At first glance, it appeared that the films debuting at this year’s Cannes Film Festival were met with a range of reactions, but upon closer examination, there is much praise to be found. Some films have even earned acclaim amidst the varied initial responses on the festival circuit. With 22 films in competition for the 2025 Cannes lineup and countless others playing in various sidebars, the event marks the beginning of many significant cinematic releases in the year ahead.
Additionally, it provided a glimpse into potential nominees for this awards season and the Oscars of 2026. While not every film screened at Cannes goes on to be a success, in recent times, many films premiered here have shown remarkable longevity, traveling from the Croisette to the grand stage of the Oscars.
Initially, an assortment of remarkable films were unveiled prior to all else, primarily at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2025. Ranging from heart-wrenchingly emotional dramas to adrenaline-fueled actions and startlingly intense thrillers, the festival yet again solidified its reputation as the cradle of diverse and pioneering cinematic milestones. Now, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rate every movie screened at Cannes 2025, from the opening night feature to some of the most anticipated premieres and undiscovered jewels in the cinematic crown.
23. Leave One Day
A Poppy French Musical
This year’s opening night film is a French musical, filled with catchy tunes and a heartfelt yet predictable narrative that stirs emotions, albeit not delving too deeply into them. One Day tells the story of a renowned chef, famous for her stints on Top Chef, who is about to launch her first restaurant. However, she is forced to return to her childhood village to tend to her father, where she rekindles an old romance that stirs up dormant feelings.
The movie, despite being entertaining, doesn’t delve deeply into the musical genre as one might expect, preferring to focus on its understated narrative and melodies. Juliette Armanet gives a commendable lead performance, and some tunes are quite memorable, but it lacks depth, leaving little lasting impact.
Read our review of Leave One Day.
22. Sons of the Neon Night
A Crime Epic That Loses The Plot
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for this gripping action crime masterpiece directed by Juno Mak, his second cinematic venture. The film paints a visually arresting picture of a dystopian, lawless Hong Kong, where chaos and violence reign supreme. On the silver screen, it offers an abundance of reasons to fall in love with it. Mak’s interpretation of Hong Kong seems to exist beyond the confines of time, presenting a surreal, otherworldly cityscape. In some heart-pounding action scenes, blood and bullets shower the city, creating a thrilling spectacle that leaves me breathless.
Unfortunately, the storyline’s uneven tempo and confusing narrative, centered around two brothers fighting for power over their late father’s pharmaceutical business, is marred by it all. Amidst this power struggle, a diverse ensemble of corrupt police officers and street-level criminals are present, but the broad perspective of this conflict seems to blur the focus of the show Sons of the Neon.
Read our review of Sons of the Neon Night.
21. The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson’s Latest Is Underwhelming
Following Wes Anderson’s distinctive style, the movie titled “The Phoenician Scheme” boasts an array of stars, his signature wit, and a visually captivating color scheme. A breakout role from emerging actress Mia Threapleton as Liesl, daughter of business magnate (Benicio del Toro), who is always at risk of being targeted, steals the show. With Anderson hitting an emotional peak in “Asteroid City“, anticipation for this upcoming film was equally high.
Unfortunately, “The Phoenician Scheme” seems to prioritize style over substance. The extensive narrative leaves minimal space for the development of the characters portrayed by del Toro and Threapleton, resulting in a relationship that fails to reach its full potential. The film’s plot is complex and often takes away from the story, despite Anderson’s previous success in blending his flamboyant style with heartfelt narratives. However, it appears that “The Phoenician Scheme” has placed the director in a challenging position, as he struggles to reconcile his creative instincts.
Read our review of The Phoenician Scheme.
20. Nouvelle Vague
Richard Linklater, well-known for films like “Dazed and Confused” and “Hit Man”, creates a tribute to the French New Wave with his newest production. This film follows the development and creation process of Jean-Luc Godard’s famous movie “Breathless”. Essentially a movie about gathering together, Linklater effectively portrays the wit, passion for cinema, and innovative methods that define one of cinema’s most impactful periods.
In the movie “Nouvelle Vague,” Linklater skillfully reimagines the actors, crew, and other New Wave icons, notably Guillame Marbeck (played by Jean-Luc Godard’s counterpart), Zoey Deutch (representing Jean Seaberg), and Aubry Dillon (embodying Jean-Paul Belmondo). These characters are remarkably similar to their original counterparts. The film is captivating, with Guillame Marbeck being a remarkable doppelganger for Godard. He seldom removes his signature sunglasses, not even during the most turbulent days on set. At its best, “Nouvelle Vague” transports you to the set of “Breathless,” although it may seem like a brief glimpse into such an influential era, it remains a delightful watch.
Read our review of Nouvelle Vague.
19. Amrum
Faith Akin’s movie “Amrum” offers a poignant exploration of World War II through the eyes of a young islander seeking essentials for his pregnant mother. The narrative might be straightforward, but Akin skillfully employs it to scrutinize the insidious impact of fascism on a community and the unsettling consequences as the war’s end approaches, revealing the harsh truth that some longed for or dreaded. Although “Amrum” may falter in its coming-of-age narrative, as a powerful depiction of wartime life, it proves to be an impactful work of art.
Read our review of Amrum.
18. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
In “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” there are some of the series’ most thrilling near-death escapades, including an exhilarating underwater submarine sequence and Tom Cruise’s famed biplane maneuver. However, the film encounters difficulties in cohesively tying up all plotlines (and characters), as it attempts to resolve lingering threads from “Dead Reckoning” while simultaneously intensifying Ethan Hunt’s battle against The Entity. This initial act can feel a bit bumpy.
Titled “The Final Reckoning“, this movie goes grand, featuring numerous appearances by celebrities like Hannah Waddingham and Trammell Tillman, along with numerous references back to earlier films. However, whether or not it truly marks the end of Tom Cruise’s three-decade portrayal of Ethan Hunt is yet to be determined. In many aspects, “The Final Reckoning” doesn’t feel conclusive, but it undeniably showcases a cinematic spectacle of immense scale. Despite its efforts, it fails to reach the heights achieved by previous installments.
Read our review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
17. Eddington
Ari Aster’s initial film on COVID explores how the pandemic profoundly impacted society in a realistic manner, yet in this approach, the writer-director seems to forgo subtlety, opting instead for a direct and intense portrayal. However, Eddington, despite its humor, shows political views that are unclear at best and surprisingly conservative at worst. Despite boasting an illustrious cast featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, Eddington is one of Aster’s less successful projects.
Read our review of Eddington.
16. Dangerous Animals
In simpler terms, a movie about a killer shark titled “Dangerous Animals” promises excitement and that’s precisely what it delivers. It doesn’t attempt to convey any profound meaning – an attempt at exploring man versus nature falls flat – but it doesn’t necessarily need one to succeed. With Jai Courtney portraying a mentally unstable, shark-fixated antagonist who records his victims being devoured by the most terrifying marine creatures, the film is already engaging enough on its own.
15. Case 137
Dominik Moll’s “Case 137” is an exceptional police drama unfolding against the backdrop of France’s Yellow Vest protests. This gripping movie centers on Lea Drucker’s character, Stéphanie, an internal investigator, who delves into a matter involving police violence. As a taut thriller about responsibility, it resonates strikingly with current events. Drucker delivers a remarkable lead role, and while the film sticks to its genre conventions, Moll skillfully creates an engaging portrayal of tumultuous times in France.
Read our review of Case 137.
14. Eagles of the Republic
In “The Wheel of Time,” Fares Fares delivers a riotously funny portrayal as George Fahmy, Egypt’s equivalent to George Clooney, who finds himself ensnared in a government intrigue when invited to act in a propaganda movie depicting the life of Egypt’s president. Blending wit and suspense, “Eagles of the Republic” skillfully combines satire of filmmaking with political thriller elements. The narrative maintains an equilibrium between humor and shadows, but takes a dramatic turn towards its end, transforming into a cautionary tale about complicity and silence in the face of tyranny.
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2025-05-26 22:41