Best 40 Films to See in 2025: Blockbusters and Hidden Gems

As cinema unfolds its 2025 lineup, viewers can expect a mix of spectacular blockbusters and intimate dramas. This guide highlights forty noteworthy titles, offering concise, learner-friendly summaries and practical details to help you decide what to watch.

1. Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin

• Country: Russia
• Genre: Drama, Musical
• Duration: 2h 17m
• Director: Felix Umarov
• Cast: Yura Borisov, Kai Getz, Roman Vasilev, Alena Dolgolenkо, Ilya Vinogorsky, Anya Chipovskaya, Svetlana Khodchenkova
• World premiere: February 14
• IMDb: 6.2

This film offers a brisk, artistic look at the life of Russia’s famed poet, mixing rebellion and romance with a modern hip hop-inspired style rather than a strict factual account.

2. Summer Ends

• Country: Russia
• Genre: Drama, Thriller
• Duration: 1h 58m
• Directors: Maxim Arbugaev, Vladimir Munкуev
• Cast: Yura Borisov, Makary Khlebnikov, Dmitry Podnozov, Alexander Mosin, Vasily Shchipitsyn, Ivan Tarabukin
• World premiere: February 27
• IMDb: 6.8

A man named Kesha returns home from prison to a remote Yakut village, seeking a better life, while his younger brother aims for college. When trouble follows, Kesha steals gold and flees with his brother in tow.

This film, although not as grand as the earlier title, is deeply moving and visually striking, winning a festival prize and expanding to wide release in 2025.

3. Mickey 17

Mickey 17

• Countries: USA, South Korea
• Genre: Science fiction, Comedy, Adventure
• Duration: 2h 17m
• Director: Bong Joon-ho
• Cast: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette
• World premiere: February 28
• IMDb: 6.7

On the run from creditors, the lead joins a mission to colonize a distant planet. He undergoes a range of experiments and is copied into clone bodies for dangerous tasks. When the 17th version of Mickey survives, he meets his own copy and faces a new reality.

Director Bong Joon-ho brings a satirical take on society and a pair of strong performances, keeping audiences curious about identity and resilience.

4. Black Bag: Double Game

Black Bag

• Country: United States
• Genre: Detective, Thriller
• Duration: 1h 33m
• Director: Steven Soderbergh
• Cast: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke, Rege-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomi Harris
• World premiere: March 14
• IMDb: 6.7

Two British intelligence operatives, including a covert mole, are tailed by a complex web of deceit. As suspicion rises, one of the suspects turns out to be a close partner.

Director Steven Soderbergh crafts a tight, dialogue-heavy thriller with strong performances and a tense power play inside a small team.

5. A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie

• Countries: Sweden, USA, New Zealand, Canada
• Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
• Director: Jared Hess
• Cast: Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, Daniel Brooks, Jenny Calridge
• World premiere: April 4
• IMDb: 5.6

In the blocky universe of a famous video game, a group of unlikely heroes must unite to defeat a comical army of penguins and escape a dangerous world they entered by accident.

The film rides the trend of game adaptations with a notable cast and shareable moments that went viral online, though it mixes humor with a family-friendly adventure.

6. Warfare

Warfare

• Countries: USA, United Kingdom
• Genre: War
• Duration: 1h 35m
• Directors: Alex Garland, Ray Mendes
• Cast: Dafarao Un-Ai, Will Poulter, Cosmos Jarvis, Kit Connor, Taylor John Smith, Joseph Quinn
• World premiere: April 11
• IMDb: 7.2

A unit of U.S. soldiers in Iraq faces an intense, uncertain operation that tests loyalty and courage as they await rescue and medical support. Inspired by real events, the film emphasizes the human cost of modern warfare rather than heroism.

7. Sinners

Sinners

• Countries: USA, Australia, Canada
• Genre: Action, Horror
• Duration: 2h 17m
• Director: Ryan Coogler
• Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Keton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku
• World premiere: April 18
• IMDb: 7.6

In 1932 Mississippi, twins Dust and Ember open a club for Black patrons, only to face a vampiric threat on the night of its opening. A stylish blend of social themes with horror-action and a strong musical rhythm enriches this take on the vampire myth.

8. Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts

• Countries: USA, Australia, Canada
• Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
• Duration: 2h 7m
• Director: Jake Schreier
• Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Harbour
• World premiere: May 2
• IMDb: 7.1

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine strategically assembles a diverse team to cover up illegal acts, only to realize each member has been ordered to take out the others. The heroes unite to confront a hidden conspiracy.

In 2025 Marvel released several films, including this ensemble take with a darker humor vibe reminiscent of Suicide Squad, focusing on unconventional heroes.

9. Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

• Countries: USA, United Kingdom
• Genre: Action, Thriller, Adventure
• Duration: 2h 49m
• Director: Christopher McQuarrie
• Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff
• World premiere: May 23
• IMDb: 7.2

The eighth installment continues the battle against a digital mastermind with nuclear implications. Tom Cruise again performs high-risk stunts, delivering the signature high-energy climaxes the series is known for.

10. Lilo & Stitch

Lilo & Stitch

• Countries: USA, Australia, Canada
• Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
• Duration: 1h 48m
• Director: Din Flasher-Camp
• Cast: Maya Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Chris Sanders, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen
• World premiere: May 23
• IMDb: 6.7

A live-action take on the beloved Disney duo, following a girl and a mischievous alien creature who is more dangerous than it seems. The film preserves the playful spirit of the original while updating the world for new audiences.

11. Bring Her Back

Bring Her Back

• Country: Australia
• Genre: Horror
• Duration: 1h 44m
• Directors: Danny Philippo, Michael Philippo
• Cast: Billy Barrett, Sora Von, Sally Hawkins, Joen Ren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton
• World premiere: May 29
• IMDb: 7.1

A grieving father seeks to care for his visually impaired stepsister while a secretive family ritual unfolds at night, hinting at a disturbing, occult practice.

12. The Phoenician Scheme

The Phoenician Scheme

• Countries: USA, Germany
• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
• Duration: 1h 45m
• Director: Wes Anderson
• Cast: Benicio del Toro, Mia Thermopolis, Mike Serra, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Brian Cranston, Matt Amarlik, Richard Ayoadi, Willem Dafoe, Scarlett Johansson
• World premiere: May 29
• IMDb: 6.7

A mysterious power broker aims to control nations’ economies, pushing his daughter Lisle to participate in a grand plan that blends family ties with a global mission to aid a developing country.

13. Ballerina

Ballerina

• Countries: USA, Hungary
• Genre: Action, Thriller
• Duration: 2h 4m
• Director: Len Wiseman
• Cast: Ana De Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Angelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne
• World premiere: June 5
• IMDb: 6.9

Expanding the John Wick world, this spin-off centers on a Ruska Roma killer who seeks vengeance for loved ones. Keanu Reeves makes a brief return while De Armas carries the main action.

14. The Life of Chuck

The Life of Chuck

• Country: USA
• Genre: Science fiction, Drama
• Duration: 1h 51m
• Director: Michael Flanagan
• Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamen Pajek, Cody Flanagan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan
• World premiere: June 6
• IMDb: 7.3

A schoolteacher witnesses global upheaval and follows a TV ad featuring a mysterious person named Chuck. The film blends a coming-of-age arc with a philosophical meditation on life and fate, highlighted by a memorable performance by Tom Hiddleston.

15. Materialists

Materialists

• Countries: USA, Finland
• Genre: Melodrama
• Duration: 1h 56m
• Director: Selin Son
• Cast: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Zoe Winters, Marin Ireland
• World premiere: June 13
• IMDb: 6.3

From the director of Past Lives, this classic melodrama examines how rational thinking clashes with human emotion in a modern dating world, as a woman navigates love, career, and a tempting temptation from the past.

16. 28 Years Later

28 Years Later

• Countries: United Kingdom, Canada, United States
• Genre: Horror, Action
• Duration: 1h 55m
• Director: Danny Boyle
• Cast: Elfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Edwin Ruudimg, Chi Liu-Perry
• World premiere: June 20
• IMDb: 6.6

Years after a rage‑virus outbreak, survivors live in a guarded island colony. A father guides his son toward a dangerous mission on the mainland, hoping to heal the afflicted and rebuild a future.

Returning creative team from the original expands the world with a mature take on growth and responsibility, while teasing a spiritual sequel titled Temple of Bones.

17. F1

F1

• Country: USA
• Genre: Drama, Sports
• Duration: 2h 35m
• Director: Joseph Kosinski
• Cast: Brad Pitt, Idris Elba, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobey Mendez
• World premiere: June 27
• IMDb: 7.7

After a crash, a former driver returns to the sport to mentor a rookie from a struggling team. The film captures real race footage and features authentic on-track action that heightens the adrenaline for racing fans.

18. Superman

Superman

• Countries: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• Genre: Science fiction, Action, Adventure
• Duration: 2h 9m
• Director: James Gunn
• Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicolas Holt, Edie Gathegi, Skye Giordano
• World premiere: July 11
• IMDb: 7.1

A global guardian confronts threats that test his human side. A billionaire villain reshapes the city, forcing the hero to prove he belongs in a world that fears his power.

19. Eddington

Eddington

• Countries: USA, United Kingdom, Finland
• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Crime
• Duration: 2h 28m
• Director: Ari Aster
• Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes
• World premiere: July 18
• IMDb: 6.6

A sheriff challenges city hall over pandemic restrictions and runs for mayor, while riots erupt on the streets. The director behind Reincarnation and Midsommar brings a wry, reflective drama that uses current events to examine power and trust.

20. Dracula: A Love Tale

Dracula: A Love Tale

• Country: France
• Genre: Horror, Romance
• Duration: 2h 9m
• Director: Luc Besson
• Cast: Caleb Landry Jones, Zoe Blanc, Christopher Waltz, Matilda De Angelis, Guillaume de Tonkedec
• World premiere: July 30
• IMDb: 6.2

In a romantic retelling, Vlad Dracula seeks a new incarnation of his lost beloved, Elena. The setting shifts to Paris as centuries unfold in a melancholic search for love beyond time.

21. Together

Together

• Countries: Australia, United States
• Genre: Horror, Drama
• Duration: 1h 42m
• Director: Michael Shanks
• Cast: Dave Franco, Allison Brie, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrisey, Karl Richmond
• World premiere: July 30
• IMDb: 6.7

A quiet town becomes a trap for a couple who discovers a strange cavern. Their connection grows as danger looms, binding them physically in unusual ways.

22. The Naked Gun

The Naked Gun

• Countries: USA, Canada
• Genre: Detective, Comedy
• Duration: 1h 25m
• Director: Akiva Shaver
• Cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Houston, Kevin Duran
• World premiere: August 1
• IMDb: 6.4

A seasoned detective is pulled off a serious case to investigate a major conspiracy. A lighthearted reboot with spoofing humor aimed at classic police tropes keeps the tone playful.

23. Weapons

Weapons

• Country: USA
• Genre: Detective, Horror
• Duration: 2h 8m
• Director: Zach Kragger
• Cast: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Olden Erennrick, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong
• World premiere: August 8
• IMDb: 7.5

One night, nearly all students vanish at exactly 2:17. A suspected teacher, newly arrived in town, appears innocent yet hides a powerful, supernatural force behind the disappearances.

24. Exit 8

8ban Deguchi

• Country: Japan
• Genre: Thriller, Horror
• Duration: 1h 35m
• Director: Ganki Kavaamura
• Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Koti, Nanru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, Nana Komatsu
• World premiere: August 28
• IMDb: 6.5

A man follows a phone call into a strange subway passage and discovers a corridor that traps those who don’t follow a rule: turn back when oddities appear, move forward otherwise. The film adapts a game into a tense, atmospheric mystery.

25. Caught Stealing

Caught Stealing

• Country: USA
• Genre: Crime, Comedy, Action
• Duration: 1h 47m
• Director: Darren Aronofsky
• Cast: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoe Kravitz, Nikita Kuzuhkin, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Matt Smith
• World premiere: August 29
• IMDb: 6.9

A former baseball prospect turned bartender faces a violent gang conflict when a neighbor asks him to watch a cat. A brisk crime comedy that blends suspense with offbeat humor, featuring Aronofsky’s signature style.

26. The Roses

The Roses

• Countries: UK, USA
• Genre: Comedy
• Duration: 1h 45m
• Director: J Roe
• Cast: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg, Shuti Gatwa
• World premiere: August 29
• IMDb: 6.7

A designer husband and chef wife relocate to the United States to start a new business, only to find that jealousy and hidden tensions threaten their marriage as they pursue professional success.

27. The Long Walk

The Long Walk

• Countries: USA, Canada
• Genre: Thriller, Drama
• Duration: 1h 48m
• Director: Francis Lawrence
• Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Johnson, Garrett Waring, Tat Newot, Charlie Plummer
• World premiere: September 12
• IMDb: 6.8

A yearly endurance race pits young men against each other, with eliminations and deadly outcomes. Based on Stephen King’s early novel, the film emphasizes the brutal, minimalist core of the story.

28. Affeksjonsverdi

Affeksjonsverdi (New Wave)

• Countries: Norway, Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden, United Kingdom
• Genres: Drama, Comedy
• Duration: 2h 12m
• Director: Joachim Trier
• Cast: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Ingibjörg Ilsdóttir Lilieos, Elle Fanning, Anders Danielsen Lie
• World premiere: September 12
• IMDb: 8.0

After their mother’s death, two sisters reconnect with their estranged father, a filmmaker. He invites a Hollywood star to join a new project, and the film uses intimate family dynamics to explore the meaning of art and love.

29. Eojjeolsugaeopda

The Exemption (original title: Eojjeolsugaeopda)

• Countries: South Korea, France
• Genre: Thriller, Drama, Comedy
• Duration: 2h 19m
• Director: Park Chan-wook
• Cast: Lee Byun-hon, Son Ye-jin, Lee Sun-min, Jo Seung-woo, Chha Syeon-won
• World premiere: September 24
• IMDb: 7.6

A seasoned worker plans a dramatic scheme to outcompete rivals at his company, escalating into a satirical, darkly comic takedown of capitalism and cruelty. The film blends biting humor with sharp social critique.

30. One Battle After Another

One Battle After Another

• Country: USA
• Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
• Duration: 2h 42m
• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Chase Infinity, Benicio Del Toro, Tiana Taylor, Regina Hall
• World premiere: September 26
• IMDb: 7.9

A former revolutionary grapples with fatherhood and a complex web of political and social tensions as a veteran pursues him for a past connection with his family. The film blends family drama with a tense, political thriller atmosphere.

31. Lermontov

Lermontov

• Country: Russia
• Genre: Drama
• Duration: 1h 44m
• Director: Bakur Bakuradze
• Cast: Ilya Ozolin, Evgeny Romantsov, Vera Yangelicheva, Dmitry Solomykin, Andrey Maximov
• World premiere: October 16
• IMDb: 5.7

A portrait of the poet Mikhail Lermontov, unfolding in a single day as friends accompany him to a fateful duel. The film emphasizes dialogue and landscape over dramatic events, leading to a traditional yet poignant ending.

32. Bugonia

Bugonia

• Countries: USA, South Korea, Canada, Ireland
• Genre: Science fiction, Comedy
• Duration: 1h 58m
• Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
• Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, Aliens Sil minister
• World premiere: October 24
• IMDb: 7.5

Two eccentric cousins, obsessed with conspiracy theories, abduct a corporate head to extract a truth they believe might save the world. Lanthimos blends absurd humor with heartfelt drama as Stone reteams with the veteran director.

33. Nouvelle Vague

Nouvelle Vague (French for New Wave)

• Countries: France, USA
• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Biography
• Duration: 1h 45m
• Director: Richard Linklater
• Cast: Guillaume Marbe, Zoe Doitch, Aubrey Dulllen, Adrien Ruya, Antoine Besson
• World premiere: October 31
• IMDb: 7.3

Linklater presents a playful, experimental biopic about a young troublemaker who meets a journalist. The film evokes the spirit of the French New Wave with improvised style and a road‑movie vibe, tracing the origins of a cinema classic.

34. Die My Love

Die My Love

• Countries: United Kingdom, Canada, USA
• Genre: Thriller, Drama
• Duration: 1h 59m
• Director: Lin Ramsey
• Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Cissy Spacek, Nick Nolte, Lacit Stanford
• World premiere: November 7
• IMDb: 6.5

A tense drama about motherhood and control, balancing intense performances with symbolic imagery. The film explores the dynamics of fear, care, and power in a relationship under pressure.

35. Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands

• Countries: USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany
• Genre: Science fiction, Action
• Duration: 1h 47m
• Director: Dan Trachtenberg
• Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Kolomotangi, Ravi Narayan, Michael Homik, Stefan Grube
• World premiere: November 7
• IMDb: 7.4

A young Yautja hunter lands on a dangerous planet and teams with a damaged synthetic ally. They face local predators and invading androids as they work to survive and complete their mission.

36. Frankenstein

Frankenstein

• Countries: USA, Mexico
• Genre: Science fiction, Drama
• Duration: 2h 30m
• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christophe Waltz
• World premiere: November 7
• IMDb: 7.5

Del Toro reimagines Mary Shelley’s tale as a lush, two‑sided narrative about the creator and his Monster. The film invites viewers to choose sides and reflects on the ethics of creation, all wrapped in striking visuals.

37. Wicked: For Good

Wicked: For Good

• Countries: USA, Canada, Australia
• Genre: Fantasy, Musical
• Duration: 2h 17m
• Director: John M. Chu
• Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey
• World premiere: November 21
• IMDb: 7.0

A year after the Wicked Witch is declared the villain of Oz, a girl named Dorothy arrives to shift the balance of power. The film expands the musical’s universe with new perspectives and dramatic turns, delivering a bright, bold spectacle.

38. Train Dreams

Train Dreams

• Country: USA
• Genre: Drama
• Duration: 1h 42m
• Director: Clint Bentley
• Cast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Zoe Rose Short, David Paul Olsen
• World premiere: November 21
• IMDb: 7.6

A quiet, melancholy drama following a laborer whose life is shaped by vast landscapes and shifting family bonds. The Netflix release drew praise for its measured beauty and emotional depth.

39. Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

• Country: USA
• Genre: Detective, Comedy
• Duration: 2h 24m
• Director: Rian Johnson
• Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jernner Renner
• World premiere: December 12
• IMDb: 7.9

Detective Benoit Blanc returns to solve a new murder in a small town church setting. The ensemble cast and witty twists deliver the classic Knives Out experience with a fresh mystery to unravel.

40. Avatar: Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash

• Country: USA
• Genre: Science fiction, Action, Adventure
• Director: James Cameron
• Cast: Kate Winslet, Stephen Lang, Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Edie Falko, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi
• World premiere: December 19
• IMDb: N/A

One year after the previous events, Jake and his family confront a hostile tribe and an enduring rival alliance on Pandora. The film continues the lush world-building and sets the stage for further installments, inviting audiences back to the magical planet.

Expert comment

Expert opinion: 2025’s lineup skillfully blends blockbuster energy with thoughtful storytelling, offering something for every learner and movie fan. Analysts highlight the balance between spectacle, character depth, and clear, accessible narration across titles.

Short summary

From grand epics to intimate dramas, the 2025 slate presents diverse storytelling and international voices. The selections aim to entertain while teaching, and they showcase how modern cinema mixes genres, cultures, and new formats. Expect exciting premieres, sharp performances, and fresh takes on familiar stories.

Key insight: The 2025 film year blends high-octane spectacle with reflective, character-driven narratives, inviting audiences to learn while they watch.

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