The Big Picture The Top Five Movies of 2025
93 snips
Dec 5, 2025 
Chris Ryan, a film writer from The Ringer, and Adam Nayman, a film critic and scholar, join the hosts to dissect the most memorable films of 2025. They delve into the industry's evolving landscape, discussing franchise fatigue and the fascinating emergence of surprise hits. Adam highlights the politically charged 'It Was Just an Accident,' while Chris champions the haunting 'Weapons.' The conversation also touches on the joys and challenges of moviegoing habits in this ever-changing cinematic world.
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Structure Lists Rank-By-Rank On Panels
- When revealing year-end lists on a panel, stage selections sequentially so listeners can follow rank-by-rank.
- Sean recommends sharing number fives first, moving up to number ones to keep discussion coherent.
Parenthood And Time As Recurring Themes
- Many critics saw overlapping themes in 2025 films: parenthood, aging, and the passage of time recurred across top picks.
- That thematic throughline shaped which films felt culturally vital to reviewers.
Polarizing Scale Signals Cultural Impact
- One Battle After Another became both cultural event and polarizing text because of its scale and moral discomfort; polarization can be a sign of cultural impact.
- Adam notes the film's sheer scope forces intense debate and sustained attention.
