Only 8% of directors with movies in theaters in 2025 were women. That news comes from an annual study from USC Annenberg. It reveals a reversal of trends that were not great to begin with; in 2020, the best year for women directors on record, only 15% of movie directors were women.

Only 8% of directors with movies in theaters in 2025 were women. That news comes from an annual study from USC Annenberg. It reveals a reversal of trends that were not great to begin with; in 2020, the best year for women directors on record, only 15% of movie directors were women.

Each year, critic Linda Holmes looks back on the year and compiles a list of the things that brought her joy.

(Image credit: HBO Max, Netflix, Sony Pictures Classics, Netflix, Netflix, A24)

Each year, critic Linda Holmes looks back on the year and compiles a list of the things that brought her joy.

(Image credit: HBO Max, Netflix, Sony Pictures Classics, Netflix, Netflix, A24)

NPR critic Bob Mondello narrows down his favorite movies of the year — the ones that made audiences vibrate.

(Image credit: NEON)

NPR critic Bob Mondello narrows down his favorite movies of the year — the ones that made audiences vibrate.

(Image credit: NEON)

"Mr. Nobody Against Putin," a film made secretly by a teacher in Russia, shows the propaganda efforts in a country at war.