Happy 2026! The holidays are winding down, and so is our 2025 calendar here at Verayea. We have remained dedicated to reviewing only the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025 released, and so far, we have kept to our truth, covering a plethora of mind-blowing movies and series. Most of them became your favourite before you could even admit it.
Hollywood has kept movie enthusiasts across the globe on the edge of their seats, and we made sure to give our two cents on films by talented directors, some you love, and others you might have just discovered. This list covers the Hollywood movies our writers rated at least a 3.5 in their reviews. So let’s head straight into it. I can assure you, sticking to the top 5 will be the best decision you make if you are looking for something new to watch.
20. Straw
- Release Date: June 6, 2025
- Director: Tyler Perry
- Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman.
Among the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025 is Straw, where Taraji P. Henson leads this psychological thriller as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother whose life unravels over a single, hellish day. While Tyler Perry’s scripts often lean into melodrama, Henson’s raw, grounded performance saves the film from collapsing under its own weight. She portrays a woman pushed to the brink with a terrifying realism that keeps you watching even when the plot stumbles. It is heavy and emotional, but Henson proves once again why she is one of the industry’s best.
19. Lilo & Stitch
- Release Date: May 23, 2025
- Director: Dean Fleischer-Camp
- Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen.
Disney’s live-action machine brings Lilo & Stitch back to the big screen, giving us a mix of nostalgia with a fresh coat of CGI paint. Newcomer Maia Kealoha is the heart of the film, embodying Lilo’s eccentricity perfectly, while Sydney Agudong brings the necessary emotional weight to Nani’s struggles. The film suffers a bit from a slow start and some questionable changes to beloved side characters (we miss the original Cobra Bubbles), but the core message of Ohana remains intact. It is a sweet, family-friendly ride that hits the right emotional notes.
18. One Battle After Another
- Release Date: September 26, 2025
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn.
Paul Thomas Anderson returns with a chaotic, visually stunning action thriller shot in VistaVision. A movie where Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor have electric chemistry as former revolutionaries trying to protect their daughter from a corrupt government official. The movie is wild and offers an unpredictable ride that is intentionally all over the place. However, the nearly three-hour runtime tests your patience, and the dialogue can be a bit heavy-handed. If you love messy, high-octane cinema with top-tier acting, this is your pick.
17. G20
- Release Date: April 10, 2025
- Director: Patricia Riggen
- Cast: Viola Davis, Antony Starr, Ramon Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson.
Viola Davis trades the courtroom for the Situation Room as President Danielle Sutton, or you could call her “Madam President”. When terrorists hijack the G20 summit, she proves that diplomacy sometimes requires a tactical takedown. While the plot is essentially Die Hard in a suit, seeing Davis channel her inner action hero is undeniably satisfying. Antony Starr brings his signature menace as the villain, though the script limits his full potential. It’s a fun, popcorn-munching thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you have a good laugh as much as the tension you would feel.
16. The Elixir
- Release Date: October 23, 2025
- Director: Kimo Stamboel
- Cast: Claresta Taufan, Eva Celia, Marthino Lio, Donny Damara.
This Indonesian horror entry delivers a fresh, grotesque spin on the zombie genre. A desperate family business turns to a mysterious herbal formula for eternal youth, only to unleash a terrifying virus. The practical effects are stomach-churning in the best way possible, preying on deep-seated fears of body horror. While the characters make frustrating choices and the pacing drags in the middle, the sheer audacity of the gore keeps you glued to the screen.
15. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Release Date: May 29, 2025
- Director: Christopher McQuarrie
- Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Esai Morales.
Ethan Hunt returns for what feels like the ultimate showdown against The Entity, a rogue AI. Tom Cruise solidifies his status as the last true action star with stunts that defy physics, including a claustrophobic underwater sequence that will leave you breathless. Ving Rhames provides the emotional anchor this time around. However, the punishing runtime and relentless pace occasionally overshadow the team dynamics we have come to love. It is a thrilling, if exhausting, but a well-deserving finale.
14. The Thursday Murder Club
- Release Date: August 28, 2025
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Cast: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie.
Who knew retirement could be this deadly and be among the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025? This adaptation of Richard Osman’s novel is a delightful mix of British wit and genuine mystery. Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley lead an irresistible quartet of elderly sleuths solving crimes in their retirement village. It perfectly balances cozy humour with darker themes of loneliness. While the mystery lags slightly in the middle, the charm of this legendary cast carries it effortlessly across the finish line and makes it one of the best whodunit movies Netflix has graced our screens with.
13. A House of Dynamite
- Release Date: October 24, 2025
- Director: Kathryn Bigelow
- Cast: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris.
Kathryn Bigelow delivers a nail-biting nuclear thriller that unfolds over 18 frantic minutes from three different perspectives. Idris Elba brings immense gravitas as the U.S. President, while Rebecca Ferguson shines as a composed captain facing the unthinkable. The film captures the terrifying chaos of government protocol during a crisis. The ending is abrupt and leaves you hauntingly asking “what if,” but the tension leading up to it is masterful.
12. Sarah’s Oil
- Release Date: November 7, 2025
- Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh
- Cast: Zachary Levi, Naya Desir Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt.
Based on a true story, Sarah’s Oil is an emotionally resonant historical drama. Young Naya Desir Johnson is a revelation as Sarah Rector, an audacious girl fighting for her oil-rich land against greedy corporate sharks. Zachary Levi surprises us as a charming con-man-turned-ally, providing a warm balance to the heavy themes. It is an inspiring tale of resilience and justice set against a beautifully recreated 1900s backdrop.
11. Thunderbolts
- Release Date: May 2, 2025
- Director: Jake Schreier
- Cast: Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour.
Marvel’s band of misfits finally gets their spotlight. Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova leads a dysfunctional team of anti-heroes who find themselves targeted by their own handler. The chemistry between them was awkward at first, but it seems like they began warming up to each other later. I found their performance intriguing, particularly the complex dynamic between Yelena and Bob (Lewis Pullman), whose transformation into Sentry provides the emotional core. It’s essentially Marvel’s Suicide Squad but with more heart and a refreshing focus on mental health.
10. Karate Kid: Legends
- Release Date: May 30, 2025
- Director: Jonathan Entwistle
- Cast: Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Sadie Stanley.
Nostalgia meets fresh energy in this franchise-unifying sequel. Ben Wang is fantastic as Li Fong, a witty, capable protagonist dealing with PTSD in New York. Seeing Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio share the screen bridges generations of karate lore in a way that feels earned, not forced. The fight scenes are visceral, and the story honors its roots while carving a new path. It is a heartwarming addition to the Miyagi-verse.
9. Predator: Badlands
- Release Date: November 7, 2025
- Director: Dan Trachtenberg
- Cast: Dimitrius Schuster Koloamatangi, Elle Fanning.
Dan Trachtenberg reinvents the franchise again, this time with zero human main characters. The story follows a young Yautja, Dek, trying to prove his worth on a hostile planet, and his unlikely bond with a synthetic, Thia (Elle Fanning). It plays like a high-stakes survival video game with incredible world-building. While the runtime feels short for such a rich concept, the emotional depth and brutal action make it a standout sci-fi experience.
8. Final Destination: Bloodlines
- Release Date: May 16, 2025
- Director: Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein
- Cast: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Richard Harmon, Tony Todd.
Here, death returns with a vengeance. This revival goes back to its roots with creative, anxiety-inducing kills and a plot that ties directly into the original lore. Kaitlyn Santa Juana anchors the film as a student plagued by premonitions of a 1969 disaster. The tension is suffocating, and the return of Tony Todd adds a layer of eerie gravity. It is not for the faint of heart, but for horror fans, it is a bloody good time.
7. Now You See Me, Now You Don’t 3
- Release Date: November 14, 2025
- Director: Ruben Fleischer
- Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dominic Sessa.
The Horsemen are back, and the third time is definitely the charm. Mixing the original cast with fresh blood like Dominic Sessa, the film delivers a heist involving the world’s largest diamond and a corrupt heiress. The magic tricks are visually spectacular, the pacing is snappy, and the plot twists keep you guessing until the final reveal. It successfully captures the fun of the first movie while expanding the universe.
6. The Accountant 2
- Release Date: April 25, 2025
- Director: Gavin O’Connor
- Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, Cynthia Addai-Robinson.
It took nearly a decade, but The Accountant 2 finally arrived, and it was well worth the wait. Ben Affleck slips back into the role of Christian Wolff with ease, balancing the character’s lethal precision with a respectful portrayal of neurodivergence. But the real spark here is the reunion with his brother, Braxton, played by Jon Bernthal. Their chemistry is chaotic, funny, and surprisingly touching, turning a high-stakes investigation into a story about brotherhood. While some subplots feel a bit rushed, the action sequences are tactical perfection. It’s a sequel that doesn’t just rehash the first movie; it makes it even better.
5. Sinners
- Release Date: April 18, 2025
- Director: Ryan Coogler
- Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Joshua Canton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku.
Ryan Coogler returns with a masterful, genre-merging vision that marries Southern gothic horror with rich historical drama, and it sits comfortably among the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025. Set in the 1930s Jim Crow South, Sinners follows twin brothers (both played with distinct charisma by Michael B. Jordan) who return to their hometown only to find it plagued by a terrifying, ancient evil. The film is dripping with atmosphere, thick humidity, cultural symbolism, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that essentially acts as another character. Although the third act feels slightly overextended, the buildup is impeccable, and Jack O’Connell delivers a chilling performance as a villain that will make your skin crawl.
4. Nonnas
- Release Date: May 9, 2025
- Director: Stephen Chbosky
- Cast: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon.
If you need a movie that feels like a warm hug on a cold day, Nonnas is it. Based on the true story of Joe Scaravella, this film follows a grieving son (Vince Vaughn) who channels his loss into a chaotic but beautiful dream: opening a restaurant staffed entirely by Italian grandmothers. Vaughn gives a tender, understated performance, but the real magic comes from the women, Bracco, Sarandon, and Vaccaro, who bring wit, heart, and mouth-watering food to the screen. It is a celebration of legacy, love, and the healing power of a home-cooked meal.
3. Sisu: Road to Revenge
- Release Date: November 21, 2025
- Director: Jalmari Helander
- Cast: Jorma Tomila, Stephen Lang.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the wilderness, Sisu returns, and he is angrier than ever. This sequel takes the glorious carnage of the first film and dials it up to eleven. Jorma Tommila reprises his role as the unkillable ex-commando Aatami Korpi, now on a mission to hunt down the Soviet officer (a menacing Stephen Lang) who destroyed his family. The action is relentless, inventive, and gloriously violent, stretching realism to its breaking point in the most entertaining way possible.
2. Frankenstein
- Release Date: November 7, 2025
- Director: Guillermo Del Toro
- Cast: Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz.
Guillermo Del Toro crafts a hauntingly beautiful retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic that feels both timeless and entirely new. Jacob Elordi disappears into the role of the Creature, playing him not as a monster, but as a wounded soul desperately seeking connection. Oscar Isaac is brilliant as the ambitious, arrogant Victor, and the film’s visuals are nothing short of breathtaking; every frame looks like a gothic painting come to life. Frankenstein delivers a poetic, brutal, and deeply emotional piece; a true work of art that redefines what a “monster movie” can be.
1. Bring Her Back
- Release Date: May 30, 2025
- Director: Danny & Michael Philippou
- Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Sally Hawkins.
Now, the movie that takes the cake, topping our list of the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025, is this chilling horror from A24 (you know they always deliver spine-chilling horror movies). Sally Hawkins gives a terrifying performance as a grieving mother whose obsession with resurrecting her daughter spirals into absolute madness. The tension is unbearable, the scares are earned, certainly not in a forced way, and the story sits with you long after the credits roll. It is twisted, emotional, and disturbingly good. If you watch one horror movie this year, make it this one.
Bonus Mention In Best Hollywood Movies of 2025
The Long Walk
- Release Date: September 12, 2025
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Ben Wang.
Forget the jump scares; The Long Walk is a horror of a different kind, one that anchors on survival. It was adapted from Stephen King’s novella, delivering a dystopian thriller that strips away the supernatural for something far more terrifying: a death march where stopping means execution. David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman deliver gut-wrenching performances as young men forced to walk until only one remains. Prepare for a grueling and emotional experience that meditates on endurance and the fragility of life.
The movies in the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025 listicle aren’t just random picks; they are experiences I’ve watched and vetted myself to ensure this list truly holds the cream of the crop for 2025. As we close this chapter, know that Verayea is already gearing up for 2026. We are committed to continuing to serve you with top-tier reviews for the year ahead. If there’s a favorite you are dying for us to cover, let us know! And be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get these reviews delivered straight to your inbox. Brace yourselves, because we are only just getting started.
Which among the Best Hollywood Movies of 2025 Verayea reviewed have you seen?
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