Best Movies of 2025: Award Winners & Nominations (Live Tracker)
Hey, fellow movie lover! Every year I go crazy trying to keep track of which 2025 movies are actually winning awards. There are hundreds of ceremonies, but only a few really tell us what’s worth watching. So I made this page for people exactly like us: one simple place where you can see the most important awards, the most important categories, and who already won (or who is nominated).
No fluff, no tiny regional awards – just the ones that matter for discovering the best movies of 2025. I’ll keep this post updated until the Oscars in March 2026, so bookmark it and come back anytime!
Let’s jump in – in chronological order.
The Gotham Awards 2025 – Winners
If you're into indie films that pack a punch, the Gotham Awards are your starting line. Run by the Gotham Film & Media Institute in New York, these honors spotlight the best independent movies—think low-budget gems that often surprise us at the Oscars. They're a huge deal because they celebrate fresh voices and can kickstart buzz for underdogs. The 35th ceremony happened on December 1, 2025, at Cipriani Wall Street, and it was a big night for bold storytelling. Here's who took home the top prizes:
| Category | Winner / Nominee | Movie |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature (Picture) | Paul Thomas Anderson, Sara Murphy, Adam Somner | One Battle After Another |
| Best Director | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Lead Performance (Actor/Actress) | Sopé Dìrísù | My Father’s Shadow |
| Best Supporting Performance (Actor/Actress) | Wunmi Mosaku | Sinners |
| Best Original Screenplay | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Harry Lighton | Pillion |
| Best International Feature | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Documentary Feature | Julia Loktev | My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow |
One Battle After Another's win feels like a sign this PTA epic is just getting started—grab some popcorn and dive in if you haven't. Here is my detailed review: One Battle After Another (2025) – PTA’s Wild, Messy, Revolutionary Ride Through America’s Ghosts
New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) 2025 – Winners
The NYFCC is like the wise old uncle of awards season—formed in 1935 by New York-based critics from big outlets like The New York Times and Variety. They vote on December 1 each year (announced December 2 this time), and their picks are gold for spotting Oscar frontrunners early. No fancy ceremony, just straight talk on what moved them most from 2025's lineup. Warner Bros. cleaned up here, but it was a spread of love for global stories. Winners dropped December 2, 2025—check 'em out below:
| Category | Winner / Nominee | Movie / Project |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another | |
| Best Director | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Actor | Wagner Moura | The Secret Agent |
| Best Actress | Rose Byrne | If I Had Legs I’d Kick You |
| Best Supporting Actor | Benicio Del Toro | One Battle After Another |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan | Weapons |
| Best Screenplay (Original/Adapted) | Timothée Chalamet (story basis) | Marty Supreme |
| Best Animated Feature | KPop Demon Hunters | |
| Best International Feature | The Secret Agent | |
| Best Documentary Feature | Julia Loktev | My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow |
| Best Cinematography | Autumn Durald Arkapaw | Sinners |
Rose Byrne's repeat win? That's the kind of raw, funny turn that makes you root for the underseen indies—If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is a must-watch for that alone. Here is my review: If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025) – A Harrowing, Beautiful Nightmare of Motherhood's Madness
National Board of Review (NBR) 2025 – Winners
The NBR has been around since 1909, started by film fans, historians, and pros to promote the best in movies. They're one of the earliest voices (announced December 3 this year), and their gala in January is a cozy spot for stars to mingle. What makes them important? They mix mainstream hits with indies, often nailing Oscar vibes—think how they boosted Licorice Pizza back in the day. 2025 was a Warner Bros. party, with One Battle After Another dominating like a boss. Full winners from December 3:
| Category | Winner / Nominee | Movie / Project |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another | |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Best Actor | Leonardo DiCaprio | One Battle After Another |
| Best Actress | Rose Byrne | If I Had Legs I’d Kick You |
| Best Supporting Actor | Benicio Del Toro | One Battle After Another |
| Best Supporting Actress | Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas | Sentimental Value |
| Best Original Screenplay | Ryan Coogler | Sinners |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar | Train Dreams |
| Best Animated Feature | Arco | |
| Best International Feature | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Documentary Feature | Cover-Up | |
| Best Cinematography | Autumn Durald Arkapaw | Sinners |
DiCaprio's win screams comeback energy—One Battle After Another is that rare blockbuster with heart and brains. If you're chasing recs, start here.
AFI Awards 2025 – Top 10 Movies of the Year
The American Film Institute (AFI) keeps it simple and classy—they've been picking the top 10 U.S. films since 2000 to celebrate stories that shape our culture. No categories, no drama; just a jury of experts (filmmakers, critics, scholars) voting on artistic and entertainment impact. It's a quiet powerhouse for Oscar hints—last year, 8 of their 10 got Best Picture noms. Announced December 4, 2025, this list mixes blockbusters, indies, and everything in between. They also gave a Special Award to It Was Just an Accident for its bold international voice. Here's the alphabetical top 10:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios) – James Cameron's epic world-building returns with fire.
- Bugonia (Focus Features) – A wild, genre-bending ride.
- Frankenstein (Netflix) – Guillermo del Toro's monster reimagined.
- Hamnet (Focus Features) – Chloé Zhao's intimate family drama.
- Jay Kelly (Netflix) – Noah Baumbach's sharp character study.
- Marty Supreme (A24) – Timothée Chalamet's table tennis biopic shines.
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) – PTA's revolutionary thriller.
- Sinners (Warner Bros.) – Ryan Coogler's vampire horror hit.
- Train Dreams (Netflix) – A quiet, poetic Western adaptation.
- Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) – The musical sequel soars.
This lineup screams variety—Avatar for spectacle, Hamnet for heart. It's like AFI's handing you a perfect watchlist to end the year strong.
Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) 2025 – Winners
LAFCA, founded in 1975 by L.A.-based pros from places like the L.A. Times, is all about bold picks that push boundaries—they vote blind on December 7 (announced same day) to keep it fair. Super important because they've nailed 13 Best Picture Oscars over 50 years, often spotting gems like Parasite early. 2025's vote kept the momentum on One Battle After Another, but with fresh twists. They use gender-neutral acting awards (two winners each) and have "Best Film Not in English" for internationals. Winners from December 7:
| Category | Winner / Nominee | Movie / Project |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another | |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Best Lead Performance (Actor/Actress) | Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke | If I Had Legs I’d Kick You / Blue Moon |
| Best Supporting Performance (Actor/Actress) | Stellan Skarsgård, Teyana Taylor | Sentimental Value / One Battle After Another |
| Best Original Screenplay | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | N/A (combined as Best Screenplay) | Sorry, Baby |
| Best Animated Feature | N/A (not awarded) | N/A |
| Best International Feature | The Secret Agent | |
| Best Documentary Feature | Julia Loktev | My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow |
| Best Cinematography | Adolpho Veloso | Train Dreams |
Byrne's streak is unreal—four big acting wins already? If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is hilarious and heartbreaking; pair it with Blue Moon for Hawke's quiet intensity. Here is my review: Blue Moon (2025) – Started Slow, Ended Up Breaking My Heart Beautifully
Golden Globe Awards 2026 – Nominations & Winners
(Nominations: December 8, 2025 | Ceremony: January 5, 2026)
The Golden Globes are that fun, boozy kickoff to the big awards—voted on by international journalists from the Golden Globe Foundation (formerly the HFPA), they split films into drama and musical/comedy for extra sparkle. They're a huge deal because they predict Oscars, celebrate TV too (but we'll stick to movies here), and always deliver wild moments. Nominations dropped on December 8, 2025, announced live by Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall from the Beverly Hilton in L.A.—and wow, One Battle After Another crushed it with nine nods total. The ceremony hits January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton, hosted by Nikki Glaser (back for round two), airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ from 8 p.m. ET. Winners TBD—I'll update this table then. For now, here's the full nominee lineup in our key spots:
| Category | Nominees | Movie / Distributor |
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| Best Picture – Drama |
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| Best Picture – Musical or Comedy |
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| Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) |
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| Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) |
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| Best Supporting Actor |
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| Best Screenplay (Original/Adapted) |
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| Best Animated Feature |
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| Best International Feature |
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| Best Documentary Feature |
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| Best Cinematography |
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One Battle After Another is everywhere—DiCaprio could be locking in that Oscar push already. If you're betting on upsets, keep an eye on del Toro's Frankenstein for drama vibes or Wicked: For Good for that musical magic. Can't wait for the party! Here is my review: Frankenstein (2025) – Del Toro's Perfect Gothic Masterpiece of Life, Death, and Defiance
Critics Choice Awards 2026 – Nominations & Winners
(Nominations: December 5, 2025 | Ceremony: January 4, 2026)
The Critics Choice Awards are like the cool critics' party—voted on by over 500 members of the Critics Choice Association (journalists and broadcasters who review movies all year), they blend broad appeal with sharp insights. Super important because they're a solid Oscar bellwether (think how they nailed Oppenheimer last year) and cover both film and TV, but we'll focus on movies here. Nominations hit on December 5, 2025, announced live by Keltie Knight and Erin Lim Rhodes—Sinners stole the show with a whopping 17 nods, while One Battle After Another grabbed 14. The ceremony's January 4, 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, hosted by Chelsea Handler (her fourth go!), airing live on E! and USA Network from 7-10 p.m. ET. Winners TBD—I'll update this table then. For now, here's the full nominee lineup in our key spots:
| Category | Nominees | Movie / Distributor |
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| Best Picture |
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| Best Director |
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| Best Actor |
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| Best Supporting Actor |
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| Best Original Screenplay |
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| Best Adapted Screenplay |
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| Best Animated Feature |
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| Best International Feature |
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| Best Documentary Feature |
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| Best Cinematography |
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Sinners is the beast to beat here—17 nods means it's got that vampire-horror prestige thing locked. Here is my review: Sinners (2025) – A Bold, Blues-Infused Vampire Symphony in the Jim Crow Shadows
But don't sleep on One Battle After Another; those double supporting nods for Del Toro and Penn? If you're hunting recs, Frankenstein's crafts haul screams visual feast, and Hamnet's quiet power is pulling heartstrings. January 4 can't come soon enough!
BAFTA Awards 2026 – Nominations & Winners
(Nominations: January 27, 2026 | Ceremony: February 22, 2026)
The BAFTAs are the UK's answer to the Oscars—elegant, star-packed, and voted on by over 8,100 film pros from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. They're a big deal because they often align with Oscar picks (especially for British talent), spotlight global stories, and feel like a fancy London party with real prestige. The longlists drop January 9, 2026, then nominations come January 27 at a live announcement in London—expect heavy hitters like One Battle After Another to dominate early buzz. The ceremony's February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall, hosted by whoever they pick (last year it was Hannah Waddingham), airing on BBC One.
With the noms coming post-Oscars shortlist, this could shake things up—maybe a surprise for indie darlings like Hamnet. Who's your early BAFTA bet?
SAG Awards 2026 – Nominations & Winners
(Nominations: January 7, 2026 | Ceremony: March 1, 2026 – streamed on Netflix)
SAG Awards (now officially the Actor Awards) are all about the performers—voted by over 122,000 SAG-AFTRA members, they celebrate ensemble casts and individual shine in film and TV (we'll focus on movies). They're crucial because that huge voting pool loves crowd-pleasers, and their Outstanding Cast is the closest thing to a Best Picture predictor (think how Parasite nailed it). Nominations voting wraps January 4, with the full list announced live January 7, 2026—submissions closed back in November, so the field's set. The ceremony's March 1, 2026, streaming live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. (no host yet, but expect fun speeches).
This one's actor-heavy, so if you're chasing feel-good recs, SAG often spotlights movies with killer chemistry—like last year's Conclave sweep. Fingers crossed for more Byrne magic!
PGA Awards 2026 – Winners
(Producers Guild – huge Best Picture predictor | Nominations: January 9, 2026 | Ceremony: February 28, 2026)
The Producers Guild Awards honor the behind-the-scenes wizards who make movies happen—voted by 8,000+ PGA members, they're laser-focused on production excellence across film, TV, and docs. Why care? Their top film prize (Darryl F. Zanuck for Theatrical Motion Picture) is an Oscar Best Picture crystal ball (matching 11 of the last 13 winners). Noms for major categories drop January 9, 2026 (docs already out—Cover-Up and My Undesirable Friends are buzzing), with the full shebang at the February 28, 2026, gala at the Fairmont Century Plaza in L.A. (not televised, but stars show up). No winners yet, but the table's ready—docs noms are in as a teaser, and I'll add the rest post-ceremony.
One Battle After Another feels like a lock here—producers love a well-oiled machine. If you're into docs, stream The Perfect Neighbor now; it's got that true-crime edge. See my review: The Perfect Neighbor (2025) – The Documentary That Hit Me Like a Punch in the Chest
DGA Awards 2026 – Winners
(Directors Guild – usually matches the Oscar director | Nominations: January 7-8, 2026 | Ceremony: February 7, 2026)
The DGA Awards are director heaven—voted by 19,000+ Directors Guild members, they spotlight visionary helmers in film, TV, and docs with categories like Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Film. They're Oscar gold: 17 straight winners in Director since 2007 (including Scorsese and Villeneuve). Noms for TV/docs drop January 7, 2026, features January 8; voting's open now through early January. The ceremony's February 7, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills (Beth McCarthy-Miller chairing again—expect smooth vibes).
Paul Thomas Anderson's got that DGA momentum from early buzz—his style screams guild love. If Hamnet sneaks in, Chloé Zhao could repeat her Nomadland magic.
Academy Awards (Oscars) 2026 – Nominations & Winners
(Nominations: January 22, 2026 | Ceremony: March 15, 2026)
The Oscars are the granddaddy of them all—voted by 10,000+ Academy members across 17 branches, celebrating everything from indie heart to blockbuster dazzle. They're the movie milestone, with global watch parties and speeches that go viral. Shortlists hit December 16, 2025 (docs, animation, international—One Battle After Another's a safe bet), then full noms January 22, 2026, live from the Academy. The 98th ceremony's March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre, hosted by Conan O'Brien (back for more laughs), airing on ABC from 7 p.m. ET. New this year: a Casting category and must-watch rules for final votes. All TBD for now.
The race feels wide open, but with One Battle After Another sweeping precursors, it's got that frontrunner glow. What's your dream matchup—DiCaprio vs. Chalamet? Let's chat in the comments as noms near!
