Our film team pride themselves on covering a broad range of works showing in Adelaide, whether through festivals, special screenings, or standard theatrical release. They watch them in cinemas, on laptops, on TVs, and sometimes even on phones! No matter the screen, they all share a love of great cinema, and a passion for sharing that with our readers.
But what were their stand-out favourites for 2025?
Here they are, in order of “Most likely to finish their choc-top quickly and then help themselves to your popcorn…”
REBECCA WU
Said without any hesitation, the absolute stand out film of 2025 for me, was actually part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival. It was The Count of Monte Cristo. To capture an audience completely for three hours is a rare skill and it is it little wonder it is a multi-award winning film. A perfect way to treat yourself during the holidays!!
HEATHER TAYLOR-JOHNSON
One hundred percent best film of my year – one of the best films I’ve ever seen – is Twelve Moons, a Mexican film I saw as part of the Adelaide Film Fest about a would-be mother who, in her grief, descends into unbelievable lows of addiction and malfunction. What makes this film so exceptional is that despite the heroine’s degradation, the film moves like a ballet – a woman in a constant dance who’s fall is sort of stunning. It’s a work of gorgeous art, and yet it’s just unfathomable how quickly a person can move from an architect at the top of her game to a one breastfeeding a plastic doll under a bridge. I think the film is empathy building; you’ve no idea what people go through.
ROB MCKINNON
The Story of Souleymane
The Story of Souleymane is a modern story of an industry built around immigration and asylum seekers brilliantly told and performed but is underlined by a more timeless simple theme of movement of people wanting something better for themselves and their families
Lollipop
Lollipop is a marvellous emotional film navigating a mother’s journey delivered by strong performances by the cast and is an impressive fictional film debut for Daisy-May Hudson.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo is a brilliantly stirring family comedy with an outstanding Australian cast, including the phenomenal new talent of Lily Whiteley, filmed mostly on Arrernte Country with the magnificent Macdonnell Ranges as spectacular background and is destined to become a new Australian classic.
MICHELLE BAYLIS and the KIDS CRITICS TEAM
Kangaroo
Ms 9 and I went to see this an absolutely loved it. A fab Aussie movie, based on a real story, of how Chris, an urban weatherman, ended up in Alice Springs looking after kangaroos.
Film Review: Kangaroo – Glam Adelaide
Spit
Getting’ Square is one of my fave films, so I was excited to see David Wenham back again as Johnny Spit.
Lord of the Rings, Marvel star David Wenham to host Adelaide film preview and Q&A – Glam Adelaide
Good Fortune
A hilarious and thoughtful life-swap movie, with Keanu Reeves as a not-too-brilliant angel.
TRACEY KORSTEN
Familiar Touch
A master-work, with an intelligent script, thoughtful direction, and great actors. It also has one of the most moving opening scenes I’ve ever experienced. Many of the cast and crew were drawn from the aged-care residence in which most of the movie is filmed, and given training especially for this project. Definitely my best film of the year, and now in my top 20 of all time.
Peace and blessings to all our readers for the holiday season, and we look forward to bringing you more amazing cinema from around the world, in 2026.
