Introduction

Between anime, video games, and life, 2025 has been extremely busy. That’s why I’ve had to really choose what movies to put my time into, as I barely had enough time to sleep between everything else. I’m sure many others out there went through the same issues I had as well but still, 2025 delivered some absolutely incredible movies. That’s why we here at SunsetNerdVerse struggled to see every movie but did manage to watch a solid number of them—and these following ten are the ones we felt truly deserved a spot on this list. Welcome everyone to our Top 10 Movies of 2025!

10. Sinners

Release Date: April 3, 2025
Genre(s): Action, Supernatural Horror, Vampires
Sinners is one of the movies on our Top 10 Movies of 2025 list that was recommended to me by many coworkers. Going in with almost no context—I didn’t even know it was about vampires—I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this film. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners takes the overdone vampire genre and injects it with historical drama and deeper themes. Michael B. Jordan plays dual roles as twins and captures their different personalities surprisingly well. With gorgeous cinematography and a shocking ending, Sinners earns its spot at number ten.

9. The Amateur

Release Date: April 11, 2025
Genre(s): Action, Thriller
Some movies hook you immediately from the trailer, and The Amateur starring Rami Malek was one of those for me. The film follows a CIA cryptographer who loses his wife to a terrorist cell and sets out for revenge—despite having no real combat skills. The Amateur shows how pain and determination can push an ordinary person into extraordinary—and terrifying—territory. Malek’s performance is excellent, making this one of the more overlooked yet compelling films of 2025.

8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Release Date: May 23, 2025
Genre(s): Action, Spy Thriller
This was it—the alleged final Mission: Impossible film starring Tom Cruise. The Final Reckoning continues directly from Dead Reckoning, pushing Ethan Hunt and the IMF team into their most dangerous mission yet. As a diehard fan of the franchise, I can confidently say this film not only met expectations but exceeded them. The stunts are bigger, the tension is higher, and Cruise delivers an unforgettable performance in what may be his final outing as Ethan Hunt.

7. Mickey 17

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Comedy
Director Bong Joon Ho continues his streak of incredible films with Mickey 17. Starring Robert Pattinson, the movie follows Mickey, an expendable worker who can be endlessly cloned after death. Strange, darkly funny, and deeply unsettling, Mickey 17 is one of the most unique films of 2025 and one that genuinely surprised me with how much I loved it.

6. 28 Years Later

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Genre(s): Horror
The 28 franchise returns in terrifying fashion with 28 Years Later. Directed once again by Danny Boyle, this sequel confines the rage virus to the British Isles, creating a claustrophobic and haunting survival story. Acting as the first part of a two-film arc, 28 Years Later proves the franchise still has bite and stands as one of the strongest horror films of the year.

5. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

Release Date: September 19, 2025
Genre(s): Anime, Action, Dark Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc shocked me with how accessible and impactful it was—even for viewers unfamiliar with the series. Continuing directly after season one, the film introduces Reze and pushes Denji into emotional and violent territory. The visuals are stunning, the action relentless, and the OST—especially IRIS OUT by Kenshi Yonezu—is unforgettable. Whether dubbed or subbed, this anime film is a must-watch.

4. Weapons

Release Date: August 8, 2025
Genre(s): Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Following the success of Barbarian, director Zach Cregger delivers another unsettling experience with Weapons. Starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, the film centers on a small town shaken by the disappearance of an entire classroom of children. Creepy, mysterious, and deeply unnerving, Weapons cements Cregger as a director worth watching closely.

3. The Long Walk

Release Date: September 12, 2025
Genre(s): Psychological Horror, Dystopian Survival
Based on the novel by Richard Bachman (Stephen King), The Long Walk is haunting in its simplicity. Young men are forced to walk endlessly, with death awaiting those who stop. The film strips away spectacle in favor of raw psychological tension, asking how far someone would go to change their life. Even with deviations from the book, The Long Walk stands as one of the most thought-provoking films of the year.

2. KPop Demon Hunters

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Genre(s): Fantasy, Animated, Musical
I was completely wrong about KPop Demon Hunters. What I expected to be shallow fun turned into one of the most entertaining films of 2025. Featuring incredible animation from the studio behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, catchy music, and strong voice acting, this film is a visual and audio powerhouse. There’s a reason it became such a massive hit—and yes, you’ll walk away humming at least one song.

1. Train Dreams

Release Date: January 26, 2026 (November 7, 2026 U.S.)
Genre(s): Drama, Historical Drama
Train Dreams is without a doubt my personal favorite movie of 2025. Directed by Clint Bentley, this quiet historical drama follows a logger trying to survive and support his family. There are no massive action scenes—just life, loss, and reflection. Starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and William H. Macy, Train Dreams is profoundly moving and left me contemplating my own existence long after the credits rolled.

Conclusion

I can already hear the screams from readers after going through our Top 10 Movies of 2025. There were so many incredible films this year that even between my editor and me, we couldn’t watch them all. Still, every movie on this list deserves recognition for how impactful it was. Let us know on our social media platforms which films you would have included and whether you agree or disagree with our picks. Here’s hoping 2026 somehow gives us even more time to watch movies—though I doubt it!

—Aaron