2025 was another great year for movies. From record-breaking original box office smashes to a wave of exciting indie voices making their mark, there was plenty to celebrate across the industry. Audiences showed up in a big way, proving that original stories and bold filmmaking (e.g. Sinners and Weapons) can still break through and capture the cultural conversation.

With the Oscars this weekend, we thought it would be a good time to highlight some of our favorites here at InkTip. We asked members of our staff to share the films that stuck with them most from the past year. Here are our five favorite films from 2025.

1. If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (director, Mary Bronstein)

© A24

My favorite film last year was If I Had Legs I’d Kick You—partly because my academic advisor recommended it to me with the comforting note that the protagonist’s ceiling collapsing and subsequent mental breakdown “reminded him of me.” This was during the same semester when my own ceiling actually was collapsing, which really elevated the viewing experience. By the time the fire department had knocked through my bedroom wall with an axe, the movie felt less like a psychological drama and more like a documentary about my life.

- Thomas

Where to Stream If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

2. Lurker (director, Alex Russell)

© Mubi

The 2025 release I keep finding myself recommending is Lurker, a psychological drama/thriller film about an obsessive fan who scams his way into his favorite pop star’s entourage. It’s a gorgeous movie that at first glance looks and feels like a twisted love story to the hopes and dreams that so many creative people have while living in LA, showing that a resourceful “nobody” can make it big by meeting the right people in the right place at the right time. However, it also shines a light on the deep cracks in the glittery facade of fame and success, where no one knows who their real friends are and fame and love can be snatched away in an instant by the people you’re closest to. It’s an uncomfortable film and I highly recommend it.

- Mac

Where to Stream Lurker

3. Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning (director, Christopher McQuarrie)

© Paramount Pictures

I found the final installment of the Mission Impossible franchise to be such an entertaining, action-packed story where Tom Cruise once again saves the day. Enjoyed it thoroughly and watched it several times. What more can you ask for in a blockbuster film?

- Jerrol

Where to Stream Mission Impossible 8

4. How to Train Your Dragon (director, Dean DeBlois)

© Universal Pictures

My favorite movie of 2025 was the live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. I rewatched the animated movie before seeing it, and it was amazing how faithful the creators were to the original film yet brought a new level of excitement to it. Mason Thames looks eerily like the animated character, and Gerard Butler reprised his role as the father and Viking leader, which he excels at. His enthusiasm for this movie and the performances was reason enough to see it. Fun family flick. Two thumbs up.

- Chris

Where to Stream How to Train Your Dragon

5. The Alabama Solution (directors, Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman)

© HBO Documentary Films

I debated going with a narrative film here, but it was impossible to ignore what an incredible year it was for documentaries. The Alabama Solution was easily my favorite of the bunch—and probably my favorite documentary in years. It’s an eye-opening film that takes you inside Alabama’s prison system, exposing abuse and corruption behind highly secured walls. Inmates secretly record and discuss the injustices they’ve witnessed and endured, creating a piece of investigative journalism that’s as gripping as it is devastating. I can’t recommend it enough. If I could, I’d make it mandatory viewing.

- Torey

Where to Stream The Alabama Solution

For over 25 years InkTip has been connecting indie producers with talented screenwriters. 4000+ options have come from writers and scripts discovered through InkTip. And we are happy to celebrate over 400 produced films and TV shows from those options.