These are the best movies of 2025 (including two you've never heard of).

I watch a lot of movies. It's literally my job but also, I couldn't exist any other way.

This means I've seen almost all the new movies that came out this year (well, the ones released in Australia) and I feel confident that I know which ones stood above the rest.

It wasn't easy because it's been an especially good year for film, but I've landed on 12 movies that are the best of the best.

I will softly flag that Is This Thing On? would be on this list, but it doesn't come out in Australia until January 22 (classic!). Please, do yourself a favour and watch it when it's released.

Without further ado, these are my 12 picks for the best movies of the year.

Sinners.

Image: Warner Bros.

This is — hands down — the cinematic experience of 2025. Between the rousing score and entrancing soundtrack to the stunning visuals, Sinners needs to be experienced.

Set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi, the plot follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, played by Michael B. Jordan in dual roles. Returning home to open a juke joint, the World War I veterans and former gangsters are quickly confronted by a coven of vampires moving in on their town. The cast features Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku.

One Battle After Another.

One Battle After Another is a true masterpiece. Leonardo DiCaprio has never been better than he is in this potent, political film that is a must-see triumph.

DiCaprio portrays a paranoid, washed-up former revolutionary named Bob, who lives off-grid with his teenage daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). Their quiet life is shattered when Bob's nemesis, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), resurfaces after 16 years. Bob must then scramble to find Willa and protect her from the corrupt military officer. The cast is the best of the best, rounded out by Benicio del Toro and Regina Hall.

Bring Her Back.

Image: Stage 6 Films.

This film by horror brothers, Danny and Michael Philippou, ain't for the faint-hearted but believe me: it's worth enduring the scares (and there's plenty) for a hauntingly beautiful examination of the many forms of grief.

After their father's death, step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) are placed with a new foster mother, Laura, stunningly played by Sally Hawkins. They soon discover Laura's seemingly gentle nature hides a terrifying secret: she is attempting a dark, occult ritual to resurrect her dead daughter.

The Naked Gun.

This film has no right being as side-splittingly funny as it is. Sure, the plot is nonsense and the stakes are non-existent, but you won't even notice through the lightning-fast jokes dropping every single scene. It's an impeccable comedy.

Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) must follow in his bumbling father's footsteps to save Police Squad from closure. He is drawn into a case involving a beautiful woman, Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), and a tech mogul villain, Richard Cane (Danny Huston), who plans to use a device to revert humanity to a savage state.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.

Watch the trailer. Post continues after video.

Okay, it would be remiss of me to exclude the one movie that had me in my nostalgic feels the most this year— and that was Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. What a beautiful, delightful, sentimental and funny little movie to cap off one of the greatest rom-com franchises of all time.

The fourth film finds Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) now a widowed single mother of two, navigating the challenges of modern dating and re-entering the workforce. She finds herself in a love triangle between a much younger man, Roxster (Leo Woodall), and her son's attractive teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Of course, Hugh Grant returns as Daniel Cleaver and Emma Thompson also stars.

Bugonia.

The latest Yorgos Lanthimos fever dream is exactly as bonkers as you expect, but you won't regret a second you're strapped into the Bugonia ride.

Two paranoid young men, Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis), kidnap Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the powerful CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Naturally, they are utterly convinced that she is an alien from the Andromeda galaxy who plans to destroy Earth. As the captors try to force a confession, the dark comedy blurs the line between delusion and horrifying reality.

Frankenstein.

Image: Netflix.

Frankenstein has no right to be that damn emotionally devastating. You'll come for the mad scientist vibes from Oscar Isaac's Frankenstein, but you'll stay for Jacob Elordi's soft and affecting portrayal of the Creature.

The classic tale follows scientist Victor Frankenstein, as he becomes obsessed with conquering death, ultimately bringing the tragic Creature to life. Abandoned by his creator, the kind and intelligent monster struggles for acceptance.

Weapons.

Weapons will grab you from the moment the lights dim in the cinema and hold you tight until the film's final moments. Written and directed by Zach Cregger, this film feels reminiscent of a Stephen King classic in the way it captures the lost innocence of childhood and a small town in the grips of unimaginable tragedy.

The horror epic follows a community reeling after seventeen children from the same classroom vanish simultaneously one night. The mystery unfolds through multiple, interconnected perspectives, including teacher Justine Gandy (Julia Garner) and grieving father Archer Graff (Josh Brolin). The ensemble cast also features Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams and Amy Madigan.

Eternity.

Image: A24.

Eternity is a game-changing rom-com — and it's a genre in need of a dramatic shift. Visually gorgeous, filled with heartfelt performances and sharp humour, Eternity could become a modern classic.

In a fantastical afterlife where souls are given one week to choose their eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) faces an impossible choice. She is reunited with both the man she spent her life with, Larry (Miles Teller), and her first love, Luke (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her.

Twinless.

I had no idea what I was getting into with James Sweeney's movie (which I saw without even watching a trailer), but I did not regret a second of this truly unique cinematic experience.

I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I walked away with my cup truly filled.

Roman (Dylan O'Brien) attends a support group for people who have lost their twins after his brother's death. He soon meets Dennis (Sweeney), who has suffered the same loss, and the two form an intense bond. No spoilers but things soon… take a turn.

Companion.

Image: Warner Bros.

Forgot this movie happened? It turns out one of the year's best movies dropped way back in January because Companion is a sensational film. Part thriller, part comedy, part social commentary, this futuristic movie will have you so hooked, you'll never want it to end.

A seemingly sweet girlfriend, Iris (Sophie Thatcher), travels to a remote cabin with her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) and his friends. The weekend spirals into chaos when a dark secret is revealed: Iris is an advanced companion robot.

The Ballad of Wallis Island.

Never heard of it? File this under the most delightful film you'll watch all year. This is the movie equivalent of taking a morning dip in the ocean or listening to your favourite album on repeat— it's an utterly soothing viewing experience.

The film centres around the eccentric, wealthy Charles (Tim Key), who lives alone on a remote island, with dreams of reuniting his favourite folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer. He hires Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), former lovers who broke up acrimoniously, for a private show. Old relationship tensions resurface as Charles tries to salvage his dream.

It's utterly charming, oddly beautiful and one of the best things you'll watch all year.

Feature image: Universal Pictures/Warner Bros.