This year saw a wealth of fantastic original movies from major streaming services. Some had limited theatrical releases before becoming available at home, while others went straight to streaming. Netflix had a particularly strong year, but Hulu, Prime Video, and Apple TV also delivered impressive content. We’ve selected and ranked the 12 best. Close behind were titles like G20 and Another Simple Favor (Prime Video), The Parenting (HBO Max), Eenie Meanie (Hulu), F1, All of You, and The Gorge (Apple TV), Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (Paramount+), and Havoc, Steve, The Thursday Murder Club, and A House of Dynamite (Netflix).
Documentaries weren’t considered for this award, but animated movies were. Did your top pick from streaming services win?
12) Jay Kelly on Netflix
While Jay Kelly follows a familiar story of a father prioritizing work over family, it’s elevated by excellent performances from George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and a talented supporting cast. More importantly, the film demonstrates the continued strong working relationship between director Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler, resulting in a movie that feels as genuinely heartfelt as The Meyerowitz Stories.
Despite being well-made, Jay Kelly doesn’t stand out as a truly memorable film. Unlike Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, which stays with you long after you’ve seen it, Jay Kelly doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
11) Play Dirty on Prime Video
While not Shane Black’s strongest film, Play Dirty is an enjoyable and well-crafted action movie. It probably won’t go down as a classic, but it definitely feels like a typical Shane Black production. Interestingly, the movie might have been even better if Robert Downey Jr. had played the part of Parker, as was originally intended, instead of Mark Wahlberg.
LaKeith Stanfield and Rosa Salazar are particularly impressive; Salazar deserved more recognition after her moving performance in Alita: Battle Angel. This is the seventh film adaptation of the Parker character, and each time a different actor has played the lead role. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of classics like Point Blank with Lee Marvin or Mel Gibson’s director’s cut of Payback, it’s comparable to the 2013 Parker film starring Jason Statham.
10) Highest 2 Lowest on Apple TV
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington consistently deliver great work together, and their latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, continues that trend. This remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low is a gripping mystery thriller, reminiscent of the film Ransom, but keeps the identity of the kidnapper a secret for a longer period.
It’s true that Highest 2 Lowest is a film people either love or hate – it’s probably the most polarizing on this list. However, if you enjoyed Inside Man and have been hoping for another film with a similar feel from Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, this movie is definitely worth checking out.
9) Summer of 69 on Hulu
As a big fan of comedy, I’ve been waiting for Chloe Fineman to really blow up – it always felt like it was just a matter of time after seeing her consistently kill it on SNL. So many SNL cast members go on to do great things in movies, and now it’s finally happening for her! I’m really excited that Hulu and Jillian Bell are giving her the chance to shine in her first leading role.
The film Summer of ’69 successfully captures the vibe of 1980s teen comedies without being overly explicit or feeling dated for modern audiences. It’s a sweet and genuine coming-of-age story, elevated by a strong performance from Sam Morelos, who plays a shy teenager. She seeks guidance from Santa Monica, an exotic dancer, to help her navigate her sexuality and pursue a relationship with Max, a popular and recently single classmate.
8) Heads of State on Prime Video
While not a masterpiece, Heads of State is a thoroughly enjoyable buddy cop comedy. It doesn’t aim for artistic depth, and instead focuses on delivering action and a convincing connection between its two main actors – and it does both really well.
It’s rare to see a movie these days where the U.S. president is the hero, but Heads of State does just that. The film also playfully comments on politics by casting John Cena as Will Derringer, a former action star who wasn’t exactly a huge talent. Derringer teams up with Idris Elba’s Sam Clarke, the more reserved Prime Minister of the UK, who becomes a little more relaxed by the end of the movie.
7) Frankenstein on Netflix
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a beautifully made and passionate horror film, brought to life after a long development process, and featuring strong performances from Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. It cleverly stays true to the original Mary Shelley novel without feeling like a repetitive retelling, unlike Kenneth Branagh’s 1990s version.
Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation is considered one of the best because of two key elements. First, Jacob Elordi delivers a nuanced and complex performance. Second, the film uniquely emphasizes the monster’s point of view – something even the classic 1931 version didn’t fully explore.
6) Eternity on Apple TV
Although A24 released Eternity in theaters, Apple funded the film and will be the exclusive streaming home for it on Apple TV. While it performed decently in cinemas, it’s expected to reach a far wider audience when it begins streaming.
This movie, similar to another one we’ll be discussing, is simply a really enjoyable experience. It takes a clever and ambitious idea and executes it flawlessly. The story of a love triangle set in the afterlife works beautifully because the audience knows the final decision will have lasting consequences, adding a lot of tension to a typical romantic comedy. Some would even say it’s the best of the 18 films A24 released this year.
5) Deep Cover on Prime Video
Considered one of the funniest movies of 2025, Deep Cover is a feel-good film with a clever and unpredictable story. It’s consistently lighthearted, and the three main actors have fantastic on-screen chemistry.
What makes the show Deep Cover work so well is how easily you connect with its three main characters, even if you’ve never tried improvisational comedy. They’re simply three people looking for a little excitement who quickly find themselves in a difficult situation. Bryce Dallas Howard and Nick Mohammed both deliver great performances, but Orlando Bloom truly shines with his unexpectedly vulnerable and self-deprecating acting.
4) Hedda on Prime Video
Directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Tessa Thompson, Hedda is a fresh take on the classic play Hedda Gabler. The story still centers on a woman feeling stifled by her circumstances and financial troubles, but with some key changes. Most significantly, this version reimagines the main character as a lesbian, which powerfully highlights the societal pressures she faced in the 1950s.
Emma Thompson’s performance in Hedda is truly exceptional and could easily win an Oscar. It’s arguably the best work of her entire career, and she’s incredibly skilled at expressing complex feelings without even speaking.
3) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix
Many consider Wake Up Dead Man to be the strongest film in the Knives Out series, showcasing Rian Johnson’s skill with mysteries. It remains to be seen if it will stand the test of time as well as the first movie, but it’s definitely a more compelling and well-crafted story than Glass Onion.
While some viewers felt Daniel Craig’s character, Benoit Blanc, wasn’t as central in the latest Knives Out film, he’s still a key part of the story. The movie truly revolves around Josh O’Connor’s incredible performance as Jud Duplenticy. The cast also features strong performances from Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Cailee Spaeny, who continues to prove she’s one of the most promising young actors working today.
2) Predator: Killer of Killers on Hulu
Regardless of how well Predator: Badlands performed, Predator: Killer of Killers would have still made 2025 a landmark year for the Predator series. Killer of Killers was a surprise hit, announced shortly before it came out, similar to how director Dan Trachtenberg initially released his film 10 Cloverfield Lane.
Killer of Killers is a beautifully constructed film told through a series of short, engaging stories. Each character gets a compelling introduction before their paths collide in an exciting finale. The movie suggests some promising directions for future animated installments, and hopefully, those ideas will be explored further.
1) KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix
Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is a huge hit, breaking viewing records and becoming a true pop culture phenomenon. It’s a really enjoyable movie, so even if you’re not a K-pop fan, you’ll likely find yourself rooting for the characters.
Whether it’s the spoken dialogue or the singing, and with its polished animation, KPop Demon Hunters really delivers. However, the show truly shines because of a few incredible songs, notably “Golden” and “How It’s Done.”
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2025-12-27 00:16