Looking back, 2025 turned out to be low-key fantastic when it came to movies. The best part? A lot of what was on offer was original material untethered to major franchises or reboot city, confirming that the reports of the death of creativity have been greatly exaggerated. Instead, it only requires patience, investment, and a curious audience. Who would have thought?
While Rotten Tomatoes isn’t the be-all and end-all of a film’s quality — and is arguably bad for film itself — it does present an overview of what critics and audiences think of movies. In other words, it’s a snapshot of consensus.
It’s no secret that the approval ratings of 2025 movies skyrocketed on the aggregator, with seemingly countless films receiving the coveted “fresh” rating and becoming instant watchlist additions.
With that being said, let’s take it one step further and look at some of the best movies that received 90% or higher on the Tomatometer, the aggregate of critical scores.
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### Note for Cinephiles
While actual cinephiles will point to other 2025 films such as *Souleymane’s Story, The Secret Agent, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Israel Palestine on Swedish TV, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, To a Land Unknown, Resurrection, Eddington, Riefenstahl, It Was Just an Accident, Die My Love,* and *Sentimental Value*, the following are the ones that average moviegoers should absolutely check out.
Remember, this list hasn’t been made by one sole critic who’s stuffing a baguette in their mouth, updating their Letterboxd account, and letting everyone know what’s good and what isn’t. Rather, these scores represent the consensus of many people (with many baguettes and Letterboxd lists).
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## Sinners
*Director: Ryan Coogler | Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell | Rating: R | Runtime: 138 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 97%*
Twin brothers and former gangsters Smoke and Stack Moore (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, to start a juke joint. The first night turns out to be a magical event, as everyone celebrates the power of music — at least until trouble arrives in the shape of a vampire named Remmick (Jack O’Connell) and his sharp-fanged goons, who want to get their claws on Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), whose gifted mastery of the blues holds the ability to connect with the spirit world.
From there, the night transforms from a celebration of Black culture into a scramble for survival.
In *Sinners*, writer-director Ryan Coogler weaves in and out of multiple genres to create a master class in cinematic storytelling. This film isn’t just about the terror of bloodsuckers at the door, but also the horrors only humans are capable of committing against their own kind.
It became one of the buzziest films of the year, entering conversations early when a longer trailer created a rare, deserved hype. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the best horror movies of 2025.
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## Black Bag
*Director: Steven Soderbergh | Cast: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Regé-Jean Page | Rating: R | Runtime: 93 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 96%*
A spy thriller written by David Koepp and directed by Steven Soderbergh? Stop right there and take all our money. Fortunately, *Black Bag* lives up to the promise of its creative team.
The emotional and political stakes run high as counterintelligence officer George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) is assigned a week-long mission to discover who’s behind leaking a secret software program. There are five suspects — including his own wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett).
*Black Bag* turns into a cat-and-mouse game as paranoia runs wild and everyone becomes a suspect. Is Kathryn involved, or isn’t she? In addition, will George and Kathryn’s marriage survive this testing ordeal?
The film keeps the audience guessing throughout, spinning webs of intrigue and intentional misdirection. Fassbender and Blanchett are in top form, as are powerhouse co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Tom Burke.
Would it surprise anyone that *Black Bag* is also considered one of the best movies of 2025?
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## Predator: Killer of Killers
*Directors: Dan Trachtenberg, Joshua Wassung | Cast: Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa, Rick Gonzalez | Rating: R | Runtime: 85 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 95%*
Despite fears that the *Predator* franchise would be Disney-fied after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the opposite seemed to happen. The franchise feels rejuvenated and exciting again, especially with the animated film *Predator: Killer of Killers*.
Set up as an anthology covering stories from different eras, it centers on three individuals and their encounters with the titular creature: Viking Ursa (Lindsay LaVanchy), rōnin Kenji Kamakami (Louis Ozawa), and U.S. Navy pilot John J. Torres (Rick Gonzalez). Each warrior is transported to an alien planet where they must fight to the death and compete for the “honor” of battling the Yautja’s Grendel King (Britton Watkins).
The extended cut also reveals the fates of Naru, Dutch Schaefer, and Mike Harrigan from previous films in the series.
Blending gorgeous animation with the blood and gore fans expect, *Predator: Killer of Killers* excels in moving this IP in a direction it’s never gone before. It’s clearly made by fans, for fans — and isn’t that what anyone could ask?
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## KPop Demon Hunters
*Directors: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans | Cast: Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo | Rating: PG | Runtime: 99 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 95%*
*KPop Demon Hunters* is pretty self-explanatory, taking the magic of K-pop music and blending it with supernatural demon-hunting.
The film follows the girl group Huntr/x: Mira (May Hong), Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), and Rumi (Arden Cho), who are successful pop stars by day and demon hunters by night. Their world is upended when the young band Saja Boys arrives — who turn out to be demons themselves.
One of the best animated movies of 2025, *KPop Demon Hunters* captivates with flashy aesthetics and unforgettable characters. Also, the soundtrack slaps. If you haven’t found yourself singing “Golden” or “How It’s Done” at least once a day since you watched the film, then watch it again and sing along this time.
It’s hard not to get caught up in *KPop Demon Hunters*, as it’s more a pop culture movement than just a movie. Here’s hoping the success of Huntr/x continues for many years to come.
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## Companion
*Director: Drew Hancock | Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage | Rating: R | Runtime: 97 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 93%*
In the real world, AI romantic companions are already on the way. Most sane people recognize how bad of an idea that is — but in this race to the bottom called artificial intelligence, everyone seems determined to fast-forward to the moment Skynet finally takes over.
Drew Hancock’s *Companion* acts as a cautionary tale about what technology is doing to humanity’s ability to form emotional attachments, while also questioning whether AI can become sentient and if they deserve rights if so.
The film follows Iris (Sophie Thatcher), a companion bot to Josh (Jack Quaid), as they spend a weekend with friends at an isolated cabin owned by Sergey (Rupert Friend). However, after Sophie kills one of them, it quickly becomes clear that this “bot” has undergone modifications that might threaten everyone.
*Companion* contains intelligent social commentary about AI, explores sexual politics and power dynamics in relationships, and offers a different kind of thriller than expected. It’s sharply written and wonderfully acted.
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## The Ugly Stepsister
*Director: Emilie Blichfeldt | Cast: Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Næss | Rating: Not rated | Runtime: 109 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 96%*
Riffing on the Cinderella story by turning it on its head, *The Ugly Stepsister* analyzes society’s relationship with and definition of beauty.
Writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt uses the body horror genre to pose thought-provoking questions: How far is someone willing to go to fit externally imposed standards of attractiveness? The satirical and biting film also flips off fairy tales like *Cinderella* and their tacit message that only “beautiful” women deserve Prince Charming’s affections. Honestly, who needs that bum?
Set in a fairy tale world, Elvira (Lea Myren) and her mother Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) do everything possible to get the attention of Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth), hoping that he’ll marry Elvira and bring wealth and prestige to their family. However, Elvira must compete with her “beautiful” stepsister Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss).
Elvira is willing to go to shocking and gruesome lengths to win Prince Julian, transforming her body in horrifying ways throughout the film. Myren’s performance is hands down one of 2025’s best.
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## Weapons
*Director: Zach Cregger | Cast: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich | Rating: R | Runtime: 128 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 93%*
Comedian and filmmaker Zach Cregger made everyone sit up and take notice with 2022’s *Barbarian*, and *Weapons* justifies the hype.
Told from multiple perspectives with a non-linear structure, the film centers on a group of schoolchildren who run away at the same time (2:17) on the same day. Where do they go, and why?
The answer lies in *Weapons*, which boasts terrific performances from Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Amy Mardigan (as Aunt Gladys).
Balancing horror, mystery, and drama, Cregger refuses to deliver a movie that plays out as expected. Much like *Barbarian*, *Weapons* takes several left turns, leaving the audience curious about where the story goes and what’s really going on.
Looper called it “a gruesome and unsettling crowdpleaser,” and Rotten Tomatoes agrees it’s tough to disagree.
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## One Battle After Another
*Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti | Rating: R | Runtime: 161 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 95%*
*One Battle After Another* might be the most straightforward Paul Thomas Anderson movie you’ll ever encounter, but it’s masterfully executed.
From acting to its action sequences, everything clicks into high gear as Anderson delivers an insatiable film appealing to both the masses and art film students alike.
Clocking in at over 160 minutes, the movie never feels slow thanks to great editing and narrative pacing.
The story features Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, formerly known as “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun in his revolutionary days. Now a lazy stoner, he lives an unremarkable life with his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), until the past comes knocking. Ultimately, Bob must pick himself up and remember who he once was.
The film also features Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.
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## Warfare
*Directors: Alex Garland, Ray Mendoza | Cast: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Noah Centineo, Will Poulter | Rating: R | Runtime: 95 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 92%*
Whenever Alex Garland’s name is attached to a project, you know it’ll be top-notch.
*Warfare*, which Garland co-wrote and co-directed with former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, continues the trend.
Based on Mendoza’s experience in the Iraq War — specifically the Battle of Ramadi — the film is a heart-in-throat motion picture, as troops fight for survival after their mission takes an unexpected turn.
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai plays Mendoza, while Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Joseph Quinn portray characters inspired by real soldiers who served alongside him.
*Warfare* is unflinching and naturalistic, showcasing the sobering reality of war. It’s scary not because of ghouls or goblins, but because of its intensity and authenticity.
Garland and Mendoza toss audiences right into the throes of battle, letting them vicariously experience the harrowing reality.
Looper’s review was lukewarm, but many call it one of the best war films in recent years.
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## Twinless
*Director: James Sweeney | Cast: James Sweeney, Dylan O’Brien, Aisling Franciosi | Rating: R | Runtime: 100 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 98%*
James Sweeney’s *Twinless* is categorized as a comedy-drama, but genre labels don’t do justice to its depth.
It’s a bold, raw journey through love, loss, and grief, taking audiences down an unexpected path about the complexity of being human.
The film follows Dennis (Sweeney) and Roman (Dylan O’Brien), who meet at a support group for twinless twins — twins who have lost their siblings.
They strike up an immediate friendship, becoming nearly inseparable. However, their bond is tested when Roman discovers Dennis’s story might be untruthful and that he may have ulterior motives.
Without spoiling too much, Roman and Dennis’s friendship is pushed to the limit, leaving a lasting impression.
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## A Nice Indian Boy
*Director: Roshan Sethi | Cast: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani | Rating: Not rated | Runtime: 96 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 95%*
The best kind of romantic comedies often involve culture clashes and miscommunications. That’s exactly what plays out in Roshan Sethi’s *A Nice Indian Boy*.
Indian-American doctor Naveen (Karan Soni) meets Jay (Jonathan Groff), a white artist adopted by Indian parents. They fall in love, but Naveen is apprehensive about introducing Jay to his traditional Indian parents.
After they become engaged and Naveen plans to give Jay the big family wedding of his dreams, Jay finally meets Naveen’s family, including his supposedly perfect sister, Arundhathi (Sunita Mani). That’s when the real fun begins.
At its core, *A Nice Indian Boy* is a tale about acceptance and embracing cultural differences, encouraging authenticity.
The film is full of heart and might be the warmest, most uplifting movie of the year — and actually good.
Critics have particularly praised Soni and Groff’s performances, making them a wonderfully sweet and funny rom-com couple.
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## Final Destination: Bloodlines
*Directors: Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein | Cast: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Rya Kihlstedt | Rating: R | Runtime: 110 minutes | Rotten Tomatoes: 92%*
The *Final Destination* franchise went quiet for a while, likely due to diminishing returns on sequels.
So horror fans and critics were shocked when the 2025 installment, *Final Destination: Bloodlines*, turned out to be genuinely great.
The film rejuvenates the franchise, adding fresh lore that fills narrative blanks and brilliantly demonstrates how you can’t outrun death.
It follows Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), who experiences visions of a catastrophic event — the same premonitions her grandmother, Iris Campbell (played by Brec Bassinger and Gabrielle Rose at different ages), had in the late 1960s. Those visions once helped save many lives.
Now death has returned with a new generation, and Stefani’s family is the target.
*Bloodlines* features elaborate new Rube Goldberg–style death sequences, including an MRI kill that’s easily one of the franchise’s best.
It also pieces together the entire *Final Destination* timeline, revealing who Tony Todd’s William Bludworth really is.
This marks a new and exciting chapter in the horror series. Bloody brilliant, Looper called it “an unexpectedly endearing gorefest.”
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### Final Thoughts
2025 proved that original storytelling and creativity are alive and well in cinema. From thriller spies, body horror fairytales, and supernatural K-pop stars to intense war tales and heartfelt comedy-dramas, this year offered something for every movie lover’s taste.
So go ahead — dive into these critically acclaimed gems, and embrace the vibrant diversity of films 2025 brought us. Happy watching!
https://www.looper.com/2014612/movies-2025-90-percent-or-higher-rotten-tomatoes-scores-must-watch/
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