Theater-Visited Movies in 20XX: Top Five Picks and Flops

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Year's First Half: Absolutely Brutal or Criminally Underrated?

Hey there, cinematic enthusiasts! It's halfway through the year, and I've gotta admit, I've been feeling a bit nostalgic about the good ol' days flying by. But enough melancholy, it's time to discuss the year in cinema so far!

Naturally, that means we're picking the crème de la crème (and vomit-inducing trash) of 2025's offerings. Now, brace yourself, because I think it's safe to say that this year's been a bit of a rollercoaster. With far too many mid-tier movies and some true low points, there've been shining gems hidden amongst the crap, thank goodness!

So, a film aficionado like me has already caught 41 movies on the big screen, from blockbusters to indie darlings. And, like most serious movie buffs, I've got a constantly-updated ranking of everything I see.

Below, you'll find the five movies that have tickled my cinematic fancy in 2025, along with the unfortunate bunch that made me long for the sweet comfort of my couch.

My Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2025 (So Far)

5. "Ballerina"

"Ballerina" is a prime example of why you should sometimes give a movie a chance to grow on you. The first act is a bit messy, with a routine backstory and surprisingly uninspired action for the typically creative "John Wick" franchise.

But stick with it through the second half, and you'll be rewarded with some absolutely bonkers fistfights and shootouts that are top tier in this action series! The creative use of a flamethrower had me hooting with delight in my seat. Unfortunately, the story never quite coalesces into anything all that interesting, but with Keanu Reeves boldly showing up in surprising quantities and some incredible action scenes, "Ballerina" isn't a disaster for the franchise.

4. "Hallow Road"

Horror nut here, and lemme tell ya, "Hallow Road" really left its creepy little footprints in my psyche. I spent my late-night walk home from the theater convinced that I was being followed by something or someone, and I'm not even ashamed to admit I checked over my shoulder every few steps.

This psychological thriller features top-notch performances from Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys, and it squeezes tension out of a minimalist style that's almost unparalleled. The haunting atmosphere builds until a spine-tingling ending that will leave you thinking about it long after leaving the theater.

3. "Sinners"

It was only a matter of time before the vampire genre got the Ryan Coogler treatment, and "Sinners" does not disappoint! Coogler nails the scene-setting first half, where the teeth come out, and the story flips from a character-driven drama into an adrenaline-fueled vampire flick.

Michael B. Jordan crushes his dual lead role, working seamlessly with Coogler to deliver a fresh take on the Constantine mythos. This horror-thriller is sure to leave viewers thirsty for more.

2. "Black Bag"

Steven Soderbergh's "Black Bag" is a tightly-crafted spy thriller that keeps you on edge for every one of its 95 minutes. Boasting a top-notch cast, headed by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, it's got one of the year's sharpest screenplays and enough drama and mystery to keep you guessing till the end.

1. "Warfare"

I'm struggling for words to describe how intense "Warfare" is. This movie puts you right in the thick of modern conflict, and its gritty realism is almost overwhelming. Co-directed by "Civil War" mastermind Alex Garland and military veteran Ray Mendoza, "Warfare" was written using real testimonies from those who served in the Iraq War. This authenticity adds real weight to the on-screen action and makes it all the more impactful.

With thrilling action, nail-biting tension, and at times some genuine anxiety-inducing sequences, "Warfare" offers a unique and unparalleled look at modern conflict.

The 5 Worst Movies of 2025 (So Far)

5. "Until Dawn"

"Until Dawn," catchy title aside, is a disappointing effort and an unwelcome throwback to the era of awful video game adaptations. While I enjoyed the concept of a time-loop horror, it doesn't have the genuine scares or the fun twisty ideas to make it worth watching.

4. "Wolf Man"

"Wolf Man" is another missed opportunity. With Leigh Whannell's previous attempt at modernizing a classic Universal monster movie ("The Invisible Man" in 2020) being such a triumph, I was expecting "Wolf Man" to live up to the hype. But alas, it was a lackluster effort, lacking any real scares or tension.

3. "A Minecraft Movie"

I wouldn't go as far as to say I hated "A Minecraft Movie," but I certainly didn't like it. There were a few chuckle-worthy moments, and the new original song from Dayglow was quite catchy, but ultimately, it was an sugar-rush experience that left me annoyed.

2. "Flight Risk"

"Flight Risk" had a solid setup for a pulse-raising thriller with its high-stakes chase across Alaska. However, it doesn't deliver on its potential with poor plot hole-ridden decision-making, a lack of logical characters, and poorly-shot action sequences.

1. "Marching Powder"

I suppose that "Marching Powder" would appeal to some, but I couldn't stand it. Opening with a terrible animated sequence filled with cringe-worthy attempts at comedy, it only goes downhill from there as it introduces a loathsome protagonist obsessed with fighting, drinking, and drugs. Avoid at all costs!