First, let me clarify that this list does not include 2025 movies. Instead, it features movie recommendations that you might have missed until now but that I highly recommend you watch in 2025. If you arrived here looking for 2025 movie recommendations or 2025 movies, this might not be what you were expecting.
The movie recommendations
you’re about to see are not from 2025 but are noteworthy movies that I believe are excellent and worth your time. If you haven’t seen them yet or have only heard about them, I encourage you to give each one a chance. Now, let’s dive into the movies I definitely think you should watch in 2025!
1.The Last CastleIf
This delightful movie, released 23 years ago and perhaps missed by many, centers on a highly respected general in the army who is sentenced to 10 years in prison due to an incident. The story unfolds in a prison specifically for former soldiers, where inhumane methods are used to restrain the prisoners. The conflict between the new general and the prison warden drives the narrative.
I watched this movie in 2020 and found myself wondering, “How could I have missed this until now?” If you’re a fan of prison movies and are looking for something substantial, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend adding this movie to your list for 2025.
The Last Castle (2001)
Director: Rod Lurie
Cast: Robert Redford (Lt. Gen. Eugene Irwin), James Gandolfini (Col. Winter), Mark Ruffalo (Yates), Delroy Lindo (Gen. Wheeler)
Release Year: 2001
Duration: 131 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Language: English
Age Rating: R (Restricted)
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Similar Movies: The Rock, A Few Good Men, Crimson Tide
Trailer: The Last Castle Official Trailer
IMDb Link: The Last Castle (2001) – IMDb
2.Mosul
This Netflix movie is often overlooked among the platform’s extensive content library. Set in war-torn Iraq, it follows a Special Operations team on a mission to track down ISIS. The team’s intense focus on their targets and the experiences of a young police officer they rescue from the chaos are central to the plot. As the team becomes increasingly professional, viewers are drawn into the conflicts and struggles of the rookie police officer, feeling like they are part of the team.
Based on real events, this movie strikes a balance between action and drama. It neither leans too heavily into pure action nor pure drama, but maintains a moderate and well-crafted approach. If you have an interest in this genre and have somehow missed this movie, I recommend giving it a chance on Netflix one evening.
Mosul (2019)
Director: Matthew Michael Carnahan
Cast: Suhail Dabbach (Jasem), Adam Bessa (Kawa), Is’haq Elias (Waleed), Hayat Kamille (Intisar)
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 101 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Language: Arabic
Age Rating: TV-MA (Mature Audiences)
Available Platforms: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Similar Movies: The Hurt Locker, 13 Hours, American Sniper
Trailer: Mosul Official Trailer
IMDb Link: Mosul (2019) – IMDb
3.Devil
This thriller from 2010, which many may have overlooked, is a prime example of “low budget, big impact.” Often, when I recommend it, people say, “I can’t believe I haven’t watched this before.” The movie centers on a group of individuals who become trapped in an elevator in a skyscraper. As if being stuck wasn’t enough, the five people soon face a terrifying struggle for survival as a mysterious force begins to torment them.
The movie may be particularly unsettling for those with claustrophobia, as it maintains a deep sense of dread from start to finish. Despite its short length, it offers solid acting and a compelling subtextual message. If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend watching it at dusk for the best experience.
Devil (2010)
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Cast: Chris Messina (Detective Bowden), Logan Marshall-Green (Tony), Jenny O’Hara (Old Woman), Bojana Novakovic (Sarah)
Release Year: 2010
Duration: 80 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube
IMDb Rating: 6.2
Similar Movies: The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Others
Trailer: Devil Official Trailer
IMDb Link: Devil (2010) – IMDb
4.Kursk
This movie depicts the real-life disaster of the Russian submarine Kursk, which sank during a drill in 2000. The movie deeply impressed me with its powerful acting and the atmosphere of desperation that vividly portrays that tragic day. Throughout the movie, there were many moments that made me clench my fists in anger, particularly knowing that these events really happened.
If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend watching it this year. The movie highlights the consequences of dysfunctional bureaucracy, political conflicts of interest, and the impact of decisions made by authorities who are out of touch with reality. It provides a poignant look at how such systemic failures can lead to tragic outcomes.
Kursk (2018)
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Cast: Matthias Schoenaerts (Mikhail Averin), Léa Seydoux (Tanya Averina), Colin Firth (Commodore David Russell), Max von Sydow (Admiral Petrenko)
Release Year: 2018
Duration: 117 minutes
Country: Belgium, Luxembourg
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Similar Movies: The Command, K-19: The Widowmaker, Crimson Tide
Trailer: Kursk Official Trailer
IMDb Link: Kursk (2018) – IMDb
5.The Art of Racing in the Rain
This wonderful movie, which I can’t understand why it hasn’t gained the recognition it deserves, follows the life of a dog from puppyhood to old age. The unique aspect of the movie is that we experience this entire journey through the eyes and even the voice of the dog, Enzo. Adopted by a professional car racer, Enzo’s story unfolds as he witnesses and reflects on his owner’s life.
Initially, I expected just another average dog movie, but I was pleasantly surprised by its authenticity. The movie combines moments of fun with deeply emotional scenes. It explores the inner thoughts of dogs, who have been humanity’s most loyal companions for centuries, and offers insights into how they perceive us and our families.
If you’re discovering this movie for the first time, I highly recommend giving it a chance. It’s a heartfelt and engaging movie that’s well worth watching on a weekend.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia (Denny Swift), Amanda Seyfried (Eve), Kevin Costner (voice of Enzo), Martin Donovan (Maxwell)
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 109 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Language: English
Age Rating: PG (Parental Guidance)
Available Platforms: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Similar Movies: Marley & Me, A Dog’s Purpose, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Trailer: The Art of Racing in the Rain Official Trailer
IMDb Link: The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) – IMDb
6.Sharper
This movie, which begins with a young man working in a bookstore who falls in love with a beautiful girl, takes an unexpected turn midway and ventures down a completely different path. As I watched, there was a moment when I paused and thought, “I’m really enjoying this…” The movie gradually increases its tempo and manages to surprise its audience with its twists.
If you’re looking for something that is highly enjoyable, occasionally intriguing, and a bit surprising, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend giving this movie a chance in 2024.
Sharper (2023)
Director: Benjamin Caron
Cast: Julianne Moore (Madeline), Sebastian Stan (Max), Justice Smith (Tom), Briana Middleton (Sandra)
Release Year: 2023
Duration: 116 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Thriller
Language: English
Age Rating: R (Restricted)
Available Platforms: Apple TV+
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Similar Movies: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train
Trailer: Sharper Official Trailer
IMDb Link: Sharper (2023) – IMDb
7.Just Mercy
This recommendation is based entirely on real people and events. The movie follows a young lawyer who has graduated from Harvard and a man sentenced to death despite his claims of innocence. The story centers on the legal battle between this young lawyer and the man whose guilt or innocence remains unclear. As the lawyer fights to save the man’s life, he finds himself at the forefront of a battle against racism.
If you are particularly interested in movies about real people and events—as I definitely am—I highly recommend you watch this movie if you haven’t already.
Just Mercy (2019)
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: Michael B. Jordan (Bryan Stevenson), Jamie Foxx (Walter McMillian), Brie Larson (Eva Ansley), Rob Morgan (Herbert Richardson)
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 137 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Drama, Legal
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Similar Movies: A Time to Kill, The Green Mile, The Hurricane
Trailer: Just Mercy Official Trailer
IMDb Link: Just Mercy (2019) – IMDb
8.The 12th Man
This movie is a remarkable movie that I highly recommend and has been viewed over 100,000 times since its release in 2018. I wanted to include it in my list for those who might have missed it or haven’t heard of it yet. The movie portrays an impressive struggle for survival and is based on real-life events.
Set during World War II, the movie follows a group of 12 soldiers who are specially trained to recapture strategic points in Norway occupied by the Germans. The story focuses on one of these soldiers and his adventure as he struggles to evade capture and survive in harsh, wild natural conditions. At one point, the harsh winter conditions are so vividly depicted that I felt cold and freezing while watching.
In short, you will experience a compelling survival story that I recommend you not miss.
The 12th Man (2017)
Director: Harald Zwart
Cast: Thomas Gullestad (Jan Baalsrud), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Kurt Stage), Marie Blokhus (Gudrun Grønvoll), Mads Sjøgård Pettersen (Marius Grønvoll)
Release Year: 2017
Duration: 135 minutes
Country: Norway
Genre: Drama, History, War
Language: Norwegian, German, English, Saami
Age Rating: Not Rated
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV
IMDb Rating: 7.4
Similar Movies: Max Manus: Man of War, Defiance, The Resistance Banker
Trailer: The 12th Man Official Trailer
IMDb Link: The 12th Man (2017) – IMDb
9.My Octopus Teacher
And here is that remarkable movie… The one that made me question, “How can a documentary be so emotionally impactful?” This documentary you’re about to watch combines the emotional depth of a drama, the excitement of an adventure movie, and the breathtaking visuals of a nature documentary.
Shot over a period of 8-9 years, this production chronicles the extraordinary bond between a man who dives without a tank in shallow waters and an octopus he encounters during one of these dives. If you’ve seen this movie mentioned elsewhere and thought, “I’ll check it out sometime,” but haven’t gotten around to it, I highly recommend you watch it as soon as possible. I’m sure you’ll find it as moving and captivating as I did.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
Cast: Craig Foster (Self)
Release Year: 2020
Duration: 85 minutes
Country: South Africa
Genre: Documentary, Nature, Biography
Language: English
Age Rating: TV-G (General Audiences)
Available Platforms: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Similar Movies: Seaspiracy, The Cove, Blackfish
Trailer: My Octopus Teacher Official Trailer
IMDb Link: My Octopus Teacher (2020) – IMDb
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