The Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)
From Sinners to One Battle After Another, 2025 has already delivered several reasons to visit the cinema. Here are some of the standout films defining the year so far.
Naoko Yamada’s New Masterpiece
The latest film from acclaimed anime director Naoko Yamada offers a luminous story about three teenagers using music to navigate their transition into adulthood. The film blends whimsical fantasy and introspective sensitivity without losing focus on the emotional journey of Totsuko, a high-schooler who can see people’s colours.
“A beautiful, deeply sensitive coming-of-age animation.”
Yamada, known for A Silent Voice, once again captures the fragility and hope of youth in a way that is both imaginative and heartfelt. Many already consider it a contender for the year’s best animated film.
Florence Pugh and the MCU’s New Energy
Despite the uneven start of Marvel’s Phase 5, Florence Pugh’s return as Yelena Belova stands out as a highlight. Her portrayal of the bruised but resilient Russian assassin brings depth and emotion to a team-up film that engages with themes of trauma, depression, and recovery.
Director Jake Schreier, previously known for Paper Towns, guides the production with a grounded tone, shifting Marvel’s focus from heavy CGI battles to real, in-camera action. This approach adds a raw authenticity that has been missing from recent entries.
“A consciously scrappy team-up movie that plugs into relatable matters of trauma, depression and mental health.”
The Thunderbolts Ensemble
The rest of the Thunderbolts team adds energy and humor, with David Harbour’s performance as an ex-Soviet superhero particularly notable. His struggle with aging and irrelevance is both funny and poignant, reminding viewers of the humanity behind the masks.
“Even the post-credit sting is worth sticking around for on this one.”
Paul Greengrass’s Continued Craft
Director Paul Greengrass continues his reputation for merging high-octane action with ethical depth, again proving his ability to balance spectacle and substance.
Author’s summary: A year of cinematic diversity—2025 blends anime tenderness, superhero reinvention, and moral adrenaline, offering a vividly human experience on screen.