Jordan Raup’s Best 10 Films of 2025
Following The Film Stage’s collective ranking of the top 50 films of 2025, as part of our year-end reflections, our contributors are sharing their individual top 10 lists.
In a year marked by significant turmoil in Hollywood, it became evident that despite profit-driven approaches that threaten the very art form they claim to cherish, filmmakers will discover ways to produce extraordinary作品. While my top film of the year might be an exceptional case of a master director receiving ample resources to create something beyond the scope of a typical wide release, the rest of my top ten showcases directors working in unconventional methods both within and outside of the United States to craft deeply impactful, unique pieces of art.
Just shy of making the top 20 were some of my favorite cinematic experiences this year: Sinners, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Marty Supreme. Blue Moon and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, which feature two outstanding lead performances, nearly made the list, as did Ari Aster’s distorted yet effective Eddington, Hlynur Pálmason’s stunningly unique The Love That Remains, Alain Guiraudie’s sharply witty Misericordia, and an outstanding trio of documentaries: Cover-Up, Videoheaven, and Henry Fonda for President.
Without delay, here are my favorite films of the year, and for those interested in the list-centric world of Letterboxd, you can find my ranking of all the films I've seen from 2025 along with a sneak peek of 2026.
Favorite First-Time Watches of 2025 (#1-#10, full list here): Hatari!, Belfast, Maine, Pulse, La Région Centrale, Punishment Park, Abraham’s Valley, When a Woman Ascends the Stairs, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, D’Est, Choose Me, Christian F., Southern Comfort, Godard’s Passion, Daddy Longlegs, Subarnarekha
Honorable Mentions (#20-#10): My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow, Familiar Touch, Cloud, Sorry, Baby, Magellan, Resurrection, Afternoons of Solitude, The Perfect Neighbor, It Was Just an Accident, and Father Mother Sister Brother
10. Black Bag (Steven Soderbergh)
If a James Bond or Mission: Impossible film stripped away its action sequences—aside from an occasional explosion or gunshot—and utilized a script infused with a pop John le Carré vibe, it might resemble something like Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag. This sleek and stylish spy thriller mainly unfolds around dinner tables and office spaces, serving as arenas for quick-witted, delightfully sharp dialogue penned by David Koepp, who returns to the genre after Ethan Hunt’s initial adventure. Centering on a trio of couples involved in British intelligence, Koepp’s narrative questions whether it's feasible to maintain a healthy relationship in a world where work and personal life are inseparable, especially when your occupation hinges on deception.
9. The Secret Agent (Kleber Mendonça Filho)
Kleber Mendonça Filho has made a name for himself through four narrative features, each building upon the last in intriguing ways, demonstrating his disregard for convention. His extensive knowledge of film history allows him to create works that aren't specifically tied to a single director or genre but instead result in a blend of captivating and surprising structural and aesthetic choices. The Secret Agent stands out as a remarkable career high point, presenting itself as a political thriller steeped in paranoia, but the unique paths Mendonça Filho explores throughout make for a rich cinematic experience that beckons repeated viewings.
8. Eephus (Carson Lund)
The ideal sports movie often highlights the core elements that spark a love for the game, and there may be no greater baseball film than Carson Lund’s Eephus. This debut feature is entirely centered around a single round of America’s favorite pastime, capturing the subtle nuances, rhythms, and idiosyncrasies of an amateur men’s league match with humor and beauty. By upending common sports movie clichés—typically showcasing peak athleticism before vast audiences—Lund has produced a film that is notably compelling. Instead of grand slams and no-hitters, the reality involves many errors, beer guts, and weathered physiques within a diverse cast. Lund focuses on the peculiar set of social codes that govern play on the field, allowing players to escape life's obligations and concentrate solely on the game's rules.
7. Who by Fire (Philippe Lesage)
Philippe Lesage first caught my attention (and landed on my year-end top 10) with his poignantly crafted coming-of-age film Genesis in 2019. This year, he returned with Who by Fire, a follow-up that further showcases his skill in creating well-rounded characters rich in inner complexity. The story follows two families in a secluded cabin as they navigate career and romantic jealousies, resulting in a lush, intimate, and psychologically
Jordan Raup’s Best 10 Films of 2025
In conjunction with The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2025, our contributors are presenting their individual top 10 lists as part of our year-end coverage. Amid a year marked by significant upheaval in Hollywood, it has become evident that despite the profit-oriented approaches of influential executives that undermine the art they claim to cherish, filmmakers will still continue to create.