Ben’s Top Ten Movies of 2025

I really enjoyed this year in film, a lot of it because it didn’t take till fall to see some greats. With that as a base line to start the year it just put me in a very positive head space. It also was a big year for me going back and rewatching and reevaluating films. I never feel like I get to see enough movies, so revisiting films I saw earlier in the year is a luxury I cannot usually afford. But there were several that I leaned negative to just okay that stuck with me and, with a rewatch, moved up a lot more in my estimation. As always there were some big films I didn’t get to yet: Arco, Demon Slayer, Blue Moon, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Sound of Falling and The Secret Agent are still big blind spots for me. With that all out of the way, here is my list.


10. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie: This was just fun! A creative storyline where an alien uses bubble gum to turn people into zombies fits surprisingly well with Daffy and Porky trying to save their house. The bond between these two and their legitimate reasons to have disagreements really got me invested in them. The addition of Petunia Pig provided a lot of new dynamics to this famous duo, and her desire to make weird tasting gum was just random enough to work. The Invader was a great new character that was menacing and funny at the same time; his look of disgust was a work of art. This film captured the magic of Looney Tunes comedy with wacky visuals, over the top violence, and goofy but lovable characters–having an adventure, occasionally fighting, and sharing some touching moments. An enjoyable time all around.

9. KPop Demon Hunters: I will always give points to any musical that is able to make the music fit with the story being told. This film not only did that but actually made me want to listen to the soundtrack on its own and made me think about what this film was able to get across to its viewers. The visuals enhance the music so well that it is hard to imagine it working without them (and why my YouTube algorithm keeps suggesting these songs). The animation is unique, interesting, and simply enjoyable to look at while fitting the style of fighting and singing, but also the emotional responses of the characters. Then we have the best female super heroes I have seen in so long. They are flawed, goofy, girly, but also confident and kick ass at the same time. The fact that this is so rare is sad but here is hoping, with the film’s success, it will become the norm.

8. Frankenstein: My biggest surprise of the year. I am not a fan of Guillermo del Toro and the Frankenstein story has never been of particular interest to me, yet the new ways the story is told really interested me. Guillermo del Toro’s love of giving humanity to the monsters and making the humans the villains has never been better here. Victor’s narcissism and the Monster’s humanity was a great contrast that gave new depths to a story I felt I knew. The sets are gothic and yet never feel over the top giving a sense that they are actual places and people are living in them. With how well del Toro has created monsters in the past we can take it for granted but the make-up work on the monster is truly impressive. It is Frankenstein’s monster but it still feels unique, and Jacob Elordi’s performance has rightfully been praised for giving this monster life. (I couldn’t resist the obvious line!)

7. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You: Rose Byrne’s phenomenal performance is reason enough for this film to make this list. She is so good as a mother at her limits, dealing with so many personal and professional issues that you cannot look away from her. Her doubt, self hatred, and stress is worn on her face in every moment. The fact that she feels such anger at her own daughter and hates herself for it is so painful and yet relatable. The way the film follows her and how she is seeing the world creates the claustrophobic world that she is living in, with tight shots and the overbearing sounds of her daughter’s monitor and feeding machine, that she can never break away even if she is miles from her daughter. You want to believe that you would do better but everyone has a limit, and Rose Byrne shows that limit in excruciating and magnificent detail.

6. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain: The animation alone was reason to see this movie, with its vibrant colors and unique style, but that is just one part of this magical little film. Amélie is selfish, adventures, has a god complex, and loves her Japanese housekeeper completely. The film has an almost stream-of-consciousness style to it as we see Amélie navigate her life and figure out who she is and experience the world through her imagination, and how different trauma’s of loss seep into her life. Visually stunning with a creative way of storytelling, this is a film I hope more people experience and are able to get lost in.

5. Weapons: Horror seems to be winning me over finally. The way this film builds its tension and characters through its editing and style of jumping around in time and perspective really lets us sit with the trauma all these people are going through and gives the world a grounded feel. The violence and unsettling moments are used just enough to keep us on edge but never feel over the top, and facilitate us learning what is really happening in this town. Then, of course, there is Amy Madigan’s performance, which is sinister, playful, and disconcerting. You cannot take your eyes off her, and I am very hopeful she gets the Oscar. If we get more horror films like this, I will become a true convert.

4. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc: I do not think you can truly understand this film without seeing the show, but if you have, this is one not to miss! Denji’s limited world experiences and unique personality make him one of the most interesting heroes in anime. You find yourself rooting for him while being surprised by his reactions to events. The first half of the film, seeing Denji connecting with a girl who seems to genuinely like him, was touching. He has never had this, and the film made us care for them even as we know this is Chainsaw Man and we are building to something big. But man, I couldn’t have predicted how big it would be. The battle that commenced was one big adrenaline rush that took up pretty much the entire second half of the movie and never let up, and I didn’t want it to. The animation was fantastic and had so many moving parts I cannot believe I could keep up with it. I’ll admit when Denji’s chainsaw arm first appeared I wanted to scream hell, yeah in the theater. This was an incredibly fun ride but also a beautiful emotional journey. Season 3 (or another movie) cannot come soon enough.

3. Sentimental Value: There is a melancholy mood that is always present in this film, keeping you emotionally open to all that is happening, and there is a lot happening here. The ensemble of Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning are all doing fantastic work. By letting us just be with these characters, be they sitting silently with the camera capturing their faces, or in emotionally charged breakdowns, the film is able to touch on such heavy topics as family connections, positive and negative, artistic work as a way to express your emotions, and generational and personal trauma. There are no easy answers to what they all are going through.

Stellan Skarsgård’s character, being an emotionally distant father only being able to use his films as a way of expression, doesn’t excuse the neglect he has inflicted on his daughters, but we start to at least understand what he is about and his own inner demons. We also see how that same way of communication works and doesn’t work with all the other leads. I loved every minute of this film and all that it made me examine. It is heartbreaking, and yet there are still signs of hope for them as a family, and for the expression of art.

2. One Battle After Another: The first time I watched this I wasn’t certain what to make of it. I knew I really loved Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio’s performances, but the overall film left me uncertain. My wife commented that I was very engaged with it and was surprised that it was my opinion. (My wife knows my feelings better than I do.) Then the movie stuck in my head and, after debating with some friends, I decided I needed to watch it again. Now I love it.

As I stated, the acting was great. Penn’s hatred of himself for not being racist enough because he desires a strong black woman, and the intense energy he brings to every second he was on screen was chilling. DiCaprio as a burned out, desperate father was always engaging, even as you realize how lost he is in everything he is trying to do. It is without ego, and he has a vulnerability to him that makes you root for him and see what he once was. Beyond them, the ensemble all bring great energy and their own level of craziness to their characters that gives us something interesting to watch..

There are several ideas being thrown at us about revolution, the price of fighting, the people who fight for the system, and how warped their values can become to the point they destroy their own. All done with an offbeat sense of humor and yet taking the violence very seriously. It is a strange combination that makes you not want to look away and just take it in and let it sit with you. Some things still feel rushed or do not quite fit, but overall this is an interesting experience and that is something I will treasure.

1. No Other Choice: The journey this film took me on was fascinating. The first hour I was with it but didn’t have a strong opinion then, moving into the second hour as the pieces of everything came into place, I was in awe. Lee Byung-hun’s portrayal of a paper company manager recently fired and desperate to hold on to the lifestyle he is used to has many levels. From being a loving family man and dedicated worker to sinking into depression. But then with his plan to kill his way back to the top, he goes from comedic blunders to becoming downright sinister, often in the same scene, and it still works.

Son Ye-jin as his wife was also truly inspiring. She is the supporting wife character, but there is so much more to what she has to do. She is the voice of reason about what needs to be done when there is no work. And they need to cut back. She wants to be sensible and also supportive of her husband even when he’s acting insane. Then she comes to realize what he is up to and how she decides to deal with it takes on many levels.

The human cost of automation and how it is dehumanizing all of us is realized through some of the most ridiculous over-the-top scenes. Then where it takes us with these characters at the end had me gasping that Park Chan-wook went there. This was a film that surprised me in the best way, letting viewers deal with real life issues, with deep character studies, and being just plain entertaining.