Favourite Films of 2025

My ten favourite films with a full theatrical or streaming release in Australia in 2025:

**1. *One Battle After Another* (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2025)**
Released September

One of the defining films of 2025. It nails the depiction of contemporary white supremacists as both repugnant monsters doing incredible harm and as absurd clowns worthy of derision.

2. ***Flow*** **(***Straume***, Gints Zilbalodis, 2024)**
Released March

The visual storytelling is so graceful and elegant. Seeing this was good for my soul.

**3. ***Sentimental Value*** (***Affeksjonsverdi***, Joachim Trier, 2025)**
Released December

Such an engaging, entertaining and satisfying film that it’s almost overwhelming to consider all its moving pieces working together so seamlessly.

**4. *A Complete Unknown* (James Mangold, 2024)**
Released January

The many scenes involving the creation, rehearsing and performance of songs are all captivating; there are several shivers down the spine moments.

5. ***I’m Still Here*** **(***Ainda Estou Aqui***, Walter Salles, 2024)**
Released February

When tragedy comes it is gradual and disorientating, not melodramatic. A heartbreaking portrayal of state sanction violence.

**6. *28 Years Later* (Danny Boyle, 2025)**
Released June

A psychedelic and profane bad trip about life, death and humanity.

**7. *The Order* (Justin Kurzel, 2024)**
Released February

Tense and exhilarating, although it’s impossible to shake the dread that the villains are ultimately going to be triumphant in the long run.

**8. *Sinners* (Ryan Coogler, 2025)**
Released April

One hell of a blend of hangout film, politically loaded horror, and a celebration of a distinctive genre of music and the culture it came from.

**9. *Bird* (Andrea Arnold, 2024)**
Released February

Unsentimentally conveys the humanity of an impoverished community, but with absurdity and fantasy, reminiscent of Fellini.

**10. *Small Things Like These* (Tim Mielants, 2024)**
Released April

Proof again that Claire Keegan’s writing is not just brilliant in its own right, but a beautiful inspiration for filmmakers wanting to make delicate yet devastating films.

This list was compiled for the upcoming Primal Screen Top 10 Films of 2025 show and the Senses of Cinema 2025 World Poll

Honourable mentions

Twenty more films released in Australia in 2025 that I loved, listed alphabetically: