The results are now in for our 2025 poll of Film Comment’s contributors! On this page, you’ll find our list of the 20 best films that were released either theatrically or virtually in 2025 in the United States, with original appreciations from our critics, as well as links to features, reviews, and interviews about these films and directors from throughout the year.
Also check out our list of the Best Undistributed Films of 2025. Our voters’ Individual Ballots, and our Best of 2025 Countdown Podcast, featuring guest critics Amy Taubin and Bilge Ebiri, will be online tomorrow. Coming next week: critic and programmer Inney Prakash’s list of the year’s Best Short Films, filmmaker and programmer Gina Telaroli’s list of the Best Restorations, critic and editor Gavin Smith’s list of the year’s Best Repertory Releases, and writing on the Best Scenes by Devika Girish and the Best Performances by Michael Koresky.
Subscribe today to the Film Comment Letter—the best way to stay on top of all our Best of 2025 coverage.
