Film enthusiasts looking for guidance on what to watch have a new resource.
The New York Times recently expanded beyond its traditional critics’ picks to capture a broader perspective on 2025’s cinematic landscape.
Instead of relying solely on their official critics, the publication polled 16 staffers who shape their movie coverage to identify the year’s most memorable films.
The result? A list of 25 notable films presented in alphabetical order, representing diverse tastes across their newsroom.
Why This List Matters
Traditional critics’ lists offer valuable insights, but they represent a narrow viewpoint. By expanding the voting pool to include editors, reporters, and other film experts on staff, The Times created a more democratic snapshot of what resonated in 2025.
This approach acknowledges that film appreciation extends beyond professional critics. The staffers involved work daily with movie coverage, bringing unique perspectives shaped by their roles in deciding what stories get told and how.
A Strong Year for Cinema
The Times characterized 2025 as “a terrific year for the big screen,” suggesting moviegoers had plenty of quality options. This assessment comes after several years of industry challenges, including streaming disruption and pandemic recovery.
The alphabetical presentation prevents any single film from dominating the narrative. This formatting choice emphasizes breadth over hierarchy, allowing each selection to stand on equal footing.
Notable Selections
Among the 25 films listed, “28 Years Later” appears as the first alphabetically. This sequel continues the post-apocalyptic horror franchise that began with “28 Days Later” in 2002 and continued with “28 Weeks Later” in 2007.
The inclusion of this franchise installment suggests that genre films received serious consideration alongside arthouse and prestige releases.
Reader Participation
The Times didn’t stop with their staff picks. They invited readers to participate through their own poll, democratizing the conversation further.
This dual approach creates dialogue between professional observers and general audiences. The publication also provided a refresher of movies released throughout the year, helping readers make informed choices when casting their votes.
What This Means for Movie Fans
Year-end film lists serve multiple purposes beyond simple ranking. They create conversation, spark discovery, and help audiences navigate an overwhelming number of releases.
For casual moviegoers, these lists identify films worth seeking out before awards season or before they leave theaters. For serious cinephiles, they offer points of comparison and debate.
The alphabetical format removes pressure to see everything in order of supposed quality. Viewers can explore based on genre preference, availability, or simple curiosity.
The Changing Landscape of Film Criticism
This expanded approach reflects broader shifts in how media organizations think about cultural coverage. Single-voice authority has given way to collective wisdom in many contexts.
Film Twitter, Letterboxd, and other platforms have already democratized movie discussion. Traditional publications like The Times are adapting by incorporating more voices while maintaining their editorial standards.
The 16-person polling group represents a middle ground between individual critic selections and crowd-sourced rankings. It maintains curatorial quality while acknowledging diverse perspectives.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 closes, these lists help shape the cultural conversation around cinema. Films that appear on multiple year-end lists gain momentum heading into awards season.
More importantly, they ensure worthy films don’t disappear without recognition. In an era of constant content and short attention spans, sustained visibility matters.
Whether readers agree with every selection or find themselves discovering titles they missed, the list serves its purpose: keeping quality cinema in the conversation and encouraging people to engage thoughtfully with film as an art form.