We’re halfway through 2025. After watching 180 movies, here are my best so far:
10. Friendship
Available for rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon
Quote: “I see the future. It’s full of pals.”
It’s tough to make friends as an adult, especially for males. So, when socially awkward Craig (Tim Robinson) discovers his cool new neighbor Austin (Paul Rudd), it’s perfectly understandable that he wants them to be BFFs. Everything starts out promising, but the bond becomes strained, leading to a breakup that Craig refuses to accept. That’s when the fun starts. Friendship is weird, uncomfortable, and also hilarious. The unpredictability is what sets it apart from traditional comedies. You never know what’s going to happen from one scene to the next, including the most hilarious use of product placement in a movie this year.
9. The Ugly Stepsister
Streaming on: Shudder and AMC+
Quote: “Beauty is pain.”
A body horror interpretation of the classic Cinderella story is certainly unexpected. Director and screenwriter Emilie Blichfeldt turns the fairy tale into a fiercely dark Norwegian feature. Elvira (Lea Myren) is being pushed to achieve an “ideal” state of beauty by her recently widowed mother. Many of the things she endures are barbaric and gruesome. The goal is to make Elvira the most desirable woman at the Prince’s ball so that her mother and sister can live lives of privilege. The price Elvira pays is too high a cost. The Ugly Stepsister will make you think about what we all sacrifice to make ourselves attractive to others.
8. Novocaine
Streaming on: Paramount+ and MGM+
Quote: “Novocaine? It is you. We thought you’d be dead by now.”
Novocaine could have easily been a Jason Statham vehicle, and it would have been a solid action flick. However, Jack Quaid’s vulnerability takes this to another level. As the tagline says, ‘Nathan Caine can’t feel pain.’ But Caine, nicknamed Novocaine by a childhood bully, is no superhero. He’s merely a bank employee with a crush on coworker Sherry (Amber Midthunder). When Sherry is kidnapped during a robbery, Caine springs into action. A series of misadventures leads Nathan to confront multiple bad guys. While he can’t feel pain, he’s not invulnerable. Watching him deal with life-and-death scenarios is so much fun.
7. Materialists
Available: Only in theatres
Quote: “I’m not merchandise. I’m a person.”
Despite the packaging of a love triangle involving impossibly beautiful people, Materialists is not a rom-com, but rather a romantic drama with some comedy sprinkled in. It’s also not a date-night film. If you and your significant other watch it together, you might re-evaluate your status or get into an argument. Filmmaker Celine Song once again tackles relationships with her follow-up to Past Lives. Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a matchmaker caught between a new rich love (Pedro Pascal as Harry) and an old poor one (Chris Evans as John). The dialogue here is sharp, and the conversations are meaningful. Plus, it’s Johnson’s best work since Cha Cha Real Smooth.
6. Dog Man
Streaming on: Peacock
Quote: “Go and arrest Petey, and I don’t care if it takes a montage!”
The jokes come so fast and furious that it’s difficult to keep up. The frenetic pace means that you might have to rewatch Dog Man to appreciate all the humor. Even if you’ve never read the children’s books, this animated comedy is inclusive because of a story that’s easy to follow. The revelation here is Pete Davidson’s voice work as Petey the Cat. When used correctly, Davidson is an asset. When he’s miscast, such as his odd role as a hitman in Riff Raff, it’s a disaster. Dog Man is an enjoyable exploration on reluctant fatherhood. The final scene might be the funniest of the year.
5. 28 Years Later
Available: Only in theatres
Quote: “There are many kinds of death. And some are better than others.”
Here is a worthy successor that feels more like a standalone feature. You need to know anything about 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later to appreciate this reboot of the zombie franchise. Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, who both made the original 2003 film, avoid what could have been a routine monster movie. 28 Years Later explores death and grief. It’s a coming-of-age story about a 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams), who is growing up fast in a post-apocalyptic world. The second half of the movie is extraordinary, led by exceptional performances from Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes.
4. Bob Trevino Likes It
Available for rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon
Quote: “Your dad must’ve been a real piece of work if you needed a fake dad.”
Loneliness is an epidemic, especially since the pandemic. In recent years, one in two Americans reported experiencing loneliness. We’re all trying to reach out in search of meaningful connections. Bob Trevino Likes It is a drama about people with seemingly little in common other than a last name. When 20-something Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) stumbles across 60-something Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) on Facebook, she thinks they might be related. They’re not, but what blossoms is an unlikely friendship between two lonely souls. Given the age difference, director/screenwriter Tracie Laymon handles their bond with great care. It’s also a tale about the power of kindness.
3. Presence
Streaming on: Hulu
Quote: “There is an excellent man inside of you, Tyler. I would love to see him soon.”
The best ghost stories are the ones where you don’t know what’s going to happen. Presence exceeds expectations for a low-budget film, primarily because it’s directed by Steven Soderbergh. There aren’t many special effects, and it’s shot almost entirely indoors. However, Soderbergh takes a story by David Koepp and delivers tension and mystery. A family dealing with drama, including a potential criminal issue, and a teenager who is grieving a recently deceased friend, moves into a new home. Soon, they discover the house is haunted by an unknown spirit. Why is the ghost there? That doesn’t become clear until the shocking end.
2. Sinners
Streaming on: Max, starting July 4
Quote: “You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Ryan Coogler, one of the most bankable filmmakers in Hollywood, does it again with a complex, multi-layered fable. It was a hit with critics and audiences alike and might be the best vampire film since Let The Right One In . This is not just a movie about supernatural horror. It also addresses the real-life horror of racism in the Jim Crow-era South. Michael B. Jordan adeptly plays twin brothers who open a juke joint in Mississippi. Opening night doesn’t go quite as expected due to an infestation of vampires. Coogler blends so many details while showing us that vampires aren’t the only ones to fear.
1. Companion
Streaming on: Max
Quote: “I know it’s gonna sound cheesy, but the moment we locked eyes, there was just a spark.”
We included the trailer above for consistency’s sake, but you may want to avoid it. Companion is best experienced with as little previous knowledge as possible. If you follow our advice, you’ll be captivated by the wonderful surprises. And if you already know the plot twists, Companion remains an outstanding sci-fi satire of rom-coms that feels straight out of a Philip K. Dick novel. Writer/director Drew Hancock takes a sledgehammer to the meet-cute cliché, revealing uncomfortable truths about toxic relationships and the expectations we have for our romantic partners. Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) look like a promising couple. When we discover the truth, it’s riveting.