The Top 3 Films of 2025

We've made it! 2025 was a stellar year for new releases and while elsewhere we lament the death of the theatrical experience, I truly believe it will survive and thrive. Nothing will ever beat that feeling as the lights dim and the title cards begin. A buzzing mix of excitement and nerves for what will unfold on that screen. It is one of only a few chances to come together and see other worlds, or perhaps our own, and share in the beauty of visual storytelling.

Matthew's Top Films

Before I reveal the top films as voted by you, here are my top three films of 2025, and a few honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions:

• Weapons (Zach Cregger)
• If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (Mary Bronstein)
• My Father's Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr.)
• The Golden Spurtle (Constantine Costi)
• Lesbian Space Princess (Leela Varghese & Emma Hough Hobbs)

No. 3 - Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
There is a melancholic air to Trier's latest tragicomedy. It's not one that left me in tears but instead, on the whole walk home, I felt the weight of the themes it was tackling. While it's a worn trope for writer/directors to make a film about their relationship to film, Sentimental Value moves that to the background and centres complex familial dynamics. Supported by stellar performances from all involved, the authenticity of these relationships is made evident. You believe they are family. You believe their struggles. You believe their choices. It is a poetic, honest and piercing story that all can relate to.

No. 2 - One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
What can I say that hasn't already been discussed about PTA's epic decades-spanning action film. All his previous works feel like a culmination to this moment, released in the midst of a fracturing world. Every cylinder is firing at full power from Greenwood's jazzy, plucky score on the verge of a breakdown to Bauman's floating camerawork during that scene. It is a tale of the older generation feeling like they've failed the next, of the seeping invasiveness of hate to splinter relationships. And yet, it charts a narrow path of hope via community and love.

No. 1 - 28 Years Later (Danny Boyle)
In 2002, 28 Days Later rejuvenated the zombie genre and kickstarted a new cultural phenomenon of zombie films. Its 2007 sequel, while derided by many, attempted to re-frame the genre again against the growing surveillance state post 9/11. And in 2025, 28 Years Later breathed fresh life into our rage-fuelled world. Boyle and Garland move past the tropes to find the humanity in a land consumed with consuming life. Against nameless decaying bodies, they restore dignity to death, instil reverence to grief and a deep spirituality to the last rites.

The Fleapit Community's Top Films

And now, for the best films of 2025 as voted by you!

Honourable Mentions:

• Fucktoys (Annapurna Sriram)
  • This one appeared in quite a few of your top 3 films with Lilith saying "it was refreshing to see such a crazy campy, sexy and funny film that's directed by a woman."
• Sorry, Baby (Eva Victor)
  • Charlotte said that "watching this film is like being ripped in half and then hugged back together."
• Sinners (Ryan Coogler)
  • "Michael B Jordan. That is all." - Ally
• My Father's Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr.)
  • Karim from Miya Miya Film Club put it beautifully that I decided to include the whole review: "My Father's Shadow is my film of the year because it treats memory as inheritance. Its quiet tenderness and political weight make history felt, not explained. Every frame holds grief and love together, turning the personal into something collective. Cinema that listens, patiently and deeply, long after the credits roll."
• Fwends (Sophie Somerville)
  • The only Australian film to receive a top vote came from Digby who said "A literal 'Turtle With Hat' Melbourne vlog (those who know)" (FYI - I don't know).

No. 3 - 28 Years Later (Danny Boyle)
Joshua said "In a world that is getting increasingly depressing, having a zombie movie come out about love is refreshing" and for Sam characters "having auditory hallucinations of dial up modem noises in a movie shot on an iPhone" stood out as just one reason this is their film of the year.

No. 2 - Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
Benjamin said that Sentimental Value was "an absolutely encapsulating and heartbreaking film. Every single one of the cast members handle their performance with such care and detail." And the performances stood out for Stephanie too who called them "four of the best performances of the year" going on to say the film had an "ending that satisfies without being overly sentimental."

No. 1 - One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Is it any surprise? Many of you felt this was a given in your submissions calling it the cliche and obvious choice. Tobi loved the score and camerawork, saying "Jonny Greenwood’s score was incredible and matched the style of the film so much. Cinematography was clean and satisfying." Cameron said that "PTA has mastered the craft." Alex was drawn in by "Sean Penn looking *so much* like RFK." And Daniel summarised it as being about "humanity, power, oppression, revolution, love, youth, the bizarre state of world right now and whatever our future may hold."

And that's all folks! See you at the movies!

Pick of the Week
Billed as "cinema for people who like things a little different," Test Pattern is back again at Golden Age with the Australian premiere of the 4K restoration of Gandahar (1987, René Laloux). This is the final feature film from the French master of weird animated sci-fi known for such greats as Fantastic Planet or The Time Masters.

Just Dropped
The Antenna Documentary Film Festival has released its 2026 programme with the festival running 5-15 February. American documentarian Kirsten Johnson is a guest of the festival and her 2016 film, Cameraperson will be screening during the festival. Elsewhere, highlights include a special Q+A with Gillian Armstrong and a new feature from Werner Herzog.

New Releases: Thursday 15 January

• No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook)
• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Nia DaCosta)
• Hamnet (Chloé Zhao)