#1. NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE (Matt Johnson)

One of the more jaw-dropping spectacles of the year includes real parachuting into stadiums, time traveling to 2008, and the grand return of Orbitz. Being well-versed in the original series run of Nirvanna the Band the Show is not necessary as the film works brilliantly on its own to define these characters and their mission and is gut-bustingly funny enough to remain raucously entertaining. Beyond Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol’s brilliant script and perfect coming timing, the film is a genuine thrill-ride, rivetingly editing, shockingly tense, heartfelt, and complete with enough unbelievable filmmaking tricks under its small budget, you will be asking yourself “how the hell did they make this?” for the entire runtime. Seriously, how did they make this??

#2: DISCLOSURE DAY (Steven Spielberg)

Steven Spielberg’s cozily familiar, yet still wildly peculiar sci-fi blockbuster is an emotional knockout for those who are willing to suspend disbelief in the film’s depicting of humanity’s instinctual, indestructible pessimism as non-existent. Yes, it’s impossible to believe the events of Disclosure Day could ever happen as magically and awe-inspiringly in our bleak reality, but that’s what the movies are for. A plea for humanity to connect, to understand, and to listen. On top of that, a rousing John Williams score, pulse-pounding set pieces and chase sequences, and terrific performances (especially from a captivating Emily Blunt) are just sensational cinematic elements on top of a beautifully earnest, though admittedly imperfect old-fashioned Hollywood package.

#3: THE DRAMA (Kristoffer Borgli)

A premise about an awful truth so secretive, you had to buy a ticket to find out what it is. Kristoffer Borgli’s gleefully dark comedy-drama about a couple facing trust issues days before their wedding was more than just an example of A+ marketing, it was a deeply profound examination of humans confronting the worst parts of themselves they beg to leave behind for the sake of the people they love. Zendaya is tremendously fragile, drowning in regret while trying to keep a smile in public, while Pattinson is go-for-broke shameless delivering an incredibly complex and, at times, hysterical depiction of a romantic partner reacting to an impossible situation. By now, the reveal has probably been spoiled for you, but if it hasn’t, just press play and prepare to have your guts in knots by the end.

#4: PROJECT HAIL MARY (Phil Lord & Christopher Miller)

While not the whip-fast comedic rollercoaster ride we normally expect with Lord & Miller’s usual work, the duo who are famous for “take a bad idea and make it a great movie” projects are a unique choice to helm what is essentially a big throwback, old-fashioned cinematic blockbuster (Apollo 13 meets Interstellar with aliens), and yet, fear not, as their steady hands deliver an enormously crowd-pleasing movie in line with all the films its clearly inspired by. Despite a slightly messy structure, this tale of an astronaut discovering he is the sole person left to save planet Earth is stunningly shot by Greig Fraser and led by a wholesome and perfectly-cast Ryan Gosling.

#5: 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE (Nia DaCosta)

While lacking a lot of the experimental flash from Danny Boyle that catapulted last year’s 28 Years Later in to my top five of 2025, Nia DaCosta’s turn with the camera still delivers plenty of hauntingly tense, beautifully humane, and absolutely gnarly moments. Led by the masterful Ralph Fiennes, who deserves end-of-the-year consideration for his performance (as he did last year), the Alex Garland-scripted follow-up continues its powerful message of overcoming the impossible through the sheer strength of noble love. Now all there is to do now is pray for that third film.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Toy Story 5 (Andrew Stanton), The Sheep Detectives (Kyle Balda), Send Help (Sam Raimi), I Love Boosters (Boots Riley)

~ OTHER AWARDS ~

BEST DIRECTOR:

Matt Johnson, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie

BEST ACTOR:

Ralph Fiennes, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
(Alt: Robert Aramayo, I Swear)

BEST ACTRESS:

Emily Blunt, Disclosure Day
(Alt: Rachel McAdams, Send Help)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

Jack O’Connell, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
(Alt: Chi Lewis-Perry, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

Maxine Peake, I Swear
(Alt: Alana Haim, The Drama)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama
(Alt: I Swear)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
(Alt: The Sheep Detectives)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

Toy Story 5
(Alt: Hoppers)

BEST NON-ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL FEATURE:

Miroirs No. 3
(Alt: Silent Friend)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

BEST CASTING:

I, Swear
(Alt: Obsession)

BEST STUNTS/CHOREOGRAPHY:

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
(Alt: Disclosure Day)

BEST ENSEMBLE:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
(Alt: I Love Boosters)

BEST EDITING:

Disclosure Day
(Alt: Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:

Project Hail Mary
(Alt: Wuthering Heights)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:

Backrooms
(Alt: I Love Boosters)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

I Love Boosters
(Alt: The Devil Wears Prada 2)

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
(Alt: The Bride!)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

Project Hail Mary
(Alt: The Sheep Detectives)

BEST SOUND MIXING:

Project Hail Mary
(Alt: Tuner)

BEST SOUND EDITING:

Disclosure Day
(Alt: Project Hail Mary)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:

Toy Story 5, “I Knew It, I Knew You”
(Alt: The Devil Wears Prada 2, “RUNWAY”)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

Disclosure Day
(Alt: Project Hail Mary)

~ BONUS ~
Movies I still need to catch up with: Mother Mary, Our Hero Balthazar, Is God Is, Blue Film, Blue Heron, Minions & Monsters, The Death of Robin Hood, Maddie’s Secret, Jackass: Best and Last, The Invite, Evil Dead Burn

Agree or disagree? Share your picks in the comments! Thank you for reading.