And just like that, the somewhat understated Sundance Film Festival has wrapped up.

On Friday, during the annual celebration in Park City, Utah, the organizers revealed the winners of the 2025 awards: “Atropia,” a satirical take on the Iraq War featuring Alia Shawkat, took home the prestigious U.S. dramatic Grand Jury Prize. Meanwhile, James Sweeney’s clever dark comedy “Twinless,” starring the talented Dylan O’Brien as twin brothers, received the U.S. dramatic audience award. The documentary honors were led by “Seeds” and “André is an Idiot,” while the NEXT Innovator Award went to “Zodiac Killer Project,” which puts a unique spin on the true-crime genre.

Back in its prime, Sundance was famous for all-night competitions for hot new indie films that later turned into box office successes and serious Oscar contenders. However, many critics agree that this year was a bit off for the snow-covered festival: Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s body horror film “Together” was among the few notable acquisitions. Much-anticipated films featuring Ayo Edebiri (“Opus”) and Dev Patel (“Rabbit Trap”) fell flat with audiences, and apart from Jennifer Lopez (“Kiss of the Spider Woman”), there were no big-name stars gracing the red carpets.

Still, there were many films we truly enjoyed. John Magaro delivers a powerful performance in the emotional road-trip drama “Omaha,” while Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey ignite chemistry in the intense and thrilling gay romance “Plainclothes.” The film “The Wedding Banquet,” a touching modern take on the 1993 queer classic, is elevated by subtle performances from Lily Gladstone, Joan Chen, and Oscar winner Yuh-jung Youn (“Minari”).

Here are the five Sundance films that captured our hearts the most:

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

Thank goodness for Bill Condon. The director of “Dreamgirls” has blessed us with an outstanding musical in “Spider Woman,” a lavish adaptation of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s 1993 Broadway hit. Paying homage to classic Hollywood musicals like “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” Jennifer Lopez radiates charm as the beautiful film star Aurora, performing breathtaking song-and-dance sequences within the mind of a fanciful gay prisoner named Molina (newcomer Tonatiuh). The film gently examines themes of gender identity and social duty, showcasing excellent performances from both Lopez and Diego Luna, who plays Molina’s spirited cellmate Valentin. However, it’s Tonatiuh who steals the show with an incredible performance that will surely have everyone talking next Oscar season. – Patrick Ryan

‘Oh, Hi!’

In a time when romantic comedies often feel cliché and overdone, Sundance delivered one that cleverly breaks the mold. In Sophie Brooks’ genre twist, Logan Lerman and the remarkable Molly Gordon star as a young couple who go on their first romantic getaway just four months into their relationship. They sing love songs, enjoy fancy meals, and have steamy moments. But when one of them opens up about their true feelings, things take a surprising turn – and not a bad one. While rom-coms can often be overly sentimental, this one confidently blends relatable experiences with absurdity. – Brian Truitt

‘Sorry, Baby’

“Sorry, Baby” introduces us to a remarkable new talent in Eva Victor, who wrote, directed, and starred in this painfully honest dramedy. The film follows the daily life of a humorously sharp English professor named Agnes (Victor), who grapples with envisioning a future after experiencing sexual assault. Victor’s script skillfully navigates between awkwardness and profound moments, compelling the audience to confront uncomfortable yet funny situations. Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges provide delightful performances as Agnes’ best friend and love interest, respectively, while Kelly McCormack shines as the undeniably terrible classmate you always dreaded. – Ryan

‘Pee-wee as Himself’

For those who grew up watching “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” on Saturday mornings or “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” you might have thought you knew Pee-wee Herman. As it turns out, we barely scratched the surface of who he really was. This captivating documentary allows Paul Reubens, the comedian behind Pee-wee, to finally share his story through 40 hours of interviews conducted before his passing due to cancer in 2023. He reveals the journey of a cultural icon with a devoted following, a gay man wrongfully labeled by society, and a brilliant individual wrestling with the challenges of his public and private personas. – Truitt

‘Train Dreams’

Joel Edgerton delivers a quietly powerful performance in this understated American epic, portraying a reserved logger in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest who faces unimaginable loss. The film is beautifully surreal and lyrical, created by the same team behind last year’s “Sing Sing,” which also offered a gentle reflection on humanity and meaning. Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy provide shining performances in small yet impactful roles in this film, which Netflix acquired for distribution at Sundance. – Ryan