Best of Cannes 2025: Top 10 Films

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival once again lit up the global stage, showcasing visionary directors and bold emerging talents from around the world. From politically charged dramas and deeply personal stories to experimental visual journeys, this year's lineup proved that the art of filmmaking is thriving in both form and message. As the curtains close on the Croisette, critics have singled out 10 must-see films—works that not only made waves on the French Riviera but are also expected to dominate conversations and screens in the months ahead. Here's a closer look at the standout titles from Cannes 2025.

Critics' Top Picks from Cannes 2025

1. It Was Just an Accident – Jafar Panahi (Palme d’Or Winner)

Iranian director Jafar Panahi returned triumphantly with this satirical drama inspired by stories from his time in Evin Prison. The film offers a poignant critique of state oppression and underscores the resilience of the human spirit.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

2. Sirât – Oliver Laxe (Jury Prize)

Set against the Moroccan desert, Laxe's film is a hallucinatory journey that delves into themes of apocalypse and spiritual introspection, earning it the Jury Prize.

3. Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier (Grand Prix)

Reuniting with actress Renate Reinsve, Trier presents a touching narrative exploring grief and familial bonds, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike.

4. The Secret Agent – Kleber Mendonça Filho (Best Director, Best Actor)

This political thriller set during Brazil's military dictatorship garnered acclaim, with Wagner Moura's performance earning him Best Actor and Mendonça Filho receiving Best Director honours.

5. Sound of Falling – Mascha Schilinski (Jury Prize)

Schilinski's debut feature is a poetic exploration of generational trauma among women on a German farm, marking her as a significant new voice in cinema.

6. Alpha – Julia Ducournau

Julia Ducournau’s newest body horror film tells the story of a young girl confronting mortality during the AIDS crisis, emphasizing the director’s signature visceral and emotionally powerful narrative style.

7. Eleanor the Great – Scarlett Johansson

In her directorial debut, Johansson tells the story of a 90-year-old woman embarking on a new life in New York, blending humour and emotion in a heartfelt narrative.

8. The Little Sister – Hafsia Herzi (Best Actress, Queer Palm)

Hafsia Herzi’s adaptation of Fatima Daas’s novel stars Nadia Melliti as a young woman exploring her identity, a performance that earned widespread critical praise and multiple accolades.

Image Courtesy: Variety

9. Resurrection – Bi Gan (Special Jury Award)

Chinese director Bi Gan's genre-blending film received a special jury award for its innovative cinematic approach and homage to classic cinema.

10. The History of Sound – Oliver Hermanus

Starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, this post-WWI queer romance captivated audiences with its lyrical storytelling and exploration of love and loss.

These ten films showcase the rich thematic complexity and varied styles that characterized Cannes 2025. Whether through bold political statements, heart-rending performances, or cinematic experimentation, these selections remind us of cinema’s enduring power to challenge, heal, and inspire.

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---Silviya.Y