The best movies of 2025 you need to watch [VIDEOS]
From Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ to Linklater’s ‘Blue Moon’, here are the best movies of 2025 showing the power in story, depth and new perspectives.
2025 has already given us cinema that stretches beyond blockbuster thrills, films that challenge, inspire and stay with you long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a South African settled at home or abroad, these five of the best movies of 2025.
1. Sinners
Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, this Southern-gothic vamp-horror blends blues music with social reckoning. With a 97% critics’ approval rating, it’s been called “Coogler’s best and most daring work yet.”
Why watch it: For viewers who like genre-bending stories and strong thematic depth.
Recommended for: Young adults and anyone who enjoys pulling back the curtain on culture, identity and power.
2. The Secret Agent
This Brazilian thriller from director Kleber Mendonça Filho won awards at Cannes and tells a story of resistance, identity and political intrigue.
Why watch it: If you’re drawn to films that challenge you intellectually and emotionally, this is your pick from this list of the best movies of 2025.
Recommended for: Adults who appreciate global cinema, political tension and narrative complexity.
3. Blue Moon
Helmed by Richard Linklater, this biographical drama centres on songwriter Lorenz Hart and explores art, legacy and the price of creativity.
Why watch it: For its thoughtful storytelling, rich character study and musical under-current.
Recommended for: Mature audiences and music-lovers who enjoy reflective, character-rich cinema.
4. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
A quieter gem, this film explores generational trauma and family secrets through a modest Tanzanian-inspired lens.
Why watch it: You’ll find emotional honesty and cultural depth wrapped in something beautifully simple.
Recommended for: Anyone interested in African narratives, human connection and tender cinema.
5. The Life of Chuck
Adapted from a Stephen King novella, this film contrasts everyday life with cosmic stakes – sitting somewhere between drama and existential reflection.
Why watch it: It reminds us that even the quietest life has epic ripples.
Recommended for: Audiences who value storytelling that blends the intimate with the infinite.
Great films sharpen empathy, stimulate conversation and bridge cultures. In a world of streaming overload, choosing stories with heart and meaning helps us stay connected to ourselves, to each other and to Africa’s broader narrative. What’s your list of best movies of 2025?