10 Best Movies of 2025, According to Rotten Tomatoes

Despite debates about the state of modern movies, 2025 proved to be a remarkable year for global cinema. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the year’s highest-rated films include powerful documentaries, international standouts, and bold independent projects that earned either perfect or near-perfect scores from critics. Interestingly, many of these titles flew under the radar with mainstream audiences, even as reviewers hailed them as the year’s finest achievements. Here’s a look at the 10 best movies of 2025, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes scores.

International and Independent Films Lead the Way

At the top of the list is Caught by the Tides (99%), directed by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke. The film blends archival footage with fiction to tell a decades-spanning love story, earning praise for its innovation and emotional depth. Another international highlight is the Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent (99%), led by Wagner Moura. The film became the first Brazilian production to earn Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture and Actor, cementing its global impact. French drama Souleymane’s Story (100%) also made the list, offering a deeply human portrayal of immigration struggles in Paris. Critics praised its empathy, realism, and breakout performance by newcomer Abou Sangaré.

Documentaries That Defined the Year

Documentaries dominated the top rankings in 2025. Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor (99%) examined systemic failures in the American legal system through police bodycam footage, earning acclaim for its unflinching storytelling. Apple TV+ delivered two perfect-score films: Come See Me in the Good Light, a moving portrait of poet Andrea Gibson’s final years, and Deaf President Now!, which revisited the landmark 1988 protest at Gallaudet University. Another standout, Cover-Up (100%), chronicled the career of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, earning praise for its timely focus on press freedom and accountability.

Genre Films That Surprised Critics

Sports drama Eephus (100%) emerged as an unexpected favorite. Set around a final amateur baseball game, the film won over critics with its humor and warmth. Horror fans were also rewarded with The Plague (100%), a chilling body-horror debut that used summer camp anxiety as a metaphor for adolescence. Rounding out the list is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (100%), a visually striking family drama from director Rungano Nyoni that critics named the very best film of the year.

A Year Defined by Bold Storytelling

From political thrillers to intimate documentaries, the best movies of 2025 reflect a year where filmmakers took risks—and critics rewarded them. According to Rotten Tomatoes, these 10 films represent the strongest cinematic achievements of the year.