The best movies of 2025, ranked by AP film writers
The bean counters might say otherwise, but 2025 was a good year for movies. That's the conclusion of The Associated Press' film writers, Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle, who have ranked their top films of the year. Both place Paul Thomas Anderson's “One Battle After Another” at the top of their lists. And both also include “Marty Supreme,” “It Was Just an Accident” and “Sinners.” Bahr's includes “If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,” “Sentimental Value” and “The Naked Gun.” Coyle's list includes “No Other Choice,” the third “Knives Out” movie, “Blue Moon” and the documentary “Afternoons of Solitude.”
George Clooney reflects on fame, failure and a life in movies with 'Jay Kelly'
George Clooney plays a movie star with regrets in “Jay Kelly.” The film, streaming Friday on Netflix, is fiction, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who assembled a starry cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup to tell a story about Hollywood, fame and parenthood. Clooney and the others were all eager to sign on before they'd even read the script. The making of the film had everyone reflecting on their own lives in the business and the personalities involved. Sandler shadowed his agent to prepare to play Jay Kelly's manager, and Dern did the same with her publicist.
Detroit's own crime-fighter RoboCop finally stands guard in Motor City
DETROIT (AP) — RoboCop has found a permanent home in Detroit — all 11 feet and 3,500 pounds of him. A statue of the crime-fighting movie character has been welcomed by fans since it began standing guard over Detroit Wednesday afternoon in the Motor City's Eastern Market area. Jim Toscano says streams of people have driven by his FREE AGE film production company where the bronze mold-cast statue is bolted into concrete. “RoboCop” developed a cult following after it hit theaters in 1987. It was set in a crime-ridden near-future Detroit. The city's homicide numbers have now dropped below mid-1960s levels, and the statue was erected without objection from city officials.
Movie Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is a messy, un-scary sequel
“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" builds on the first film's chaotic foundation with even more confusion, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. The sequel continues the story of murderous animatronics, expanding the Freddy's Cinematic Universe. Returning director Emma Tammi and the original cast, including Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail, attempt to navigate the convoluted plot. The film introduces a new, genuinely creepy character, The Marionette, but fails to utilize it effectively. The storyline remains unclear about whether the animatronics are evil or friendly, leading to confusion. Released Friday, the film is rated PG-13 for violent content, terror, and some language.
Parents under pressure offer creative tips for moving Santa's spy Elf on the Shelf
Recommended for you
Santa's spy known as Elf on the Shelf is turning 20 this year. That's two decades of family memories and parental creativity and the occasional panic over where to move the elf to. Some parents go low-key. Others get into the creative spirit and the pressure that comes with it. The idea behind Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sent it to see whether kids are being naughty or nice. Every night, the elf moves around the house. One father had it paint a message on the kitchen wall. Others have sat the doll in the shower or hung it in the car. Unaffiliated with Elf on the Shelf, there’s also Mensch on a Bench, created by a Jewish father to teach kids about Hannukah.
Creative director Dario Vitale exits Versace two days after Prada's acquisition
ROME (AP) — Creative director Dario Vitale is leaving Italian fashion brand Versace only eight months after he was appointed, the company said in a statement Thursday. Vitale’s exit comes just two days after Prada Group finalized its $1.375 billion cash acquisition of Versace, starting a new era for the brand. Versace thanked Vitale for his contribution in a statement. Vitale will exit the brand on Dec. 12 and his successor will be announced in due course, the company added.
A string of awards makes it clear: 'One Battle After Another' is the Oscar front-runner
NEW YORK (AP) — If there were any doubt, the first few days of Hollywood’s year-end awards has already made it abundantly clear. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” is the Oscar front-runner. On Monday, “One Battle After Another” won best film at the 35th Gotham Awards. On Tuesday, it was named best film by the New York Film Critics Circle. On Wednesday, it swept the National Board of Review Awards, winning best film, best director for Anderson and acting awards for Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro and newcomer Chase Infiniti. Expect to hear this pun a lot: one award after another.
AP’s top albums of 2025: Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Hayley Williams, Dijon, Addison Rae and more
NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has announced its top 10 albums of the year, showcasing a diverse range of artists. Hayley Williams shines with “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” a bold solo project. Addison Rae surprises with her inventive pop debut, “Addison.” Rosalía's “Lux” offers an avant-garde musical journey. Bad Bunny's “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” celebrates Puerto Rican culture. Dijon captivates with the dreamy “Baby.” Wednesday's “Bleeds” sharpens their indie rock skills. Turnstile's “Never Enough” blends punk with new sounds. Clipse returns with “Let God Sort Em Out,” featuring Pharrell. Tyler Childers' “Snipe Hunter” defies country norms, and Sudan Archives' “The BPM” delivers a unique club-pop-soul experience.
The New York Times sues the Pentagon over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's media rules
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times is suing to try to stop the Pentagon from imposing new rules on journalists who cover the military. Most mainstream news outlets refused to agree to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's policy this fall. As a result, they lost credentials to work in the Pentagon. The Times says in the suit filed Thursday that the rules violate the Constitution's freedom of speech and due process provisions because the rules give Hegseth the power to determine on his own whether a reporter should be banned. There's no immediate comment from the Pentagon on the lawsuit.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.