2025 may have had a few lowpoints in cinema, but overall it was an extremely strong year, especially in regard to original films. From vampire epics to political thrillers, there are tons of newly released films that are bound to leave a legacy in the world of moviemaking.
Instead of doing a traditional “best movies of the year” list, I want to recognize the different aspects in which films excelled in 2025. To do so, I want to list what I would vote for in each Academy Award category. Not only will I give what I would nominate in each category, but who I would choose to win. However, I will not be providing nominees in Best Documentary Feature and the short film categories as I have not seen enough to fill up five nominations.
Here is what I would vote in each category at the Oscars.
Best International Feature
It Was Just an Accident
Ne Zha 2
No Other Choice
*Sentimental Value* Winner
Sirât
Best Animated Feature
Arco
Kpop Demon Hunters
Ne Zha 2
Predator: Killer of Killers
*Zootopia 2* Winner
Best Original Song
“Free” from Kpop Demon Hunters
“Golden” from Kpop Demon Hunters
“Last Time (I Seen the Sun) from Sinners
*”I Lied to You” from Sinners* Winner
“Your Idol” from Kpop Demon Hunters
Best Visual Effects
*Avatar: Fire and Ash* Winner
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
The Lost Bus
Tron: Ares
Best Sound
*F1* Winner
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Sirât
Best Make-Up/Hairstyling
28 Years Later
*Frankenstein* Winner
The Smashing Machine
The Ugly Stepsister
Weapons
Best Costume Design
Sinners
Frankenstein
*The Fantastic Four: First Steps* Winner
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Best Production Design
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
*Frankenstein* Winner
Hamnet
Resurrection
Sinners
Best Editing
Marty Supreme
No Other Choice
*One Battle After Another* Winner
Resurrection
Sinners
Best Original Score
The Life of Chuck
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
*Sinners* Winner
Sirât
Best Cinematography
Frankenstein
No Other Choice
Resurrection
Sinners
*Train Dreams* Winner
Best Adapted Screenplay
Hamnet
The Life of Chuck
The Naked Gun
No Other Choice
*One Battle After Another* Winner
Best Original Screenplay
Marty Supreme
Materialists
*Sentimental Value* Winner
Sinners
Weapons
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another
Winner: Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”
Jafar Panahi – “It Was Just an Accident”
Josh Safdie – “Marty Supreme”
Joachim Trier – “Sentimental Value”
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Odessa A’Zion – “Marty Supreme
Sally Hawkins – “Bring Her Back”
Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas – “Sentimental Value”
Winner: Amy Madigan – “Weapons”
Teyona Taylor – “One Battle After Another”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Tim Key – “The Ballad of Wallis Island”
Paul Mescal – “Hamnet”
Dylan O’Brien – “Twinless”
Sean Penn – “One Battle After Another”
Winner: Stellan Skarsgard – “Sentimental Value”
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Jessie Buckley – “Hamnet”
Rose Byrne – “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Florence Pugh – “Thunderbolts*”
Renate Reinsve – “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone – “Bugonia”
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Timothée Chalamet – “Marty Supreme”
Leonardo DiCaprio – “One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – “Blue Moon”
Michael B. Jordan – “Sinners”
Liam Neeson – “The Naked Gun”
Best Picture
Hamnet
It Was Just an Accident
Marty Supreme
Materialists
The Naked Gun
No Other Choice
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
*Sinners* Winner
Weapons
Reel Recommendation 
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