Kleber Mendonça Filho’s film paints a vivid portrait of life in a Brazilian dictatorship—with a dash of grindhouse, Coen Brothers, and Wes Anderson.

Educator and author Laura Danger on the movies that complement her new book.

From a Taipei night market to a rundown baseball diamond to a Mississippi juke joint, the movies of 2025 brought us unforgettable stories and characters that only humans could dream up.

Griswold’s unhinged yet somehow heroic yuletide meltdown soliloquy isn’t just madness, but American Christmas distilled to its neon, glittering core.

Like every good Christmas classic, Danny Boyle’s 2004 film points to the humanity and giving nature this season ought to draw out of us, and reminds me what this season should be about.

When a movie looks as incredible as James Cameron’s Avatar sequel does, with constantly entertaining sequences and a sheer command of every little detail on screen, the repetitive story becomes only a minor flaw.

Yes, the uncanny valley is nightmare fuel. No, we didn’t know that Hanks overload was possible. But there’s so much to recommend about Robert Zemeckis’ half classic, half bewildering holiday film.

As a former English teacher, I can confidently declare The Muppet Christmas Carol is not just the best holiday movie but the greatest damn book adaptation ever committed to celluloid. Here’s why.

Wild twists, campy writing, Amanda Seyfried’s delightfully unhinged performance—Paul Feig’s ridiculous popcorn flick is not high art by any means but still had me cackling and captivated.

No matter how you define a Christmas movie, Die Hard and Eyes Wide Shut deck the halls of all other holiday movies: But which is the best kiss under the mistletoe? Let’s find out.

Combining scripted and improvisational sequences, this fast-moving mockumentary is a welcome return to an era of more innocent 2000s internet comedy.

With just a few holly jolly adjustments, these movies would be automatic additions to my holiday watchlist every December. 

In Josh Safdie’s invigorating and powerful solo directorial debut, Timothée Chalamet plays a table tennis player who—much like Chalamet—is in pursuit of greatness.

Film critic and author Kristen Lopez on the movies and movie experiences that have made her life sweeter.

Julia Jackman’s new film makes you want to get lost in its fantastical medieval world. The problem is there’s not much to keep you there.

Chloé Zhao’s new tearjerker finds a compelling middle ground between her heartfelt, naturalistic independent pictures and mainstream historical drama.

Tarot reader and professional witch Sarah Potter on the movies that complement her new book.

Folk musician and singer-songwriter Josh Ritter on the movies that complement his new album.

It’s easy to get numb to the never-ending horror of the news, but Sepidah Farsi’s documentary reminds us that for every daily uptick in Palestinian deaths, each number was a person with hopes and dreams.

Author and illustrator Scott Campbell on the movies that complement his new book.