Best Films of 2025 (So Far): From 'Thudaram' to 'Sitaare Zameen Par' & many more

Half a year has passed. And if you’ve been crying over your work deadlines, existential dread or the price of popcorn, don’t worry. Cinema, as always, has delivered emotional CPR, well almost

This list right here? It’s got OTT treats, theatrical juggernauts, and even some Hollywood curveballs that made us scream “Yeh toh unexpected tha.” So sit back, scroll on, and relive the best films of 2025... so far, and in no particular order.

Sankranthiki Vasthunam

A retired cop is living his best chill life when his ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be a cop, calls him up and drops the four most dangerous words in a man’s life — "There’s one last mission." What follows is drama, action and peak Venkatesh swag. Honestly, he’s having so much fun, even the bad guys start questioning their life choices. Family vibes, cop drama, and that Telugu masala we can never say no to.

Thudaram

Mohanlal is in love. Not with a woman. Not even with a dog. But with a car. A black Ambassador car. Sounds weird? Of course it does. But somehow, it works. There’s love, there’s obsession, and somewhere along the way, there’s action and thrills that make you forget how it all started. It is bizarre in concept but brilliant in execution. Basically, never get between Mohanlal and his vehicle.

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

Is this the best film of the year? Maybe not. Is it very watchable? Absolutely. This one dives into the untold story of Jallianwala Bagh, and while the script plays it safe, Akshay Kumar delivers a powerhouse performance that holds everything together. It is the kind of film where the patriotism kicks in with full volume and the background score says "ab rona hai." A solid combo that earns its spot on the list.

Dragon

No, not the Hollywood one. This is the Tamil-language film led by Pradeep Ranganathan — the guy who gave us Love Today. And he’s back with a bang. Dragon has thrills, drama, heavy emotions and just the right amount of hilarious situations to keep it from getting too serious. It is basically one big emotional ride where you laugh, cry, laugh again, and by the end, you’re like “What just happened but I loved it.”

Bhram

Gujarati cinema said “Enough with the family comedies” and went full dark mode. Bhram is a psychological thriller where a dementia patient is stuck in a murder interrogation. Is one the killer? Is one just confused? Or is everyone else gaslighting one? This one demands your full attention and rewards you with serious thrills. Expect the unexpected and then expect it to get weirder. Gujarati cinema is not here to play.

The Diplomat

Whenever John Abraham is not jumping off cliffs or exploding things with his eyes, he reminds us he can act decently within his limitations. The Diplomat is a political thriller that has no car chases, no one running with a ticking bomb, and still manages to keep your heart rate up. John’s restraint works beautifully, and he’s assisted by the fabulous Sadia Khateeb who makes every scene better. Sometimes doing nothing is the most thrilling thing.

The Mehta Boys

Boman Irani said “Let me try directing” and ended up giving us one of the sweetest films of the year. The Mehta Boys is about a son trying to build a relationship with his father, and no it is not an art film and it is not slow and it is not boring. It is just really nice. Like warm chai after a cold day kind of nice. No melodrama, just pure emotion served with love and logic.

Sinners

Hollywood showed up like “Hey India, we see your OTT domination and we raise you Sinners.” Music, drama, action - this one had everything including that Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan combo that always delivers. The energy is electric, the scenes pack a punch, and the film walks that fine line between commercial and clever without falling flat. This is peak Hollywood swagger with a surprisingly soulful core.

F1

Yes, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning was fun. But out of nowhere came F1 The Movie, a film that looked like just another race-car flick and ended up being ten times more insane than expected. This film doesn’t just give you an adrenaline rush. It grabs your head, straps it to the seat and says “Buckle up loser.” A ridiculous amount of fun with zero brakes and full throttle madness. Whoever pitched this deserves a raise and a trophy.

Stolen

Abhishek Banerjee stars in Stolen, a tight 90-minute thriller about a child kidnapping that quickly turns into something much bigger. The pacing is laser-sharp, the tension never drops and the storytelling keeps pulling rugs from under your feet. Every time you think “Oh I got it now,” the film goes “Haha, no.” Compact, nerve-racking and deeply unsettling in the best way.

Final Destination Bloodlines

Now this is how you reboot a franchise. After 14 years, Final Destination returns, not with the same old formula, but with a complete reinvention. The kills are creative, the tension is back, and the storytelling actually matters this time. It is not just “Oh no, death is coming” — it is more like “Oh no, death is coming, but also here’s some plot and character development.” Welcome back, you crazy franchise.

Sitaare Zameen Par

This Aamir Khan film is not carried by Aamir Khan, and that’s actually the best part. The kids in Sitare Zameen Par are so adorable and real, they make you forget all the flaws in the film. Their honesty and innocence take over, and suddenly you’re tearing up over a classroom scene while pretending you’re not crying. Yes, it could’ve been better. But those kids? They’re enough.

Superboys of Malegaon

And now, the crown jewel. If there is one film that deserves the title of best film of 2025 so far, it is Superboys of Malegaon. This is not an art film, not a preachy indie drama, and definitely not a star vehicle. It is the underdog story of the year. A bunch of boys in Malegaon trying to make a film with jugaadu tactics and zero resources. The result? Hilarious, heartwarming, and completely original. You laugh, you root for them, and by the end, you want to hug the screen. Pure joy from start to finish.

Yes yes, both Chhaava and Raid 2 were big box office hits. People watched it. People clapped. But here’s the thing — not every successful film needs to be on this list. This list is not just about numbers. It is about the vibe. And Chhava, with all its grandeur, just did not make the cut. And if one is going to make a case for Housefull 5 to be on the list, just because it was a successful film, we definitely don't have any remotely similar taste in films. Sorry not sorry.

So that’s it. That was our list of the best films of 2025 so far. If the second half of the year is even half as wild, we are in for a treat. From love stories about cars to Malegaon filmmakers on a mission, this year has already delivered more plot twists than your group chats.

Let us know in the comments which one do you think should have made it to the list or shouldn't have been in the list.

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