Highest-Rated Films of 2025
'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' stands as 2025's highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect 100% Tomatometer score. This Zambian film, directed by Rungano Nyoni, follows young girl Shula as she discovers her uncle's body and uncovers buried family secrets during funeral proceedings. Critics unanimously praised its vibrant filmmaking, original exploration of family and social themes, and exceptional craft.
'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' also maintains a perfect 100% score, achieving this rare distinction nearly 11 months after its January release. This claymation adventure from British studio Aardman offers a cozy and charming experience for all ages, demonstrating the enduring appeal of stop-motion animation.
Other critically acclaimed films include 'Left-Handed Girl' with a 98% score, which generated significant awards buzz following its Cannes Film Festival premiere, and 'Caught by the Tides' with a 99% score, an ambitious Chinese drama that took 22 years to create and blends fictional and non-fictional storytelling across two decades of history.
Netflix's Best Films of 2025
Netflix has delivered several of 2025's most celebrated films, with 'Kpop Demon Hunters' emerging as both a critical and commercial phenomenon. This animated adventure achieved a 96% critical score while earning an exceptional 99% audience score, becoming the most-watched Netflix movie of the year and the biggest of all time. The film combines likeable characters, eye-popping animation, and original songs that have resonated with viewers worldwide.
'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' maintains the franchise's consistent quality with a 95% score, surpassing even the critical reception of its predecessor 'Glass Onion.' Daniel Craig's detective Benoit Blanc investigates an impossible murder in upstate New York, while the film's thoughtful reflections on faith and religion add unexpected depth to the mystery-thriller format.
'Train Dreams' rounds out Netflix's top offerings with a 95% score. This emotional drama, based on Denis Johnson's novel and starring Joel Edgerton, has been described by critics as a 'gorgeous meditation on America.' Despite its critical acclaim, the film has struggled to achieve the viewership numbers it deserves on the platform.
Diverse Voices and International Cinema
2025's best films demonstrate the global reach of quality cinema, with international productions earning top critical honors. 'Sister Midnight', a Hindi-language dark comedy, achieved a 98% score following its premieres at Cannes and Fantastic Fest. The film tells the story of Uma, a woman forced into an unwanted arranged marriage that transforms into a source of chaos and madness.
Documentary filmmaking has also reached exceptional heights in 2025, with 'The Perfect Neighbor' earning a 99% score. This powerful documentary examines the events surrounding the death of Ajike Owens through police bodycam footage and community disputes, establishing itself as the must-watch documentary of the year.
These films collectively represent 2025's commitment to diverse storytelling, featuring directors and narratives from multiple cultures and perspectives. The critical success of international and independent films alongside major studio releases demonstrates audiences' appetite for varied, high-quality cinema that reflects different experiences and artistic visions.