As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at the films that defined cinema over the past 12 months. In conjunction with International Cinema Day, the FirstClasse team is sharing their favourite movies of the year.
From major releases to quieter favourites that left a lasting impression, we’ve rounded up the best movies of 2025 according to the FirstClasse team. Did your favourite movie of the year make the list?
Leonard Lo, Managing Director – Weapons
My movie of the year is Weapons, it’s a horror/mystery film. What I loved about it was the way the story unfolds through multiple characters’ perspectives, slowly coming together to reveal the full plot. It’s supposedly inspired by a true story, involving some pretty disturbing witchcraft and children as victims, which adds an extra layer of intensity. This was also my first real horror movie in a while, and it definitely left a lasting impression.
Veronica Phang, Finance Manager – F1
My favourite movie of 2025 is F1. I loved it not only because my favourite actor, Brad Pitt, plays the lead, but also because I’ve never experienced a Formula 1 story on the big screen before. The storyline is engaging from start to finish, and I was hooked the entire time.
Natalie Khoo, Editor – Avatar: Fire and Ash
I was going to say F1, but to add some variety to the list, I’ll go with Avatar: Fire and Ash. While some critics argue the franchise has lost its magic three movies in, I’d argue that few animated sci-fi films today match what James Cameron has achieved. It’s visually immersive, emotionally powerful, and morally complex – building on the previous films while adding depth to character arcs and exploring how faith, family, and fear often shape our choices. Plus, it’s still in cinemas, so there’s time to catch it before the year ends!
Darsina Kuberakusalan, Social Media Manager – Sinners
I picked Sinners because I have a huge soft spot for vampire movies. Watching the characters try to defend themselves against vampires was stressful (in a good way). The tension of that survival battle, combined with Michael B. Jordan’s performance, made it one of my best movie experiences this year.
Charmaine Loh, Senior Writer – The Materialists
As someone who loves romance movies and rom-coms, I was drawn to how The Materialists explores love from multiple angles such as self-interest, values, and earnestness, giving plenty to think about when it comes to modern-day dating. And of course, the love triangle featuring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans was one of the most anticipated collaborations of 2025 – and it definitely delivered.
Nuha Adam, Digital Writer – Now You See Me, Now You Don’t
As the third installment in the Now You See Me series, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t is full of clever layers and one plot twist after another. I also appreciated the subtle commentary on capitalism. It definitely lived up to the hype!
Victor Wong, Junior Graphic Designer – Elio
I really enjoyed Elio, it’s a vibrant Disney Pixar adventure full of wonder and imagination. The colourful visuals and playful design had me hooked, and I loved how the story shows that exploring new worlds can lead to growth, friendship, and a sense of belonging. I found myself rooting for Elio as he chased his dream of the stars, and it was really touching to see him realise that courage and connection can be found right where he is.
Imran Sulaiman, Photographer and Photo Editor – Superman
I’m not usually drawn to superhero films, but this remake of Superman really surprised me. It’s witty and playful, with a charming innocence that’s balanced by a surprising maturity. Even with multiple new characters introduced, the pacing is so smooth that you don’t fully realise how much ground the film has covered until the very end.
Khairul Irsyaduddin, Videographer and Video Editor – Thunderbolts*
Florence Pugh’s performance in Thunderbolts was amazing – at times, it even feels like her film rather than an MCU installment. The movie balances action, humour, and emotional depth, including a thrilling scene on top of our very own Merdeka 118 Tower. It explores the burden of being a hero after the Avengers, tackling mental health meaningfully, and introduces cool characters like Sentry. It may not feature the “mightiest hero”, but it’s a smart, fun step forward for the MCU.
Gan Hong Bin, Sales Manager – Jurassic World Rebirth
I liked Jurassic World Rebirth because it’s an easy, immersive watch that lets you enjoy the visuals and sound without overthinking. It captures the aspects of the Jurassic series I’ve always loved – the adventure, chaos, and humans-versus-dinosaurs tension – and brings back the nostalgic feel of the original films. I’ve also always been fascinated by the idea of dinosaurs existing in our world, and the movie brings that concept to life in a thrilling way.
Safurah Hazri, Senior Executive, Campaign Management – Final Destination Bloodlines
I’m a fan of the Final Destination series, which was hugely popular in the 2000s, and I grew up watching it with my family. This latest installment feels more modern, but I still enjoyed how it pays homage to the earlier Final Destination films. It’s one of my favourites this year not because it’s an exceptional movie, but because of the nostalgia that comes with it.
Jessa Ng, Project Manager – Zootopia 2
I chose Zootopia 2 because it genuinely makes my inner child happy. It’s a refreshing, easy watch and the perfect movie to unwind with after a long day at work. I definitely did not choose this because I’m secretly in love with an animated fox cop…definitely not.
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Featured Image: Formula 1