The 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards nominations dropped Tuesday, and “One Battle After Another” dominated the field with an impressive 14 nods.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedic drama about a clandestine organization resisting authoritarianism edged out Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” by a single nomination, setting up what promises to be an electrifying awards season showdown.
Both films are competing for best film alongside “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher as British cinema prepares to crown its champions.
A Historic Awards Season Takes Shape
The BAFTA nominations mirror an unprecedented Academy Awards season. “Sinners” made Oscar history last week with 16 nominations—more than any film ever—while “One Battle After Another” secured 13.
Now the BAFTAs have flipped the script slightly, putting Anderson’s film ahead in nomination count.
This year’s ceremony promises fierce competition across every major category. The breadth of nominated films spans genres, cultures, and storytelling approaches—from vampire thrillers to Shakespearean period pieces to Norwegian family dramas.
Director’s Category Showcases Auteur Excellence
The best director category reads like a masterclass in contemporary filmmaking. Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”) faces off against Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”), demonstrating how these two films continue dominating the conversation.
Chloé Zhao earned recognition for “Hamnet,” her intimate exploration of Shakespeare’s private life. The Oscar-winning director of “Nomadland” brings her signature contemplative style to Elizabethan England.
Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier received a nomination for “Sentimental Value,” described as a family drama that showcases European cinema’s continued influence on global awards circuits.
Josh Safdie—half of the Safdie Brothers duo—competes solo for “Marty Supreme,” featuring Timothée Chalamet as a table tennis prodigy. Yorgos Lanthimos rounds out the category with “Bugonia,” where conspiracy theorists kidnap an executive they believe is extraterrestrial.
Leading Actress Race Features Surprise Inclusion
The leading actress category delivers both expected contenders and shocking surprises. Jessie Buckley’s performance in “Hamnet” positions her as a frontrunner, while Emma Stone continues her collaboration with Lanthimos in “Bugonia.”
Renate Reinsve represents international cinema with “Sentimental Value.” Kate Hudson earned recognition for “Song Sung Blue,” and Rose Byrne competes for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”
The most notable inclusion? Chase Infiniti for “One Battle After Another.”
Infiniti’s nomination represents a significant BAFTA divergence from Academy Award voters, who surprisingly omitted her from Oscar consideration despite widespread critical acclaim. This snub-turned-redemption arc adds intrigue to her chances at winning.
Leading Actor Category Brings Heavy Hitters
Leonardo DiCaprio’s work in “One Battle After Another” earned him another shot at BAFTA glory. He’s competing against Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme” and Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners.”
Veteran actor Ethan Hawke received recognition for “Blue Moon,” while Jesse Plemons continues his hot streak with a nomination for “Bugonia.”
Robert Aramayo rounds out the category with “I Swear,” a British film about living with Tourette’s syndrome. His inclusion highlights BAFTA’s commitment to championing stories that explore disability and neurodiversity with authenticity.
Technical Categories Reveal Craftsmanship
While headline categories grab attention, technical nominations showcase the artistry behind cinematic magic. These 14 nominations for “One Battle After Another” span multiple craft categories, recognizing everything from cinematography to sound design.
“Sinners” similarly received recognition across technical fields, with its 13 BAFTA nominations reflecting Coogler’s meticulous attention to visual storytelling.
“Wicked: For Good” Finds BAFTA Recognition
Unlike the Oscars, where “Wicked: For Good” was completely shut out, BAFTAs recognized the musical spectacle with two nominations.
The film received nods for costume design and hair and makeup—categories where its theatrical roots and visual extravagance shine brightest. This divergence from Academy voters demonstrates how different voting bodies prioritize different aspects of filmmaking.
For fans disappointed by Oscar’s cold shoulder toward “Wicked,” these BAFTA nominations offer validation that the film’s technical achievements didn’t go completely unnoticed by major awards organizations.
What These Nominations Mean for Oscar Night
BAFTA nominations often serve as reliable Oscar predictors, though not always. The substantial overlap between BAFTA and Academy Award nominees suggests momentum is building for certain films and performances.
“One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” appear locked in a two-horse race across multiple ceremonies. Their dominance at both BAFTAs and Oscars indicates these films have captured something special—resonating with voters across continents and cultures.
However, BAFTA’s inclusion of Chase Infiniti reminds everyone that awards bodies don’t always agree. These differences keep awards season unpredictable and exciting.
Celebrating Cinema’s Diversity
This year’s nominations celebrate an impressive range of storytelling. From Anderson’s resistance drama to Coogler’s vampire mythology, from Shakespeare’s tragedy to Norwegian family dynamics, from table tennis excellence to conspiracy-fueled kidnappings—cinema’s scope feels boundless.
British filmmaking receives recognition through “I Swear,” while international voices get amplified through “Sentimental Value” and other non-English language considerations.
The EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will reveal winners soon, offering another data point in this historic awards season. Whether “One Battle After Another” or “Sinners” ultimately triumphs, 2025 has already proven to be a remarkable year for cinema.