We come to this place for magic.
Now, I know what you’re saying.
“Sam, it’s only September. How can you have your top five favorite movies?”
That’s why I put the “so far” part in. I realize it’s September, and people need to read what is written in parenthesis more often. Yes, it is September and the majority of movies release in the fall, closer to awards season, but as of now, here are my top five movies of 2025. This is a tentative list and is subject to change, but it is going to take a real gem of a film to dethrone my number one film.
No. 5: The Naked Gun, dir. Avika Schaffer
I’m 99.99% certain that Liam Neeson was cast as Frank Drebin Jr. because of how closely his name resembles the late, great comedy legend, Leslie Nielsen, and if that is the case, studios need to cast the stars of their franchise reboots on that qualification alone.
The Naked Gun is the hardest I have laughed in the theater in along time. The writers, Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand, take the biggest swings in the script and deliver comedic punches after punches. A lot of the charm and success of the original films of the franchise capitalize on Nielsen’s comedic chops and the stupidity of slapstick comedy that has become lost and sanitized in the 21st century, but the entire crew gives audiences a classic take on Drebin’s antics that feel fresh and modern. If you asked me what my favorite joke from the movie is, it would be my own personal Sophie’s Choice.
It is always a pleasure to watch a film where you can tell the actors are having fun in the role and on set. I said this last year about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but the joy and whimsy that Neeson brings throughout the film is palpable. Neeson is absolutely brilliant and charming playing the son of the infamous police squad lieutenant and delivers each idiotic comment with such a confident intelligence that brews magnificently with the foolish jokes. Pamela Anderson is a star in this 2025 comedy, proving that a woman can be both sexy and stupid.
The link to the trailer is attached below, and The Naked Gun is available for rental and purchase on VOD platforms, such as AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video.
If you’re in need of a laugh, you’re in need of The Naked Gun.
No. 4: Caught Stealing, dir. Darren Aronofsky
If anyone tries to tell you that we don’t have any more “real” movie stars, they must be living on a different planet than us and Austin Butler. It is undeniable the star power that this kid radiates.
Aronofsky experiments and branches from his typical uneasy flick but absolutely excels in the genre binding film. The majority of the film banks on chase, fights, and shoot outs, but Aronofsky beautifully executes the narrative without the action becoming repetitive and stale. The direction and cinematography, captured radiantly by Matthew Libatique, take the audience on a marvelous, action-packed journey in this delightful and gritty screenplay by Charlie Huston.
To go back to Butler, he brings so much heart and warmth into the role of Hank. He is easily sympathetic and likable, and if you are a fan of a Blake Snyder and his work, Hank saves Bud the Cat, played by Tonic the Cat, around the film’s catalyst. By this point, if Butler’s endearing and boyish charm hasn’t roped you in, his relationship with his neighbor’s cat and his mother across country will.
No part feels too small for any actor in this film. Caught Stealing has one of the most impressive ensemble casts I have seen in a while. Little roles and cameos filled with stardom. An impressive standout is Regina King as Detective Roman, who’s performance is so engaging and captivating from beginning to end.
The trailer is linked above in case you needed any more proof and reassurance that Austin Butler is one of the best actors of the modern generation. Caught Stealing is currently in theaters, and you should go see it in a theater because it’s important to support film’s theatrical releases and cinemas.
…
Yeah, I’m talking to you. Go watch a movie as they were intended to be watched in a movie theater, goddamnit.
No. 3: Superman, dir. James Gunn
#TheTriggerWasJammedButNowTheGunnIsLockedAndLoaded
If you are unaware of that hashtag joke that I made above, those are the type of hashtag reactions on Twitter to our Lord and Savior James Gunn’s masterpiece, Superman. This man is nearly sixty, but I wouldn’t put it past him to tweet out a hashtag similar to this one. He’s just a silly little guy with one of the most creative minds of this generation.
It is difficult to articulate how much love I have for this film, but there is one word that sums up the entire message of Superman and what the character and this movie stand for: hope. I left the theater levitating. My heart was swelling when the Superman emblem came soaring across the silver screen. Watching this in a full theater was an honor and a delight. The sense of community that was cemented in that theater was life changing. Not only does James Gunn understand the characters of the DCU, especially Superman, but he loves them as much as the fans do because he himself is a fan.
Superman is a gift for audiences fatigued by the superhero genre and its repetitive plots and predictable arcs, and it is a love letter to the fans that haven’t had a movie that has done this character justice since the first Christopher Reeve film.
Superman was crafted with love from the crew and cast, who all give tour de force level of performances, and it shows.
If you haven’t seen the trailer, where have you been? It’s linked above for you to enjoy, and if you have time, it is available for purchase and rent for on all VOD platforms as well as HBOMax for streaming.
Kindness is the new punk rock! (:
No. 2: 28 Years Later, dir. Danny Boyle
If you are not a fan of the genre zombie, rest assured. I am not either; however, the power of Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and a two minute Jack O’Connell cameo in the film’s last moments trumps any fears about the undead. I went in expecting to have my eyes covered throughout half the film, but I left with no tears left to cry.
28 Years Later is a hauntingly beautiful film that explores death, grief, and the life cycle in a way I had never seen done in a movie before. Death and mourning are ever so present at the end of the world, but love and remembrance of life flourishes and triumphs even more so. The film’s marketing is misleading, but I think that is for the better. Going in, I was under the impression that Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be leading the film with a stoic portrayal of a father in the midst of the U.K.’s second zombie apocalypse, but rather, this film centers on the struggle of a young boy, played brilliantly Alfie Williams in his feature film debut, and his quest to save his mother, played masterfully by Jodie Comer, from a mysterious ailment consuming her life force.
The emotional response I had to this film is unparalleled to any other movie of its kind. Danny Boyle experiments with iPhone guerrilla filmmaking like never before, creating a raw and naturalistic aesthetic. It’s breathtakingly stunning and the visuals shine paired with a tear-jerking script by Alex Garland and gorgeously chilling score by Young Fathers.
28 Years Later is now available for viewing on Netflix and for purchase and rental on VOD platforms. The trailer is linked below, and I have to say, it is one of the best edited trailers of the decade.
If you have seen 28 Years Later and, like me, loved it and are eagerly awaiting a sequel, you don’t have to wait as long as you might think. 28 Years Later and it’s sequel film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple were filmed back to back. Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta will see the return of Spike and Dr. Kelson, and Spike’s newfound alliance with Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O’Connell and his cult, The Jimmies. Bone Temple will be released in cinemas January 16, 2026. Trailer below.
Memento mori, memento amoris. <3
Speaking of Jack O’Connell…
No. 1: Sinners, dir. Ryan Coogler
Sinners is an out of body, genre-defying, once in a life time experience. I feel bad for anyone who didn’t get to experience this masterpiece in a cinema. Sinners is a love letter to the craft of filmmaking as well as a celebration to the Black community and the beauties and talents of Black culture.
The amount of time and research put into this film is awe-inspiring. Ryan Coogler crafted something out of passion and love, and every single little detail is perfectly placed. Everything has purpose, meaning, and intention, just how a film is supposed to be, but unfortunately, it is becoming more and more apparent that some directors don’t have that vision and passions for their films.
Ryan Coogler is the much-needed exception.
With Sinners, Ryan Coogler cements himself as one of the best directors, writers, producers, and visionaries of the 21st century. The beauty of Sinners can only be described if Coogler and cinematographer Autumn Durakd Arkapaw wished a painting into life. The score by Ludwig Göransson is a masterclass on the importance of narrative storytelling through music, and speaking of music, the trailer hides it well. Along with the horror, period, and thriller genres infused into core of Sinners, Sinners is also a musical. Newcomer Miles Caton, who plays Sammie, has the voice of an angel and sings what will mostly likely be my number one song on my Spotify wrapped, “I Lied to You,” at the beginning of the second act.
Along with a powerhouse of creatives, Sinners has standout performances across the board. Michael B. Jordan does double duty, playing both Smoke and Stack of the Smokestack Twins. Wunmi Mosaku is astonishing as Annie, Smoke’s estranged wife, and Hailee Steinfeld is spellbinding as Mary, Stack’s ex-girlfriend, Acting vet Delroy Lindo gives a charming and heartfelt performance as Delta Slim, and Jack O’Connell absolutely devours as the film’s big bad, Remmick.
Watch the trailer above, and Sinners is available HBOMax and on VOD platforms.
The year is still young, and I have so many movies that I am looking forward to watching in the theaters. I am so excited to see Glen Powell kill it in The Running Man remake, watch Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, or defy gravity in Wicked: For Good, but I will leave you with this last sentiment. Movies were designed and intended to be watched in a cinema. Grab your friends and your family, support your local movie theater, and watch a movie the way they were intended to be viewed, as a community.