By Daniel Paiz

There are more and more films created and released every year, and it feels impossible to keep up. Rather than attempting to do so, film is similar to music in that one checks for what might strike one’s fancy. Before the Oscars Academy makes their picks on Sunday, March 15th, 2026, here’s our choices for film in 2025.

This is our picks for the best seven films of 2025 and Cypher Flicks’ pick for Best Picture of 2025.

Best Seven films of 2025

7. Fantastic Four: First Steps

Resolving problems and fixing mistakes are how these heroes operate. There’s a lot they have done for their Earth, and a lot expected of them. Oddly enough not being perfect is somehow a problem to regular, everyday people? That was frustrating how the general public didn’t have or couldn’t display critical thinking skills when it comes to realizing there’s other powers out there. 

The lesson of there always being somebody bigger or better out there shouldn’t be such a lost one to 1960s Earth here. The flaws of the Four reminds this group and the world that imperfections are what make folks human. Humans are best when they utilize flaws and figure out how to make them strengths somehow. 

The action sequences were good, the variety of skills each member had was executed well, and these depictions pulled in the audience. It’s always impressive when a story can feel self-contained despite including the vastness of space. 

6. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

This is the culmination of several seasons, as the Demon Slayer corps have found higher-ranking demons and their wanted leader. The world-building in this film is astounding. The castle lives up to its infinite name, as it keeps expanding and changing throughout the story. This gauntlet is going to be difficult for the Hashira and the demon slayer corps members to navigate. 

The pure escapism here is infectious and leaves the viewer wanting more interactions between demons and demon slayers. The art is wonderful, the action is peak, and it’s difficult to wait for the next installment. There’s a grandiosity to this chapter in the story that is made for the big screen. 

When storytelling incorporates a cinematic feel to it, there’s a good balance of tension and release.

5. Thunderbolts*

This team of misfits works well together because of shared experiences, and an epiphany that each of them has something to resolve. Some have more to process than others. Accepting this is their next step helps to initiate healing.

There are of course different levels of healing going on. Red Guardian (David Harbour) grows to accept himself and realize outward acceptance will not feed what gnaws at him. Bob/Sentry/Void (Lewis Pullman) learns the age-old lesson nearly every person in danger or trauma needs: accepting help from others will happen, but it will likely help instead of hurt.

There are also expectations that we place on ourselves, and often those are being far beyond what others are expecting. Yelena (Florence Pugh) navigates this while also trying to justify her past, which the latter part of this is futile. Most folks in the world are their own worst enemies; shifting that to where one is their own biggest fan is how one’s life can shift.

When looked upon as a hero, folks feel they must follow a blueprint. Like any other position of responsibility, the best path to growth and reaching goals is harnessing what works best for you. That’s the hard work, a commitment to growth and to self.

4. Rental Family

This film holds up a mirror to not only contemporary society in Japan but reflects current society across the world. The reflection that’s returning to our eyes is understandable yet not flattering. Connection digitally has severed and harmed ties in real life, and such holes in community creates a need to fill them somehow. 

Phillip Vanderploeg (Brendan Fraser) navigates this while slowly realizing he could use the same fulfillment as his customers. There are not just cultural differences he’s slowly learning. There’s realization that just because the location is different, it doesn’t negate his need to process his problems.

Committing to providing ways to fill the gaps gives this film its heart. It is always difficult to consistently be empathetic and place oneself in another’s shoes. However, once one does so, it sheds new light on what unites people the world over. 

3. Superman

What’s impressive about this film is the humanity Superman (David Corenswet) experiences and connects to throughout. Always being perceived as both different and not accepted for his true self has eaten away at Clark. He also has the belief that he was sent there to live, do his best, and help others. Clark has connected to his adoptive home because of his earthly upbringing. His powers helped in some ways, but also hindered honestly in others.  

Choosing to see the good in others because he has had similar experiences is not a big leap. However, with empathy seemingly being at an all-time low, humanity and kindness are seen as superpowers, punk rock powers if you will. Expectations will always be there. How one holds themselves accountable and towards what they believe in is what shows who a person is. Self-reflection is the compass sought out here. The supporting cast (Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Skyler Gisondo, etc.) all provide ways to calibrate said journey.

James Gunn and the Duffer Brothers had similar epiphanies when it comes to their villains. Rarely do opponents on the outside rival what’s conjured within. Superman is no stranger thing, but how he navigates insecurity mixed with external doubt and fear would make anyone feel that way.

2. F1

The cinematography, the stakes that demand the viewer to buy in, the cast: all of it adds up to a superb film. What’s more impressive is how it doesn’t feel like a racing film, but a tale of redemption. Both drivers have some things to accept. 

JP (Damson Idris) has to accept that he has to learn from others and talent alone will not win. Sonny (Brad Pitt) has to recognize and accept that a team moves him closer to his dreams and goals. All of the supporting cast plays their roles well, recognizing the need to let these two fly. 

The authenticity of the film improves the story as well. Lewis Hamilton bringing his experience and sport expertise boosts the story with his insider knowledge. Sharing the difficulties and the team makeup adds depth to an already solid story. Plus, there’s the mental and physical exhaustion that comes along with being a racecar driver.

Hans Zimmer’s musical touch also boosts the quality of this film. Recognizing small but impactful moments with music is key. Hearing the moments in addition to visually witnessing them led to raising the stakes. Zimmer made tension and release with his organizing and score. Nearly every other film out in 2025 didn’t merge senses like this one did. Nearly.

1. Sinners

There are generations of sounds that enhance the generations portrayed on the screen. The adversity Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) have lived through is echoed in the situations they encounter this fateful night with unexpected and unwelcome guests. The music ripples across history to better remind the viewer of how intertwined generations are and how trauma passes down. 

There’s a gravitas hanging around throughout the journey. What one seeks has consequences, but what will make one the most fearful is not knowing what’s next. People can make their peace and then make their next moves when they know what’s next; when the road ahead is full of shadow, it can freeze people where they stand. 

This rings true not just for the two brothers, but all of the supporting cast as well. Ruthie (Andrene Ward-Hammond), Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) –they all are selective about their choices as the night unfolds and the unwanted guests grow in size and impatience. 

The contrast in speech and music highlights the division amongst present parties. Such contrast also grows the tension, which has only bouts of relief in order to draw in the viewer. The suspense is methodical and adds a yearning to know resolution. Resolution isn’t always pretty, but it can leave quite a mark.  

Honorable Mention List

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc

More escapism runs amok here, but Chainsaw man is a far more contained series. There’s only a season of the show to go off of, despite the existing manga. The demons that exist here are dangerous and understated, making the Tokyo division officers working with Chainsaw Man and the others almost ill-prepared. 

The officers tend to have quite a bit more exposure to these enemies. It seems to do little good in staying alive and slowing down the bomb demon. This tale will show us if Denji and his pals are truly prepared for the conflicts to come. It seems like they’re ill-prepared, but might just have the fortitude to rally.

Death of a Unicorn

A creature feature with a balanced amount of horror and comedy. These mythical beasts aren’t as cuddly as children’s books make them out to be. Like most wild animals, they want to be left in peace, and when not allowed to do so, they do what they can to change that. 

There’s also a lovely critique on how far removed the ultra-wealthy truly are. Those folks truly want medieval and caste-system types of society. Thank goodness nature doesn’t adhere to such nonsense and often punishes those who want such disparity.

It can be difficult to come up with a create feature idea. Such ideas can come off as tacky or too referential to something else. Those behind creating this film did an admirable job of taking an idea from history (read the review above for more on that) and expanding upon it.

Ballerina

A strong entry into the John Wick universe, where a student of the world (Ana de Armas) makes a name for herself. There are sacrifices that must be made in order to become the best. It is also important to remember that if one has the choice to escape high-stakes pain, it sometimes is wise to do so. However, going down that assassin path does strengthen all involved. 

Building out lore that isn’t totally focused on the central story is always a gamble, but fans usually appreciate the effort. While this film didn’t meet financial expectations, it did deliver a path away from Wick himself. Doing so allows for all kinds of world-building that no longer relies on the survival of the main character; this allows for evergreen ideas.

Which film wins Best Picture on Sunday

Sinners. There is no real debate to have here. No disrespect to the other nominees, and I would still be happy if F1 managed to have an upset and win Best Picture. However, the other nominees do not have the cultural significance Sinners does. They do not have the layers that Sinners has going on throughout its story.

There are of course the upfront topics of race and class, New World versus Old World practices and beliefs, supernatural versus humans. But there is also camaraderie between believers and sinners, those who are in power and those stripped of power, the different sounds throughout. Hans Zimmer had a masterful impact on F1. The storied composer didn’t take the extra steps of learning, however.

The sonic inclusiveness of adding different communities and depicting how music liberates is what Ludwig Göransson does in his collaboration with director Ryan Coogler. The sounds of the Blues are central to this story. The evolution of those sounds today and the sonic DNA from the Blues to Hip-Hop are abundant in the juke dance scene with the original song “I Lied To You”. It is uncommon to see contemporary music fit a period piece so well.

Michael B. Jordan, Andrene Ward-Hammond, and Miles Caton are all the core of this experience. Delroy Lindo and Jack O’Connell depict characters that shift the outcome of the story. There are plenty of ensembles in the films nominated for Best Picture that work well together.

However, not another cast meshes together this well, playing their roles to deliver such a timeless yet timely masterpiece.