10 Near-Perfect Short Films From the Last 5 Years, Ranked

Image via Angela Giarratana Published Aug 29, 2026, 3:17 PM EDT Eddie Possehl is a dynamic and driven writer/director with a passion for the written word and all things film, television, comics, and games. His passion for storytelling led him to establish his own production company in hopes of achieving his dreams. His dedication to his craft has attracted renowned talent like Yuri Lowenthal to collaborate with him on his projects. As he grows and improves, Eddie is a shining example of a self-starter. Sign in to your Collider account While they certainly don't get as much attention as feature films, short films can often be as good, if not sometimes better than many features. Telling a complete story in under 45 minutes (the standard maximum for a project to be considered a short film at most festivals) takes so much skill and talent, and it's rarely appreciated as much as it should be. Whether they go to festivals or are simply uploaded straight to the internet, every short deserves some love, and these ten are some of the best from the last five years. Short film directors can often grow to be major directors in Hollywood—example: Curry Barker with his newest hit, Obsession—and these crews and casts more than deserve it with the kind of quality that they've brought forth through their storytelling. There's no "ranking" here, just full appreciation for short films and indie filmmakers of the last 5 years—it's not a competition! 10 'Meatball' (2025) Image via Alexandra Robinson Created by and starring Alexandra Robinson, 2025's Meatball is an 11-minute dramedy (dramatic comedy) following Robinson's character, Cece, as she attempts to come out to her traditional Italian-American family. Taking place during a family dinner, the way she navigates such a difficult conversation with her larger-than-life family is both hilarious and mind-boggling. Meatball won some great awards, like Best Dramedy Short at the NYC Comedy Film Festival, more than proving itself to the masses. This 2025 hit is not only funny, but it truly does a great job capturing genuine family dynamics in a way that feels natural and honest. That's, by far, one of the best aspects of Meatball, and that more than earns the great reception it's received. 9 'Caffeine High' (2025) Image via Emil Chehab Caffeine High, a short by indie filmmaker Emil Chehab, is a wild ride as it follows THE EMPLOYEE (Jeremy Cascamisi), who is slowly losing grip on his sanity, attempting to make the perfect cup of coffee for his COWORKER (Leah Rasmussen), who's not a coffee drinker. Coffee fanatics across the world can enjoy this one, watching the dedication of THE EMPLOYEE as he obsesses over how to make a good cup of joe. The entire cast—Jeremy Cascamisi, Leah Rasmussen, AJ Clauss, and Younis Alzubeiri—bring stellar performances all across the board, and, paired with Chehab's directing, Caffeine High ends up being very compelling. At its heart, Caffeine High is about the pursuit of perfection and the cost it can have on one's mind, and it does so borderline perfectly. 8 'Don't Forget About Me' (2025) Image via Elle Mills Starring Good Luck Charlie's very own Bradley Steven Perry, Don't Forget About Me is a heartwarming coming-of-age short film about a brother and sister grappling with the upcoming loss of their childhood home. In order to cope, they're visited by an exhausted, weary version of a favorite character from their childhood, Matty. As he helps them come to terms with this huge life change, Don't Forget About Me explores the pain and confusion that can come with growing up and leaving one's childhood behind. The cinematography by Belen Garcia is extremely well-crafted and feels very warm and comforting, with vibrant colors that feel nostalgic—fitting the premise of the movie very well. Last but certainly not least, the overall direction by Elle Mills is phenomenal, bringing these characters to life perfectly. Audiences can tell this is personal to her, and it comes through in the genuineness behind every piece of this project. 7 'Wei Baba' (2026) Image via Olivia Sui Olivia Sui's Wei Baba is an abundantly tense story without even being a thriller or horror. Sui both directs the short and plays the protagonist, who struggles as she introduces her Jewish boyfriend to her Chinese father, translating for them. However, she must engineer the translations, manipulating the conversation, to make both happy. The ability to both direct a project while starring in it is an extremely difficult skill to master, and Sui does so with grace. The mental navigation she has to go through is portrayed perfectly in the writing. Performances are great all around the board, not just from Sui, but also from her co-stars, Sam Lerner, Jim Lau, Patrick Chou, and Christine Zhou. Wei Baba feels honest and raw in its storytelling, and manages to tell such a story in just under 7 minutes. 6 'Portrait of God' (2022) Image via Dylan Clark There are very— very few horror movies that are as scary, dreadful, and heart-pounding as the one and only Portrait of God, by Dylan Clark. Depicting a girl named Mia Reilly (Sydney Brumfield) as she prepares a presentation about a mysterious painting titled "Portrait of God". However, she begins to have her beliefs tested... Portrait of God is scary, not in direct confrontation, but in the horrifying imagery presented. The creature surrounding her in the room she's in is barely visible, which is all the more frightening—it's wild to believe that two white dots and faded figures could be so dreadful, but they truly are. Portrait of God has actually even been picked up by Universal Studios, along with horror legends Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi helping produce. If that's not proof of this film's quality, what could be? 5 'Girl Dinner' (2026) Image via turtlewithhat Another very recent LGBTQ+ short film to release with undeniable quality is none other than Girl Dinner by Emma Fuente and Izzy Perez—a duo also known as "turtlewithhat". The picture depicts some awesome character dynamics that are abundantly enjoyable to watch play out as Bea (Emma Fuente) tries to manage her dinner party with friends and their complicated dynamics. It radiates with the duo's quirky style found in their other content online, and it's all the better for it. Girl Dinner's performances, writing, and directing all lead to a story that feels very authentic—dialogue that comes across as if it's unscripted, like the cinematography by Kim Johnson was simply capturing a friends' hangout in real time. Having writing—dialogue, especially—that can feel so authentic is hugely important for a story like this, and Fuente and Perez execute it with grace and prowess. 4 'Last Chances' (2021) Image via Sonny Smiles Another incredible LGBTQ+ short comes in the form of Last Chances, released by and co-starring Sonny Smiles. Despite being just over 4 minutes, Last Chances is a short film that conveys an incredibly grounded, emotional, and relatable story about growing up, leaving high school, and coming into one's own as they discover who they truly are. With great dialogue between the two protagonists, the dialogue feels natural and smooth. Last Chances very accurately captures the teenage experience—doing so in one simple conversation, which is a stunning feat. This 2021 short was an incredibly indie production, making the prowess with how it was put together even more impressive. This group of filmmakers managed to put such a compelling story together with a small budget and short amount of time—an admirable depiction of how extremely talented short filmmakers can be with their storytelling. 3 'No Supers' (2026) Image via Danny Motta Something that isn't touched on in superhero movies is how said superpowers would affect the sports world. Danny Motta's No Supers is all about said topic, showcasing a young boxer named Jabari (Darrell Battle Jr.) in an underground boxing match on the day he discovers his powers, with no clue about how to control them properly... No Supers manages to be tense in such a unique way, with the audience fully realizing the fear behind Jabari, knowing that he could absolutely rip his opponent's head off if he's not careful. It's a true tragedy, really, as Jabari fears he's going to lose "... the one thing I was good at,"—due to people with powers being banned from sports all across the world. This short is unique, inventive, and loads of fun. 2 'BOB' (2022) Image via bierut films It may be hard to believe, but the absolutely wild premise of BOB is actually based on a true story. When Hannah (Emma Pasarow)—on her way to her sister Julia's (Talia Novak) dinner party—comes across a stranger dressed in a SpongeBob costume, Bob (Dillon J. Stücky), she makes the decision to invite him to said dinner party. However, it turns out her sister actually invited another guy, Daniel (Hugo Mejia Loera), in hopes of setting them up. BOB is absurdly funny, choosing to use visual and situational comedy rather than outright jokes, and it works incredibly well. Not to mention, with astounding performances from the two leads, Emma Pasarow and Dillon J. Stücky, the chemistry between Hannah and Bob works so nicely and connects audiences to their dynamic immediately. Drew Bierut directs this project with perfect comedic timing and precision, making it one of the funniest shorts of the last 5 years, without a doubt. 1 'Uncle Johnny' (2026) Image via Angela Giarratana One of the greatest short films of 2026 so far is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Uncle Johnny. From the mind of Angela Giarratana—inspired by her real-world experiences—and directed by Margaux Susi, this short is a heartfelt, tear-jerking, and vastly compelling story. As she deals with the truth that her neurodivergent uncle, Johnny (Marc Pulver), is dying of cancer, Rose (Angela Giarratana) spends a day with him bowling. Both leads, Angela Giarratana and Marc Pulver, give groundbreaking performances. The connection between Rose and Johnny is so palpable, thanks to how absurdly talented these two performers are. It's easy to tell that Uncle Johnny is a very personal story due to how much blood, sweat, tears, heart, and soul are clearly put into it. The amount of emotion and depth captured in just 12 minutes is profound. Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz Which Oscar Best PictureIs Your Perfect Movie? Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one. 🪜Parasite 🌀Everything Everywhere ☢️Oppenheimer 🐦Birdman 🪙No Country for Old Men FIND YOUR FILM → 01 What kind of film experience do you actually want? The best movies don't just entertain — they leave something behind. ASomething that pulls the rug out — that makes me think I'm watching one kind of film and then reveals I'm watching another entirely. BSomething overwhelming — funny, sad, absurd, and genuinely moving, all at once. CSomething grand and weighty — a film that makes me feel the full scale of what I'm watching. DSomething formally daring — a film that pushes what cinema can even do. ESomething lean and relentless — pure tension with no wasted frame. NEXT QUESTION → 02 Which idea grabs you most in a film? Great films are driven by a central obsession. What's yours? AClass, inequality, and what people are willing to do when desperation meets opportunity. BIdentity, family, and the chaos of trying to hold your life together when everything is falling apart. CGenius, moral responsibility, and the catastrophic weight of a decision you can never take back. DEgo, legacy, and the terror of becoming irrelevant while you're still alive to watch it happen. EEvil, chance, and whether moral order actually exists or if we just tell ourselves it does. NEXT QUESTION → 03 How do you like your story told? Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means. AGenre-twisting — I want it to start in one lane and migrate into something completely different. BMaximalist and genre-blending — comedy, action, drama, sci-fi, all in one ride. CEpic and non-linear — cutting between timelines, building a mosaic of cause and consequence. DA single unbroken flow — I want to feel like I'm living it in real time, no cuts to safety. ESpare and precise — every scene doing exactly what it needs to do and nothing more. NEXT QUESTION → 04 What makes a truly great antagonist? The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you? AA system — invisible, structural, and almost impossible to fight because it has no single face. BThe self — the ways we sabotage, abandon, and fail the people we love most. CHistory — the unstoppable momentum of events that no single person can stop or redirect. DThe industry — the machinery of culture that chews up talent and spits out irrelevance. EPure, implacable evil — a force so certain of itself it becomes almost philosophical. NEXT QUESTION → 05 What do you want from a film's ending? The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like? AShock and inevitability — a conclusion that recontextualises everything that came before it. BEarned emotion — I want to cry, laugh, and feel genuinely hopeful, even if the world is a mess. CDevastation and grandeur — an ending that makes me sit in silence for a few minutes after. DAmbiguity — something that leaves enough open that I'm still thinking about it days later. EBleakness — an honest refusal to pretend the world is tidier than it actually is. NEXT QUESTION → 06 Which setting pulls you in most? Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what's even possible. AA gleaming modern city with a hidden underside — beauty masking rot, wealth masking desperation. BA collapsing suburban life that opens onto something infinite — the multiverse of a single ordinary person. CThe corridors of power and science at a world-historical turning point — where decisions echo for decades. DThe grimy, alive chaos of New York and Hollywood — fame as both destination and trap. EVast, indifferent landscape — desert and highway where violence arrives without warning or reason. NEXT QUESTION → 07 What cinematic craft impresses you most? Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable. AProduction design and mise-en-scène — every frame composed to carry meaning beneath the surface. BEditing and tonal control — the ability to move between registers without losing the audience. CScore and sound design — music that becomes inseparable from the dread and awe of what you're watching. DCinematography as performance — the camera not recording events but participating in them. ESilence and restraint — what's left unsaid and unshown doing more work than any dialogue could. NEXT QUESTION → 08 What kind of main character do you root for? The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you. ASomeone smart and resourceful who makes increasingly dangerous decisions under pressure. BSomeone overwhelmed and ordinary who turns out to be capable of something extraordinary. CA brilliant, tortured figure whose gifts and flaws are inseparable from each other. DA self-destructive artist whose ego is both their superpower and their undoing. EA quiet, principled person trying to make sense of a world that has stopped making sense. NEXT QUESTION → 09 How do you feel about a film that takes its time? Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately. AI love a slow build when I know the payoff is going to be seismic — patience for a devastating reveal. BGive me relentless momentum — I want to feel breathless and emotionally spent by the end. CEpic runtime doesn't scare me — if the material demands three hours, give me three hours. DI want it to feel propulsive even when nothing is technically happening — restless energy throughout. EDeliberate and unhurried — I want dread to accumulate in the spaces between the action. NEXT QUESTION → 10 What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema? The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want? AUnsettled — like I've just seen something I can't fully explain but can't stop thinking about. BMoved and energised — like the film reminded me what actually matters and gave me something to hold onto. CHumbled — like I've been in the presence of something genuinely important and overwhelming. DExhilarated — like I've just seen cinema doing something it's never quite done before. EHaunted — like a cold, quiet dread that stays with me for days. REVEAL MY FILM → The Academy Has Decided Your Perfect Film Is…Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works. ParasiteYou are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it's ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image. Everything Everywhere All at OnceYou want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn't want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it's about. OppenheimerYou are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort. BirdmanYou are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it's about. Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor's ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn't be possible. Michael Keaton's performance and Emmanuel Lubezki's restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all. No Country for Old MenYou are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ