The cinematic landscape of 2025 proved to be a fascinating battleground between nostalgic revivals and high-concept original stories. From the high-speed asphalt of Formula 1 tracks to the gothic laboratories of Victorian Europe, this year’s most popular films reflect a diverse appetite for spectacle, scares, and heartfelt storytelling.
10 – F1
Brad Pitt takes the wheel in this high-octane drama directed by Joseph Kosinski, who brings the same visceral energy he used for “Top Gun: Maverick” to the world of Grand Prix racing. The story follows a veteran driver coming out of retirement to mentor a rising prodigy, played by Damson Idris, amidst the real-life intensity of the F1 circuit. It’s a technical marvel that captured the fascination of sports fans and cinephiles alike this summer.
9 – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise returns for what is being billed as the ultimate swan song for Ethan Hunt, raising the stakes to a level that feels truly terminal. Following the cliffhanger of the previous installment, the IMF team races against a god-like AI in a globetrotting hunt that features some of the most death-defying practical stunts ever filmed. This chapter managed to secure its spot on the list by offering the kind of pure, big-screen adrenaline only this franchise can provide.
8 – Thunderbolts*
Marvel’s band of misfits and reformed villains finally stepped into the spotlight, proving that there is still plenty of life in the MCU when the focus shifts to more morally gray characters. Led by Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, the ensemble chemistry turned what could have been a standard superhero flick into a gritty, character-driven heist movie. Its popularity on IMDb peaked as fans dissected every Easter egg and the mysterious asterisk in the title.
7 – Happy Gilmore 2
Adam Sandler tapped into a deep well of nostalgia by returning to his most beloved character, and the result was a streaming sensation that dominated social media conversations. Seeing a middle-aged Happy navigate the modern world of professional golf provided a perfect mix of “Sandman” slapstick and genuine heart. The inclusion of high-profile cameos and the return of familiar faces made this sequel an inevitable hit for those seeking a comfort watch.
6 – Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro finally realized his long-held dream of adapting Mary Shelley’s classic, delivering a gothic masterpiece that feels both timeless and terrifyingly new. Oscar Isaac’s tortured portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi’s haunting take on the Creature helped propel this film beyond the usual horror tropes. It became a massive talking point for its breathtaking production design and its deeply emotional exploration of what it means to be human.
5 – Jurassic World: Rebirth
Scarlett Johansson leads a fresh cast into a world where dinosaurs have become a permanent, if precarious, part of the global ecosystem. This soft reboot moved away from the sprawling chaos of the previous entries to focus on a high-stakes extraction mission in an equatorial “biosphere” where the most dangerous predators still rule. The film’s success stemmed from its return to the suspenseful, survival-horror roots that made the original 1993 picture a landmark.
4 – One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson surprised everyone by delivering a sprawling, three-hour action epic that serves as a loose, high-energy adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland.” Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary on the run, the film blended stylized combat with the director’s signature deep character work. It’s a rare breed of blockbuster that managed to satisfy both the art-house crowd and mainstream audiences looking for a wild ride.
3 – Sinners
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan re-teamed for this eerie, 1930s-set supernatural thriller that kept audiences guessing until the final frame. Set in the Jim Crow South, the film follows twin brothers who return to their hometown only to find themselves hunted by an ancient, malevolent force. The combination of historical drama and terrifying folklore created a unique atmosphere that made it one of the most discussed theatrical releases of the spring.
2 – Weapons
Following the massive success of “Barbarian,” director Zach Cregger returned with an ambitious, multi-story horror epic that became an instant cult classic. The film uses a non-linear structure to tell a disturbing tale of missing children and small-town secrets, anchored by a powerhouse performance from Josh Brolin. Its high ranking on IMDb is a testament to the “puzzle-box” nature of the script, which had viewers returning for multiple viewings to piece the mystery together.
1 – Superman
James Gunn officially kicked off a new era for DC with a film that traded grim grit for a vibrant, hopeful, and deeply sincere take on the Man of Steel. David Corenswet’s debut as Clark Kent won over skeptics by focusing on the character’s humanity and his struggle to reconcile his alien heritage with his Kansas upbringing. As the most searched and highest-rated movie of the year on the platform, it’s clear that the world was ready to believe a man could fly all over again.