2025 was an incredible year for cinema, from groundbreaking original films to franchise returns, bold arthouse projects, and awards favorites. Empire’s expert team ranked the Top 20 films of the year based on staff top-10 lists and weighted votes, capturing both crowd-pleasing hits and critically acclaimed works.
Below is a curated overview with highlights, context, and why each of these films stood out in 2025.
A visceral war drama co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, Warfare blends documentary-style realism with immersive storytelling. It’s a raw, intense portrayal of memory and conflict, powered by a strong ensemble cast.
Brady Corbet’s epic historical piece uses monumental visuals to tell a sweeping story of architect László Tóth. Shot in grand VistaVision format, it’s as much about emotional resonance as it is about scale.
Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein pairs gothic horror with profound character moments. Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi lead this richly designed, emotionally layered reinvention of Mary Shelley’s classic.
Kathryn Bigelow returns with a taut real-time political thriller about the minutes before a nuclear crisis. This ensemble piece blends high stakes with intense human drama.
Steven Soderbergh’s stylish spy thriller brings classic espionage thrills to the year, with Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett starring as married super-spies in a slick, playful adventure.
A bold comedy reboot/sequel, The Naked Gun leans into slapstick and absurdity, proving that communal laughter still belongs on the big screen.
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone reunite for this off-kilter satire featuring dark humour and surprising emotional depth, one of the year’s most uniquely divisive films.
Joseph Kosinski’s high-octane racing thriller channels classic sports blockbusters with real speed and charismatic performances, delivering one of the year’s most exhilarating rides.
A deeply human drama from Mike Leigh, Hard Truths resonates with raw emotional honesty and powerful performances centered on ordinary lives and extraordinary feelings.
Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s acclaimed novel, this film uses innovative cinematography to enhance a harrowing, character-driven story about survival and injustice.
A bold and boundary-pushing romantic comedy that also tackles complex themes of consent and connection.
A heartfelt drama based on a true story, I Swear combines humour and humanity in its uplifting depiction of Tourette’s syndrome and personal growth.
Decades after the original revitalized the zombie genre, this long-awaited sequel blends high stakes action with emotional storytelling across a richly imagined post-apocalyptic world.
An inventive reimagining of the Predator saga, this action-packed entry blends sci-fi thrills with emotional depth, expanding the franchise in exciting new directions.
The Philippou brothers cement their horror credentials with a chilling, emotional possession story that pushed boundaries and spotlighted grief and psychological dread.
This award-winning animated fable from Latvia follows a cat’s journey through a flooded, post-apocalyptic world. Its dialogue-free storytelling and mesmerizing visuals helped it win Best Picture at the Oscars.
A comedy-drama full of heart and absurd humour, this film blends warm emotional beats with laugh-out-loud moments, anchored by a stellar performance from Tim Key.
Horror and comedy collide in this genre-bending film that keeps audiences guessing with its blend of laughs, scares, and narrative daring.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling action-comedy-drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, became one of 2025’s most critically acclaimed films, earning top nominations at major awards and dominating critics’ circles.
Empire crowned Sinners as the Best Movie of 2025 for its bold reinvention of genre cinema, a vampire siege story fused with blues culture, historical themes, and explosive performances, particularly from Michael B. Jordan.
