Is this a bottom 5 year for movies in the modern era? (Rolling Stone top Movies of 2025 released) (2 Viewers)

[TripItUp]

Please Discuss

The 20 Best Movies of 2025

From an epic of political resistance to a personal take on a literary classic, 'Hamnet' to 'Weapons' — the best of a very good year for movie lovers.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[JohnnyU]

They don't make them like they used to. It's really as simple as that. I used to enjoy going to the movies, but sadly, what they make now is garbage.

 

[FarFromHome]

In my opinion it has been a bad year of movie making. That article gave me 14 movies with maybe 2 I have interest in. As long as we got the recliners my wife and I really enjoy going to the movies. Sure it's gonna run ya 50 bucks, which is crazy, but it's fun. We were talking this past weekend that we have only went to ONE movie all year. That's just crazy. Everytime I look for a good movie to watch absolutely nothing has hit me as something I want to watch. Wanna know why? I blame all you damn horror fans. For decades you would get an occasional horror movie clogging up showtimes. Now half the movie showtimes are horror genre. Just unacceptable. Ha ha

 

[JohnnyU]

In my opinion it has been a bad year of movie making. That's article gave me 14 movies with maybe 2 I have interest in. As long as we got the recliners my wife and I really enjoy going to the movies. Sure it's gonna run ya 50 bucks, which is crazy, but it's fun. We were talking this past weekend that we have only went to ONE movie all year. That's just crazy. Everytime I look for a good movie to watch absolutely nothing has hit me as something I want to watch. Wanna know why? I blame all you damn horror fans. For decades you would get an occasional horror movie clogging up showtimes. Now half the movie showtimes are horror genre. Just unacceptable. Ha ha

…..or unwatchable Disney movies.

 

[Hastur]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

 

[Juxtatarot]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

I do wonder what will happen when AI gets so good that movies can be made without having to pay for actors and expensive sets. Movies in the theater will die but excellent stories will be able to be produced for minimal cost.

 

[JohnnyU]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

I do wonder what will happen when AI gets so good that movies can be made without having to pay for actors and expensive sets. Movies in the theater will die but excellent stories will be able to be produced for minimal cost.

I don’t give a damn about the plight of Hollyweird. They’ve had an overinflated view of their worth for a long time. People lose their jobs to technology all the time. Hollywood isn’t immune.

 

[General Malaise]

Only movie I watched from that list was Train Dreams and it's one of the best movies I've seen in years. It's as good as anything from the olden days.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

I do wonder what will happen when AI gets so good that movies can be made without having to pay for actors and expensive sets. Movies in the theater will die but excellent stories will be able to be produced for minimal cost.

I don’t give a damn about the plight of Hollyweird. They’ve had an overinflated view of their worth for a long time.

I don't think I made my point well. I think this will be a good thing for movie watchers.

 

[JohnnyU]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

I do wonder what will happen when AI gets so good that movies can be made without having to pay for actors and expensive sets. Movies in the theater will die but excellent stories will be able to be produced for minimal cost.

I don’t give a damn about the plight of Hollyweird. They’ve had an overinflated view of their worth for a long time.

I don't think I made my point well. I think this will be a good thing for movie watchers.

Oh I got it, I’m just adding my thoughts on Hollywood in general.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Nope, it's a great year just based on Eddington. Right, @BLOCKED_PUNT ?

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

A racy/funny/weird video uploaded to social media takes seconds to make and receives millions upon millions of eyeballs within 8 hours.

The writings on the wall...

I do wonder what will happen when AI gets so good that movies can be made without having to pay for actors and expensive sets. Movies in the theater will die but excellent stories will be able to be produced for minimal cost.

I don’t give a damn about the plight of Hollyweird. They’ve had an overinflated view of their worth for a long time.

I don't think I made my point well. I think this will be a good thing for movie watchers.

Oh I got it, I’m just adding my thoughts on Hollywood in general.

It’s trite, but a lot of it in the end is a result of the consumers. Horror is cheap to make and turns a profit so it gets made. Big stars bring people into seats so salaries go through the roof for top talent and that drives big budget LCD-style flicks. If more people liked compelling storytelling with nonfamous actors more of those would get made.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

ummm...are you talking specifically this year or ??? Maybe with inflation it does but there have been a ton of good movies made on a shoe string budget.

Nope, it's a great year just based on Eddington. Right, @BLOCKED_PUNT ?

DAMN RIGHT!

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Ah, Rolling Stones. My go to for movie recommendations. I threw up a little when I read the subheader. (the highlights of a very, very good year for movie lovers)

I've only seen Eddigton and The Phonecian Scene so far but I had turned off The Phonecian Scene 30 mins into it. I know you jest KP but I am not alone in my dislike for Eddington.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ah, Rolling Stones. My go to for movie recommendations. I threw up a little when I read the subheader. (the highlights of a very, very good year for movie lovers)

I've only seen Eddigton and The Phonecian Scene so far but I had turned off The Phonecian Scene 30 mins into it. I know you jest KP but I am not alone in my dislike for Eddington.

I am well aware. I was surprised any liked it in the thread, to be honest. I think i have the opposite from most reviews i read this year - I thought Eddington was great and was disappointed in One Battle After Another.

My post was more poking you because i was mentioning the movie yet again.

 

[Hastur]

Movies takes years to make and cost millions upon millions to produce.

ummm...are you talking specifically this year or ??? Maybe with inflation it does but there have been a ton of good movies made on a shoe string budget.

Nope, it's a great year just based on Eddington. Right, @BLOCKED_PUNT ?

DAMN RIGHT!

Hollywoods version of shoe string budget is still 5 figures. My point was lots of money needed vs. practically free

 

[bigbottom]

Well, I’ve only seen three on that list (Weapons, Black Bag, One Battle), but enjoyed all 3. But none of the three would come anywhere near my Top 100 of all time. I’ll have to check out some of the others on that list.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

They aren't supposed to list the best movies?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

They aren't supposed to list the best movies?

I’m familiar with Rolling Stones MO. They’re just behind Pitchfork for putting out BS lists just to seem hip and cool.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

RS is hip and cool?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

RS is hip and cool?

No but that article reeks of someone trying to be

Black Box at 3 might be the most egregious part of the list

Weapons doesn’t belong anywhere near the Top 20 either. Sinners would have been a better choice

 

[General Malaise]

They got Train Dreams right.

 

[Courtjester]

I guess I am just simple. My wife and I saw several movies this year that we thought were good, but we tend to gravitate to the horror genre. Good Boy was excellent. Bring Her Back was extremely disturbing. The last Mission Impossible and F1 were fun. Even the last Predator movie was enjoyable. I mean the biggest letdown was Jurrasic Park--I am a huge fan of that series and this one just sucked.

I go to movies to just shut my mind off and enjoy the experience.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I guess I am just simple. My wife and I saw several movies this year that we thought were good, but we tend to gravitate to the horror genre. Good Boy was excellent. Bring Her Back was extremely disturbing. The last Mission Impossible and F1 were fun. Even the last Predator movie was enjoyable. I mean the biggest letdown was Jurrasic Park--I am a huge fan of that series and this one just sucked.

I go to movies to just shut my mind off and enjoy the experience.

Good Boy was terrible

 

[KarmaPolice]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

They aren't supposed to list the best movies?

I’m familiar with Rolling Stones MO. They’re just behind Pitchfork for putting out BS lists just to seem hip and cool.

I always find these types of comments odd. Because there are foreign movies and a lack of action and comedy? Do you think that Joe Critic for RS and Pitchfork don't think those movies the best?

I sometimes feel we (as a group) complain about the crap in the theater and the dependence of known IP and sequels, but also complain about the snooty critcs that seem to agree and put out lists of different options.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

They aren't supposed to list the best movies?

I’m familiar with Rolling Stones MO. They’re just behind Pitchfork for putting out BS lists just to seem hip and cool.

I always find these types of comments odd. Because there are foreign movies and a lack of action and comedy? Do you think that Joe Critic for RS and Pitchfork don't think those movies the best?

I sometimes feel we (as a group) complain about the crap in the theater and the dependence of known IP and sequels, but also complain about the snooty critcs that seem to agree and put out lists of different options.

Fair enough. I’ve seen only a few of those movies, so I really can’t say if they’re deserving or not. Generally when I see a list like that though it feels like someone’s trying to hard. I’m sure if it was 18 American movies and only 2 others they’d get backlash the other way

 

[KarmaPolice]

Probably but I wouldn’t base it on any list from Rolling Stone. Did they have a quota for how many foreign films to include or something?

They aren't supposed to list the best movies?

I’m familiar with Rolling Stones MO. They’re just behind Pitchfork for putting out BS lists just to seem hip and cool.

I always find these types of comments odd. Because there are foreign movies and a lack of action and comedy? Do you think that Joe Critic for RS and Pitchfork don't think those movies the best?

I sometimes feel we (as a group) complain about the crap in the theater and the dependence of known IP and sequels, but also complain about the snooty critcs that seem to agree and put out lists of different options.

Fair enough. I’ve seen only a few of those movies, so I really can’t say if they’re deserving or not. Generally when I see a list like that though it feels like someone’s trying to hard. I’m sure if it was 18 American movies and only 2 others they’d get backlash the other way

I don't think the critics are being dishonest or trying to generate clicks for the most part, but I am sure the outlets hire critics they know will cater to their audiences for the most part, if that makes sense. You will get a different version of these lists if you look at pitchfork and Rolling Stone vs. Playboy or whatever. Those publications are focused on different demographics, so they will hire critics that click with those subscribers.

I'll admit I was a Rolling Stone subscriber in the day, and most of that was because of Peter Travers' reviews and recommendations. I tended to have a similar look and ranking for movies, so I liked getting those magazines in the mail. My in laws would get me a yearly subscription for Christmas.

Where you and I would probably agree is that too many of the ones in the major publications seemed to take it a little too seriously. Rarely do you see them list a fun horror movie or kick *** action movie. I wouldn't trust a critic too much that can't seem to enjoy that type of fare as well. On a similar note, I also wouldn't trust one that can't be bothered to watch a foreign movie or classic, either. I think that's why I usually gravitated to the critics over box office/general public overall, though. Even speaking of movies I didn't like, I'd still rather roll the dice on a movie like Mother! or weird foreign movie than a Scar Jo Jurassic Park or 80s remake movie. At least in one pool I am more likely to at least appreciate the filmmaking and originality, even if I really disliked the movie overall.

ETA: like you, I have only seen a few on the list and I don't know anything about that critic or what a RS list typically looks like now. I disagree on #1, but appreciated Best Wishes to All ranked above Weapons. That's about all I have for the list so far, but a couple others looked interesting.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Not that I don't think Foreign movies can't be good but I do think that watching or claiming that you like them (if you don't) is seen as cultured. "oh look at me; how worldly and refined I am!" basically Dan's point. Not that the RS writer couldn't like these movies but I wouldn't exactly put it past them to be performative.

Sinners wasn't too bad.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Not that I don't think Foreign movies can't be good but I do think that watching or claiming that you like them (if you don't) is seen as cultured. "oh look at me; how worldly and refined I am!" basically Dan's point. Not that the RS writer couldn't like these movies but I wouldn't exactly put it past them to be performative.

Sinners wasn't too bad.

Gotcha, and I think I addressed some of that above as well. I will say that even when I was reading stuff like RS during the year, I would get more out of the monthly reviews than a list like that. What I mean is I was more likely to see a movie they gave a 7/10 to and love that vs. agree with most of their yearly top 10.

I get that movie snobs tend to look down on folk who don't watch foreign movies, which is also a bit what I think you are getting at. I am a little guilty of that as well. Maybe not look down on, but more I don't understand people not watching what makes up a huge % of movies if they consider themselves a big fan of movies.