Best 5 films: Mid-Season 2025
Best 5 Films: Mid-season 2025
As time flows to and from, we look at moments through a lens of experience. We see things for what they are, but also come to see what they can be. As I look back at the year so far, there has been a lot of fun and fond things for the films of 2025. What has been a common thread is the idea of exploration. This year saw a lot of love for directors/writers and others to push the art to new heights, a place where creative minds had the ability to break film norms to produce amazing works of art. Within the plethora of originals, sequels and remakes, there was a unique touch of the individual experience. It was a touch that made going to the theaters so wonderful.
This year has been one defined by the unknown. Going into each film, I have gone down the route of finding that pull, that grip, that specific draw that makes a story worth anyone’s time. The year 2025 has been a mix of awe and wonder, but only a few have stood out from the pack. Even with those few standouts, there are some wonderful honorable mentions:
These films brought pure delight and might make my Top 10 list (later this year), but just missed the midseason list. Without further delay, in no particular order, here are my best 5 films of 2025 … midseason:
Sinners – When it comes to the ideas of originality, Ryan Coogler’s latest is a standout. This is a film that meshes fantasy, history and familial like themes together to create a journey that elevates through its strong cast of characters. A story about two brothers in 1930’s Mississippi could be good on its own, but it becomes much more with a truly gifted auteur at the helm. Through its added value of humanistic nuance, this becomes a strong tale to witness on the big screen in 2025.
The Phoenician Scheme – Within that thread of originality, nothing stands out more in the obscure and weird like a Wes Anderson film. With this latest in his vast catalog, it’s a tale of endless moments of dry humor, auspicious interactions and quirky infused conversations. Through standout performances in a tale of a murder conspiracy, we head into a web of familial themes and oddities that never felt more grounded. It seems a bit ironic, but with Wes Anderson’s touch, it makes this film a delightful piece of art.
Black Bag – Storytelling can standout because of specific craftmanship, especially in a Steven Soderbergh film. With his latest work, we head on a journey that pits husband against wife in the ultimate game of cat-and-mouse. When spy and romance intersect, the surface level approach is thrown out the window for a more gripping tale with heavy dialogue, grounded characters and realistic twists. Through its own style of spy vs. spy, the delicacy of terror and trust becomes much more than just completing the mission. Through the crafting of a smart script matched up with the film’s emotional fervor, this is a tale that becomes much more than just another spy film.
Companion – A film’s draw can become much more than expectations. For this film, the general idea of AI provides a leap into defining what is humanity’s worth at its core. Through a premise of makeshift love, we head down a path that showcases the faults of innocence against reality’s worth. With a great blend of horror, suspense and dark humor, this film stands out within a meaningful complexion of risky storytelling and a gratifying experience.
Materialists – From action to suspense, what matters the most is how much you enjoyed the journey. For all the clichés that can be involved, the gift that comes from true storytelling falls into how you feel. With this romance tale, it dives headfirst into love, but moves beyond through a complexity of grounded moments, wholesome revelations and our own individual faults. Through the elevated experience and strong leads in Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, this film flourishes because you feel something for the characters. Lifting beyond the typical, Materialists stands out as one of the best films to see in 2025.
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