2025 is halfway over, and for the most part, films this year have been massively disappointing, including the supposedly final Mission: Impossible film and most of the Netflix original films that came out this year. While it is true that most Netflix original films that were released this year are not that good, there were also some extremely entertaining films, from Tom Hardy‘s gritty action thriller film Havoc to Vince Vaughn‘s touching comedy film Nonnas. So, we decided to compile a list of the best Netflix original films that came out in 2025.
The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club is a crime comedy film directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay co-written by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. The 2025 film revolves around a group of elderly retirees as they spend their time trying to solve cold criminal cases, but things take a turn when they find themselves embroiled in a real whodunit. The Thursday Murder Club stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.
Train Dreams
Train Dreams is a period drama film co-directed by Clint Bentley, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Greg Kwedar. Based on Dennis Johnson’s 2011 novella of the same name, the 2025 film chronicles Robert Grainier’s life as he spends all his time working on the land, hoping to create a new world. Train Dreams stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Nathaniel Arcand, Clifton Collins Jr., John Diehl, Paul Schneider, and Kerry Condon.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson. The 2025 film is the third installment in the Knives Out film franchise, and it follows master detective Benoit Blanc as he investigates the murder of a divisive Catholic priest. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery stars Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
Steve
Steve is a drama film directed by Tim Mielants from a screenplay by Max Porter. Based on Porter’s 2023 novella of the same name, the 2025 film follows Steve, a headteacher at a school for boys with social and behavioral difficulties, as he struggles to care for his students while also dealing with his personal demons. Steve stars Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a Gothic sci-fi film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel of the same name, the 2025 film follows Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant yet egotistical scientist who attempts a daring experiment to bring the dead back to life, only to create a monstrous creature. Frankenstein stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz.
The Woman in Cabin 10
The Woman in Cabin 10 is a psychological thriller film directed by Simon Stone, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. Based on Ruth Ware’s 2016 novel of the same name, the 2025 film is set on a luxury yacht, and it follows a journalist who witnesses a passenger going overboard, but things take a turn when all the passengers and crew are accounted for. The Woman in Cabin 10 stars Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, Art Malik, Gugu Mbathu-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham.
Ballad of a Small Player
Ballad of a Small Player is a British psychological thriller film directed by Edward Berger from a screenplay by Rowan Joffe. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne, the 2025 film is set in Macau, and it follows Lord Doyle, a gambler on the run whose past catches up to him. Ballad of a Small Player stars Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings, and Tilda Swinton.
KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters is an animated musical fantasy film co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan. The 2025 film revolves around a group of K-pop superstars who secretly fight against demons, but things change when a group of demons devises a plan to steal their fans. KPop Demon Hunters’ voice cast includes Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun.
Exterritorial
Exterritorial is a German action thriller film written and directed by Christian Zübert. The 2025 film follows Sara Wulf, a former Special Forces soldier visiting the US Consulate in Germany with her son, but when he suddenly goes missing, she does everything she can to find him. Exterritorial stars Jeanne Goursaud, Dougray Scott, Lera Abova, Kayode Akinyemi, Annabelle Mandeng, Lara Babalola, Godfrey Egbon, Kris Saddler, and Rada Rae.
Nonnas
Nonnas is a biographical comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky from a screenplay by Liz Maccie. The 2025 film is based on the true story of Joe Scaravella, who risked everything from his job to his life savings to create a restaurant where real-life nonnas serve as chefs. Nonnas stars Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, Linda Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon.
Plankton: The Movie
Plankton: The Movie is an animated musical comedy film directed by Dave Needham from a screenplay co-written by Mr. Lawrence, Kaz, and Chris Viscardi. Based on the children’s animated comedy show SpongeBob SquarePants by Stephen Hillenburg, the 2025 film follows Plankton as his sentient computer wife decides to destroy the world without him, and he decides to team up with SpongeBob to stop her. Plankton: The Movie’s voice cast includes Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Carolyn Lawrence, Lori Alan, and Mary Jo Catlett.
Havoc
Havoc is an action thriller film written and directed by Gareth Evans. The 2025 film Patrick Walker, a cop who must protect the estranged son of a politician after a drug deal goes wrong with multiple parties, including the triads and corrupt cops chasing them. Havoc stars Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Luis Guzman, Yeo Yann Yann, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker.
Revelations
Revelations is a South Korean mystery thriller film directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Choi Gyu-seok. Based on Sang-ho and Gyu-seok’s webtoon of the same name, the 2025 film follows a psychologically haunted detective and a pastor who believes with all his might as they team up to investigate a missing person case. Revelations stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Shin Hyun-been, and Shin Min-jae.