5 Most Impressive Debut Movies of 2025 You Should Watch in 2026, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

A new cinematic year brings not only major premieres from established filmmakers, but also bold directorial debuts that offer a breath of fresh air.

These debuts often become the most striking and unexpected discoveries of the season, offering original voices and new perspectives on familiar genres.

5. 'Together', 2025

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Millie and Tim have been together for several years. When Millie gets a teaching job in a small town, the couple leaves their big-city apartment and starts a new life in the countryside.

Shortly after moving in, they go for a walk in the woods and spend the night in a cave. Upon returning home, something strange begins to happen: the lovers find themselves becoming increasingly drawn to each other.

Together is Michael Shanks' debut movie starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who are married in real life. The body horror elements allowed Shanks to explore codependent relationships in a unique way.

4. 'The Chronology of Water', 2025

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

The Chronology of Water, directed by Kristen Stewart, is an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's heartbreaking autobiographical book of the same name.

In the movie, Lidia shares her memories of a difficult childhood, her failed swimming career, her attempts to find solace in writing, and her devastating addiction.

The movie's plot is divided into five parts, through which viewers witness fragments of the main character's coming-of-age and development.

3. 'The Ugly Stepsister', 2025

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Rebekka and her daughters, Alma and Elvira, are in dire financial straits. Hoping to escape poverty, Rebekka marries, but her husband dies without leaving anything behind.

The situation could change if one of her daughters were to have a successful marriage. A ball is being planned in the kingdom, and Elvira, the eldest, dreams of meeting a prince.

The only thing that could ruin everything is Agnes, the stepdaughter, who, unlike Elvira, is renowned for her beauty and charm.

The Ugly Stepsister, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Emilie Blichfeldt, has rightly been called the second The Substance. Like Coralie Fargeat, Emilie reflects on beauty standards and societal pressures on women within the body horror genre.

2. 'Urchin', 2025

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Mike is a homeless man in London who begs for money and struggles with a drug addiction. After assaulting a stranger, he is sent to prison, where he is given a chance to turn his life around.

The movie was directed by Harris Dickinson, a young actor who found success on screen in films such as The Iron Claw, Triangle of Sadness, and Babygirl.

1. 'Sorry, Baby', 2025

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Agnes is a literature professor at a small university. At first glance, she appears to be living a happy life. But she seems stuck.

She is haunted by painful memories: as a student, she was sexually assaulted by a professor. Agnes is trying to come to terms with the consequences of this trauma, learn to love herself, and let go of the past.

Sorry, Baby has been hailed as one of the year's top debuts, and Eva Victor as a promising young director.