Brilliant list and great idea as well! I see many people just doing their favourite films of the year, but as your list has proven, we’ve been spoilt over the past few years.
Two of my favourites have got to be Sound of Metal and Aftersun though, both of which made me sit with my mouth wide open whilst the credits rolled and then subsequently turned me into a sobbing mess the days after, which I have realised is my way of saying yep, that’s a great film.
Fantastic list. I was stunned on so many levels by C'mon C'mon. I've revisited it more than any other film released 2020-2025. There are just so many little beautiful aspects to it.
Aftersun absolutely destroyed me. After I left the cinema, I sat in the car afterwards sobbing, barely able to breathe. It really snuck up on me, got under my skin, and touched me in a way few films ever have.
Totally great list. A few of these are on mine as well but you honed in on aspects I didn’t clock so now I’m curious to rewatch them. That’s what’s so great about reading intelligent film criticism - we learn so much from considering other people’s lenses!
2020. I'm also going to have Another Round and Portrait of a Lady on Fire in there. I'm going to throw in Uncut Gems as it was only released to Netflix on 2020 and the intensity of that film absolutely blew my mind.
2021. I don't think I have a lot that I count as "essential". Dune, probably, because you have to see it before Dune 2. I also loved Spider-Man: No Way Home, I'm in that tiny group that loved the anti-nostalgia of Last Night in Soho, and the wild ride that was Zola.
2022. I consider Decision to Leave as a must-watch. I also very much liked The Menu for how it avoided being oversimplistic, RRR for how it used CG not for accuracy but myth, Sisu for being the best, most creative One Man Army film in a long time. And Fall. Not just because I suffer vertigo badly, making it like a horror movie to me, but also that it's such a simply done, clever little film.
2023. Oppenheimer, obviously. The Zone of Interest, which I consider a very interesting film in terms of how it portrays the normality of the situation to the people involved. Not an entirely original thing and often hinted at in films like Cabaret, but I think it's worth everyone giving it a go. And I think that Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is probably my underrated film of the year.
2024. I'm behind on this but Dune 2 was just extraordinary.
2025. Again, behind on these. My viewings have dropped off. Mickey 17, Thunderbolts and Superman were my favourite films this year so far. Wake Up Dead Man might be my favourite of the Knives Out trilogy, and anyone who likes a whodunnit should watch it. But I still have Avatar 3 to see before new year.
Great list, and some films on here I need to check out. Aftersun might even be my favorite film of the last 15 years. That Under Pressure sequence floored me
What a list. A few here I haven't seen that I've added to my 2026 watchlist!
You've captured Aftersun absolutely perfectly. I remember walking out of the cinema on a dark night feeling a bit stunned, and proceeded to cry my eyes out the whole drive home. I still consider it my favourite film of the last 5 years but haven't felt up to returning to it in the years since.
Also, I totally forgot how much I loved Minari. Great film. And Another Round!! So good.
Bonjour, May we suggest you add the nouvelle film «French Lessons» to your watch list next, mon cher! 🧀 To find out how to watch just call +1-833-LRN-FRNC or email iamreadytolearnfrench@gmail.com 🫡
Brilliant list and great idea as well! I see many people just doing their favourite films of the year, but as your list has proven, we’ve been spoilt over the past few years.
Two of my favourites have got to be Sound of Metal and Aftersun though, both of which made me sit with my mouth wide open whilst the credits rolled and then subsequently turned me into a sobbing mess the days after, which I have realised is my way of saying yep, that’s a great film.
Anyhow, great picks!
Take care,
Mo
Yes felt the exact same!!
Fantastic list. I was stunned on so many levels by C'mon C'mon. I've revisited it more than any other film released 2020-2025. There are just so many little beautiful aspects to it.
It's so earnest!! Truly beautiful
Aftersun absolutely destroyed me. After I left the cinema, I sat in the car afterwards sobbing, barely able to breathe. It really snuck up on me, got under my skin, and touched me in a way few films ever have.
Same same same
By the way, I wrote this list recently, if you're interested (the link is to Medium, but it's a "friend" link so you should have no problems).
https://fanfare.pub/my-25-favourite-films-of-the-21st-century-5e7f94523ac5?sk=6d2adc253b981b437464b69cc61b8548
THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES!!!! Ah I adore this film
Totally great list. A few of these are on mine as well but you honed in on aspects I didn’t clock so now I’m curious to rewatch them. That’s what’s so great about reading intelligent film criticism - we learn so much from considering other people’s lenses!
Thank you so much Tania ❤️❤️
2020. I'm also going to have Another Round and Portrait of a Lady on Fire in there. I'm going to throw in Uncut Gems as it was only released to Netflix on 2020 and the intensity of that film absolutely blew my mind.
2021. I don't think I have a lot that I count as "essential". Dune, probably, because you have to see it before Dune 2. I also loved Spider-Man: No Way Home, I'm in that tiny group that loved the anti-nostalgia of Last Night in Soho, and the wild ride that was Zola.
2022. I consider Decision to Leave as a must-watch. I also very much liked The Menu for how it avoided being oversimplistic, RRR for how it used CG not for accuracy but myth, Sisu for being the best, most creative One Man Army film in a long time. And Fall. Not just because I suffer vertigo badly, making it like a horror movie to me, but also that it's such a simply done, clever little film.
2023. Oppenheimer, obviously. The Zone of Interest, which I consider a very interesting film in terms of how it portrays the normality of the situation to the people involved. Not an entirely original thing and often hinted at in films like Cabaret, but I think it's worth everyone giving it a go. And I think that Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is probably my underrated film of the year.
2024. I'm behind on this but Dune 2 was just extraordinary.
2025. Again, behind on these. My viewings have dropped off. Mickey 17, Thunderbolts and Superman were my favourite films this year so far. Wake Up Dead Man might be my favourite of the Knives Out trilogy, and anyone who likes a whodunnit should watch it. But I still have Avatar 3 to see before new year.
Great list, and some films on here I need to check out. Aftersun might even be my favorite film of the last 15 years. That Under Pressure sequence floored me
Truly a once in a decade type of film!
Fantastic list. Thank you for validating my tastes.
Thanks for making this list. Portrait is the only one I’ve seen and I’ll happy if any of these are even half as good. Portrait—what a final shot!
Incredible final shot! And yes my pleasure - feel free to watch whatever sounds like your fancy :)
Such a great set of films. Impeccable. The Nest is so sorely underrated.
What a list. A few here I haven't seen that I've added to my 2026 watchlist!
You've captured Aftersun absolutely perfectly. I remember walking out of the cinema on a dark night feeling a bit stunned, and proceeded to cry my eyes out the whole drive home. I still consider it my favourite film of the last 5 years but haven't felt up to returning to it in the years since.
Also, I totally forgot how much I loved Minari. Great film. And Another Round!! So good.
Thanks for caring and feeling.
Bonjour, May we suggest you add the nouvelle film «French Lessons» to your watch list next, mon cher! 🧀 To find out how to watch just call +1-833-LRN-FRNC or email iamreadytolearnfrench@gmail.com 🫡