Well, ladies and gentlemen, we did it. We finally made it to the end of another year.

One of my favorite pastimes is going to the theater and catching the latest films. I love getting immersed in the worlds that filmmakers build for us as audiences and later reflecting on what those films had to say. This year, I watched a lot of movies that I would consider to be 2025 releases – more than 70 to be exact – both on streaming and in theaters. I’ve seen some movies I’ve loved, some movies I was disappointed by, and some movies I absolutely hated. And plenty of these movies are the kind where I haven’t been able to stop talking about them since I saw them.

With this in mind, I wanted to do a review of the films I’ve seen this year and give you a listing of the top ten best movies that I’ve watched in 2025. As a note, I’m only counting films that were either first released in Amarillo theaters in 2025 or films that were first made available on streaming in Amarillo in 2025. I have to make this distinction because at this time of the year, several acclaimed films that are more independent in nature are not being carried by local theaters in lieu of blockbuster films. For that reason, some very well-regarded 2025 films are ones I haven’t even seen yet, thanks to the way our theaters choose to screen films.

While we’re on the topic, Cinemark and Cinergy really need to do better about carrying more independent and smaller films at our local theaters. There’s obviously an audience for them based on the number of people I’ve seen in our auditoriums for select films from independent studios like A24. Maybe that’s something they can strive for in 2026.

Back on topic, I also want to apologize for missing one last 2025 film that I intended to see but wasn’t able to – “Song Sung Blue” starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. I was planning on seeing it tonight, but ended up coming down with the flu. My apologies, and I’ll try to do better next year.

Also, as a final disclaimer, these films are not necessarily critically the best, nor will you agree with me on every pick. However, these are the films I personally enjoyed the most in 2025.

With that being said, let’s get right into it and start with a few honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Nuremberg

A historical retelling of the trial of Nazi leaders, “Nuremberg” is led by an impressive performance by Russell Crowe and is probably one of the most important movies of the year. It’s important that films like “Nuremberg” continue to be made so that this dark moment in history is not lost to time.

Rental Family

Brendan Fraser’s return to awards contention, “Rental Family,” is a touching look at an odd business offering human connection in Japan.

Good Fortune

Aziz Ansari writes and directs this Keanu Reeves-led comedy about an angel sent to earth to stop texting-and-driving car wrecks, only to end up causing chaos in two people’s lives.

Weapons

A chilling horror flick from Zach Cregger, “Weapons” is entertaining and perfectly casts Josh Brolin as a father looking for answers and Julia Garner as a teacher trying to clear her name.

One Battle After Another

Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, the film features a strong leading performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as a stoner, former revolutionary running from a military leader played by Sean Penn. The film is likely to be a key player at the Oscars next year.

Black Bag

An espionage movie pitting two married spies (played by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett) against one another, this film from Steven Soderbergh was one of the best early releases in 2025.

Ballad of a Small Player

Arguably featuring the best cinematography of the year, and a solid leading performance from Colin Farrell, “Ballad of a Small Player” is stylish, but is unfortunately hampered by a meandering plot.

David

An animated film from Angel Studios about the early life of King David, this musical is lighthearted, fun, and likely to be a classic of the Christian film genre for years to come.

F1: The Movie

Brad Pitt stars in this sweeping epic auto racing film that features pulse-pounding sound and special effects and a certain swagger that only Pitt can pull off.

Now, let’s get on to the top 10.

10. The Phoenician Scheme

“The Phoenician Scheme” is Wes Anderson’s latest zany film, and it’s one of the best of 2025.

Centering on a wealthy businessman (played by Benicio del Toro) who appoints his daughter, a nun (played by Mia Threapelton), as the sole heir of his estate. What happens next involves a revolving cast of characters that includes supporting turns by Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, and others.

This film has a great set design, solid cinematography, and a very funny script. “The Phoenician Scheme” isn’t quite Anderson’s best film, but it is a great encapsulation of everything that makes Anderson the entertaining filmmaker that he is.

Genuinely one of the most hilarious movies of the year, “The Phoenician Scheme” is well worth your time.

The Phoenician Scheme is rated PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, some sexual material, and smoking. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

9. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Nobody makes music quite like Bruce Springsteen. And Springsteen had never quite made an album like Nebraska before its release in 1982. That’s precisely the event that “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” documents.

The film follows Springsteen as he’s coming off the success of his The River album and its associated tour. The musician decides to retreat to a rural rental home near where he grew up and, in the process, records a demo record that would largely be released in its entirety as Nebraska.

Nebraska is an interesting record, as it was recorded on a portable recording device, mostly featuring just Springsteen singing and playing his guitar. The record’s themes of despair and desperation, set against the backdrop of an entirely acoustic recording, have made Nebraska something of an anomaly in Springsteen’s catalog of rock hits and anthems. Still, the record is widely viewed as the one that might have been most personal to The Boss, as he dealt with his own mental health struggles during its recording.

Jeremy Allen White plays Springsteen and absolutely nails the role. When watching him, he doesn’t seem to be an actor playing a part. No, it seems like you’re actually watching Springsteen himself recording those songs. White’s performance is great, and it’s one for which he deserves award consideration. The film also features a strong supporting cast that includes performances by Jeremy Strong, Odessa Young, and Stephen Graham.

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” isn’t the typical rock biopic, instead focusing on the recording of a single album during a performer’s long and storied career. However, it’s still entertaining and worth your time to check out, if for no other reason than White’s transformative performance as one of the greatest rockers of all time.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is rated PG-13 for thematic material, sexuality, language, and smoking. It’s currently available for rent on most streaming platforms.

8. Frankenstein

Famed horror director Guillermo del Toro had apparently been considering making a “Frankenstein” adaptation for many years. And it seems like it was well worth the wait.

Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” is a retelling of the classic Mary Shelley story of a man who tries to play with life and death and ultimately ends up creating a monster. In this film, Oscar Isaac plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, while Jacob Elordi plays the Creature. The film also features supporting performances from Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, and Charles Dance.

The film apparently stays rather faithful to the source material. This isn’t a characterization of the Creature like audiences saw in 1931, but rather a more realistic depiction of what something like this might have actually looked like. Ultimately, it’s still a drama movie with strong influences from the horror genre, but it’s not really a movie that’s made to be scary. In the end, it ends up being a father-son story told from two different viewpoints.

Of all of the movies on this list, “Frankenstein” might be the one where audiences truly feel the length of the runtime. Clocking in at 149 minutes, “Frankenstein” is a commitment when you sit down to watch it. It is a little slow in some places. However, it is still very entertaining and thought-provoking.

If you have the time to spend on it, “Frankenstein” is well worth checking out.

Frankenstein is rated R for bloody violence and grisly images. It’s currently streaming on Netflix.

7. Warfare

“Warfare” is unlike any war movie I’ve ever seen, and it’s one that I have continued to think about since the first time I saw it.

Directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, “Warfare” tells the story of a group of Navy SEALs who are pinned down under enemy fire during an operation in Iraq in 2006. The film draws entirely from the memories of the SEALs who were there and essentially captures in real time the entire period they were stuck under enemy fire. The film is dedicated to Navy SEAL Elliott Miller, who lost his leg and his ability to speak during the battle.

One of the remarkable things about the film is that it is co-directed by Mendoza, who was one of the platoon members involved in the event. The film also focuses entirely on the memories of those who were there, thus giving audiences as realistic a portrayal of the events as possible. The sound design of the film is also remarkable, and the ensemble cast is great.

It's important that films like “Warfare” get made, so that audiences can see what our servicemen and servicewomen sacrifice to keep us free. It’s also important that their heroism is recognized in films like this that focus on their actual stories.

“Warfare” is a unique movie, and it’s certainly one of the most memorable of 2025.

Warfare is rated R for intense war violence, grisly images, and language. It’s currently streaming on HBO Max.

6. Hamnet

“Hamnet” is one of the most emotionally impactful films of the year, and it’s one I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since I’ve seen it.

Directed by Chloe Zhao, “Hamnet” is based on a novel that is turn, based on the true story of the inspiration behind William Shakespeare’s iconic play, “Hamlet.” The film follows Shakespeare (played by Paul Mescal) and his relationship with his wife, Agnes (played by Jessie Buckley). The couple has three children, one of whom ends up dying after contracting an illness. Their son’s tragic and unexpected death ends up leading Shakespeare to write and put on the first performance of “Hamlet.”

I expected “Hamnet” to be emotional when I saw it in the theater in Lubbock, but I didn’t realize just how much of an emotional gut punch it would end up being. Anchored by Buckley’s performance as a mother in mourning, “Hamnet” is an incredible film that gives a peek into a historical event that many people might now be aware inspired what is considered to be one of the greatest plays of all time.

Something else I found fascinating about the film is the strong cinematography, despite being mostly set in the family’s home and a nearby forest. One scene in particular, toward the end of the movie, puts the cast in Shakespeare’s iconic Globe Theatre during the first performance of “Hamlet” and captures exactly what’s so impressive about this film’s cinematography.

If you get the chance, watch “Hamnet.” Just make sure you have a box of tissues nearby before you do.

Hamnet is rated PG-13 for thematic content, some strong sexuality, and partial nudity. It is not yet available for streaming.

5. The Ballad of Wallis Island

“The Ballad of Wallis Island” is a very interesting film. Despite getting lots of play for its trailer at local theaters, Amarillo audiences didn’t have the chance to catch this one in theaters. I was intrigued by the trailer and felt a little disappointed when I realized I couldn’t catch it in theaters.

Lo and behold, a few months later, I was on a flight, and this film was offered as a free film to watch. I figured, what the heck, if it was no good, at least I’d kill a little time on my flight. I was astounded at how good this comedy was – and I immediately watched it again with my wife when I got back home.

Directed by James Griffiths, “Wallis Island” stars English comedians Tim Key and Tom Basden in a film based on a 2007 short film – “The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island” – which was written and directed by the same duo. The film centers on folk musician Herb McGwyer, who is lured to a remote island off the coast of Wales to play a private concert for a wealthy man. In the process, McGwyer is reunited with his ex and former bandmate, Nell Mortimer. The two then navigate the woes of their former relationship while still trying to come together to put on a show for their host.

“Wallis Island” is a strange film in that it is something of a coming-of-age movie for adults. It’s also something of a romcom, though the romance varies from character to character. All in all, in addition to a scene-stealing performance by Key as the wealthy host and a pretty decent original soundtrack, the film is delightfully charming. That’s its biggest strength, and it’s a big reason that “Wallis Island” is one of my favorite movies of the year.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is rated PG-13 for some language and smoking. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

4. Marty Supreme

“Marty Supreme” might be widely credited as the movie that is making ping pong cool again.

Directed by Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme” centers on Marty Mauser (played by Timothee Chalamet), a New York shoe salesman in the 1950s, who dreams of glory in the table tennis world. Chalamet is backed up by a strong supporting cast of characters that includes performances by Odessa A’Zion, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler, the Creator, Fran Drescher, Penn Jillette, and others.

“Marty Supreme” has been one of the most anticipated films of the year and is probably A24’s biggest film of the year. I often hesitate when I see intense hype surrounding a movie online, as it seems like sometimes people just pile on to see who can deliver the best praise. However, I still wanted to give “Marty Supreme” a chance when it came out, and I’m so glad I did.

From the amazing score and perfectly placed songs, to the electric performance by Chalamet, to the riveting story of one man’s quest for ping pong glory, “Marty Supreme” was everything I thought it could be and more. The only complaint I have is the fact that the runtime feels a little overly long, but with so much ground to cover in Mauser’s story, it makes sense that the film is around two-and-a-half hours long.

In this case, the hype is real. “Marty Supreme” is definitely one of the best movies of the year.

Marty Supreme is rated R for language throughout, sexual content, some violent content, and nudity. It is currently playing in theaters.

3. A House of Dynamite

I love movies that I want to talk about days and weeks later. “A House of Dynamite” is a film that I wanted to start talking about the moment I left the theater.

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Noah Oppenheim, “A House of Dynamite” focuses on one 18-minute period from the perspectives of multiple characters. This 18-minute period involves the United States’ response to a single nuclear missile having been fired at the mainland U.S. from an unknown point of origin. Starring Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, and so many others, this film is strongly supported by its outstanding ensemble cast of reporters, soldiers, civilians, lawmakers, and government officials attempting to deal with what seems like an impending disaster – and the potential start of a nuclear war.

“A House of Dynamite” is one of the few films I’ve seen this year that literally had me on the edge of my seat. From the first sequence, I was locked in and couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Clocking in at 112 minutes, this isn’t a short film, but it’s one that delivers moment after moment, even as it’s replaying the same period of time, just this time from a new character’s viewpoint.

As soon as I walked out of “A House of Dynamite,” I immediately began discussing it with the person I watched it with in the theater. And soon after, I was speaking to many others about what I thought made this film so riveting and interesting. “A House of Dynamite” feels like a film that should have come out in the 1980s, at the height of nuclear paranoia, but its backdrop of the modern age seems to make it even more unsettling.

“A House of Dynamite” is scary, riveting, and extremely entertaining. There’s no doubt that this is one of my top films of the year.

A House of Dynamite is rated R for language. It is currently streaming on Netflix.

2. Eddington

“Eddington” is one of the strangest movies of 2025 – and it’s also one of my absolute favorites.

Written and directed by Ari Aster, “Eddington” centers on Joe Cross (played by Joaquin Phoenix), the sheriff of the fictional small town of Eddington, New Mexico, who decides to launch a campaign to oust the town’s progressive, tech-friendly mayor, Ted Garcia (played by Pedro Pascal). This is all occurring against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, societal unrest, and the potential construction of a controversial AI data center in the small town. The film also has strong supporting performances by Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Luke Grimes, among others.

Going into the theater, I knew very little about what “Eddington” would end up being. I saw Pascal in the trailer, and it seemed at least mildly intriguing. What I got over the next 148 minutes was a film that I couldn’t stop thinking about for days.

First, I really liked the film’s scenery. Shot on location in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, “Eddington” is a great portrayal of what makes Southwestern scenery so dazzling in the first place. The film also had rock-solid performances from Pascal and Phoenix, portraying rival politicians duking it out in a small town that is essentially a powder keg ready to blow.

Most of all, however, I couldn’t stop thinking about the film’s portrayal of the COVID-19 pandemic itself. From conspiracy theories to social unrest and rioting, to virtue signaling, to social media addiction, to the battle over masks, this film perfectly captured exactly what made this time so strange. I’ve seen many critics pan the film for not taking a more defined political stance, but I think that’s part of what makes this work so well. This really isn’t a movie that’s for the left or for the right. “Eddington” is simply a film that is set against the madness of the COVID-19 pandemic and, in many ways, points the finger at everyone, regardless of political affiliation, for the behavior so many people exhibited during this time. I feel confident that “Eddington” is going to be one of those films that they’re showing in colleges 20 years from now to teach students what the pandemic was actually like – and that’s simply due to the strength of its portrayal of this difficult period in both American and world history.

“Eddington” has been one of my most talked-about films this year, and it’s absolutely one of my favorite films of 2025.

Eddington is rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, language, and graphic nudity. It is currently streaming on HBO Max.

1. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

There’s nothing like a well-done, good old-fashioned mystery movie. And in my opinion, “Wake Up Dead Man” is exactly what every mystery movie should strive to be.

The third entry into Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” series, “Wake Up Dead Man” centers on private detective Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig) investigating the apparent murder of a controversial monsignor (played by Josh Brolin) at a small church in rural New York. The murder occurs shortly after a young new minister (played by Josh O’Connor) is sent to the church by the bishops to potentially bring new life to what is described as a callousing congregation. “Wake Up Dead Man” sports an absolutely stacked ensemble cast that includes Glenn Close, Thomas Hayden Church, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, and many others.

I personally loved the first “Knives Out” film, while I came away from the second entry in the series – “Glass Onion” – feeling mostly underwhelmed. So, it was first exciting to see the series get back on track with “Wake Up Dead Man.” And more than that, it was exciting to see the series produce a sequel that is arguably better than the original movie that spawned the franchise.

From the writing to the cinematography to the performances, “Wake Up Dead Man” fires on all cylinders. The mystery is riveting, and the number of red herrings here could fill a small pond. This film keeps you guessing with every twist and turn, from start to finish.

And, perhaps most interestingly, the film is a fascinating exploration of religion, true faith, and doubt. While some characters like Blanc are extremely anti-faith, others, like O’Connor’s Rev. Jud Duplency, are models of what the Christian faith is and should be all about. I’ve thought a lot about several lines O’Connor delivers in the film related to what Christian ministry should be all about. I think the film has a fascinating juxtaposition of views of the faith, and this element also makes “Wake Up Dead Man” an interesting watch.

Saying all of this doesn’t even begin to touch on the humor of the film. “Wake Up Dead Man” is genuinely funny in a way that many straight-up comedy films can’t even match. Not only does this film have something to say, but it also does so in a way that will have audiences laughing all the way through.

“Wake Up Dead Man” is a funny, mysterious, riveting, and surprisingly invested in theology. It’s no wonder then that this film is my favorite movie of the year.

Wake Up Dead Man is rated PG-13 for violent content, strong language, bloody images, some crude sexual material, and smoking. It is currently streaming on Netflix.