My 2025 Recap: Absolute Favorite Movies & Shows

I know we’re already a few days deep into 2026, but I didn't want to miss the chance to drop this post I’ve been thinking about for a while. It’s a recap of the movies and series I watched throughout 2025, highlighting my personal favorites. Obviously—and I can't stress this enough—this is totally subjective. It’s based entirely on my own taste, so forget about the critics and whatever was trending globally.

Series

In 2025, I watched a total of 18 series and miniseries. Some were follow-up seasons to shows that didn't premiere in 2025 but that I’d been waiting on for ages, while others were brand-new drops from last year. Here is my Top 5:

1- Andor Season 2: Without a doubt, the undisputed king of political intrigue, high stakes, and complex moral themes within the Star Wars universe—sans lightsabers and Jedis. It’s the story of how a rebellion is forged, overcoming endless adversity where the biggest challenge is simply keeping hope alive. This second season was a majestic finale, definitely the best thing I watched in 2025.

2- Last Samurai Standing: I absolutely loved this series for its visually striking action choreography. It’s an audiovisual feast that reminded me of Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins, but with production values rivaling Shōgun and Squid Game. I’m a huge fan of samurai lore, and this is hands down one of the best entries I’ve seen in the genre.

3- The Bear Season 4: For me, this was the best character arc conclusion I’ve seen in a long time. Season 4 was the culmination of a journey full of transformation for all the protagonists. It was never really about the cooking or the restaurant. It was fascinating to see how we went from the chaos of the early seasons to peace and reconciliation, reigning in personal passions for the greater good.

4- Task: I’m a sucker for police thrillers—one of my all-time favorites is Mare of Easttown—and it turns out Task is from the same writer. It follows the same format: a tight narrative that fits perfectly into 7 episodes with zero filler. The character development is top-tier for such a short run; the show is solid from start to finish.

5- Untamed: Another thriller that really took me by surprise. The plot offers a procedural mystery that’s super entertaining to watch. It’s not necessarily reinventing the wheel—it actually leans into a few clichés—but the performances are so strong, the story is great, and the scenery is just stunning.

Movies

During 2025, I watched a total of 34 movies. The number actually surprises me; I didn’t realize I’d watched that many, though I’m sure plenty of you watched way more. Narrowing it down to a Top 5 was a bit tougher, but here are my standout films from 2025:

1- Predator Killer of Killers: If action is your thing, this movie stands out from the pack. Despite being animated, it’s incredibly well-made. The art style is one of my favorites, mixing brushstroke textures with 3D elements. It’s not a movie with a complex plot—it’s light on dialogue—but the combat choreography is mind-blowing and speaks for itself.

2- F1 The Movie: Hands down the best summer blockbuster of last year. I’m a huge car nut, so for me, this movie was pure visual pleasure. It wasn't made for the sport's purists; it was made to bring in new fans, boasting a massive visual scale and a killer soundtrack.

3- Warfare: I’m really into war movies, and this one surprised me because it dodged all the usual genre clichés. It’s a visceral experience told from the perspective of those who lived it. It doesn't seek to glorify anything; it was made to help the audience understand the reality of the modern soldier. It feels very different from other war films—there are no winners here. No matter which side the soldier is on, they always lose to the horrors of war.

4- Better Man: I’ve never been a big fan of biopics, but this one really caught me off guard. It’s a movie that should be watched with discretion due to the sensitive themes it tackles, but it’s a great story of personal redemption—about a person hitting rock bottom and fighting to climb out of the abyss. It’s a biography that doesn't hide anything, unlike others that only show the highlight reel.

5- The Holdovers: This was the last movie I managed to squeeze in before 2025 ended, and it’s a new Christmas classic. The 1970s setting was executed perfectly, right down to the format: the typography, the film grain that makes it look period-accurate, and the vintage soundtrack. The plot, centered on the empathy between people who have nothing in common but find connection as they get to know each other, makes it deeply human.

What did you think of my 2025 movie and series recap? Sound off in the comments if you saw any of these, and if you're up for it, drop your own Top 5 below!