The Best Movie Performances of 2025

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2025 was a fantastic year for movies, with something for everyone. Across all kinds of genres, films delivered memorable stories and characters. Whether they were uplifting tales of strength, genuinely scary experiences, or stories that hit close to home, both famous actors and fresh faces delivered standout performances.

Sometimes, an actor’s performance was so strongly connected to their on-screen chemistry with a co-star that it’s impossible to imagine either one without the other – they truly brought out the best in each other. Often, these incredible performances led to truly great films, and in a few cases, actors even managed to elevate weak storylines. Here are our picks for the best movie performances of 2025, spanning all genres from drama and comedy to horror and science fiction.

10
Amy Madigan – ‘Weapons’

Although she starred in beloved films like Streets of Fire, Field of Dreams, and Uncle Buck in the ’80s and ’90s, the actress had been taking on smaller roles recently. But her appearance as Gladys in Weapons quickly reminded everyone of her talent – and gave us quite a scare! Gladys was a truly unique character this year, and Madigan’s ability to portray her as both sweetly silly, strangely quirky, and genuinely frightening is what made the performance so memorable.

Madigan’s portrayal of Gladys was deeply unsettling, and fans are eager to see the actor reprise the role in a potential prequel, hoping for another chilling performance.

9
Danny Huston – ‘The Naked Gun’


Paramount Pictures

When a role calls for a powerful, subtly menacing character, Guy Pearce is an excellent choice. He consistently brings a serious, weighty presence to his performances, as seen in films like The Proposition, Birth, 30 Days of Night, and Wonder Woman. This commanding presence is what made his appearance as the villain in the comedic The Naked Gun so surprisingly effective.

Working with a strong cast including Liam Neeson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Pamela Anderson, Jacob Elordi faced a challenge in making his mark. However, he completely surprised everyone with his performance. Whether he was passionately discussing the Black Eyed Peas and Fergie, or comically reacting to getting punched, Elordi flawlessly delivered some of the film’s funniest lines. Even if he doesn’t appear in many comedies in the future, he’s demonstrated his comedic talent with one of the year’s standout performances.

8
Jennifer Lawrence – ‘Die My Love’


Mubi

Jennifer Lawrence has consistently wowed audiences for over ten years, delivering powerful performances in films like The Hunger Games series, her Oscar-winning role in Silver Linings Playbook, and the hilarious comedy No Hard Feelings. Beyond her acting, Lawrence is known for her engaging personality, making her a popular figure at awards shows and on late-night television, where she effortlessly connects with everyone she meets.

What makes Jennifer Lawrence’s intense performance in Die My Love so striking is her natural charm combined with a character who actively challenges the audience. Unlike typical flawed heroes who earn our sympathy, Lawrence’s character, Grace, almost dares us not to like her. She constantly provokes those around her, prioritizing her own needs, and refuses to be easily categorized by the story. This allows Lawrence to reveal a powerful and previously unseen side of her acting ability, creating a truly captivating and intimidating performance.

7
Timothée Chalamet – ‘Marty Supreme’


A24

Lawrence’s Grace guides viewers through a troubling story, and similarly, Timothée Chalamet’s character Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme takes us on an emotional rollercoaster. We’re constantly shifting between disliking and sympathizing with him. Marty is often frustrating and self-centered, yet we find ourselves rooting for his success and even enjoying his downfalls – he’s the central figure in almost every scene.

Timothée Chalamet’s performance is remarkable because he fully embodies the wildly unpredictable character of Mauser, seemingly losing himself in the role. This is the third year running that Chalamet has led an awards-worthy film – following Wonka and A Complete Unknown, as well as his strong performances in the Dune movies – but Marty Supreme is truly his best work yet. Hopefully, it signals a trend of Chalamet embracing challenging and complex characters.

6
Jacob Elordi – ‘Frankenstein’


Netflix

Playing Frankenstein’s Monster—or the Creature—requires an actor to set aside many of their usual skills, especially their ability to speak eloquently and use a wide vocabulary. Unlike roles in films like The Kissing Booth, Euphoria, Saltburn, and Priscilla, where actors are often known for their appearance, this role allowed him to completely transform. He could shed his familiar image and embody a physically imposing Creature that was both fascinating and frightening.

Jacob Elordi consistently captivated audiences, whether portraying the Creature’s quiet observations of humanity – both its beauty and flaws – or unleashing its intense rage. This was particularly remarkable given he frequently acted alongside established stars like Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth. In 2025, Elordi achieved a powerful impact with minimal dialogue and his striking presence, surpassing what many actors accomplished with lengthy scripts.

5
Jessie Buckley – ‘Hamnet’


Focus Features

It’s difficult to say exactly when Jessie Buckley first gained recognition. She built a strong reputation through compelling performances in projects like I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Chernobyl, Fargo, and Women Talking. While she didn’t have one single breakout role, her career will likely be viewed as before and after her work in Hamnet. That performance marks a significant turning point.

Saoirse Ronan delivers a stunning performance, seamlessly transitioning between playing the young William Shakespeare, experiencing the joys of new motherhood, and portraying the profound grief of loss. Through it all, the film beautifully illustrates how art can be a powerful tool for healing and overcoming trauma.

4
The Cast of ‘Sinners’


Warner Bros. Pictures

When people discuss the memorable characters and acting in Sinners, many immediately praise the work of . Jordan brilliantly played both of the Moore twins, creating distinct personalities for “Smoke” and “Stack” despite their identical appearances. He subtly differentiated them through their attitudes, viewpoints, and physical mannerisms, making his performance even more impressive considering he acted opposite himself without direct interaction.

While Jordan carried a significant part of the story, he was supported by a remarkably strong cast. Each actor – including Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Li Jun Li, and Yao – delivered a powerful performance that not only stood out on its own but also enhanced the scenes with their fellow actors. It’s difficult to think of another film from 2025 with such a captivating ensemble; even the villainous vampires were compelling, whether you loved them or loved to despise them.

3
Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons – ‘Bugonia’

Director Yorgos Lanthimos and actress Emma Stone first collaborated on the 2018 film The Favourite, and their recent reunion in Poor Things earned Stone her second Oscar. Their partnership clearly inspires both of them, consistently resulting in critically acclaimed work, as seen again in this year’s Bugonia. While not new to popular roles, Willem Dafoe had previously only worked with Lanthimos on Kinds of Kindness. However, Stone and Dafoe seem to have found a special on-screen connection, bringing out the best in each other’s performances.

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In the film, Stone faced the difficult task of portraying a character who elicits sympathy as a captive, but her character’s entitled and abrasive personality often made the audience question their sympathy. Plemons played the villain as a man holding a wealthy CEO hostage and spouting bizarre conspiracy theories, yet he managed to convey a sense of misguided conviction rather than pure evil. The two performances brilliantly complemented each other, creating one of the most compelling on-screen pairings of the year.

2
Rose Byrne – ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’


A24

Jennifer Lawrence and Timothée Chalamet received praise for portraying characters experiencing intense anxiety, but their performances felt like just a glimpse of the profound sadness explored in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. While known for comedic roles in films like Bridesmaids, Neighbors, and Spy, audiences were surprised by the deeply unsettling and emotionally challenging performance Byrne delivers in Mary Bronstein’s film.

The movie immediately immerses you in the world of Linda, the main character, showing her struggles through everyday moments like a frustrating doctor’s visit and a messy pizza mishap. These early scenes powerfully convey Linda’s overwhelming anxiety and set the tone for the rest of the film, which follows her desperate attempts to regain control of her chaotic life. Even when Linda makes poor choices, the actress delivers a remarkably empathetic performance, making it arguably the best acting performance of the year.

1
The Cast of ‘One Battle After Another’


Warner Bros.

It’s no surprise that , , , and deliver excellent performances in this film, but even with high expectations, One Battle After Another exceeded them. and Chase Infiniti deserve all the acclaim they’ve received, but what truly makes the movie special is how strong every single performance is – even the smallest roles feel memorable.

From James Raterman’s intense Colonel Danvers to Eric Schweig’s cool bounty hunter Avanti, and even the members of the Christmas Adventurers Club, the film is packed with memorable performances. Every actor seemed determined to deliver the best line, creating a truly outstanding ensemble cast – it felt like a competition for the spotlight, and the result was one of the year’s best acting groups.

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2025-12-23 19:22