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2025 Movie Rankings: What Deserves Your Time (and What Definitely Doesn’t)
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items Hey, here’s a list of the movies I’ve watched this year. There’s no specific order, but each film comes with a quick note: must watch, maybe watch, or skip; plus a tiny review and the link to the full one. Hopefully you find something worth diving in...
Must Watch Anora is more than just a chaotic, high-energy film, it’s a sharp, unfiltered look at power dynamics, class struggles, and the illusions people create to escape their reality. medium.com/@bucketfulread/anora-movie-review-a-bold-raw-and-chaotic-masterpiece-that-deserves-its-recognition-b749186c97b3
Anora Movie
Must Watch The story is well-structured, featuring a cast of powerful, well-developed characters with compelling arcs. It delivers both empowering female protagonists and terrifying, nightmare-inducing aliens.
medium.com/@bucketfulread/movie-review-aliens-1986-action-packed-horror-with-a-swarm-of-xenomorphs-ff858a35c4a4
Aliens (1986) Sci-Movie
(Maybe Watch) Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is a psychological drama that demands your full attention. Its subtle storytelling relies heavily on unsaid emotions, hidden tensions, and nuanced relationships.
medium.com/@bucketfulread/challengers-a-movie-driven-by-style-and-ambition-479a915b34de
Challengers (2025) Steamy Romance Movie
(Maybe Watch) If you’re watching it for a strong story or meaningful characters, you’ll be disappointed. This one is all style, little substance.
medium.com/@bucketfulread/the-only-material-worth-watching-in-materialists-is-pedro-pascal-6415a8ad6f20
Materialists (2025) Feel Good Romance Movie
(Must watch) It's a movie you’ll want to rewatch, sing along to, quote, and recommend. I didn’t expect to love it this much, but here I am, obsessed. Someone please give me a sequel, a spin-off, or at least a Saja Boys album.
medium.com/@bucketfulread/not-a-bts-fan-but-this-k-pop-movie-just-became-my-latest-obsession-feca22542a29
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Animation Movie
(Maybe Watch) My only gripe with the movie is its climax and weak storytelling, which pulled me out of the experience. Still, if you are an action movie fan who craves blazing gun battles, standout cinematography, and a powerful background score, Hav...medium.com/@bucketfulread/havoc-2025-review-tom-hardys-brutal-action-masterpiece-9291a39d7b4a
Havoc (2025) Thriller Action Movie
(Skip) Throughout My Fault London, there’s a noticeable hollowness in both the performances and the plot. The film lacks passion and drive, relying instead on the premise of steamy romance between step-siblings, which ultimately feels weak and unconv...medium.com/@bucketfulread/my-fault-london-the-slow-death-of-passion-in-the-age-of-remakes-1935088e3cf0
My Fault: London (2025) Steamy Romance
(Maybe Watch)The story of Longlegs is undeniably weak and predictable. Despite its outstanding cinematography, eerie music, and strong performances from the main cast, the movie struggles to establish itself as a true psychological thriller or horror...medium.com/@bucketfulread/movie-review-longlegs-a-visual-feast-with-a-tangled-web-of-missed-potential-e3effd3c1b43
Longlegs (2024) Psychological Horror Movie
(Maybe watch) Abigail begins with an intriguing mix of mystery, suspense, and a unique concept infused with well-timed comedy. However, some revelations come too early, while others feel forced and unnecessary. By the climax, the film shifts into som...medium.com/the-orange-journal/movie-review-abigail-a-blood-soaked-horror-thriller-with-a-spoiled-surprise-5a84a3e1bdd9
Abigail (2024) Monster Horror Movie
Easy A delivers valuable lessons through stellar performances from the entire cast. With a tight script, strong character development, and witty humor, the film remains consistently engaging and entertaining. It highlights how, in our hunger for reco...medium.com/@bucketfulread/movie-review-easy-a-a-sharp-and-entertaining-take-on-high-school-fame-91e3a98d4318
Easy A (2010) Teen Drama Movie
(Skip) G20 had the perfect ingredients to be a gripping political action thriller—a high-stakes global crisis, a powerful cast led by Viola Davis and Antony Starr, and a timely theme around world politics and cyber warfare. Despite the big names and ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/viola-davis-leads-g20-but-is-it-worth-watching-d61f71d2b1ff
G20 (2025) Action Thriller Movie
(Skip)I had high hopes for Night Hunter. After seeing the cast, I didn’t even bother watching the trailer—I dove straight in, building up great expectations in my mind. Unfortunately, the film didn’t live up to them. medium.com/@bucketfulread/night-hunter-fails-to-deliver-on-its-promise-3bf5f0cc0ce6
Night Hunter (2018) Psychological Thriller
(Must Watch) The film’s score elevates the emotions of its characters, translating everything unsaid with clarity and feeling. From beginning to end, it pulls you into a world of beauty, kindness, and connection. It's not just a film, it's a gentle, ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/when-a-movie-without-words-says-everything-flow-2024-review-2ff2c5b8944d
Flow (2024) Animation Movie
(Maybe Watch) If you’re watching this film expecting a tight political thriller, you’ll be disappointed. The story absolutely takes a backseat to the comedy. But I wasn’t looking for high cinema, I just wanted to be entertained. And the movie deliver...medium.com/@bucketfulread/is-heads-of-state-dumb-fun-or-smart-comedy-heres-my-take-6dd10f64bdd9
Heads of State (2025) Action Comedy
(Skip) If squeezing orange peels into my eyes while I’m half-blind, crying in pain, and someone laughing at me counts as dark comedy, then sure, Another Simple Favor is dark comedy. It’s also a mystery, because by the time it’s over, you’ll have no c...medium.com/@bucketfulread/i-watched-another-simple-favor-so-you-dont-have-to-you-re-welcome-b3c868f58448
Another Simple Favor (2025) Dark Comedy Movie
(Must Watch)The story of Get Out is incredibly crisp, with a screenplay that doesn’t have a single weak scene. Every moment feels intentional, and the entire cast delivers strong, believable performances. Without ever turning preachy or slow, Jordan ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/get-out-the-creepiest-meet-the-parents-ever-made-d930064b6b8c
Get Out (2017) Psychological Horror Movie
Skip) It’s hilariously ironic that Our Fault is based on the third book of The Fault series, because books are supposed to have stories; something this movie completely lacks. Without a coherent story, you can’t have character development, emotional ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/our-fault-when-hot-people-cant-save-a-dead-script-a6a71579f676
Culpa Nuestra (Our Fault) (2025) Steamy Romance
(Maybe Watch) Novocaine isn’t a bad movie, but it’s a film with a unique concept and a basic story. Jack Quaid as Nate absolutely shines, with his personality traits and nerdy nice-guy attitude keeping the movie engaging. Unfortunately, the story is ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/novocaine-review-jack-quaids-performance-is-the-only-thin g-that-hurts-so-good-c8790dd5a14c
Novocaine (2025) Dark Comedy Movie
(Skip)When it came to scares, Night Swim offered only the most predictable and recycled horror clichés we’ve seen countless times before. While the core idea of a haunted swimming pool was genuinely fresh, the execution sank under a dull and repetiti...medium.com/@bucketfulread/night-swim-review-a-horror-movie-that-forgot-to-be-scary-7dbf5fb7bb0f
Night Swim (2024) Supernatural Horror
The Woman in Cabin 10 is a movie that honestly… shouldn’t exist. Just like the story’s nonexistent mystery and nonexistent tension. Keira Knightley gives a committed performance, but even she can’t save a film that has nothing going for it except gor...medium.com/@bucketfulread/this-movie-tried-to-gaslight-the-protagonist-and-accidentally-gaslit-me-a55ec48a2ada
The Woman in Cabin 10 (2025) whodunnit movie
(Must Watch) Tron is a powerful reminder of an era when filmmakers weren’t afraid to take risks; when movies were driven by imagination, not algorithms or marketing formulas. medium.com/@bucketfulread/i-finally-watched-tron-1982-and-its-way-cooler-than-i-ever-expected-1cf6d363d238
Tron: Original Classic Special Edition (1982)
(Maybe Watch) Tron Legacy is a groundbreaking visual spectacle no one can argue that. The music is stunning, the world design is breathtaking, and it’s easily one of the best-looking sci-fi films of its era. But beyond that, the story, structure, and...medium.com/@bucketfulread/tron-legacy-2010-beauty-without-purpose-in-a-neon-world-1db4ca42b682
Tron: Legacy (2010) Cyberpunk Movie
Skip The most ironic part of the film is that it’s a Captain America movie where Captain America has no arc. No character growth. We learn nothing new about Sam. He’s dropped into disconnected subplots and bland missions filled with over-stylized act...medium.com/@bucketfulread/brave-new-world-fails-to-give-sam-wilson-his-own-legacy-as-captain-america-part-1-bbb3cf24b92e
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
(Maybe Watch) Better Movie from all the movies of marvel came in the latest phase
Thunderbolts* (2025) Superhero Movie
(Maybe Watch) Fear Street: Prom Queen opens with Lori Granger(India Fowler) warning us that her name is cursed, and so is her hometown. Nothing good ever happens to her, or to anyone in Shadyside. People snap without reason and go on killing sprees. And really, wh...medium.com/@bucketfulread/why-fear-street-prom-queen-fails-as-a-horror-film-and-how-it-couldve-been-better-2c9a42669527
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) Horror Movie
(Maybe Watch) Best in the series, they should have stopped here.
Culpa Mia (2024) My Fault Steamy Romance Movie
(Skip) Your Fault is, at its core, a cash grab riding on the success of its predecessor. That’s the only logical explanation for its flat performances, weak character arcs, nonexistent storyline, and forced conflicts. But let’s be honest—the blame do...medium.com/@bucketfulread/your-fault-movie-review-a-sequel-that-misses-the-mark-c084fe94da36
Culpa Tuya (2024) Your Fault Steamy Romance Movie
Must watch-- Kudos to Megan Park for writing and directing such a beautiful, soulful, and visually captivating film. My Old Ass is packed with teen angst, quirky humor, heartfelt moments, and invaluable life lessons. If you’re a young adult, this mov...medium.com/@bucketfulread/my-old-ass-movie-review-a-wholesome-and-heartfelt-experience-ed820093ca1e
My Old Ass | Coming of age | Comedy
Maybe watch— The mysterious deaths of unfaithful couples — announced each Tuesday with their names painted on walls — create a gripping sense of suspense and intrigue. However, the most powerful aspect of the film lies in Sailaja’s journey and the se...medium.com/@bucketfulread/mangalavaaram-movie-review-trauma-mystery-twisted-village-secrets-b0c8d73fd2ce
Mangalavaar | Dark | Horror | Prime Video
Maybe Watch--This is no way to bid farewell to a phenomenal actor like Tom Hardy. He deserved a stronger, more meaningful conclusion. Instead, the movie plays like a parody of itself.
medium.com/@bucketfulread/venom-the-last-dance-a-disappointing-sendoff-for-tom-hardys-symbiote-saga-ab2686e2b114
Venom: The Last Dance - Apple TV
(maybe watch) If the filmmakers had put more effort into character writing, story depth, sharper dialogue, and a stronger cast, Until Dawn could have been a huge hit. The movie’s biggest weakness is its shallow writing and lackluster performances. Bu...medium.com/@bucketfulread/5-5-on-imdb-until-dawn-movie-deserves-better-bf0c597ac8c6
Until Dawn (2025) | NOW Tv | Drama | Horror
(Must watch) The Accountant is a well-directed and sharply executed film that takes its time building the story, allowing you to connect with Christian Wolff on a deeper level. The pacing, flashbacks, and layered storytelling all come together to giv...medium.com/@bucketfulread/ben-affleck-was-great-but-jon-bernthal-was-the-moment-in-the-accountant-7363c6ba6e46
The Accountant | NOW | Action Thriller
(Skip)The only strong aspects of The Monkey are its core concept and the performances from Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, and Adam Scott. Everyone else felt unconvincing or wasted. Weak writing and poor character development were constant throug...medium.com/@bucketfulread/the-monkey-had-final-destination-energy-then-turned-into-final-disappointment-df5d1591f1e1
The Monkey - Apple TV
(Must watch) The concept of The Black Phone is wild, unique, and edgy. It keeps you on edge from start to finish. The world-building, cinematography, atmosphere, and dark aesthetics make the entire experience feel tense and suffocating. You never sto...medium.com/@bucketfulread/this-is-the-kind-of-horror-that-crawls-under-your-skin-and-stays-there-7ebdb2aef7d2
The Black Phone - Apple TV
(Skip)The story of Lokah is written so casually and so poorly that it pulled me out of the film every time I tried to connect with it. The movie does have conflicts and motivations, but the writers jump from one conflict to another without resolving ...medium.com/@bucketfulread/this-couldve-been-india-s-next-big-superhero-saga-but-lokah-fumbled-everything-81d2e54190cc
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra