Best Films of 2025

The Best Films of 2025: A Curated Selection by Critics

The Film Letter, a publication dedicated to thoughtful film criticism, has unveiled its list of the top 20 films released in the United States either theatrically or virtually in 2025. This annual tradition highlights the year’s most impactful and artistically significant cinematic works, as selected by a panel of discerning critics.

Highlights from the List

One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, stands out for its complex portrayal of loyalty and revolution. The film follows Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-revolutionary living in hiding with his biracial daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti). As conflict brews between white supremacists led by Colonel Lockjaw (Sean Penn) and the resistance, the narrative delves into themes of ideology and allegiance.

Critics praise the film’s intricate exploration of loyalty through action sequences that illustrate the infrastructure of commitment.

The Mastermind, directed by Kelly Reichardt, presents a unique heist story set in the 1970s. Josh O’Connor stars as J.B. Mooney, a mastermind with a deteriorating charm and failing plans.

The film explores themes of failed ambition and self-knowledge, offering a critique of genre expectations through its anti-heroic protagonist. Reichardt’s direction brings a nuanced perspective to the heist narrative, focusing on absence rather than presence.

Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent offers a political thriller that intertwines classic filmmaking techniques with the gritty reality of 1970s Brazil under military dictatorship. Shot in widescreen Panavision and featuring Altmanesque zooms, the film captures the tension between historical tools and everyday life. Wagner Moura’s performance as a scientist caught in the crosshairs of political violence is central to the narrative, highlighting themes of survival and resistance.

Additional Critics’ Insights

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident addresses themes of guilt and retribution through Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), a car mechanic contemplating murder. The film was shot without permits shortly after Panahi’s release from prison, reflecting his determination to speak truth to power. Critics praise the film for its risk-taking and the authenticity of its message.

Captured by the Tides, directed by Jia Zhangke, explores the impact of economic transformation in China through a fractured romance between Qiaoqiao (Zhao Tao) and Bin (Li Zhubin).

The film uses radio broadcasts to index historical moments, reflecting on how people navigate change. Jia’s focus on human expression and movement in an ever-shifting landscape provides profound insights into contemporary Chinese life.

Albert Serra’s Afternoons of Solitude delves into the ritualistic nature of bullfighting through the eyes of Andrés Roca Rey (played by himself). The documentary explores the abstraction of masculinity and the performative aspects of tradition.

Critics find Serra’s examination of these rituals thought-provoking, revealing layers of meaning beyond their surface appearances.

Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia presents a complex narrative of desire and power through a drifter (Félix Kysyl) who returns to his hometown. The film features enigmatic encounters that range from tender to murderous, reflecting the director’s enduring themes with a masterful mix of moods and genres.

Countdown Podcast and Future Content

The Film Letter will release its countdown podcast featuring guest critics Amy Taubin and Bilge Ebiri. Additionally, critic and programmer Inney Prakash is set to list the year’s best short films, while filmmaker and programmer Gina Telaroli will provide a list of the Best Restorations. Critic and editor Gavin Smith will also offer insights on the Best Repertory Releases.

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