And... breathe! It's been another incredible year for new movie releases that have shaken up Hollywood. From Michael B. Jordan playing two characters in one film, to a horror film from the point of view of man's best friend. Here are our picks of the stand-out films of 2025 that have shaken up the film world – in the best way!
Sinners
Sinners throws gothic horror, historical drama and even a splash of musical energy into one unforgettable mix. Michael B. Jordan takes on the challenge of playing twin brothers in 1930s Mississippi – and absolutely owns it. This atypical vampire tale digs deep into racial trauma, using the supernatural to explore real, harrowing history. The result? Powerful, emotional storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll. Live blues performances run through the film like a heartbeat, with music so central it feels like a character. And the horror is rooted in real-world violence, which makes every scare hit harder and feel disturbingly authentic. A box-office smash and a word-of-mouth sensation, Sinners is the kind of film that gets people talking – and keeps them thinking.
The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun (2025) made comedy cool again – a true comeback for slapstick. Packed with sharp jokes and gloriously silly antics, it reminded us how much we love laughing. Liam Neeson’s perfectly straight-faced delivery only made the absurdity funnier. For nostalgia, it nailed it. For a modern update on a classic, it nailed that too. Pulling off both is no easy feat – and that’s exactly why this reboot was such a hit.
Good Boy
You know that moment in a horror film when you spot the gorgeous family dog and think, ‘ah, what a lovely dog’? And then later, when it’s lying dead thanks to some crazed axe murderer, you cry, ‘not the dog!’ Well, Good Boy is packed with those feelings — except this time, the dog is the star. And we. Do. Not. Want. Anything. To. Happen. To. Him. This haunted house story unfolds from the dog’s point of view, which makes every twist hit harder. We’re rooting for Indy – and for Todd, the man he’s devoted to, who’s battling illness and inner demons. Indy’s performance is stellar: he is the heart of the film and the soul of the scares.
Elio
A sci-fi adventure with plenty of heart and some truly brilliant visuals. Usually, these stories are about saving the world, right? For Elio, it’s about learning to speak up and finding his purpose – the kind of worries many kids share. Pixar handles it all in that warm, beautiful way they do best, with humour, emotional honesty and vibrant, story-packed scenes set in an intergalactic world full of amazing creatures. It’s light yet deep. Our hero is shy and creative, and his human vulnerabilities shine through. But the adventure is still there – along with the laughs and the stunning animation that make this film such a joy.
28 Years Later
This wasn’t the genre anyone expected from a 28 Days Later sequel. We’ve gone from a handful of survivors in a deserted London to societies across the globe. From a sudden virus outbreak to, decades later, a fearful, mutated population living under political control. The tone shifted too — from gritty realism in 28 Days Later to horror fused with political thriller. Visually, the documentary-style look expanded into IMAX-sized proportions with sweeping drone cinematography. And story-wise? We moved from ‘will they survive this outbreak’ to ‘will humanity survive the world shaped by it?’ Dubbed a horror epic, this was so much more than a zombie movie.
Superman
A superhero film with real heart. This time, we went deep with Superman. He’s no longer lost in cynicism – he’s back as a true symbol of hope, just how we like him. Think about the journey: from those early Superman movies with their light, almost cartoonish tone, to the recent versions steeped in trauma and darkness. Superman: Legacy flips that script. It feels modern and complex, asking: how do we hold on to hope in the world we live in today? This isn’t just another reboot. It’s Superman for a new era.
Ballerina
This John Wick spin-off was a risk – a female-led story in a famously male franchise. Yet it went on to perform just as well as John Wick: Chapter 4 with audiences. Strong enough to stand on its own, it even earned Keanu’s blessing with a cameo – a nice touch. Eve is a deadly assassin, but her reactions feel strikingly human. The fight scenes are sharp and lethal yet choreographed with the grace of dance. With a cliffhanger ending and praise for its emotional depth and stylish approach to action, a sequel feels almost inevitable.
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