Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
With Joey fueling our excitement at the Toronto Film Festival, the rest of us have been left to mull over all the great films still coming our way before the year ends. I invited Clarence to join me in putting together this week’s rankings.
From festival darlings to major studio releases, 2025 still has plenty in store, and we couldn’t resist sharing the films we’re most anticipating. Whether it’s a story that promises to move us, a director we’ve long admired, or simply a film that has everyone talking, these are the titles that have us counting down the days.
We missed so many films at Telluride, and there are plenty from Toronto and Venice we can’t wait to catch (plus a host of titles skipping festivals entirely). So, without further ado, Clarence and I present our combined list of the remaining 2025 films you won’t want to miss.
10. No Other Choice
9. Kiss of the Spider Woman
8. Wake Up Dead Man
7. Is This Thing On?
6. Wicked: For Good
5. Anemone
4. One Battle After Another
3. A House of Dynamite
2. Avatar: Fire and Ash
1. Marty Supreme
Deja Vu of A House of Dynamite vs Avatar 3 is the best.
Ms Bigelow V Mr Cameron pic round 2 (Or 3?).
In parentheses ones that I don't think will come out this year for eligiblity purposes but that I'm excited about anyway:
1. One Battle After Another
2. It Was Just an Accident
(Peter Hujar's Day)
3. Hamnet
4. Train Dreams
(Magellan)
5. Eephus
(Dry Leaf)
(Dracula)
6. The Testament of Ann Lee
7. By the Stream
(A Useful Ghost)
(What Does That Nature Say to You?)
8. Father Mother Sister Brother
9. Marty Supreme
10. A House of Dynamite
I'm sure there are many films I haven't noticed yet, because I usually only pay attention to the lineups of the big festivals and the reviews. But these are ten films I'm really looking forward to:
1. One Battle after another
2. Hamnet
3. The Mastermind
4. Bugonia
5. Nouvelle Vague
6. The Secret Agent
7. The Smashing Machine
8. Father Mother Sister Brother
9. A House of Dynamite
10. No other choice
Of the films I haven’t seen yet:
1. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
2. No Other Choice
3. Hamnet
4. The Voice of Hind Rajab
5. 100 Nights of Hero
6. Bugonia
7. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
8. Frankenstein
9. Weapons
10. The Testament of Ann Lee
1. Marty Supreme
2. One Battle After Another
3. Sound of Falling
4. Hamnet
5. A House of Dynamite
6. Sirat
7. Resurrection
8. It Was Just An Accident
9. Silent Friend
10. The Chronology of Water