Asian cinema dominated the global box office in 2025, but Danish critics chose quieter, more introspective films as their favorites—revealing a divide between popularity and critical acclaim.
Global Success From East Asia
Few film years have been as internationally mixed as 2025. The world’s top-grossing movie came not from Hollywood but from China. The animated feature “Ne Zha 2” earned just under two billion dollars, far surpassing Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” sequel and “Zootopia 2.” Meanwhile, South Korea delivered a pop culture phenomenon with “KPop Demon Hunters”, the year’s most-streamed film on Netflix. The movie—a colorful animation inspired by the K‑pop industry—became a viral sensation, showing just how deeply Korean culture has influenced Western audiences in recent years.
Critics Look North Instead of East
Despite the overwhelming success of Asian films, Danish critics turned their gaze elsewhere when selecting the best films of 2025. Film and television critic Nanna Frank Rasmussen of Politiken highlighted that Western viewers, including Danes, still tend to follow American and European trends rather than Asian ones. Yet, she emphasized that this year’s most commercially successful film coming from China marks a clear shift in global influence.
For her, the most remarkable cinematic project of 2025 was the Norwegian trilogy “Sex. Dreams. Love.” by director Dag Johan Haugerud. The final two films, “Dreams” and “Love,” premiered this year and secured Haugerud widespread recognition after he won the Golden Bear in Berlin for “Dreams.” Rasmussen admired the trilogy for its mix of intelligence, tenderness, and humor—a sensitive portrayal of the modern welfare state’s identity struggles.
The American Contender
Not all critics agreed with that choice. Casper Christensen from What2Watch pointed instead to a very different kind of movie. His pick for film of the year was the American drama “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson—known for “Magnolia” and “The Master”—the film follows a left-wing activist suddenly targeted by a group of radical right-wing militants. The result is an intense political thriller that doubles as a commentary on the current American social divide. For Christensen, it was one of those rare blockbusters that entertain while also probing deeper questions about contemporary U.S. society.
Danish Box Office Favorites
At home, Danish audiences favored lighter stories. The animated “Ternet Ninja 3” became the year’s most watched Danish film with nearly 775,000 tickets sold. “The Last Viking” and “Under the Stars in the Sky” followed close behind. While none achieved the massive global reach of Asian or American hits, their performance showed a steady appetite for local storytelling in Danish cinemas.
Surprisingly, critics noted how Nordic filmmakers like Haugerud share artistic sensibilities with auteurs such as Lars von Trier—both known for blending moral complexity with quiet humor. These connections highlight how Scandinavian cinema continues to influence critical circles even as Hollywood and Asian markets dominate financially.
Changing Tides in Global Film Culture
Because of the growth of Asian blockbusters, the balance of cinematic power may be shifting. South Korea and China now set the pace for visual storytelling, audience engagement, and the mix of music and animation. At the same time, Nordic and European directors focus more on introspection and human emotion. Together, these trends make 2025 a defining year for world cinema: one where profit and prestige traveled in entirely different directions.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Lars von Trier, Maverick Filmmaker
The Danish Dream: Best Cinemas in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: En film har sprunget rammerne, men det er ikke den, anmelderne kårer som årets bedste
