Successive Battles Take Center Stage at National Board of Review's 2025 Awards

Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another has been named the best film of 2025 by the National Board of Review (NBR). The movie also earned accolades for Anderson as Best Director and for performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, and Chase Infiniti. This marks the third consecutive day that the film has received major recognition, following its Best Feature wins at the Gotham Awards and New York Film Critics Circle.

Some films managed to stand out amidst One Battle After Anothers dominance. Rose Byrne and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas were recognized for their acting in If I Had Legs Id Kick You and Sentimental Value, respectively. Writing honors went to Ryan Coogler for Sinners and Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar for Train Dreams.

The NBR also released its list of the top 10 films of the year: Avatar: Fire and Ash, F1, Frankenstein, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, Rental Family, Sinners, Train Dreams, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and Wicked: For Good. Notably absent were Chloe Zhaos Hamnet and Kathryn Bigelows A House of Dynamite.

International, animation, and documentary categories were awarded to It Was Just an Accident, Arco, and Cover-Up, respectively. The NBR, a New York-based organization of film enthusiasts, professionals, and academics, has a long history of predicting Oscar winners. Over its 76-year history, 24 of its top films have gone on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, though alignment has been less frequent in recent decades.

Major Winners

• Best Film: 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 Id Kick You
• Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
• Best Supporting Actress: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
• Best Directorial Debut: Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
• Breakthrough Performance: Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
• Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams
• Best Animated Feature: Arco
• Best International Film: It Was Just an Accident
• Best Documentary: Cover-Up
• Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners
• Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Artistry: Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning
• NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk

Top Films (Alphabetical)

• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Frankenstein
• Marty Supreme
• Rental Family
• Train Dreams
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
• Wicked: For Good

Top International Films (Alphabetical)

• Left-Handed Girl
• The Love That Remains
• The Secret Agent
• Sentimental Value

Top Documentaries (Alphabetical)

• 2000 Meters to Andriivka
• Come See Me in the Good Light
• My Mom
• Jayne
• Orwell: 2+2=5

Top 10 Independent Films (Alphabetical)

• The Baltimorons
• Bring Her Back
• Father Mother Sister Brother
• If I Had Legs Id Kick You
• The Mastermind
• Sorry, Baby

Author: Riley Thompson