8 Best Streaming Movies of 2025, Ranked

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As 2025 ends and 2026 begins, let’s take a look back at some of the most popular shows and movies released on major streaming platforms this year. The entertainment industry has seen huge growth in all areas over the last twelve months. While movies still premiere in theaters, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have become major players, releasing some of the year’s most captivating content.

Many movies you’d normally see in theaters are now available on streaming services, but only a few were released directly to streaming, bypassing theaters altogether (though some had very limited theatrical runs). Here are eight of the best movies released for streaming between January 1 and December 17, 2025—a great accomplishment for each film. Now’s the perfect time to get comfortable, grab the remote, and enjoy the show with some popcorn!

Another Simple Favor Is a Satisfying Sequel

The film A Simple Favor came out in 2018 and became available on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2025. This mystery-comedy brings back Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively as Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson, five years after the events of the original movie.

The arrival of a group of women in Italy for Emily’s wedding to Dante Versano quickly turns ominous when a murder occurs, setting off a series of unsettling events.

If you enjoyed A Simple Favor, you’ll likely enjoy Another Simple Favor too. It’s a fun, though somewhat unbelievable, story with flawed but compelling characters, brought to life by strong performances from Kendrick and Blake. The movie is visually appealing thanks to its beautiful Italian locations and stylish costumes, and it keeps you guessing with its surprising plot twists.

Happy Gilmore 2 Provides Excellent Fan Service

It took nearly 30 years to create Happy Gilmore 2, the follow-up to the 1996 film Happy Gilmore. The sequel debuted on Netflix on July 25, 2025. The story follows Happy after the off-screen death of his wife, Virginia (played by Julie Bowen). Devastated, he gives up golf and his life falls apart both personally and professionally.

When Happy’s daughter, Vienna, gets accepted into a prestigious but costly ballet school, he does everything he can to make her dream a reality.

I have to admit, Happy Gilmore 2 just doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the original. But honestly, considering it came out nearly thirty years later, I really appreciate the effort! Adam Sandler is, predictably, fantastic as Happy, and I loved seeing all the familiar faces and fun cameos. It’s a really enjoyable movie, and it just oozes nostalgia – it genuinely makes you feel good while you’re watching it.

Heads of State Is an Entertaining Action Movie

The action comedy Heads of State premiered on Amazon Prime Video on July 2, 2025. It stars Ilya Naishuller as Sam Clarke, the British Prime Minister, and John Cena as Will Derringer, the U.S. President. Despite a strong dislike for each other, Clarke and Derringer must team up when both their countries are threatened by Viktor Gradov, played by Paddy Considine.

Head of State is an action comedy that really depends on the connection between its lead actors, and Idris Elba and John Cena make a great team. While the story is a bit over-the-top and the action isn’t always realistic, it’s a fun, lighthearted movie perfect for those just looking to be entertained. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and delivers plenty of laughs alongside the big action sequences.

The Perfect Neighbor Is a Gripping Documentary

Released on Netflix on October 10, 2025, The Perfect Neighbor is a compelling documentary film—not a multi-part series—that investigates the 2023 shooting death of Ajike Owens at the hands of Susan Louise Lorincz. It’s the latest work from director Geeta Gandbhir.

Before appearing on Netflix, the documentary was shown in a few theaters. The story of Owens’s murder and what happened beforehand is told using footage from police body cameras, emergency calls, and other evidence.

Among all the releases expected in 2025, The Perfect Neighbor stands out as exceptional. Director Gandbhir brings a masterful touch, particularly due to her personal connection to the case. This Netflix documentary isn’t just entertainment; it aims to educate viewers and spark conversations about important issues like racial injustice, mental health, failures in policing, and Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Is a Great Whodunit

Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the newest installment in the series, released on December 12, 2025. As with the previous films, the story centers around the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc, known for noticing even the smallest clues. This time, Blanc is called in to investigate the murder of Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) and uncover not only who did it, but why.

After the brilliance of Rian Johnson’s previous work, it’s no shock to me that Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery landed on my year-end favorites list. What really shines is the cast – everyone feels perfectly suited to their role, bringing a fantastic energy to the whole film. Johnson delivers exactly what you want in a classic whodunnit: clever dialogue and a plot that constantly keeps you guessing. It just works.

The Thursday Murder Club Is a Well-Made Adaptation

The movie The Thursday Murder Club launched on Netflix on August 28, 2025. Directed by Chris Columbus, it’s a funny crime story about a group of friends – Elizabeth Best (played by Helen Mirren), Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley), Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), and Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie) – who investigate unsolved murders. Trouble begins when their retirement home, Cooper’s Chase, faces the possibility of closing, leading to a series of dangerous events.

When it comes to enjoyable mysteries, The Thursday Murder Club is a slight favorite. The film offers a warmer, more uplifting take on the genre, largely thanks to its wonderful cast of veteran actors. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Barbara Imrie are fantastic together, and the mystery unfolds skillfully and subtly until a satisfying conclusion, all captured with beautiful cinematography.

Frankenstein Makes Good Changes to Mary Shelley’s Story

Let me tell you, Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein finally arrived, and it was worth the wait. It had a small run in theaters back in October of 2025, but most of us experienced it when it dropped on Netflix November 7th. Oscar Isaac is absolutely captivating as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in this fresh take on Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel.

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After Frankenstein brings his creation to life, he immediately understands he has no power over it. The Creature, suddenly existing in a strange new world, tries his best to adjust to the life he didn’t choose.

There have been many adaptations of this story, but Guillermo del Toro’s is easily among the best. The actors all give fantastic performances, the atmosphere is beautifully dark and unsettling, and the director’s style is both striking and polished.

One of the strongest parts of the film is how Guillermo del Toro reimagines the Creature’s motivations. These changes don’t feel forced – they actually move the story forward, which is unusual and impressive.

KPop Demon Hunters Is a Cultural Phenomenon

The 2025 animated musical film, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, is now available on Netflix. Released on June 20, 2025, the movie follows the girl group HUNTR/X as they attempt to restore the Golden Moon and finally defeat the demons plaguing the human world. They make good progress at first, but their plans are complicated by the unexpected arrival of a rival demon boy band called Saja Boys.

2025 was a great year for Netflix originals, but honestly, nothing even compared to . It was just perfect – the songs were so catchy, the animation style was amazing, and everything just clicked. It’s only 95 minutes long, but it felt like pure, non-stop fun!

The film also tackles serious issues, but does so in a way that fits naturally with its funny and cheerful moments, resulting in a well-balanced story.

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2025-12-25 22:17