2025's Must-See Films: Critics' Picks for the Year's Best Movies

The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year's cinematic achievements and catch up on films you might have missed. As 2025 concludes, film critics have weighed in with their top recommendations, offering a curated guide to the year's most compelling movies. From major studio releases to independent gems and powerful documentaries, the year has delivered diverse storytelling that deserves attention.

Major Studio Standouts

The year 2025 saw several significant releases from major studios that captured both critical attention and audience interest. According to Linda Holmes, host of NPR's "Pop Culture Happy Hour," Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" stands out as a particularly noteworthy achievement. The film features Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers battling vampires, but what makes it remarkable extends beyond its supernatural premise. Holmes emphasizes that "Sinners" represents a creative victory for Coogler, who secured the creative freedom to develop original intellectual property rather than adapting existing material. This resulted in what she describes as "completely fresh" storytelling that breaks from the industry's increasing reliance on established franchises.

Another major release receiving positive attention is the latest installment in the "Superman" franchise. While Holmes acknowledges it may not be the absolute best film of the year, she appreciates its faithfulness to the character's core identity compared to recent interpretations. The film represents a successful balancing act between blockbuster expectations and character authenticity.

Notable Franchise Entries

Franchise films continued to make their mark in 2025, with some sequels exceeding expectations. Mike Sargent, co-president of the Black Film Critics Circle, highlights "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" as potentially the strongest entry yet in Rian Johnson's popular mystery series. The film features Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc in a story centered around a murdered priest and the suspicious parish community. Sargent praises the film's character development and suggests the series has demonstrated remarkable staying power through its intelligent writing and engaging mysteries.

Another sequel earning praise is "The Bad Guys 2," the DreamWorks animated heist comedy that Sargent admits exceeded his expectations. The film successfully builds upon its predecessor's foundation while introducing new elements that elevate the overall experience, setting what he describes as a "pretty high" bar for animated sequels.

Independent and International Gems

Beyond major studio releases, 2025 offered compelling independent and international films that deserve attention. Linda Holmes recommends Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon," which reunites the director with frequent collaborator Ethan Hawke. The film explores the night "Oklahoma" premiered, focusing on lyricist Lorenz Hart as he watches his partnership with composer Richard Rodgers transition to Rodgers' new collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein. Holmes describes the film as "very moving" and particularly resonant for those interested in artistic creation and collaboration.

From the international scene, Mike Sargent highlights "The Secret Agent" by Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho. The film follows a tech specialist fleeing an authoritarian regime, with Wagner Moura delivering what Sargent calls an "award-winning performance." What makes the film particularly effective, according to Sargent, is its documentary-like visual approach that creates a powerful sense of realism. The film's aesthetic choices make Hollywood productions seem comparatively artificial by contrast.

Documentary Excellence

2025 proved to be a strong year for documentary filmmaking, with several notable works addressing diverse subjects. Linda Holmes points to "The Perfect Neighbor" as a particularly impactful film, though she cautions that its subject matter—centered on racial tensions and violence—makes for difficult viewing. The documentary examines a tragic situation involving neighborhood harassment that escalated to violence, presenting a sobering look at contemporary social issues.

On a more uplifting note, Holmes praises "My Mom Jayne," a documentary by actress Mariska Hargitay about her mother, 1950s Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield. Holmes admits initial skepticism about celebrity-made family documentaries but found Hargitay's approach refreshingly honest and heartfelt, creating what she describes as "a beautiful story with some surprises."

Mike Sargent highlights two music-focused documentaries that transcend typical biographical approaches. Questlove's "Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius)" explores the life and career of Sly Stone while examining the broader cultural pressures faced by Black artistic innovators. Sargent notes the film goes "beyond just the usual musical doc" to explore deeper cultural themes. Meanwhile, Raoul Peck's "Orwell: 2+2=5" draws disturbing parallels between George Orwell's writings and contemporary political developments, creating what Sargent describes as a "disturbingly prescient" examination of enduring social and political concerns.

Family-Friendly Options

For viewers seeking films suitable for all ages, both critics offer recommendations that balance entertainment value with quality storytelling. Linda Holmes mentions "Zootopia 2" as a visually inventive sequel that maintains the charm of the original while expanding its imaginative world. She also points to "The Choral," a Christmas release starring Ralph Fiennes as a community chorus director during World War I. While acknowledging some might find the film sentimental, Holmes describes it as "beautiful and really moving."

Mike Sargent recommends "Arco," an animated film about a boy who travels from the future and befriends a contemporary girl. He praises the film's animation quality and emotional resonance, noting it's "very much a beautiful film worth watching." Combined with his endorsement of "The Bad Guys 2," these recommendations provide strong options for family viewing during the holiday season.

Conclusion

The diversity of films highlighted by critics Linda Holmes and Mike Sargent demonstrates the richness of 2025's cinematic landscape. From major studio productions to independent works, documentaries to family animations, the year offered something for every viewer. As Holmes and Sargent's recommendations show, quality filmmaking continues across budget levels and genres, with original storytelling coexisting alongside successful franchise entries. Whether viewers prioritize visual spectacle, character-driven narratives, social commentary, or pure entertainment, 2025's film offerings provide ample material for discovery and appreciation. As the year concludes, these critic selections offer a valuable guide for anyone looking to explore the year's cinematic highlights and discover films they might have overlooked during their initial releases.