As 2025 drew to a close, film critics and audiences alike found themselves reflecting on a year that, while packed with blockbusters and bold cinematic experiments, also offered a comforting array of movies perfect for unwinding. On December 31, 2025, Dustin Rowles, writing for Pajiba, unveiled his much-anticipated annual list of favorite comfort movies—a selection that, by his own admission, grows trickier to assemble each year as the landscape of feel-good films shifts further away from theatrical releases and deeper into the unpredictable world of streaming.
Rowles’ list, a blend of rom-coms, comedies, quirky mysteries, and quietly uplifting dramas, doesn’t claim to showcase the "best" films of the year in a critical sense. Instead, it spotlights those rare gems that offer viewers a sense of ease, joy, or cathartic laughter—sometimes all at once. "They are not necessarily the best films of the year because the best films of the year are often not very comforting. They can be very stressful. Or challenging. Or both," Rowles explained in his introduction. Still, a few acclaimed titles managed to straddle both worlds, earning a place on his comfort list as well as among critics’ top picks.
Leading the pack is Predator: Badlands, Dan Trachtenberg’s inventive reimagining of the action-horror franchise. According to Rowles, Trachtenberg "reinvents the franchise again, blending the ferocity of Prey with what might be the most purely enjoyable entry in the series." The film, he notes, is not just clever and funny but also "surprisingly emotional." For the first time since Gary Busey’s memorable turn in Predator 2, audiences are made to root for the creature itself—a testament to the director’s deft touch and willingness to subvert expectations.
Another standout is Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment in Rian Johnson’s beloved Knives Out series. This time, Johnson draws inspiration from gothic fiction, Edgar Allan Poe, and the locked-door mysteries of John Dickson Carr. As Kayleigh Donalson, also writing for Pajiba, observed, "Here we have a good old-fashioned locked door mystery: The suspects, a corpse, and seemingly no way that the murder could have taken place. It’s perfect for everyone’s favourite musical-loving Southern dandy and his hunger for a challenge." The film’s intricate plotting and darkly playful tone have made it a favorite for both mystery buffs and casual viewers seeking something a little different.
Comedy fans found much to love in The Naked Gun, a film that could have easily been a "cheap nostalgic cash-in" but instead delivered "a more effortful slice of smart stupidity," as Donalson put it. With its rapid-fire gags and tight pacing, the movie offers "consistent laughs with a budget," filling a gap in the current pop culture landscape for high-quality, big-screen comedies.
One of the year’s most surprising comfort films is The Threesome, a late-breaking indie rom-com that quietly transitioned from a modest theatrical run to a wider audience on Netflix. Set in Little Rock and starring Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, and Ruby Cruz, the plot revolves around a messy but heartfelt love triangle that begins with a drunken threesome and is complicated by two unexpected pregnancies. "It’s surprisingly sweet and heartfelt for a movie that begins with a threesome," Rowles wrote, highlighting the film’s ability to find tenderness amid chaos.
For those looking for something even more unconventional, KPop Demon Hunters delivered a comedic punch with a side of infectious energy. Jessie Wallace, another contributor to Pajiba, admitted to having only "a sideways knowledge of K-pop," but found the film to be "one of the biggest surprises of the year." She praised its humor, compelling character arcs, and a soundtrack that is—by her own words—"wall to wall bangers." The movie’s ability to win over even the uninitiated speaks to its universal appeal and sheer fun factor.
Darren Aronofsky, known for his often intense and brooding dramas, took a sharp turn with Caught Stealing, a comic crime-caper that Jason Adams of Pajiba described as "nimble and quick and just nasty enough, without any (well without much, let’s say that) of the leaden dourness" of Aronofsky’s previous work. The film allowed the acclaimed director to "show off some easy breezy movie muscles that we’ve never seen him flex before," offering audiences a palate cleanser and a reminder that even auteurs can surprise us.
Relationship dynamics took center stage in The Roses, a sharp and witty drama starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Tori Preston of Pajiba noted that the film avoids easy villains or heroes, instead weaving "dueling perspectives effortlessly with sharp details and hilariously barbed dialogue." Colman is "predictably delightful as Ivy," while Cumberbatch delivers "the real surprise" with a magnetic performance that recalls his breakout days. The film’s nuanced portrayal of love and strife makes it a standout for anyone who enjoys thoughtful character studies.
On the more serious side, Sorry, Baby delves into themes of trauma and resilience. Sara Clements described the film as "more than just a film about surviving a traumatic event." Instead, it’s about "how we rebuild ourselves piece by piece, and how life continues despite the challenges that threaten to hold us back." Through the character of Agnes, viewers witness a journey of growth and boldness—a reminder that comfort sometimes lies in stories of perseverance.
Superhero fare wasn’t left out. James Gunn’s Superman was described by Rowles as "chaotic and often quite silly," but these qualities were seen as intentional, contributing to a film that is "a lot of fun." Its dazzling effects and "satisfying superhero fights" helped it earn a spot on both Rowles’ comfort list and Common Sense Media’s roundup of the year’s best family films.
Speaking of family films, Common Sense Media published its own list on December 31, 2025, celebrating the 23 best family movies of the year. Among them were animated adventures like In Your Dreams and Elio, as well as superhero hits such as The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman. Each selection was awarded the Common Sense Selection seal, a mark of distinction for movies that "entertain families and spark meaningful conversations." The inclusion of Superman in both lists underscores its broad appeal and ability to bring families together for a memorable movie night.
Rounding out Rowles’ comfort picks was A Little Prayer, a quietly powerful drama that, like Junebug before it, finds hope and strength in the everyday. Rowles called it "a life-affirming film about resilience and the power of being seen," noting that its message "lingers in the heart long after it ends."
In a year marked by uncertainty and change, these films provided much-needed solace, laughter, and inspiration. Whether through the thrill of a reinvented franchise, the warmth of a heartfelt rom-com, or the simple joy of a family movie night, the comfort films of 2025 reminded audiences that cinema can still be a source of joy and connection when it’s needed most.