The best film of 2025: One Battle After Another
Viva la revolución! The most-watched film in Cineville cinemas this year also made it to the very top of your voting lists. Director Paul Thomas Anderson gave us all kinds of masterpieces in all kinds of genres before, but he never added 1) Leonardo DiCaprio and 2) a blockbuster budget of 150 million dollars, which he decided to invest in a blend of serious action movie and father-daughter-dramedy. Our favourite thing about this film? The fact that posterboy DiCaprio spends two hours playing desperately chaotic catch-up (in his bathrobe), leaving the real limelight to the understated heroes in his orbit. And don’t forget that sickeningly awesome car chase! One Battle After Another’s US box office results probably made the Warner Bros. accountants regret giving Anderson a blank cheque, but we’re definitely not complaining.
Here they are: your favourite films of 2025
Yay, the results are in! You sent in over 9000 votes for your favourite films of the year.
2. Bugonia
Cineville sure loves it some Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone. In 2024, their steampunk fairytale Poor Things made it to second place. This year, another one of their gruesome stories is in the exact same spot. Teddy, Bugonia’s main conspiracy theorist, would say it’s all part of the plan. These two are as crazy about each other as you are about them. When Lanthimos asks Stone if he can shave her head, he can. If he wants her to play a tough CEO who gets kidnapped and tortured, she does. (Or maybe producer Stone just asked Lanthimos if he would direct her again?). And if the two of them aks all of you to come see their new film about the battle between a wealthy capitalist and a poor conspiracy theorist, then well, of course you do. We can’t wait to see which one of their projects will make to next year’s list.
3. I'm Still Here
I'm Still Here premiered in the winter of 2025, but was lodged in your hearts forever. After winning the IFFR audience award and the Oscar for best international feature, this moving portrait of a family during the Brazilian military dictatorship in the 1970s was unleashed in Cineville, leading to cinemas full of sobbing film fans. Through nostalgic beach scenes, house parties and movie nights, we were welcomed into the loving arms of the Paiva family, which made dad Rubens’ disappearance truly hard to stomach. As Eunice, the wife who’s left behind, actress Fernanda Torres made waves in the industry and beyond. It is largely due to her seeking eyes, filled with love, pain and perseverance, that I’m Still Here became such an enduring hit.
4. Voor de meisjes
Four big actors (three Dutchies, one Belgian) in the majestic Tyrolean Alps, playing two friendly couples whose relationship begins to crack after their daughters get into an accident – how’s that for a juicy pitch! Voor de meisjes is juicy, indeed, but also ultimately tragic. Because what would you do if your child’s life were at stake, and what would you say if everything you hold dear starts slipping through your fingers? Mike van Diem kept us on a tight leash from the first punch to the final reunion, and Thekla Reuten, Noortje Herlaar, Fedja van Huêt and Valentijn Dhaenens clashed at the top of their game. The result? Over 30.000 Cineville members went home with deeply personal answers to deeply existential questions.
5. The Brutalist
Cinevillers know full well that the big screen is where it’s at, but witnessing something as monumental as The Brutalist is still a treat. Despite its 215-minute runtime, including a fixed intermission, Brady Corbet’s period piece became one of the most-watched and highest-rated films of the year. Despite? We meant thanks to, obviously! It was even shot on huge rolls of VistaVision film, and the story – about the (tragic) life of a brilliant architect who never existed – takes place over four decades. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, you say? Apparently they do! And we just can’t get enough.
The Cineville Awards
We didn’t just ask you about your fave-faves, but wanted to know more. What was your favourite Dutch film? Which film had the best looks? And which duo made a lasting impression?
- The film with the best fashion: One Battle After Another. Just check out Bob’s iconic robe, or Willa’s amazing leather jacket. Or how about sensei Sergio St. Carlos’ Outfit of the Day?
- The best Dutch film: It had to be our number four, Voor de meisjes. Rietland, The North and Drie dagen vis battled over second place.
- The best debut: writer-director Eva Victor’s Sorry, Baby. We’d love to see what they do next!
- Favourite duo: CEO Romy (Nicole Kidman) and intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson), the secret couple from Halina Reijn’s monster hit Babygirl. Oh, to drink milk as these two do, or grind to George Michael’s Father Figure.
- Favourite classic: this one was almost too close to call, but Iranian animation Persepolis (from 2007) came out on top. Over 1500 voters checked the option ‘other’, filling in films like Mulholland Drive, Daisies, Princes Mononoke, High and Low en One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.