Knock on Wood

It’s safe to say that this past year in movies has been one of the best in recent history. After an odd post-strike year, we’re largely in the clear – and we’re back with a bang! Whether it’s the triumphant return of an iconic filmmaker with an indelible masterpiece or the start of a new cinematic movement, 2025 brought us a variety of entertaining features that we’ll be talking about for a long time.

We were also treated to new films from Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, Mike Flanagan, Zach Cregger, Mona Fastvold, Park Chan-wook, Paul Thomas Anderson, Danny Boyle, Luca Guadagnino, Rian Johnson, Richard Linklater (two in one month!), Steven Soderbergh, Joachim Trier, Guillermo del Toro, Edward Berger, Celine Song, Dan Trachtenberg, Kaouther Ben Hania, Wes Anderson, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Bi Gan, Jafar Panahi, James Gunn, Yorgos Lanthimos, Noah Baumbach, Osgood Perkins (a double feature!), Akiva Schaffer, Mary Bronstein, Spike Lee, James Cameron, Bong Joon-ho, Joseph Kosinski, Craig Brewer, Nia DaCosta, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster, and many more, alongside marvelous debuts from Eva Victor, Charlie Polinger, Kristen Stewart, Andrew DeYoung, Carson Lund, James Sweeney, Drew Hancock, Ugo Bienvenu, and so many others.

Our contributors saw hundreds of films from January to December, and there were some clear favorites. What follows is the combined Knock on Wood Top 10 of 2025.

10. 28 Years Later

Danny Boyle is no stranger to pushing the limits of technology, operating like the gritty, underground cousin of James Cameron, constantly experimenting with new ways to shoot and edit his films on a budget. Not only is the choice to shoot 28 Years Later almost entirely using the iPhone 15 Pro Max not a gimmick, but it also turned out to be the perfect way of evolving the visual language of the franchise for 2025 audiences, much as the original film did for audiences in 2002. It is a creative swing that will likely alienate some, but even beyond the beautiful and abrasive cinematography, the film is littered with bold creative swings from nightmarish infrared photography to hyperactive editing and aggressively jittery sound mixing. As much an exercise in experimentation for Boyle and Mantle as the film is, 28 Years Later manages to punch through all the blood and guts to deliver a remarkably emotional arc for Spike, played brilliantly by Alfie Williams in his feature film debut. For a supposedly mainstream horror film, 28 Years Later abandons clichés at every turn, delivering the freshest and most original franchise film of the year. (Foster Harlfinger)

Available to stream on Netflix. Check out our review of 28 Years Later here.

9. The Long Walk

When a film has an impact akin to a bludgeoning to the head with a sledgehammer, it is a very special experience. Not with shock value or gimmicks, but with sheer earned emotional storytelling. The Long Walk absolutely did that to me this past year, and all due respect to the rest of the brilliant films that came out in 2025, but no other film has even come close. The story is timeless in its simplistic setup and infinitely compelling in its approach to its emotional complexity. The metaphor in its premise was, upon its initial conception, a parallel for the Vietnam War draft, and while it is still quite applicable in that context, its genius lies in its ability to morph into a wide variety of systems and social circumstances without ever losing its bite or specificity. The film connects on a deep emotional level with my identity as a non-binary person and the constant battle I have with the cynicism that comes so naturally to me, and the positive humanistic beliefs I hold as the foundation of my outlook on the world. Trump and his hateful influences are becoming more consequential than ever; the downward spiral of late-stage capitalism is only seeming to destroy more lives by the day, and it’s unfortunately easy to become resentful of everything around me. What this film posits is that if you look all around you and want to change what you see for the better…that’s good, but you are making a massive mistake if you are doing it out of resentment or hatred. The biggest impactful idea that it hit me with is that the fundamental human experience of being with those you love, spending moments with them, and connecting on a deep level gives inherent value to life. It reminds me of a line from the ending of one of the objectively best Star Wars films of all time: “That’s how we’re gonna win. Not by fighting what we hate, saving what we love.” I think that we all need to hear that right now, and this film’s approach to that with its beautifully relatable characters and deeply emotional story is what makes it one of the most special movies of the year. It may mean something entirely different to you. I’ve heard many compelling interpretations, but it is a deep positive and another unique attribute that this film can’t simply be nailed down by one idea or set of beliefs. The only way to truly understand why this is so incredible is to watch it for yourself, connect to it in your own way, and then share that connection with those you love. To me, art can have no greater purpose and impact. (May Honey)

Available to stream on Starz.

8. Hamnet

The patient and deliberate pacing, extreme focus on nature, and bleak story beats leading to gut-wrenching emotional turmoil that Chloé Zhao is known for are not for everyone. Her films are often an acquired taste, and her latest effort, Hamnet, is no different. However, if you can get on its wavelength, Hamnet is one of the greatest triumphs in cinema this year. Whether you’re in tune with Zhao’s direction, the incredible performances by Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and the Brothers Jupe, or deeply empathizing with the cyclical themes on how real-life tragedy informs art, which art in turn can power emotional catharsis, there’s so much here to sink your teeth into. The power of theatre, the importance of family, the grief in loss, and so much more, will bring you to tears. If not those things, Max Richter’s “On the Nature of Daylight” will surely do the trick as the final 20 minutes of the film hit you harder than any other film ending this year. Hamnet is a towering achievement, more than worthy of being considered one of this year’s best. (Heath Lynch)

7. No Other Choice

How desperate are human beings when they feel like they have no other choice? They can be pushed to some dark places, including lies, deceit, and murder. Park Chan-wook is one of the most daring and intriguing filmmakers of the 21st century, and his latest film, No Other Choice, does not disappoint. This caper is a bonkers experience full of dark humor, murder, and biting commentary on capitalism. Park brings his unique voice to this film that leverages engrossing cinematography, vibrant colors, and dynamic visual storytelling to engage the audience in a harrowing story of desperation. Lee Byung-hun portrays a desperate man who is fracturing under the weight of losing his job, his marriage crumbling, and his family feeling distant through this isolation. Lee’s performance is full of manic energy, physicality, and insecurity. His onscreen wife, Son Ye-jin, is alluring and longs for his connection as he makes all the wrong decisions in coping with his job loss. Lee’s Man-su decides to murder his potential competition for a new position, which leads to a wide range of different twisted kills mixed with slapstick and blood. There is plenty of depth in these characters as men and their loved ones clash over their coping mechanisms for loss of purpose and work in a system that will sooner eat them alive than give them respect for their commitment. Influenced by Chaplin and Keaton, there are exciting sequences that combine physical comedy and thriller elements (including a three-way tango of death that is both thrilling and hilarious). Park delivers a compelling and layered experience that will burrow underneath your skin and stick with you for a long time after those credits roll. (Shane Conto)

6. Superman

If Superman sets the tone for the newly-minted DCU, as first films tend to do, then we can expect truly great things from James Gunn and future associates. Back in the Dark Ages of the 20th century, comic book movies were mostly bad and only for nerds. With the advent of the MCU, even if they varied in quality, they became cultural touchstones and grew accordingly in accessibility. With 2025’s Superman, DC has reached a peak it can not boast of often, and that is success critically as well as commercially. The positivity it exudes stands in stark contrast to most superhero movies (especially as DC IP) and becomes an instant classic in the feel-good vein. Only now does Superman feel approachable on the big screen – not in terms of power or impact, but in influence, both in receiving and emitting it. We see the edges of Clark Kent so clearly in his interactions with Ma and Pa in Kansas, in the cynicism of his Daily Planet co-workers, in how he approaches saving civilians, supers, and squirrels, and in how he faces Lex Luthor. Likewise, we all have role models and friends who stumble; we all face situations that call for our action and come across folk who, to put it lightly, just don’t get it. This film is a character study of someone who, up until now, I’d seen as perfect and thus boring. But here I’m proven wrong. The interesting thing about him is not a Mission Impossible “What if he goes bad?”, it’s “How does he stay so good?” David Corenswet is perfect for this, as a new-age Jimmy Stewart, updating an iconic character to be, for the first time, the voice of a generation. Nicholas Hoult is a terrifying Luthor, depicting villainy plainly; by de-emphasizing his typically-addressed neuroses and psychosis and focusing instead on his role as a billionaire using influence to sway both public opinion and political action, Luthor pops out of his comic book origins and becomes a direct representation of multiple figures in the current administration, as well as an emblem of what one hateful person can destroy. Trust James Gunn to provide great humor and action sequences in his own features, with Edi Gathegi being a standout in both regards. Rachel Brosnahan and Anthony Carrigan provide emotional depth and stakes that ground Superman in specificity, when Superman himself thinks about fighting for good generally, a triumph of the movie’s ethos. Perfectly balanced, this film pays homage to its comics roots, speaks to the injustices and issues of the present, and provides the blueprint for the future of moviemaking at large. (Ian Hubbard)

Available to stream on HBO Max. Check out our review of Superman here.

5. Weapons

Warner Bros. (rightfully) had an unprecedented amount of faith in Zach Cregger’s sophomore feature, moving up its release date half a year to the summer of 2025. And what a move that was – it made Weapons into a summer blockbuster, a massive surprise that connected with audiences the way Cregger’s first film, Barbarian, failed to cross over into the mainstream. When you look at the facts, it only makes sense; there was an intense bidding war for Weapons’ screenplay, and Cregger’s industry reputation has never been anything less than stellar ever since his sketch comedy days. I saw Weapons opening night in Paris, France, after a sleepless 24-hour travel day, but I was immediately gripped by the film’s fairytale presentation and clear anthological inspiration, and it didn’t let go for the next two hours and ten minutes. I have never felt more on the same page with an entire audience than I did the two times I saw it in theaters – both times, the excitement and tension were tangible. A well-deserved Oscar nomination for Amy Madigan’s eerie, shocking performance has cemented this film’s legacy in cinematic history, as if it needed that recognition to endure…but a horror performance breaking through to the industry’s most prestigious awards body is no small feat. (Rowan Wood)

Available to stream on HBO Max.

4. Marty Supreme

Leveling up all the skills acquired and trademarks created in earlier efforts like Good Time and Uncut Gems, Josh Safdie trades on masterpieces like The Hustler and The King of Comedy to create a modern masterpiece all of his own in Marty Supreme. This film is a tightly wound ball of arrogance and anxiety. From the bouncing ’80s synth score that never takes its foot off the gas to the breakneck pace in the narrative which constantly puts pressure on our characters to grift their way to success, and the powerful performances that keep you invested in all the shenanigans, this is, in many ways, an adrenaline-filled thrill ride – but instead of it being an action romp it’s a con man’s whirlwind adventure around a niche sport. Timothée Chalamet is delivering what is arguably the greatest performance in his young career as the sniveling Marty Mauser, and he’s flanked by a variety of tremendous, oddball, supporting turns that will also keep you enthralled. In every way a film can be exceptional and entertaining, Marty Supreme fits the bill. A tremendous epic of youthful recklessness and self-sabotaging ambition. You’ll never hear “Forever Young” the same ever again. (Heath Lynch)

3. One Battle After Another

It’s incredibly rare to sit down for a movie and realize in real time that you’re watching a masterpiece. You are seeing a definitive work of art unfold before your eyes. You can see the future, and tell that what you’re witnessing is going to be cherished and discussed for many decades to come. That is the experience of watching One Battle After Another. Like many other Paul Thomas Anderson movies, this is focused on men who strive to change the world but are incapable of recognizing their own faults and weak nature, such that they cannot be the catalyst for change. It’s a movie about troubled, pathetic men who are stifled by innovation, women, and the world around them. It’s thematic work that PTA has gone back to many times throughout his career. Even someone as accomplished as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood is a man guided by greed who cannot even overcome petty humiliations without committing heinous crimes because he is so thin-skinned. We see that here in Sean Penn’s Colonel Lockjaw. Ineptitude takes on a new form in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Bob, as he can barely even get himself dressed, as he spends the movie trying to tackle the world’s political issues in a hilariously ugly plaid bathrobe. It’s possible that One Battle After Another could be the pinnacle of Paul Thomas Anderson’s already illustrious career. One of the defining American filmmakers of our time has made an epic that we desperately need in the world right now to bluntly confront our political discourse and hold those responsible for its downfall accountable by brazenly holding a mirror up to their sins. Let’s treat this film with the respect it deserves, as one of the greatest films of this year, and even this decade. (Heath Lynch)

Available to stream on HBO Max. Check out our review of One Battle After Another here.

2. Wake Up Dead Man

What makes Wake Up Dead Man such an excellent addition to the Benoit Blanc Cinematic Universe™ is that Blanc is not the protagonist of this story. Josh O’Connor stars as Jud Duplenticy, an honest priest who has been relocated to the parish of the fiery and abrasive Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin). O’Connor’s performance is the beating heart of the film, offering an uncommon warmth to a film that benefits greatly from it. As with the previous two Rian Johnson-directed Blanc mysteries, the ensemble cast and twisty yarn of a story are such an endless delight, and Steve Yedlin’s cinematography remains a shining example of the best-case scenario for how a streaming film can look. It is difficult to imagine a film in this series ever topping the original Knives Out, given what a perfect surprise it turned out to be, but with its meaningful meditation on the nature of faith in a world that seems determined to wield it as a weapon, Wake Up Dead Man certainly comes close. (Foster Harlfinger)

Available to stream on Netflix. Check out our review of Wake Up Dead Man here.

1. Sinners

Fresh off a record 16 Academy Award nominations, Ryan Coogler’s layered historical horror has proven itself as one of the most enduring masterpieces in recent history, and rightly so. I saw Sinners eight times last year, and it never wore out, never felt stale, and always excited me as if I was watching it for the first time. A film experience like that is rare – one that keeps on giving, offering new perspectives and details with every new watch. Simply put, it rocks. It’s a bluesy medley of passion, music, violence, electricity, hate, love, morality, temptation, community, and everything in between. It’s an anthem of hope, of life, of this broken world we are forced to call our home, laid out as dynamically as possible from a true master of cinema. It’s the kind of story that leaves you on a euphoric high, from both the excitement and the sheer competence at play thematically and visually. It beat out Wake Up Dead Man for the top spot by a narrow margin, and I’m thrilled to see the moviegoing community in general agreement that Sinners is not just one of the best films of the year, but a generational epic that will be adored for years to come. (Rowan Wood)

Available to stream on HBO Max.

Honorable Mentions

• Train Dreams
• The Life of Chuck
• Sorry, Baby
• Frankenstein
• Sentimental Value
• F1
• Thunderbolts*
• Resurrection
• It Was Just an Accident
• Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League

Before we take our leave, it’s worth comparing our final Top 10 to our Midyear Movie Report – of the ten selected by our contributors this past summer, only two endured through the end of the year: 28 Years Later and Sinners (the only two in our Top 10 that were actually released by the time our Midyear Report was published). 28 Years Later was at #6, but just eked through to #10 in our final listing, while Sinners was a nearly unanimous #1 both times.

Stay tuned for our most anticipated films of 2026, coming soon!