I started last year's post with an apology for being 11 days late and also made a promise to move this annual post to mid-Dec to avoid the year end vacation chaos colliding with the timing of the post. The promise remains the same, just moving it ahead by a year, and this time apologizing for a 3 day delay instead of 11.
2025 was a tough year for the movies, both Hollywood and Bollywood, though quite incredible for many of the other industries. Bollywood especially is going through the driest spell in its history, not just of good movies but just movies in general. Old classics and blockbusters are releasing in theaters most weeks as there's not much new content being made, especially for the big screen. A lot has been written about this by people who understand the business of Bollywood (and streaming) far better than I do, and for now I am taking the optimistic (or ostrich-head-in-sand) view that last year was a blip and things will turn around soon. Life is not the same without a robust Bollywood machinery churning out a gazillion movies, big budget, low budget, high quality, trash, and everything in between.
Hollywood is facing a milder version of the same, but the mega franchises of family-friendly Zootopias, Lilo & Stitch, Minecraft, Superman, and of course the "turn anything I touch into a billion" Avatar by James Cameron ensured the moolah was raked in by the big names. These dollars are critical to fund the stuff those of us who read posts like these enjoy.
Now switching gears to the usual fixtures of this annual tradition. Now in its 17th year! As always here's a recap of the prior years.
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Here is the Summary Table (in its 19th year) of movies released in the same year (2025 for this post) that I watched in 2025. This was the lowest number of "in year" movies watched, at 40, since 2016-2017 which were at 30-31 and I had a toddler to take care of then, no such excuses now. Come on production houses, keep your end of the bargain! On the plus side, the lower quantity did lead to a higher quality (this was a conscious effort to some extent) with the highest ever average rating of 7.8 in the 19 years that I have been tracking this stuff. Total movies watched in 2025 was 69.
Every year we argue a bit with other geeky fans on how these ratings are comparative. And yes, they are. Your ratings and my ratings will have an inherent bias, but assuming my bias doesn't change significantly over time, then this 7.8 likely does reflect a better selection of movies I spent my time on.
Year # Seen Hindi:English:Others Top Rating Avg. Rating
2007 32 22:10:0 9.0 5.78
2008 30 23:7:0 8.5 6.35
2009 24 18:6:0 9.0 6.85
2010 25 16:9:0 8.5 6.62
2011 22 15:6:1 8.5 6.77
2012 28 12:11:5 9.0 7.33
2013 28 14:14:0 9.0 7.12
2014 16 10:6:0 9.0 6.16
2015 26 20:6:0 9.0 6.55
2016 30 17:13:0 9.5 6.98
2017 31 17:13:1 9.0 7.03
2018 87 23:59:5 9.0 7.29
2019 86 12:65: 9 10.0 7.45
2020 38 16:20:2 9.0 7.40
2021 53 15:34:4 9.0 7.20
2022 67 21:38:8 9.0 7.30
2023 51 20:29:2 9.0 7.50
2024 56 17:32: 7 8.5 7.50
2025 40 9:26:5 9.0 7.80
The split of the movies by source (not just movies released in 2025) was as follows. Theater took the lead for the first time post-pandemic, at 17, but significantly down from 23 in 2024. I am having a hard time believing how I watched 58 movies in the theater in 2019. The pandemic did truly change the world.
And now...drum roll...oh well...the awards that no one comes to collect or cares about. My movies of the year in the 3 key categories: (1) English; (2) Hindi; (3) Other Languages. All images courtesy IMDb and summaries by ChatGPT.
Non-Hindi/English Movies
3. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Language: French, Director: Laura Piani)
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life follows Agathe, a charming but romantically unlucky French bookseller who dreams of writing and love as in a classic novel. When her best friend secretly gets her invited to a Jane Austen writing retreat in England, she reluctantly goes and finds herself navigating unexpected romantic tensions. Along the way she confronts her insecurities and creative block, discovering more about what she truly wants in both life and love.
2. Ei Raat Tomar Amar (Language: Bengali, Director: Parambrata Chattopadhyay)
Ei Raat Tomar Amaar is an intimate Bengali drama about an elderly couple spending one pivotal night together as they reflect on their decades-long marriage while facing life’s harsh realities. As past regrets, love, and unspoken emotions surface, they confront their strained relationships and enduring bond. Through quiet conversations and shared memories, the story explores commitment, forgiveness, and the resilience of love.
1. Sentimental Value (Language: Norwegian, Director: Joachim Trier)
Sentimental Value is a Norwegian drama about two adult sisters facing the return of their long-estranged father after their mother’s death, forcing them to confront old wounds and unresolved feelings. The once-renowned filmmaker father attempts to reconnect through his art, stirring complex family tensions. As they wrestle with grief, memory, and forgiveness, the story explores how art and relationships can both divide and heal.
English Movies
5. House of Dynamite (Director: Kathryn Bigelow)
A House of Dynamite is a tense political thriller that follows U.S. government and military officials as they scramble to respond when an unidentified intercontinental ballistic missile is detected heading toward Chicago. With only minutes to act, leaders from the White House to missile defense crews must make impossible decisions under extreme pressure. The film unfolds through multiple perspectives, highlighting the human and strategic stakes in a nuclear crisis.
4. Rental Family (Director: Hikari)
Rental Family follows Phillip, an American actor living in Tokyo who’s adrift in life until he takes an unusual job with a “rental family” agency, where he pretends to be stand-in family or friends for strangers. As he fills these roles, he begins forming real emotional connections that blur the line between acting and genuine care. Through these experiences, the film explores loneliness, belonging, and what it means to find purpose in human relationships.
3. Wicked: For Good (Director: Jon M. Chu)
Wicked: For Good is the 2025 musical fantasy sequel to Wicked, continuing the story of Elphaba and Glinda in the Land of Oz after the events of the first film. Now branded as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba battles for justice while Glinda rises as a public figure, testing their deep friendship and opposing roles. As tensions escalate across Oz, both must confront their differences and personal beliefs in a high-stakes magical world.
2. F1: The Movie (Director: Joseph Kosinski)
F1 is a high-octane sports drama following retired Formula One prodigy Sonny Hayes, who is coaxed back into the world of elite racing to help save an underdog team from collapse. As he partners with a rising young driver, they battle fierce competition, personal demons, and the relentless demands of the F1 circuit. Set against real-world Grand Prix backdrops, the story blends fast cars with character-driven drama and mentorship.
1. One Battle After Another (Director:Paul Thomas Anderson)
One Battle After Another is a 2025 action-thriller about a former revolutionary whose quiet life with his daughter is upended when a corrupt military officer drags them back into danger. As they’re pursued across a volatile landscape, he must confront his past and protect his child amid chaos and conflict. The film blends kinetic action with dark humor and emotional stakes, exploring family bonds under extreme pressure.
Hindi Movies
5. Inspector Zende (Director: Chinmay Mandlekar)
Inspector Zende centers on a relentless Mumbai police detective, Madhukar Zende, who must track down and recapture a notorious fugitive after he escapes from prison, launching a tense cat-and-mouse chase across the city. Loosely inspired by real events, the film blends crime thriller elements with a touch of humor and old-school policing instincts. With personal stakes and period flair, it explores determination, crime, and the tenacity of a cop on the hunt.
4. Sitaare Zameen Par (Director: R.S. Prasanna)
Sitaare Zameen Par is a 2025 Indian sports comedy-drama about a once-promising but disillusioned basketball coach who is sentenced to community service and tasked with training a team of players with intellectual disabilities for a tournament. Initially out of his depth and struggling to connect, he slowly begins to understand and bond with the team. Through their journey on and off the court, the story explores growth, acceptance, and the transformative power of teamwork.
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3. Superboys of Malegaon (Director: Reema Kagti)
Superboys of Malegaon is a documentary about a group of amateur filmmakers in the small Indian town of Malegaon, who cope with everyday hardships by creating their own low-budget spoofs of Bollywood hits. With heart, hustle, and plenty of improvisation, they set out to make their most ambitious film yet. The result is a funny, affectionate look at creativity, community, and the joy of storytelling against all odds.
2. Dhurandhar (Director: Aditya Dhar)
Dhurandhar is a sprawling Indian spy action thriller following an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates the criminal and political underworld in Karachi as part of a high-stakes anti-terror operation. Set against real-world events and geopolitical tensions, the narrative weaves covert missions, alliances, and betrayals. With action, espionage, and political intrigue at its core, the film explores loyalty, danger, and the personal cost of undercover work.
1. Homebound (Director: Neeraj Ghaywan)
Homebound is a poignant Indian drama about two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who pursue their shared dream of becoming police officers as a way to earn dignity and respect. As they face intense socio-economic pressures and systemic barriers, their bond and aspirations are tested. The film explores friendship, inequality, and personal struggle against the backdrop of contemporary India.
Here's the final list of ALL movies watched in 2025 (in alphabetical order within groups. Movies listed above removed to avoid duplicates)
Grade: Must Watch
English Anora
English The Brutalist
English Goodfellas
Portugese I'm Still Here
Grade: Recommended
English 5-Sep
English A Nice Indian Boy
English A Real Pain
English All The Way
English Free Time
English Juror # 2
English Last Breath
English Lurker
English Margin Call
English Paddington in Peru
English Sacramento
English Saltburn
English Sovereign
English Superbad
English Train Dreams
English Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
English Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
English Wallace and Gormit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Grade: Read Summaries/Use Discretion
Bangla The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika
English A Complete Uknown
English Black Bag
English Coup!
English Flow
English From Up On Poppy Hill
English Heart Eyes
English Heretic
English Longlegs
English Mickey 17
English Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning
English Musica
English Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase
English Nickel Boys
English Novocaine
English Superman
English The Accountant 2
English The Amateur
English The Apprentice
English The Fantastic Four: First Steps
English The Parent Trap
English The Phoenician Scheme
English The Room Next Door
English Thelma
English Thunderbolts*
English We Bought A Zoo
English We Live In Time
English Zootopia 2
Hindi Crazxy
Hindi Dhadak 2
Hindi Ground Zero
Hindi Jolly LLB 3
Cantonese The Prosecutor
English Hamnet
