Ten Overlooked Films from 2025 Worth Your Attention

This year’s cinema landscape has been dominated by a handful of blockbuster franchises, yet a wealth of lesser-known gems have quietly made their mark. While the industry has been abuzz with speculation over Netflix’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros and what it might mean for the future of theatrical releases, 2025 has nonetheless proven to be a banner year for film. Despite ongoing uncertainty about the post-pandemic box office, the resounding success of titles such as Zootopia 2 and the much-anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash suggests that audiences remain eager for the kind of communal experience only the big screen can provide. Alongside these headline-grabbers, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another has been sweeping up early awards and is widely tipped for Oscar glory. Yet, with so many festival favourites like Sentimental Value, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Jay Kelly, Train Dreams, and Frankenstein in the mix, it’s easy for some outstanding works to be overlooked. Every year, a handful of films fail to attract the attention they merit—whether due to modest marketing, niche appeal, or limited distribution. These underappreciated titles are well worth seeking out as the year draws to a close.

Historical Epics and Psychological Thrillers

Magellan (Lav Diaz) offers a stark, unflinching look at colonialism, following Ferdinand Magellan’s ill-fated expedition in Southeast Asia. Gael Garcia Bernal delivers a compelling performance as the Portuguese explorer, with the film’s measured pace and haunting visuals capturing the slow descent into chaos. Rather than a rousing adventure, it’s a meditative study of cultural collision and the grim realities of conquest.

In The Surfer (Lorcan Finnegan), Nicolas Cage takes on the role of a beleaguered father facing off against a gang of territorial beachgoers. What could have been a throwaway genre piece instead becomes a tense, hallucinatory thriller reminiscent of the Australian New Wave. Cage’s performance is both flamboyant and unexpectedly poignant, matched by Julian McMahon’s menacing turn as the local alpha.

Drama, Social Commentary, and Directorial Debuts

Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia stands out as a vibrant political drama, with Toni Servillo portraying an Italian president wrestling with the moral and legal implications of euthanasia legislation. The film’s bold palette and evocative soundtrack are classic Sorrentino, while Servillo’s nuanced portrayal brings warmth and humanity to a divisive subject.

The Plague (Charlie Polinger) tackles the cruelty of adolescent bullying at a boys’ water polo camp in early 2000s Australia. The young cast, led by Everett Blunck, brings remarkable depth to a story that balances realism with moments of suspense and unease. Polinger’s direction deftly captures the shifting dynamics and emotional volatility of youth.

Social media obsession is dissected in Lurker (Alex Russell), a psychological thriller exploring the dangers of parasocial relationships. Théodore Pellerin stars as a reserved shop worker who becomes fixated on a pop star, played by Archie Madekwe. The film’s sharp observations on celebrity culture and online boundaries feel both timely and unsettlingly prescient.

Scarlett Johansson’s first foray behind the camera, Eleanor the Great, features June Squibb as a former New Yorker forging new connections in the city. What begins as a gentle tale of late-life reinvention evolves into a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of kindness and the unintended consequences of good intentions. Johansson’s direction is patient and assured, allowing the cast’s chemistry to shine.

Romance, Family, and the Human Condition

The History of Sound (Oliver Hermanus) is a quietly affecting period romance, with Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal portraying two young men collecting folk music recordings in post-World War I America. The film’s understated approach and the leads’ sensitive performances lend it a timeless quality, while its depiction of love and loss resonates long after the credits roll.

Jay Duplass’s The Baltimorons revives the mumblecore tradition with a heartfelt Christmas dramedy set in Baltimore. Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen anchor the story as two strangers whose chance encounter on Christmas Eve leads to unexpected revelations. The film’s sincerity and gentle humour set it apart from more cynical holiday fare.

A Little Prayer (Angus MacLachlan) finally reached cinemas this summer after its Sundance debut two years ago. This understated family drama, featuring a standout performance from David Strathairn, delves into forgiveness and the quiet tensions that shape family life. MacLachlan’s restrained storytelling favours introspection over melodrama, resulting in a film that feels both authentic and deeply moving.

Rounding out the list is Rebuilding (Max Walker-Silverman), a western drama set in the aftermath of devastating wildfires in Arizona. Josh O’Connor stars as a cowboy striving to support his community, with Meghann Fahy as his empathetic ex-wife. The film’s contemplative tone and focus on resilience and memory make it especially resonant in light of recent real-world events.