Stream team

There have been some big disappointments in 2025 already, but let's focus on the good news. Our mid-year top five features anime, a new ER, vampires, cops and petty crime

- Deepanjana Pal

What do Panchayat, The Bear, Squid Game and The Last of Us have in common? All released new seasons this year that have left fans disappointed. While this isn’t good news for the entertainment business, there has been great news elsewhere, with some excellent additions to streaming platforms too. As we hit the midyear mark, here are my top five picks.

Best film: Sinners (released in April)

It is unlikely that anything released this year will hold a candle to director Ryan Coogler’s incandescent take on the vampire flick.

Michael B Jordan is extraordinary as the twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who unwittingly attract the attention of the vampire Remmick (Jack O'Connell). Watch out for the way Coogler uses the sound of feet thumping in both song and violence; it's mesmerising. The film is now available on-demand, on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Hamm on Top: Your Friends & Neighbors (released in April)