8 Must-See Movies From the Past 12 Months

When it comes to movies that actually stuck with you, the past year delivered some unexpected standouts. Films that critics buzzed about, awards contenders made waves, and audiences found themselves talking long after the credits rolled. Historic Oscar nominees, intimate dramas, and genre-bending indies: these are the movies worth carving out time for.

Are you curious about what everyone’s been raving about? Below are eight films released in the last 12 months that have earned attention for reasons like record-breaking nominations, bold storytelling, and unforgettable performances. Each one has a reason, or ten, to be on your watchlist.

Sinners

If you caught the Oscars buzz earlier this year, you know Sinners didn’t just make noise; it made history. Ryan Coogler’s genre-blending supernatural thriller earned an unprecedented 16 Academy Award nominations, the most ever for a single film in Oscar history, including Best Picture and Best Director nods.

What makes Sinners so gripping isn’t just the scale of its success, but the way it fuses horror with blues and historical drama, following twin brothers confronting vampires amid racial tensions in 1930s Mississippi. Michael B. Jordan leads with a performance that’s both charismatic and deeply grounded, anchoring a story that feels cinematic and urgent.

The nominations spanned acting, music, cinematography, and more, showing broad respect from critics and industry voters alike. It’s the kind of film that aims high and lands high, offering scares, heart, and smarts in equal measure. Are you into genre mash-ups or just brilliant filmmaking? Sinners is one of those movies everyone will be discussing for years. It’s not just a must-see, it’s a historic one.

One Battle After Another

One of the most talked-about films of 2025 was One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling action-comedy-drama that dominated awards season with 13 Oscar nominations. With a layered narrative and a stellar cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, this film blurred genre lines in the way only Anderson can, mixing sharp character work with wry humor and cinematic bravado. Critics praised its ambitious structure and emotional depth, making it feel like both a blockbuster and an arthouse favorite.

The film’s nominations for Best Picture and other major categories reflected how widely it resonated with audiences and critics alike. In a year packed with strong contenders, its storytelling riskiness was seen as one of the most compelling cinematic achievements. Beyond the awards headlines, One Battle After Another delivers a rich experience that rewards repeat viewings and discussion.

If you want something that sparks conversation and stays with you, this one’s at the top of the list.

Pillion

Sometimes the standout movies aren’t the loudest or biggest, and that’s exactly the case with Pillion, a 2025 release that quickly became one of the most critically adored films of the year. In Rotten Tomatoes’ 2026 rankings, Pillion has a 100% Tomatometer score, indicating unanimous praise from critics.

Directed by Harry Lighton and featuring standout performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, this unconventional romance is both tender and bold in its approach to love and identity. Rather than following a traditional formula, Pillion asks us to lean into characters who defy expectations, and it does so with confidence and heart.

Its storytelling resonated so strongly that critics singled it out as one of the best films of 2025, not just the best new movie of early 2026. If you’re drawn to films that feel like emotional discoveries rather than polished products, Pillion delivers one of the most refreshing cinematic experiences of the past year.

All That’s Left of You

Also earning universal critical acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes is All That’s Left of You, a 2025 drama that combines historical weight with deeply personal storytelling. Set against the tense backdrop of the Occupied West Bank in the 1980s, the film follows a young Palestinian teenager whose life is irrevocably changed when protests reshape her world.

With a powerful ensemble cast including Cherien Dabis and Saleh Bakri, the film blends political themes with intimate character moments that feel lived and urgent rather than abstract.

Critics highlighted its thematic breadth and emotional precision, often describing it as “riveting” and “essential” cinema. For movie lovers who appreciate narratives that don’t shy away from complexity or human nuance, this film is a standout from the past year’s slate. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you stop watching, inviting reflection rather than escape.

Young Mothers

Close on the heels of global acclaim, Young Mothers is another critically Certified Fresh film that flew under the mainstream radar but absolutely deserves your attention. Earning a 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie tells the story of five young women living in a shelter as they strive to build better futures for themselves and their children.

What makes this film captivating isn’t spectacle; it’s the way it honors its characters’ struggles with nuance, tenderness, and honesty. The performances are uniformly strong, and the directors (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) craft a narrative that feels deeply lived and beautifully observed.

Critics praised how the movie marries social observation with intimate, character-driven storytelling. Young Mothers is the kind of film that pulls you in with empathy first and storytelling second, making it one of the most quietly powerful entries of the year.

OBEX

OBEX is exactly the kind of film that makes critics sit up and take notice. With a 96% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, this 2025 movie blends an analog aesthetic with questions about the digital age in a way that feels refreshingly original. Though visually and thematically unconventional, OBEX succeeds because it isn’t afraid to push boundaries.

The narrative riffs on digital culture and reality in ways that are both playful and profound, giving it a creative spark many more conventional films lack. Critics noted that despite modest production trappings, the storytelling and inventive spirit make it feel larger than its budget.

If you love movies that surprise you, ones that twist familiar elements into something new and thought-provoking, OBEX is a standout you’ll want to catch.

The Secret Agent

International cinema also delivered a must-see this year with The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto), a Brazilian historical thriller by acclaimed filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho. Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Wagner Moura), and Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, this film blends neo-noir thrills with political tension and rich character study.

Set during a time of political upheaval, it follows a cast of characters entangled in espionage and moral ambiguity, showcasing a narrative style that’s both visually striking and narratively layered. Critics have praised its direction, performances, and its ability to balance large historical themes with deeply human stakes.

Do you lean into foreign film regularly or want a film that feels distinctly different from typical Hollywood fare? The Secret Agent is an unforgettable watch from the past year.

28 Years Later

If you want a movie that blends gripping storytelling with cinematic flair, 28 Years Later delivered one of the most talked-about genre films of 2025. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, this post-apocalyptic drama follows a young boy and his ailing mother as they traverse a hostile world in search of medical care.

Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, the film received generally positive reviews for its emotional depth and thrilling pacing, earning praise from critics for bringing fresh urgency to an established franchise. Its blend of action, heart, and world-building made it feel both familiar and invigorating.

Fans of dystopian cinema and character-driven adventure alike found plenty to love here. If you’re after something immersive, suspenseful, and emotionally grounded from last year’s releases, 28 Years Later is more than worth your ticket.