NBR Awards Gala to Take Place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 in New York City
New York, NY (December 3, 2025) – The National Board of Review (NBR) announced today their 2025 honorees, with top awards including One Battle After Another for Best Film; Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Director for One Battle After Another; Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor for One Battle After Another; and Rose Byrne for Best Actress for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
“Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the shining lights of contemporary cinema. He has crafted a bold, funny, and thrilling movie that is somehow one of the most significant films about the world we live in and also a playful, tender story of a father and daughter connecting through some of the wildest events you can imagine. The NBR is honored to celebrate this absolutely remarkable film,” said NBR President Annie Schulhof.
Established in 1909, the NBR recognizes excellence in filmmaking. This year, 265 films were viewed by a select group of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, academics and young professionals, many of which were followed by in-depth discussions with directors, actors, producers, screenwriters and cinematographers. Ballots were tabulated by the accounting firm of Lutz and Carr CPA.
The National Board of Review’s awards celebrate excellence in filmmaking with categories that include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Original and Adapted Screenplay, Best International Film, Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Performance, Directorial Debut, and Outstanding Achievement in both Cinematography and Stunt Artistry, as well as their signature honor the NBR Freedom of Expression Award.
The NBR Awardees will be fêted at a gala event on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City hosted by Willie Geist; host, NBC News’ Sunday TODAY and co-host, MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Below is a full list of the 2025 award recipients, announced by the National Board of Review:
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 I’d 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 (in alphabetical order):
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
Frankenstein
Jay Kelly
Marty Supreme
Rental Family
Sinners
Train Dreams
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Wicked: For Good
Top 5 International Films (in alphabetical order):
Left-Handed Girl
The Love That Remains
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sirāt
Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order):
2000 Meters to Andriivka
Come See Me in the Good Light
My Mom Jayne
Natchez
Orwell: 2+2=5
Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order):
The Baltimorons
Bring Her Back
Father Mother Sister Brother
Friendship
Good Boy
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
The Mastermind
Rebuilding
Sorry, Baby
Urchin
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW
Since 1909, the National Board of Review has dedicated its efforts to the support of cinema as both art and entertainment. Each year, this select group of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, young professionals and academics participate in illuminating discussions with directors, actors, producers, screenwriters and cinematographers before announcing their selections for the best work of the year. Since first citing year-end cinematic achievements in 1929, the NBR has recognized a vast selection of outstanding studio, independent, international, animated and documentary films, often propelling recipients such as Peter Farrelly’s Green Book and George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road into the larger awards conversation. In addition, one of the organization’s core values is identifying new talent and nurturing young filmmakers by awarding promising talent with Directorial Debut and Breakthrough Performance awards as well as giving grants to rising film students. With its continued efforts to assist up-and-coming artists in completing and presenting their work, NBR honors its commitment to not just identifying the best that current cinema has to offer, but also ensuring the quality of films for future generations.
Join the conversation @NBRfilm
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TO APPLY FOR MEDIA CREDENTIALS TO COVER THE RED CARPET, PLEASE FILL OUT THE BELOW APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 6:00 PM ET FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026.
MEDIA CREDENTIAL APPLICATION LINK
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