Written by Mariane Tremblay
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There are no bad years for movies, but 2025 was a particularly great one. It gave us so many films to watch, to talk about, and to obsess over—movies that felt impossible to ignore. From bold debuts to confident work by established filmmakers, the year was full of stories that took risks, sparked conversation, and stayed with their audiences. Whether seen in packed theatres, at festivals, or discovered at home, these films reminded us how exciting, surprising, and emotionally alive cinema can be.
100 Nights of Hero
This film feels like it was made for me, and by that I mean I’m literally its target audience. So yes, I might be biased, but this has everything I could ever want, and I wish for a million more just like it. A fun, quirky, visually stunning, queer feminist fairy tale, complete with fabulous costumes and an incredible production design — and, on top of that, beautifully directed by a woman, Julia Jackman, who is an absolute delight and a filmmaker we’ll definitely be hearing more about. Not only is it a joy for the eyes, but it’s also a refreshing take on female identity and storytelling. I loved every minute of it. — Giorgia Cattaneo
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Where do I even begin? I’ve been a huge fan of the franchise ever since Avatar (2009). I’ve probably watched it a thousand times. From the very first minutes, I get teary-eyed every single time I watch one of these films; I can’t help it. The music, the visuals — they never fail to amaze me. James Cameron’s mind is absolutely fascinating, and we’re so lucky to be alive at the same time as this truly goated filmmaker. The third instalment is no exception. The visuals are breathtaking, and the story feels richer and deeper, tackling heavier themes that hit hard emotionally. The performances are incredible (especially Oona Chaplin). Every moment pulled me in, and multiple sequences genuinely made me cry. This film proves once again why Avatar continues to captivate; it’s a cinematic experience that’s hard not to be moved by. — Mariane Tremblay
Where to watch: In theatres
Black Phone 2
Sequels can destroy a movie's narrative and leave the audience with regret, but Black Phone 2 does exactly the opposite. The story grows in ways we didn't imagine before, and it creates the perfect setup for a hated character to return. But even more so for the characters we love to shine. — Lara Rosales
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy at home
Blue Moon
The writing is certainly the star of this movie, but a wonderful, bittersweet performance by Ethan Hawke brings it to life brilliantly. I’m sure every time I watch this I’ll pick up a clever line that I’ve missed, and that’s one of my favourite qualities a film can have. — Andie Kaiser
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy at home
Calle Malaga
Where to watch: In Select Theatres
Die My Love
I didn’t know what to expect when I watched Die My Love, and until I got home after the screening, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the film. It was only a few hours later that it hit me, and much harder than I thought it would. I may not be a mother struggling with postpartum illness, but I know what it feels like to deal with anxiety (a little bit all too well). This film felt a little too close to home. It’s an intense depiction of a woman grappling with, among other things, anxiety, and there were so many scenes where I caught myself thinking, been there, done that. It’s such an important film, and I truly believe that anyone struggling with anxiety or postpartum illness should watch it. As hard as it can be, it reminds us that we’re not alone. — Mariane Tremblay
Where to watch: MUBI
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Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro understands movies, viewers, and storytelling better than most people. His creativity shines through in Frankenstein, delivering one of the best renditions of Mary Shelley's novel. Truthfully, if your life is going to be told to the world, it should be through the eyes of Guillermo del Toro. — Lara Rosales
Where to watch: Netflix
Hamnet
Having read and deeply cherished the book, I was so looking forward to seeing what a director as masterful as Chloé Zhao would do with the film, and not only did Hamnet meet my expectations, but it also surpassed them. I was lucky enough to see the film at TIFF back in September, and still hold that cinema-going experience as one of my favourites of the year. Hamnet is not just a film that you watch; it’s one that you feel, and to experience that film as a collective, along with a massive audience, only helped to elevate the experience. Hament is a story that explores grief: both individual and with others, art, and the immortality and universality of art, and does so in a way that is thoughtful, compelling, and incredibly moving. With great performances from the entire cast, it is the standout performances from Jessie Buckley as Agnes and Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet that really give the film its deep emotional resonance. Hamnet is without a doubt one of my favourite films of the year, as it is not only a beautiful portrait of grief and how that manifests in all of us, but also the power that art has to immortalise those we love and to bring us together. — Talia Ryckman-Klein
A cathartic exploration of grief held by a ferocious central performance. It is the sort of film that makes you leave as a different person than when you entered it. — Kenza Bouhnass Parra
Where to watch: In theatres
Hedda
Nia DaCosta’s reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s lauded play, Hedda Gabler, is a film that is not to be missed. DaCosta’s reimagining is bursting at the seams with fervour, energy, and life, and one can’t help but feel as though they are a part of that world, or better yet, a partygoer, for the film's runtime. Watching this film is the equivalent of drinking a shot of espresso. As soon as the film begins, you instantly feel energised and fully immersed in the world of the film and its characters. In the film's titular role, Tessa Thompson gives an incredible performance. We are seeing the world through Hedda’s eyes, and Tessa Thompson gives a fully realised and multi-dimensional portrait of a deeply complex and endlessly interesting woman. Nina Hoss commands the screen from her first entrance to her very last. She is a force to be reckoned with, and it is simply impossible to take your eyes off the screen, for even a millisecond, when she and Thompson share the screen together. For me, Hedda offers everything I could possibly want in a film: a complex character study, queer storylines and relationships, a score by Hildur Guðnadóttir that only helps to elevate the complexity and urgency of the film, and an atmospheric setting that totally transports its audience into the film's world. In short, Nia DaCosta’s Hedda is a film that everyone should see. — Talia Ryckman-Klein
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
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An anxiety-ridden watch from start to finish, Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, is another favourite of mine. I’ve not felt so tense watching a film in a long, long time. Much like Hamnet, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is not so much a film that you watch as one that you feel deeply. It’s an incredibly immersive film, one that totally transports you, as the audience, into its world, and while that experience is, at times, uncomfortable, stressful, etc., it is all-consuming in a way that I hope for whenever I watch a film. Along with its immersive tone, Rose Byrne gives what I believe to be one of the best performances of the year. She is the film, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it and was simply gobsmacked by the end. With Mary Bronstein’s incredible writing and direction, combined with Rose Byrne’s performance, a unique and distinct portrait of motherhood is created. One that is real, raw, and totally non-judgemental. It’s a film that everyone should see, and one that I couldn’t (and haven’t) stop thinking about since. — Talia Ryckman-Klein
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy at home
Is This Thing On?
Left-Handed Girl
Marty Supreme
Montreal, Ma Belle
Directed by Xiaodan He, Montreal, My Beautiful is one of the most beautiful, necessary, and moving films I’ve had the pleasure of watching this year. The film follows Feng Xia (played by Joan Chen) and Camille (Charlotte Aubin), two women who meet on an online dating site and fall in love during one sweltering Montreal summer. I had the pleasure of witnessing the film win the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film this year at the Windsor International Film Festival, and got to hear Xiaodan He describe the film as a love letter to Montreal, and that is certainly felt whilst watching. Not only is that love for Montreal palpable, so is the thought and care with which this film was made. With beautiful subtlety and poignancy, Joan Chen makes Feng Xia and her journey the heart and soul of the film. We watch her struggle with her sexuality regarding cultural and societal pressures, while also trying desperately to live the life that she has always wanted to live. It is a beautiful and complex portrait, a love story, and one that everyone should see. Created with such love, passion, and care, Montreal, My Beautiful is without a doubt one of my favourite films of the year. — Talia Ryckman-Klein
Where to watch: In theatres in February 2026
My Mom Jayne
Mariska Hargitay's directorial debut is an insightful, heartwarming look into the lives of two of Hollywood's most prominent names. Hargitay allows the audience to step into a world of secrets and tragedy, giving fans a closer look at what it is like to be Jayne Mansfield's daughter. — Lara Rosales
No Other Choice
I cannot praise Park’s brilliant direction and clever writing enough. No Other Choice is an unflinching examination of the world we live in, and a showcase of the copious possibilities of storytelling in film. It may be a dark satirical thriller, but it is also absurdly hilarious. I had the best time laughing in my seat. There are so many unforgettable sequences and moments of ingenious cinematography. It is dynamic, thrilling, and really grips you from start to end. All while keeping a sharp eye on the exhausting and desperate situation that so many face today. — Xiaoyi Wang
Where to watch: In theatres
One Battle After Another
A major film in which every beat is paced to the audience’s very own heartbeats. It is intensely gripping and fiercely dynamic. The adrenaline rush created by its immaculate pacing feels like a car race; not only are you along for the ride, but you are actively in the fire. The triumph of this film is derived from its rawness, ruthlessness, and exhilaration. One can’t help but exclaim, amidst the chaos of the world, what perfect timing for this film. — Xiaoyi Wang
Seeing this in IMAX was easily one of my favourite moviegoing experiences of the year. It’s just a fantastic ride from start to finish, being as funny as it is thrilling. It’s also responsible for what might be my favourite needle drop of 2025 (shoutout to Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work”). — Andie Kaiser
Where to watch: HBO Max, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy at home
Paternal Leave
The story of a young girl meeting her estranged father (Luca Marinelli, my beloved) for the first time, and the emotional complexities of their reunion. Unconventional and real. One of those films that stays with you long after the credits roll. It touched every chord in my heart, in every imaginable way. —Giorgia Cattaneo
Where to watch: Available on streaming platforms in Italy
Resurrection
A colossal love letter to cinema and an invitation to dream through one century and the human sense. Filled with odes to great cineastes of the past, and a dare to drown the audience in surreal reveries. Every frame is stitched together by Bi Gan’s love for the art form. He questions the human consciousness and wishes to offer some consolation in the face of an ever-changing world. This is a film that continues to haunt my sleepless nights, wild with stars. So surrender, if you can, to the silver screen. Because so rarely does a film demand to be lived like this. — Xiaoyi Wang
Where to watch: In theatres
Sentimental Value
Joachim Trier created a truly formidable film that excels in every aspect, featuring some of my favourite performances of the year. It is a tremendously touching story that does not shy away from the weight of familial love. Earnest, tender, deeply intimate, and endlessly human. Every tint of love, the beautiful and the ugly, is sincere and untainted. I found shards of myself in all the characters who stole my heart. Every line and every choice is a brick paving the road to the most fragile corner of my soul. I still get emotional just thinking about it. What a remarkable work of art. — Xiaoyi Wang
A movie that beautifully captures the complicated nature of trying to communicate through one’s art. It’s the relationships and the in-betweens that hold the most weight in this family saga, rather than any one character or storyline. Somehow quietly tragic, hilarious, and hopeful all at once. — Andie Kaiser
A tender but poignant dive into family dynamics and the generational connections through the prism of art. It takes its time and remains precise in what it wants to deliver or chooses not to. All-consuming in its gentleness, transcendent in its subtlety. — Kenza Bouhnass Parra
Where to watch: In theatres
Sound of Falling
I felt like I was in the women’s thoughts that the film explores, connecting with them on mundane aspects that lead to life-altering decisions. It holds so much richness that it was impossible to grasp it all on a first viewing, so for that, I am very much looking forward to the rewatch that I know is on the horizon. — Kenza Bouhnass Parra
Where to watch: In theatres on January 16, 2026
Sinners
Everyone and their mothers should be required to watch Sinners, as it is a masterclass in cinematic perfection. The movie is further enjoyed if one goes into it without really knowing the plot or what to expect. Every actor is on point, following their cues and delivering performances that will stand the test of time. — Lara Rosales
There’s so much to adore about this movie. The history, the music, the way genres are used… It’s one of those rare cases where everything comes together in just the right way. Some of the most beautiful landscapes and shots of the year, and a cast of characters that grips you and doesn’t let go. — Andie Kaiser
The surprise of the year. I went in expecting a horror movie about vampires, but the experience is way larger. It is an in-depth exploration of race and cultural layers, an examination of the Jim Crow-era South through a homage to blues music. That sequence is the quintessence of why I love cinema so much. — Kenza Bouhnass Parra
Where to watch: HBO Max, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy at home
The Mastermind
One of my absolute favourite genres: Josh O’Connor playing a loser for almost two hours straight. I’ve always had a soft spot for films where much of the real story is left under the surface of the facts, and that’s exactly the case here. We follow the life of a complicated man attempting a clumsy heist in a museum. Everything you learn about him comes through his actions and his troubled relationships with others: he’s messy, makes all the wrong moves, and yet you can’t help but get attached to him — and I think that’s because he feels so real. It’s a slow-burning character study that doesn’t rush to wrap things up, leaving you with a lingering sense of wanting to know more about this man. On top of all this, the film is beautifully shot, and its 70s vibe gives it a timeless, nostalgic feel that complements the narrative perfectly. — Giorgia Cattaneo
Where to watch: Mubi and available to rent or buy at home
The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun delivers exactly the kind of comedy the world needs right now. With Liam Neeson stepping into a role that not many knew he could handle, the film takes the viewers on a fun ride that will be quite unforgettable. The film expands this franchise in the best way possible, acquiring new fans along the way. — Lara Rosales
Where to watch: Paramount+ and available to rent or buy at home
The Testament of Ann Lee
Unabashedly big and weird and wonderful. With the film resting squarely on her shoulders, Amanda Seyfried gives her all in this performance. The rhythmic, emotional interrogation of faith that this movie offers will stay with me for a long time. — Andie Kaiser
Where to watch: In theatres on December 25
Train Dreams
A remarkable film that crept ivy into my heart with its aching beauty. This is a story of life… of deep love and loss. Every encounter, every word, every frame is drenched in poetry. The simple and the grand are in constant dialogue with one another. It is so fine that you can taste every detail. It takes you away from the busy world and returns you to the fundamentals of life — its hazardous and enigmatic destinies. When the film ends, you can't help but look back at your own life. Somewhere, the train still echoes, the wind still whistles, and the wood still talks. — Xiaoyi Wang
Train Dreams is one of the most achingly beautiful films I’ve seen in a while. The devastation we watch Robert Grainier (in a tremendous performance by Joel Edgerton) go through is nothing short of heartbreaking. The film speaks to grief, love, loss, and a yearning for meaning. Much like the other films I’ve listed as my favourites thus far, Train Dreams is similar in the way that it is so deeply felt. The love is felt, the yearning for connection and belonging is felt, and the grief is very deeply felt. It is singular in the story that it tells, but totally universal in the things that it speaks to, and in the moments and people that come into our lives. Train Dreams is a film that you sink your teeth into, and one that totally and completely guts you. With beautiful cinematography by Adolpho Veloso, a moving score from Bryce Dessner that cuts right to the core, and incredible performances from the supporting cast, Train Dreams is a film that you feel deeply and fully. It is a film I won’t soon forget, and one that I hope everyone gets to see. — Talia Ryckman-Klein
Train Dreams came into my life at the moment I needed it most. You know how they say everything happens for a reason? I think it’s true. I grew up in a small town surrounded by forest, with the sound of trains scoring our everyday lives, and lately I’ve been missing it; it’s people, it’s quietness and my family. Clint Bentley’s adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella is more than just a film to me; it’s a way to reconnect with where I come from and with the people I love most — my family. — Mariane Tremblay
Where to watch: Netflix
Wicked: For Good
For obvious reasons, this was one of my most anticipated films of 2025. It’s bittersweet. It marks the end of an era I’m going to miss so much. Yet, "I couldn’t be happier" (to quote 'Thank Goodness' from the soundtrack) to have had Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda — no one else could have honoured them better. — Giorgia Cattaneo
Where to watch: In Theatres
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