365 movies later...
Back in 2021, I decided I would attempt the 365 movie challenge for the first time. I went about it as poorly as one could: I didn't watch my first movie until the middle of January and from there, would go many days in a row without watching one at all. This meant I spent many, many days watching four or five movies in one godawful sitting, my brain turning into mush as each minute passed. Somehow, I did it. I ended the year having watched 367 movies.
Now, back in December of 2024, I offered to my partner that we do it together for 2025. One a day. Exactly one film every single day of the year, the way this challenge was intended. He agreed; we were trying to save money, after all and what better way than to ground yourself at home with movies?
Having done this challenge twice and in two very different ways, I have to say one a day is significantly easier than whatever the hell I was doing in 2021. That being said, I don't think I'll ever do this again. As much as I love movies, there were plenty of times I absolutely dreaded having to sit down and pick something out yet again.
But look at this aesthetically pleasing graph:
Of the three hundred and sixty five movies I watched this year, my favorite new releases from 2025 were, in order:
I highly highly suggest Twinless, as I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. Go in as blind as you can! Dylan O'Brien has the juice!
There were plenty of movies I also watched for the first time this year and loved that were not new releases, like The Truman Show and Exhibiting Forgiveness... among many others.
Our most watched director in 2025 was Kelly Reichardt, as we made our way passionately through her entire catalog of films just in time to see her newest, The Mastermind, in theaters. If you enjoy slow cinema and beautiful cinematography and characters who are sometimes not very likable, you will love her!