good Final Destination movie, but also a good movie on its own. Rest in Peace, Tony Todd.
#8: F1
I saw this alone at 9:15 AM on a Friday. Quintessential three-star film and knows exactly what it is. I don't know anything about F1, but the racing sequences and the intricacies behind the team strategy were great.
— Tier Break —
#7: Materialists
Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, directed by Celine Song. It really does Make You Think. Thoroughly enjoyed The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast about it.
— Tier Break —
#6: 28 Years Later
A fake horror film, especially past the first act. The Zombies, erm, infected were cool, but the coming-of-age backdrop layered with themes of mortality, masculinity, and militarism is where it truly shines. Memento mori.
— Tier Break —
#5: The Life List
Film bro this. Film bro that. I don't care. Fuck you. Five stars. Sofia Carson changed my life.
#4: Thunderbolts*
We are so back. Marvel should continue making actual Good Movies with resonant, mature themes where Florence Pugh still gets to be a badass, instead of churning out superficial slop-fest cash-grabs.
— Tier Break —
#3: Mickey 17
Severance. Mickey 17 is a hero, doomed to fight a battle against fate he is destined to lose. If you can be replaced without consequence, what does it mean to be alive? Truly outstanding.
#2: Sinners
This is cinema. Probably, objectively, deserves #1. Absolutely brilliant.
#1: Companion
Severance, but even better, and for the girls and the gays. A chilling sci-fi horror about the illusion of choice, the entitlement of control, and the radical power of reclaiming your identity that really does Make You Think. Sophie Thatcher is her.
A Minecraft Movie
Another Simple Favor
Black Bag
Ballerina
Captain America: Brave New World
Companion
Drop
F1
Final Destination Bloodlines
Heart Eyes
How to Train Your Dragon
Lilo & Stitch
Materialists
M3GAN 2.0
Mickey 17
Return to Office
Sinners
Snow White
The Life List
Thunderbolts*
Another Simple Favor
Black Bag
Ballerina
Captain America: Brave New World
Companion
Drop
F1
Final Destination Bloodlines
Heart Eyes
How to Train Your Dragon
Lilo & Stitch
Materialists
M3GAN 2.0
Mickey 17
Return to Office
Sinners
Snow White
The Life List
Thunderbolts*
I love Janel Parrish and there's a self-righteous diatribe against generative AI. Full review on Letterboxd.
Honorable Mention: Ballerina
I wish Ana de Armas punched me in the face too.
#10: Heart Eyes
Slasher x Whodunit x Romantic Comedy starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding? Sign me up. A very charming and enjoyable movie theater experience.
#9 Final Destination: Bloodlines
Best since the original. Not only a good Final Destination movie, but also a good movie on its own. Rest in Peace, Tony Todd.
#8: F1
I saw this alone at 9:15 AM on a Friday. Quintessential three-star film and knows exactly what it is. I don't know anything about F1, but the racing sequences and the intricacies behind the team strategy were great.
— Tier Break —
#7: Materialists
Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, directed by Celine Song. It really does Make You Think. Thoroughly enjoyed The Ringer's The Big Picture podcast about it.
— Tier Break —
#6: 28 Years Later
A fake horror film, especially past the first act. The Zombies, erm, infected were cool, but the coming-of-age backdrop layered with themes of mortality, masculinity, and militarism is where it truly shines. Memento mori.
— Tier Break —
#5: The Life List
Film bro this. Film bro that. I don't care. Fuck you. Five stars. Sofia Carson changed my life.
#4: Thunderbolts*
We are so back. Marvel should continue making actual Good Movies with resonant, mature themes where Florence Pugh still gets to be a badass, instead of churning out superficial slop-fest cash-grabs.
— Tier Break —
#3: Mickey 17
Severance. Mickey 17 is a hero, doomed to fight a battle against fate he is destined to lose. If you can be replaced without consequence, what does it mean to be alive? Truly outstanding.
#2: Sinners
This is cinema. Probably, objectively, deserves #1. Absolutely brilliant.
#1: Companion
Severance, but even better, and for the girls and the gays. A chilling sci-fi horror about the illusion of choice, the entitlement of control, and the radical power of reclaiming your identity that really does Make You Think. Sophie Thatcher is her.
