If the lateness of this top-ten list is any indication, 2026 has been a very difficult year for a number of reasons, and it’s taken me this long to even try to get back into the swing of things. Still, maybe a look at the best of what the previous year had to offer is just the kind of break we need from the difficult times we find ourselves in. Maybe a simple reminder of a movie you liked and a quick trip to your favorite streaming service is all it’ll take to brighten your day! That, and a functioning government, but we should probably keep our expectations manageable. Anyway, let’s get started!!
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HONORABLE MENTIONS: Thunderbolts* & Predator: Badlands
Thunderbolts* Review; Predator: Badlands Review
This extra spot on my list is a place where I try to make some sort of point about the preceding year, and I think this time around I just want to say that movies are fun. Look, things are pretty bleak out there and have been for far too long, and while movies can help us make sense of the world around us, sometimes you just want to have fun and take a break from it all. These two movies, even with their franchise baggage, are the kind of blockbusters I seek out when times are tough. They’re entertainment first and foremost, but without being utterly asinine exercises in excessive spectacle. I’d even argue that these two work despite the franchise baggage as both work on their own as straightforward and genuinely engaging stories that just so happen to contain characters and ideas that started somewhere else, and frankly, I hope it’s a trend we see more of going forward. As much as I do still appreciate Marvel, the last phase or so has felt cumbersome with so many moving parts, and even Predator wasn’t above trying to build its own extended universe with that terrible Shane Black movie and the overabundance of Weyland-Yutani logos in this. With the one-two punch of Covid and Streaming, it does feel like the big budget spectacle films have to feel like more than just movies to catch the eye of audiences, and while these definitely sold themselves as such, it was nice to just go to the theater and see a popcorn film that didn’t feel built from the ground up by corporate mandates; only partially built that way!
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10. Sinners
I’ll give Ryan Coogler all the credit in the world for bucking the studio system and making a great movie on his own terms, but I can only give it the tenth spot on this list due to its disappointing third act. That’s not to say that the rest of the movie isn’t phenomenal with a great script, fantastic performances, and a brilliant sense of style that elevates the horror genre in ways that will be hard to top. It’s only when it gets into straight up vampire action that the film seems to be on auto-pilot which is in stark contrast to how everything else is so polished with a strong sense of personal investment. Up until that point, however, it was genuinely one of the best movies I had seen all year and it makes sense that it connected with audiences as well as it does. The general public can be a jaded bunch, but they will pay attention when a great movie by a talented filmmaker manages to cut through all the noise, and hopefully this is only the beginning of what Ryan Coogler can do now that he’s proven himself to be a moneymaker outside of big franchises and the studio system. It hardly needs my approval to be considered a benchmark for auteur driven big-budget filmmaking, but it has it either way. And hey, it just goes to show how great of a year 2025 was for movies if there are still so many entries left on my list! Speaking of which…
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9. The Toxic Avenger
Okay, maybe putting a remake of a Z-grade sleaze fest above one of the most interesting genre films of the decade is further evidence of how little you should take my opinion seriously, but I just can’t help it. The grungy charm won me over as it’s the kind of loving homage that you hope for when updating a cult classic to the standards of modern day cinema. This was a labor of love that could have gone south in a hundred different ways, lord knows that Troma is not above releasing awful crap over and over again, and yet they pulled it off with far more competence than it frankly deserved. Peter Dinklage is obviously too good for this kind of trash which makes it all the more amazing to see him put in a heartfelt performance that truly understands the misfit optimism that undergirds the character. For all of Troma’s tastelessness, most of which has aged like a bad cheese, they managed to find something sincere in Toxie that forced them to elevate their usual standards, and I think that love for the character, above all else, is why this remake needed to happen and why it works as well as it does. Perhaps they pulled back a little too much as I could have stood for a little more bad taste in what is ostensibly a garbage movie, but it’s nice to see that even Troma can stretch themselves creatively when they really want to, and I give Toxie himself all the credit for them making the effort.
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8. Friendship
Comedy is in a weird place right now as it’s rare to see a comedy just be a comedy anymore. Sure, movies are still funny, but usually in service of something else; comic book movies, kids movies, even the occasional horror comedy. It’s been such a strange time for the genre that The Naked Gun banked its entire marketing campaign on the novelty of its own existence, and even then it was a remake of an existing series. While this movie is not a straight comedy, though I think it captures the weird place that comedy is in right now as Tim Robinson seems to have his finger on the pulse of millennial humor; namely, being extremely anxious about adulthood and awkward social interactions. As far as I’m concerned, the man is a comedy genius for so effectively grabbing the zeitgeist with his Netflix show I Think You Should Leave, and while his big swing at the movie’s didn’t quite stick the landing, enough of his personality is there for this to find a spot on the list. I don’t know if it works for everyone, especially those who never connected with Robinson’s shtick, but it’s a fantastically gripping tale of a guy who uncomfortably relatable to us who are anxiously peering at the shores of middle age, and it finds the right balance between stomach churning suspense and laugh out loud punchlines. Frankly, this is a better Joker movie than either Joker movie could manage, and it didn’t even need to pretend it was a Batman movie to pull it off.
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7. The Ugly Stepsister
With every success come its imitators, but to write this off as a Substance knock-off would be to sell it woefully short, especially since I found it to be the significantly better of the two. I enjoyed The Substance just fine, but where that left me rather cold in regards to motivations and characterization, I found Elvira’s arc in here to be genuinely heartbreaking and entirely relatable which only enhanced the bizarre and horrifying torment that she’s subjected to throughout. Cruelty is something that will immediately sour me to a movie in most cases, so the fact that this was able to deftly handle its messaging and disturbing imagery in a way that kept me engaged is a testament to the writing and acting on display; not to mention the thematic elements hitting much more strongly. I won’t get on my high horse as I’d rather let the movie speak for itself, but it’s almost as timeless as the fairy tale it’s based on given how cyclical the problems and anxieties that this movie addresses. It may not have a goo-monster at the end, but there are enough creepy-crawlies to really get under your skin, and plenty of ideas to get lodged in your brain. Its relative obscurity will sadly ensure that its message won’t reach as many ears as it should, but I’m happy for those who will eventually discover it and have something to brag about to their other cinephile friends.
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6. KPop Demon Hunters
Was this the biggest hit of the year? It’s hard to say, especially since the goalposts are changing every day as to what success even means in the world of streaming. Netflix is certainly happy with it, and it did make a decent amount during its post-streaming theatrical run, but regardless of the hard numbers around this, the fact is that everyone under twelve has seen this movie at least a hundred times and I’ve probably seen it at least a dozen, so get ready to see sequels, prequels, mid-quels, and knock offs coming out of the wazoo. Fortunately, for both the kids and their parents, the movie underneath all the hype is genuinely fantastic. It’s got great music, has a lot of energy and artistry in its animation, and is frankly one of the better comedies of the year on top of being an action romp. Not everything clicked for me as I think there’s at least one song that’s kind of mid, and the film doesn’t pay off everything it sets up; particularly the ambiguity of the righteousness of the Demon Hunters’ mission and the mystery around Rumi’s parentage. I guess you want to save something for those sequels, prequels, and mid-quels, but for what we have in the here and now; this is definitely well worth your time if you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon like the rest of us.
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5. Superman
I think it’s safe to say that James Gunn’s stewardship of the DCU has already proven to be a massive success for a company that really needed it, and, frankly, didn’t deserve it. Warner Bros politics aside, James Gunn had a lot on his shoulder rebuilding this franchise from the ground up, and while the shows we’ve gotten so far have been excellent, this Superman movie would be a make or break moment as to whether we’re truly moving in a new and better direction, or if we’d be stuck with another decade of failed starts and mismanagement. Thankfully, Gunn is a filmmaker not to be taken lightly, and he made the best Superman movie since Reeves wore the cape. We can list off everything it does right, from the fun characters and zany story to the solid action and delightfully hateable antagonist, but what really makes this soar is its sheer confidence; not just to in attempting to once again make Superman work on the big screen, but in defying our expectations and refusing to bend towards any particular vision other than Gunn’s. This Superman isn’t old fashioned like many of the traditionalists want, he’s not grim and gritty like the Snyder-bros crave, and he’s not just copying whatever Marvel is doing which I’m sure is what the Warner Bros executives were hoping for. Instead, he feels like a modern man in a modern world. Sincere, yet grounded. Brave, yet flawed. A symbol of hope, but also a dork with bad one-liners. For those who have felt that Superman isn’t relatable, especially for today’s cynical world, I think this film gives them something to grasp onto without betraying what makes the character so important. It’s not the perfect Superman movie as it gets a bit shaky at the end with the over-the-top destruction, and I still can’t get over the fact that he chose to kill someone in this much like Man of Steel, but it’s the best superhero film of the year and feels very much like the perfect movie for the times we live in. As much as people like to complain about the overabundance of comic book movies, I’m glad we’re in a world where this Superman exists, though I would have preferred if we didn’t have to go through an entire Snyder-Verse to get here.
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4. Good Fortune
Aside from The Naked Gun, and arguably Friendship, this was one of the only straight-up comedies of 2025 that attempted a theatrical run instead of heading straight to VOD. Sadly, while I managed to see both of those in the theaters, I didn’t catch this one until after it had already wrapped up its mediocre box office; long after it would have made any sort of difference. I guess it’s fitting as dealing with disappointment is a major theme of this movie, and I can only hope that it will find an audience if it gets enough buzz. Again, this is not helped by me getting this list out halfway through 2026, but regardless, it’s a genuine delight of a film that feels extremely relevant for the times we’re living through. As we stare down the barrel of economic collapse, even more so than when the movie came out last year, it’s rather gratifying to see a movie that acknowledges what we all know to be true but everyone pretends otherwise; that money can give you happiness because comfort, safety, and prosperity enrich us and money is the tool by which our capitalistic society has gate kept them. The moral dilemma at the core of the film doesn’t ignore this reality and is still able to make a strong message about rejecting auspicious excess despite not going for the easy condemnation of it. Beyond its well-crafted messaging, it’s a fun and heartwarming movie with a likeable cast and fun scenarios. Rarely have I seen my own experiences with crappy delivery apps represented on-screen, and it was rather cathartic to see. Perhaps what drew me into this movie is not going to be relatable to most people, and I can’t say that the comedy or performances are so strong as to stand up on their own without the context the movie provides, but for those who felt the searing hot pain of the gig economy, this is essential viewing and a wonderful respite for the brief time you have between your day job, your night job, and your in-between work!
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3. Weapons
Horror has definitely been the chic genre of late with its subcategory of pretentiousness, but unlike other films that would fall under the Elevated Horror brand, this managed to have all the depth, atmosphere, and great performances you would expect while also being a genuine crowd pleaser. Zach Kregger already made a name for himself with his first horror film Barbarian, and while that was quite good, this improves upon it in almost every way. The direction is more confident, the writing encompasses a vaster scope without losing focus, and the villain feels like a genuine character to fear and not just a monster to run away from. Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys absolutely deserved her Oscar win with her iconic performance that came out of nowhere and instantly elevated this character to iconic horror status whose likeness will be cluttering the halls of your local Spirit Halloween alongside Art the Clown, Chucky, and SpongeBob SquarePants. She’s not in the movie very long, but she’s definitely its most memorable aspect; especially given her wonderfully bizarre fate which may be one of the best endings of any horror film in recent memory. It’s a shame that Gladys ended up overshadowing everyone else’s performance, and the movie could have used a little more light as some of the scenes are a bit hard to see, but none of that takes away from how much fun this movie is and just how much better it was than so many other horror films that try to be more than that. The success of this movie has launched Kregger in to the A-list, and as with any such up-and-coming talent, he’s following up his big hit with yet another franchise film. Could his Resident Evil movie be even better than this? Well, the trailer looks good, but personally, as someone who remembers him from The Whitest Kids You Know, I’m holding out until he makes a Wheel of Money movie. Truly a masterpiece waiting to happen!
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2. Mickey 17
Parasite was a very good movie and deserved all the accolades it received, especially since it ticked off so many of the Joker fans, but as far as I’m concerned, Bong Joon Ho surpassed himself with this fantastic sci-fi romp that has all the biting satire of his previous work with the kind of bloated studio budget that a filmmaker can have a lot of fun with. The fact that it was a modest flop and not a massive one is itself an accomplishment as this kind of goofy social satire never gets made at this kind of scale, and Bong Joon Ho makes the most of what the studios gave him. For what is a relatively modest story about one man’s struggle with his own sense of self-worth, they created a big expansive world with flashy special effects, and the contrast between the two is part of the film’s charm. It all feels so relevant, and not just because of the obvious Trump analog, as we’re all struggling to find ourselves in a world that feels too big. One that’s increasingly willing to grind us up into paste for the benefit of an utterly ungrateful oligarchy, and the situation just doesn’t seem to be getting any better. We have fewer opportunities to make the kind of lives for ourselves that our parents did, and the only solutions offered by said oligarchs are grinding out side gigs or blowing our money on ever riskier gambling ventures. We’re less valuable to them than a bunch of garbage AI programs that don’t even work, and this unassuming guy named Mickey is the perfect analog for all of these anxieties. It’s the kind of movie that wouldn’t exist if a filmmaker didn’t feel it was important to use his clout to get it made, and I thank Bong Joon Ho for giving us the right movie for this horribly surreal moment in history. We certainly need him more than he needs the Hollywood system, but I do hope he gets another shot at a big budget message movie as soon as Trump gets elected for a third time.
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1. Dust Bunny
Easily the best movie of the year, and almost no one has heard of it, which is a shame but not entirely unexpected. Bryan Fuller isn’t exactly a household name while Mads Mikkelsen is barely scraping the surface of that; not to mention that this is an original film with no established IP behind it. Not to get too Old Man Yelling At Clouds here, but the fact that this was in theaters at all before going to streaming is utterly surprising which is a very depressing thought, but a good movie doesn’t need to rake in big bucks, and this is a fantastic movie. It’s an endless font of imagination without ever feeling incoherent; glimpsing at the heart of childhood fears that weaves through a tale of redemption for both its young protagonist and her surly protector. Every twist and turn through its storybook adventure is just more opportunities for beautiful cinematography and fun dialogue between its players, with a giant monster that is never far behind. It’s somehow one of the most wholesome movies of the year despite its R-rating, and while it’s hard to give a definitive answer as to when a kid should see something like this, I would rank it among the best starter films for parents who want to ease their kids into more mature entertainment, and that’s kind of wonderful in its own way; that a film with violent murders and ruthless assassins can somehow sit alongside the Pixar films and Despicable Me sequels for Family Movie Night. Last I checked, it showed up on HBO Max here in the US, so perhaps it will finally get its due and become a sleeper hit which, I suppose, would be a fitting end for it given how many of its influences were similarly rejected by the mainstream and only found its audience later; an audience that you should be a part of because it’s the best thing you can see that came out in 2025 and it’s right there waiting for you to dive into its devious little world!
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And with that, we can finally close the book 2025! Agree with my list? Have some better picks? Let me know in the comments below!!
The Reviewers Unite 