2025 brought incredible film to Pictureville, as our three screens embraced Bradford’s year as 2025 UK City of Culture with one our most ambitious programmes yet. With that in mind, we reached out to from staff from across Pictureville and the National Science and Media Museum for our annual Best of the Year poll.
With so much on offer, we couldn’t settle on a runaway number one this year, so keep scrolling to discover the eclectic range of picks from our wonderful team, featuring everything from a French nun comedy to A Minecraft Movie.
Samuel – Visitor Insight Officer
Sister Midnight
I went into it expecting a typical slightly arthouse comedy-drama, and was absolutely bowled over by the supernatural twists, feminist social commentary and incredibly dry humour. Has a T-Rex needle drop at the end that almost made me jump in my seat.
One Battle After Another
So immediate and gripping throughout; roll on Best Actor for Leo!
Black Bag
All the sleekness and cool style you’d expect from a Steven Soderbergh crime film, with one of the tensest dinner scenes you’ll ever see
The Naked Gun
Who’d have thought this would be good?? Perfectly blends the humour of the original and yet so clearly a product of Lonely Island alumnus Akiva Schaffer
One to One: John & Yoko
A whirlwind of art and early 70s politics, puts some much-needed shine on Yoko’s contributions to music.
Harriet – Website Content Manager
Somehow I saw almost no new films this year, but here are three I really rated.
Harvest
A dreamlike, delightfully puzzling film that crackles slowly ablaze. Gorgeous rich sound and costume design. I’m a big fan of Harry Melling since that single-Coen Macbeth, and he doesn’t disappoint in this as the kind but naïve lord of the manor watching his estate unravel into chaos.
Celtic Utopia [Útóipe Cheilteach]
A lively, very funny and surprisingly moving portrait of the contemporary Irish folk scene – not one mention of the Dubliners or the Wolfe Tones – and its relationship to Irish politics and history. Best bit: The Mary Wallopers pointing out “folk was meant to scare priests and politicians, not sell Citroens”.
Familiar Touch
I saw this at LIFF last year but it was released in 2025. Beautifully made drama about a woman with dementia moving into assisted living. Sort of like a coming-of-age film for later life, it was sweet, funny and really touching.
Favourite Pictureville moment:
Seeing the brilliantly funny and heartwarming Korean film Manok on the opening night of Bradford Queer Film Festival 2025.
Rebecca – Screen Programme Manager
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Such a roller coaster of emotions! A heart-felt tender story of a drop-out college student looking after his terminally ill grandma. The relationship between the young man and his grandma will bring up fond memories for audiences and their grandparents.
Oh My Goodness!/ Juste Ciel!
A complete, unexpected hilarious 90 minutes. Nuns on bikes – need I say more?
La Cocina
Although not the strongest of storylines, La Cocina should be watched for the stark black and white visuals alone. Look out for the chaotic lunch rush scene too.
Tornado
A great slow-burn revenge movie with a great performance from Kōki. Is it a Western? A British period drama A samurai film? Who knows….but somehow it works.
The Ceremony
A great first-time feature film from director Jack King. Epic visuals of the Yorkshire landscape too – you can feel the biting cold through the screen.
Favourite Pictureville Moments
- Some brilliant re-releases, especially Princess Mononoke in IMAX and My Beautiful Laundrette
- Widescreen Weekend is always a highlight, but this year’s Korean Widescreen strand in collaboration with Young Jin Eric Choi from the Korean Film Archive was a particular standout!
- Packed BFI London Film Festival screenings – in particular The Choral (funny, light-hearted and down-to-earth Q&A).
- Cine Spotlights with Alison Peirse, talking women in horror and The Slumber Party Massacre.
Mark – Head of Commercial Experiences
One Battle After Another
A masterpiece by PTA.
Sinners
VAMPIRES. But also, incredibly shot and acted.
Bugonia
Great story, shot amazingly and the two leads are incredible.
The Ballad of Wallis Island
Beautiful and funny.
Weapons
Scary and hilarious. A must-watch in a packed cinema.
Joel – Cinema Team
Sentimental Value
A lock for my favourite screenplay of the year. The complex drama offers no easy answers, but delivers a stunning exploration of family, and the power of art.
One Battle After Another
Thrilling visuals, hilarious dialogue and characters, and an awesome expansive story to boot. PTA’s latest has it all.
Caught Stealing
Another stellar lead performance from Austin Butler, Caught Stealing is brutal and massively entertaining. Its unique cast of characters make it a must watch.
28 Years Later
Horrific and terrifying visuals combined with not-so-subtle political commentary. Boyle joins forces again with writer Alex Garland for a zombie epic for the ages. Patiently awaiting the sequel.
Bring Her Back
Australian body horror at it’s absolute finest. The directors of Talk to Me return with a more complex horror narrative featuring some truly cringe inducing moments and a shocking must-see ending.
Hattie – Public Programme Developer
Thought you’d appreciate this attached pic of all my tickets from the year (so far!). Not as many as I would have hoped; I have let myself down.
New releases:
Sister Midnight
Deliciously dark comedy that reminded me of another amazing alternative vampire-film, Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. So many curveballs and so many smashed stereotypes.
I am Martin Parr
Not only was this documentary a gorgeous ode to Martin Parr’s audacious street photography, it warmed my heart and made me laugh out loud. Back in my A-Level art days I had lots of fun recreating Parr’s photography style, especially trying to achieve that gaudy look that he gives fast food and confectionary, which this film made me feel a great nostalgia for.
My Father’s Shadow
Worth all 12 nominations at the BIFAs. Incredible and thought-provoking story about a hugely important time in Nigeria’s social and political history which I knew nothing about. Film is such a powerful medium for learning about the world.
Special screenings:
The Vanishing (1988)
A chilling Dutch thriller, made me think twice about vulnerability in public spaces, misplaced trust in strangers and the soul-destroying power of not-knowing.
The Arbor (2010)
The atmosphere at this special screening was amazing, full of Bradford pride and joy. Though the topics covered in The Arbor were difficult and at times upsetting, the connections to Bradford life and culture were heartwarming – and what better place for this than Pictureville.
Favourite Pictureville Moment
In June 2025, we hosted the pupils, staff and families of Delius Co-Op Academy in BD3 for their Summer Showcase. The auditorium was full of proud parents and excited children, seeing their amazing films on the big screen.
Tom – Cinema Commercial Manager
Christy
I know I’ve gone blockbuster for the other four, but actually the thing I enjoyed most over this year was a little Irish film that no one came to see.
Superman
I could write an essay on why this is so perfect, but I’ll try and paraphrase. A superman who can be hurt. A Lex Luthor who is a credible threat. Geeky charm of Clark Kent. A strong Lois Lane. A good story that gave everyone a little arc. A two-hour film (which is what it should be). The closest of all the iterations to the 70s and best one.
A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg skulking around depressed is my kinda vibe with two of my favourite actors. Watch Igby Goes Down after this if you like Kieran Culkin.
F1: The Movie
Top Gun 2 with cars. That’s it and it made me happy enough. The same storyline just replaces planes with cars and sometimes that is all you need.
Weapons
Not into horror but if everything is done right, I’ll be persuaded. The right amount of gore, gruesomeness and jump scares sold me on it. Plus, a satisfying ending to a high-concept film makes me happy.
Honourable mentions
The Brutalist (if it finished before the intermission it would have probably got in), Holy Cow (just a nice little French number), Black Bag (was cool), Hot Milk (which I liked but it didn’t get good reviews) and I’ve just watched Mickey 17 which I liked (but not Top 5 liked).
Toni – Curator (Film)
- The Secret Agent
- Bird
- Conclave
- The Silent Friend
- No Other Land
Favourite Pictureville Moment
Mek Summat’s screening of We are Fugazi from Washington DC.
Tom – Cinema Marketing Officer
One Battle After Another
A big screen spectacle that’s becoming increasingly rare – I left our IMAX floating and I’ll be doing the Lockjaw walk all the way back to IMAX for when the film returns in January.
Friendship
This is really a stealth vote for The Chair Company as my favourite TV of 2025, but this was Tim Robinson’s year. Surreal tangents, assured filmmaking (those 70s inspired zooms!) and the dissection of awkward social interaction I’ll pretend is only vaguely familiar.
The Mastermind
Josh O’Connor, hook me up with your knitwear dealer…
Black Bag
A tight script, slick editing and the platonic ideal of a 90-minute runtime – I want 12 of these a year!
BULK
Multiverse madness from Ben Wheatley which acts as both a love letter to DIY filmmaking and a middle finger to AI. It was a real treat to have Ben, Sam Riley, Alexandra Maria Lara and Andy Starke visit for a gala screening of this back in August, where the cult director called our patrons the “luckiest cineastes in the country” – who’s gonna disagree with that after the year we’ve had?!
Favourite Pictureville Moment
The launch of our Cine Spotlights strand has been a real treat – unearthing hidden gems like The Vanishing and The Slumber Party Massacre with the added insight of some incredible guest speakers has been appointment viewing for me. There are big things to come in 2026!
Jack – Screen Programme Producer
Nosferatu
Snowy creepy woods, gothic castles, dark Christmas, Slavic folklore. I loved it all. It’s Egger’s most accessible film to date for all the right reasons.
The Phoenician Scheme
Pretty standard Wes Anderson made special by some excellent performances from the trio of del Toro, Threapleton and Cera.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
It’s peak anime. The first part of a three-part story that’ll take years to finish but it’s worth it because the animation is incredible.
Weapons
A great, really well-structured horror – excruciating in the best ways as it leaves you hanging but then coaxes out a little more horror and mystery each time.
Superman
It’s fun, it’s silly, it’s colourful, it’s heartfelt and sincere. Looking forward to more of this universe.
Emma – Senior Explainer
Final Destination: Bloodlines
HUGE fan of the Final Destination series, even if it does make me a little paranoid whenever I watch one!
Deep Cover
Stars some excellent British actors and some hilarious comic moments.
The Life of Chuck
No spoilers, but I loved the way this story was told, it’s made me intrigued to read the original story!
Another Simple Favour
I watched both of the films in a few days, which was definitely the right way to do it.
A Minecraft Movie
Casting was perfect in this, and I knew just the right amount of Minecraft to enjoy it.
Favourite Pictureville Moment
It definitely has to be watching Foxdog Studios perform Robo Bingo as part of Bradford Science Festival. Even though I thought I knew what the show would be like going in there, I definitely didn’t know. Wonderful chaos!
Cathy – Marketing Manager
Memoir of a Snail
Gorgeously gloomy Australian animation that reminded me of Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids (niche reference but shout out all the weird ‘90s kids out there).
Sorry, Baby
A stunning debut from Eva Victor; subtle, powerful storytelling about trauma, trying to find yourself again and the power of platonic love.
Flow
Beautiful animation exploring societal collapse and climate disaster through the eyes of animals, I cried most of the way through.
Depeche Mode: M
A sentimental pick because I saw Depeche Mode twice on the Memento Mori tour and I just love them so much, but it’s a great concert film too.
Bugonia
A rare appearance for a satire in my top five but I thought it was stylish, entertaining, had great performances and kept me locked in for the full two hours.
Honourable mention for Dragonfly, it absolutely broke me. Never drunk two glasses of wine so quickly after a film [positive].
Favourite Pictureville Moment
Seeing Nosferatu with a live score for Halloween. I’d not seen a film with a live score before until this year (first time was actually at Silent Sherlock, also at Pictureville) and I love Nosferatu, so it was the perfect way to spend a spooky evening. The musicians did a brilliant job – can’t believe they improvise every time!
Alice – Senior Press Officer
Not in any order…
Nickel Boys
So heartbreaking and beautiful! Only heightened by the experimental first-person style, took me a while to settle into but so so worth it.
One Battle After Another
Maybe 2025 is the year I’ve learned to actually enjoy action but also this was just really REALLY good. A complete riot that left me riled up well after leaving the cinema!
Better Man
No comment.
Bring Them Down
Solidified Barry Keoghan’s talent for me and didn’t see enough noise around it! Brutal, bleak and weird (complimentary).
Sorry, Baby
Incredibly mastered tone, proper letting out a small laugh with tears in your eyes stuff! Can’t wait to see what Eva Victor does next.
Favourite Pictureville Moment
A Taste of Honey as part of Northern Soul! A classic that I’d never got around to seeing, surrounded by a real buzz of people excited to be there, which I feel like sums up Pictureville pretty well. The kick-off point for what has been a very busy and exciting year for us!
Sally – Head of Screen and Cultural Engagement
I’m going to slightly cheat as I watched so much rep and classic film this year.
The Brutalist
A stunning film which I already knew would top my year’s viewing even in January.
Bugonia
Yorgos can do no wrong.
Christy
Not the boxing one – a hidden gem which you think will go one way and it doesn’t, utterly heartwarming.
Five Easy Pieces
A new 4k restoration – Nicholson at his absolute best.
Holiday (1938)
A first watch for this absolute classic with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn.
Saquib – Assistant Curator
Nosferatu
I enjoyed how unsettling and creepy the film was. I was incredibly uncomfortable in the best way throughout the film, as was intended.
Thunderbolts*
Definitely the best Marvel film in years. After so many projects looking at multiverses and universal threats it was nice to go back to a fun ‘rag-tag’ team of misfits having to save the world from destruction.
The Running Man
I thought it was a great action/sci-fi adventure. Had lots of great moments and kept me engaged throughout, though I wish it had a stronger climax.
Aimee – Communications Lead
The Choral
Important topics mixed with great northern grit and love.
Superman
LOVED IT. Did the character justice.
Wake up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Another great addition to the series, bit darker and I liked it! A wonderful Pictureville moment as we hosted a Gala Screening as part of the BFI London Film festival.
Nathan – Screen Programme Producer
Frankenstein
A wonderfully emotive adaptation of a genre defining novel, dripping with gothic style.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
A darker entry in a series of films entirely revolving around murder, but packed with wit.
Baraka
Watching this in 70mm at Widescreen Weekend was an almost spiritual experience for me.