Best of SXSW 2025: Our Top Picks from the Film & TV Festival
March 18th, 2025 / Kevin Ward
SXSW is always a hotbed for fresh, bold storytelling, and the 2025 festival was no exception. From breakout indie gems to pulse-pounding thrillers and laugh-out-loud comedies, this year’s lineup delivered something for everyone. We’ve rounded up our top selections across multiple categories—our overall favorites, unexpected standouts, genre highlights, and the best documentaries that left a lasting impression. Whether you're looking for a festival discovery to keep on your radar or a must-watch when these films hit wider release, these are the ones that stood out.
See also our SXSW 2025 Coverage Archive for links to all reviews, social reactions for every film covered at the SXSW Film and TV Festival 2025.
Overall Favorites
These are the films that defined this year’s festival—bold, memorable, and impossible to ignore. Whether through groundbreaking storytelling, powerhouse performances, or sheer emotional impact, these selections rose above the rest and left a lasting mark.
Surprises
Whether they flew under the radar or defied expectations, these films caught us off guard in the best way possible. From sleeper hits to genre-bending delights, these surprises proved that at SXSW, the best discoveries often come when you least expect them.
Best of SXSW: Horror/Thriller
From nerve-shredding suspense to blood-pumping terror, these films kept us on the edge of our seats. Whether leaning into psychological dread or full-throttle scares, these standout horror and thriller selections proved why SXSW remains a must-watch festival for genre fans.
Best of SXSW: Comedies
There are plenty more laugh-out-loud, high-concept, and unexpected comedies that have caught our attention. Here are the ones with stand out potential at this year’s SXSW Film and TV Festival.
Best of SXSW: Documentaries
Eye-opening, thought-provoking, and deeply compelling—these documentaries captured real-life stories that resonated long after the credits rolled. From intimate character studies to urgent social issues, these films showcased the power of nonfiction storytelling at its finest.