By Isaac Atunlute
Whether you’re chilling at home or planning a weekend binge with mates, 2025 is already delivering bold, emotional and unforgettable films. From pulse-racing thrillers to tearjerkers, here are five picks that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
The Amateur
Genre:Action/Thriller
When CIA codebreaker Charlie Heller loses his wife in a London terrorist attack, he expects justice. But when his agency refuses to attack, Charlie turns his intellect into his deadliest weapon. Armed with codes and vengeance, he sets off on a global manhunt that puts him in the crosshairs of dangerous enemies and even his own government.
KO
Genre: Action/Thriller
In this gritty revenge drama, an MMA fighter accidentally kills his opponent in the ring. Wracked with guilt, he then sets out to help the widow by finding her missing son. But his search pulls him into the underworld of a crime gang in Marseille.
Guns up
Genre: Action/comedy
Ex-cop Ray just wants out. After years of working as a henchman for the mob, he dreams of a quiet life having dinner with his wife, Alice. When a final job goes disastrously wrong, Ray has one night to rescue his unsuspecting family before his past catches up with him.
The Survivors
Genre: Mystery/Drama
A young woman’s mysterious death dredges up the past in a sleepy seaside town, where three young people lost their lives fifteen years ago and tore the town apart. As old wounds reopen and suspicions spread, the community is forced to confront truths it had long buried.
Forever
Genre: Teen drama
Need a good cry or that sweet rush of first love? Forever reimagines Judy Blume’s 1975 coming-of-age novel told through the lens of modern Black teens. Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone), a confident track star, and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.), a high-achieving athlete, fall hard and fast as they navigate love, identity, and sexual awakening, all the while dealing with parental expectations.
In 2025, a variety of compelling films add excitement and drama to viewers' watchlists. "The Amateur" is an action-packed thriller where a CIA codebreaker, Charlie Heller, turns to vigilantism after the agency refuses to avenge his wife's death. Another thriller, "KO", follows an MMA fighter's dangerous journey to redemption after accidentally killing an opponent. The film "Guns Up" blends action and comedy, portraying an ex-cop's frantic attempt to protect his family from his criminal past.
"The Survivors" is a mystery-drama revolving around a young woman's death that forces a town to revisit past tragedies. Lastly, "Forever" is a teen drama inspired by Judy Blume's novel, exploring themes of love and identity through the experiences of Black teenagers as they navigate first love and parental pressures. These films stand out for their emotional depth and gripping narratives, making them must-watches in the cinematic landscape of 2025.
