Rolling Stone: Top 20 Movies Of 2025

“Rolling Stone” has dropped its annual list of the 20 best movies of the year, and the lineup shows just how creative and unpredictable this year in film has been. At the top is “One Battle After Another,” a critically praised epic that the magazine calls the most gripping release of the year.

The full list highlights a wide range of styles, voices, and genres. According to “Rolling Stone,” these are the must-see films that defined the year:

1. One Battle After Another
2. Hamnet
3. Black Bag
4. Train Dreams
5. Nouvelle Vogue
6. It Was Just an Accident
7. No Other Choice
8. Sorry, Baby
9. Marty Supreme
10. Sentimental Value
11. Peter Hujar’s Day
12. Eddington
13. Universal Language
14. Best Wishes for All
15. Orwell: 2+2=5
16. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
17. The Phoenician Scheme
18. Caught by the Tides
19. Frankenstein
20. Weapons

The magazine notes that the selections reflect a year filled with bold filmmaking. Major standouts like “Hamnet” and “Black Bag” impressed critics with their emotional power, while “Train Dreams” and “Nouvelle Vogue” offered more artistic and atmospheric experiences. Mid-list favorites such as “Marty Supreme,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Peter Hujar’s Day” earned praise for originality and strong performances. Even the lower-ranked titles, including “Frankenstein” and “Weapons,” were chosen for pushing boundaries and bringing something fresh to the screen.

“Rolling Stone” says the list represents a year where filmmakers took risks, challenged expectations, and delivered stories that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

If you aren’t familiar with most of these movies, you aren’t alone. However, they are worth a screening.

Doug O’Brien