Obama Reveals His Top 11 Movies of 2025
The former president has shared his annual film favorites, with Paul Thomas Anderson's blockbuster taking the crown and several Oscar contenders making the cut.
The former president has dropped his yearly movie recommendations, showcasing the films that captured his attention throughout 2025. Paul Thomas Anderson's latest work, "One Battle After Another," claimed the top position on this carefully curated selection of eleven outstanding pictures.
The annual tradition continues as the 44th president shares his cultural picks across various art forms. This year's cinema choices reflect a diverse range of storytelling, from intimate character studies to sweeping epics that have dominated both critical conversations and box office charts.
Anderson's Epic Claims the Crown
"One Battle After Another" earned the number one spot, and the reasoning becomes clear when examining its universal critical acclaim. The film has emerged as a major awards season player, with every element from Jonny Greenwood's musical composition to the stellar ensemble cast receiving widespread praise.
The complete rankings showcase an impressive variety of directorial voices. Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" secured second place, followed by Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just An Accident" in third. Oscar winner Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" landed at fourth, while Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" rounded out the top five.
International Cinema Gets Recognition
Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" claimed sixth place, bringing the Korean master's dark comedy about capitalism's harsh realities into the spotlight. The selection demonstrates appreciation for global perspectives on contemporary issues.
The remaining positions feature Kleber Mendonça Filho's "The Secret Agent" at seventh, Clint Bentley's "Train Dreams" at eighth, Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly" at ninth, and Aziz Ansari's "Good Fortune" at tenth. The list concludes with Raoul Peck's documentary "Orwell: 2+2=5" in eleventh place.
Awards Season Implications
Many selections have generated significant Oscar buzz, suggesting potential alignment between these personal preferences and Academy voters' choices. Anderson's blockbuster has already secured shortlist positions in five categories: Original Score, Casting, Sound Design, Cinematography, and Makeup and Hairstyling.
The director faces stiff competition from Park Chan-wook, another filmmaker long overdue for major recognition. Both artists could find themselves competing directly in key categories like Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, making for an intriguing awards season battle.
"One Battle After Another" becomes available for streaming on HBO Max starting December 19, giving audiences access to what many consider 2025's finest cinematic achievement.