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Matt's Top 5 Movies of 2025


It’s that time of the year again! Before getting too excited about 2026 and what’s coming next, let’s take a quick look back at 2025 and celebrate some of the best movies of the year...


5) Superman (4 Stars)



Superman is arguably one of the most well-known figures in pop culture history, and yet his movies are so often underwhelming. The telling of a seemingly unbeatable hero is often just not compelling. This time though, infused with the humor and heart of writer/director James Gunn, Superman truly delivers on the potential of the source material. The film follows an already established Superman (David Corenswet) as he tries to balance having a personal life as a reporter and keeping the world safe. The key isn’t nailing the action scenes (of which this film likely has the scene of the year) but providing the character depth and acting to make the story more than just watching large action figures. This all starts with the leading roles of David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan being up to the assignment and providing the best portrayals of Superman and Lois Lane seen yet on the big screen. They exhibit excellent chemistry and together serve as the beating heart of the story. Nicholas Hoult is great as well bringing the heinous Lex Luthor to life. The story gets lost at times with its world-building but always returns to its powerhouse central performances that make it great. Oh, and let’s not forget Krypto, the dog, who is the scene stealer of the film.


4) Zootopia 2 (4 Stars)



At times it feels like we live in an age of non-stop sequels. Usually this is an annoyance, yet every once in a while, we get one that is up to the task of matching the heights of its predecessor. Zootopia 2 is exactly that kind of sequel, continuing from where Zootopia left off in a creative and intelligent way. It continues to follow the adventures of Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) as they find themselves entrenched in another mystery that further expands the world and mythos of Zootopia. The first entry was phenomenal, and this one might just match it, managing to further flesh out this fantastical world and its protagonists while retaining all the heart that made the original so special. This film also contains an incredible ensemble of talented voice performers that add to every scene they are a part of. The music and climax don’t quite live up to the original, but that can be forgiven as the drop off is not by much. The story is very well done, packed with jokes, sincerity, and twists that will keep kids and adults equally entertained.


3) Caught Stealing (4 Stars)



Austin Butler is a star on the rise and Caught Stealing gives him every opportunity to show off that star power. The film centers around him as Hank Thompson, a former baseball prospect turned slacker bartender living in New York City. One day his life gets turned upside down when his neighbor (Matt Smith) asks him to cat-sit which is shortly followed by various colorful characters arriving at the door in search of him. He oozes charisma as he convincingly carries just about every frame of this rollicking crime drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout this incredibly amusing ride. A loaded supporting cast with fun performances from Zoe Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio among others only further elevates the material. The best thing about the story is its heart, as it possesses some of the most “real” moments of any film this year. There are certainly times that require a lot of suspension of disbelief, but if you’re game, then it’ll be a great time regardless.


2) Thunderbolts* (4 Stars)



Marvel Studios hasn’t been anywhere close to what it used to be post-Endgame, but Thunderbolts* is a big step back in the right direction. The film follows a rag-tag group of mercenaries and cast-offs as they attempt to band together when called upon for the greater good. Anchored by another fantastic turn by Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova (Black Widows’s sister), this film further solidifies Pugh as the shining star of MCU going forward. It is her third time playing this part on screen and she once again fully commits to the role while continuing to further flesh out the character. She is as good at delivering a joke as she is at beating someone up, all while pouring a level of emotion into the character that is rarely seen in action flicks. It truly is one of the best performances by anyone this year regardless of genre. Heartfelt relationships, relevant themes, and a creative third act help this story rise above a lot of the recent superhero entries and hold up as a quality story regardless of genre. There are some issues with the pacing of certain character arcs and underdevelopment of others, but overall, there is enough engaging content here to have a rousing time. It’s also one of the funniest movies of the year with incredible work by David Harbour as Yelena’s father who is the comedic MVP. It’s what Suicide Squad should have been with the heart of Guardians of the Galaxy. I highly recommend this film and am excited to see what’s in store for this scrappy bunch going forward.


1) Marty Supreme (4.5 Stars)



A24 Marty Supreme is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. To delve into the story would be to rob you of the most enjoyable cinematic experience of 2025. Don’t try to learn more about this movie, don’t even watch the trailer. All you need to know is that it follows the life of Marty Mouser (Timothee Chalamet) a young man growing up in 1950s America as he attempts to become the best ping pong player in the world. If you must know more, it showcases Chalamet delivering yet another incredible performance that is the best by any actor in 2025. He commands the screen as the most unlikeable protagonist that the audience can't help but invest in, a testament to the sheer greatness of the portrayal. The film score of the year, coupled with skillful editing and cinematography thrust you into this world from start to finish. Never before has a movie provided a sensation of anxiety like this. You will have no clue what will happen next the whole way through and will feel thrilled because of it. Its intensity may not be for everyone, but it is worth a try simply for its one-of-a-kind nature. This film is a lot of things (funny, nerve-wracking, joyous), but it is never boring. Oh, and it has the most exciting climax of the year with some of the most thrilling sports moments since Creed. So yeah, check it out!


-Matt Chouinard

 
 
 

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