Want to get a jump on your movie-watching list before awards season hits full swing? The American Film Institute has made things easy this year, rolling out a curated list of the films and television shows that have defined 2025 so far. Every December, the AFI Awards provide one of the earliest and clearest signals of what the industry’s tastemakers, critics and creators consider the year’s most impactful storytelling. And on Thursday, Dec. 4, the AFI dropped its 2025 honorees, giving film fans a ready-made guide to what should be at the top of their queues heading into the new year.
The AFI Awards have long been regarded as an anchor for awards season, not because they function like the Oscars or Golden Globes—with winners, losers, and acceptance speeches—but because they celebrate cinematic and television achievements without pitting creators against one another. The institute’s mission is rooted in community, reflection and recognition. It’s not about ranking or competition, but rather acknowledging the projects that elevated the art of storytelling within the last year. AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale underscored that ethos again this year, saying the Awards “have held the flag high for community without competition” for more than 25 years. In times when the world feels unpredictable, Gazzale noted, art remains one of the ways people connect, process, unite and heal. That sentiment captures exactly why this year’s selections feel especially meaningful.
The film lineup for 2025 is striking both for its variety and its ambition. The ten films chosen by the AFI represent different genres, visions and worlds, yet all share a level of craft that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. One of the buzziest titles on the list is “Jay Kelly,” a drama starring George Clooney that has already been drawing serious attention on the festival circuit. The film is currently playing in select theaters and will begin streaming on Netflix on Dec. 5, making it easily accessible for anyone planning their end-of-year watchathons. Clooney’s presence, combined with the film’s thematic weight, has helped it become one of the most talked-about contenders heading into the thick of Oscar season.
Another major honoree is Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel that hit Netflix earlier this year with the sort of visual flair and emotional richness only del Toro seems capable of delivering. The film blends gothic horror with a deeply human core, bringing new layers of complexity to a story that has existed for more than two centuries. It has been praised not only for its design and atmosphere but also for the way it reframes the relationship between monster and creator.
Completing the AFI’s trio of heavily buzzed selections is “Hamnet,” which won the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award and continues to build impressive momentum. The film offers a fictionalized look at William Shakespeare’s family life, focusing on themes of love, loss and artistic awakening. Its blend of lush production design and emotional storytelling has earned it a devoted following, positioning it as a potential cross-category contender throughout the upcoming awards season.
Paul Thomas Anderson also returns to the awards conversation with “One Battle After Another,” which features Leonardo DiCaprio in one of the standout performances of his recent career. The film was recently named Best Feature at the 2025 Gotham Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the year’s critical favorites. As with many of Anderson’s works, it balances narrative ambition with textured character study, leaving audiences reflecting on its themes long after the credits roll.
The list also includes some heavy-hitting blockbusters and fan-favorite titles. James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third installment of the massively successful franchise, is set to hit theaters on Dec. 19. Cameron has made a career of pushing cinematic technology forward, and this film is expected to follow suit. Its inclusion on the AFI list suggests it’s not just visually stunning but also narratively compelling enough to stand alongside the year’s most acclaimed features.
Rounding out the list is “Bugonia,” a film with a sharp satirical bite that has gained traction through digital rentals and upcoming Blu-ray release; “Marty Supreme,” a star-driven theatrical release arriving on Christmas Day with Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow leading the cast; and “Sinners,” a gripping drama available on HBO Max and digital platforms. There’s also “Train Dreams,” starring Joel Edgerton as a logger navigating life’s hardships, which remains available both in limited theaters and on Netflix. Lastly, “Wicked: For Good,” the second installment of the two-part adaptation of the celebrated Broadway musical, continues the story with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo taking center stage in a spectacle that blends enchantment with emotional power.
Not to be overshadowed by the films, AFI’s collection of honored television programs offers an equally compelling snapshot of what has been dominating screens in 2025. The AFI highlighted ten series that have shaped the year’s television landscape, including several Emmy winners such as “Adolescence,” “The Studio” and “The Pitt.” These shows represent a wide range of creative approaches, from deeply personal narratives to industry-centric dramas that pull back the curtain on the world behind the entertainment machine. Their recognition by AFI reaffirms the idea that television remains as vital and innovative as ever, with creators continually stretching the boundaries of long-form storytelling.
Television, perhaps even more than film, has become a space where creators can carve out new artistic ground, building character arcs over multiple episodes, seasons and years. The shows honored this year highlight those possibilities: they reflect stories that evolve, challenge viewers, shift tone and embrace complexity. They grapple with themes like identity, ambition, memory, and the shifting nature of truth—often in ways that become cultural touchstones. Each series on the list has had its moment of virality, conversation, or critical praise, contributing to the larger tapestry of what television means in 2025.
While the AFI Awards do not operate like a traditional awards show, the annual gathering for honorees is considered one of the most important stops on the road to the Oscars. The 2026 ceremony, set for Friday, Jan. 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, is an event where directors, actors, producers and writers celebrate the year’s excellence as a community. It’s a quieter, more intimate affair than the widely televised award shows, but its influence is widely felt. The AFI’s track record speaks for itself: films chosen as honorees often go on to appear in Oscar nominations, and many ultimately take home top Academy awards.
The ceremony doesn’t involve trophies or acceptance speeches, and that is precisely what makes it special. Attendees gather, reflect and connect over the artistry of the past year, building camaraderie rather than rivalry. For industry observers, this event also has a strategic value: it shapes narratives around which films are poised to break out during the later stages of awards season. It helps studios and creatives build momentum, and it signals to voters and audiences alike which stories are considered essential viewing.
This year’s AFI honorees collectively paint a portrait of an industry that is both resilient and imaginative. Even amidst cultural shifts, economic uncertainty and constant technological evolution, filmmakers and television creators continue to deliver work that resonates deeply. The blend of major studio releases, independent dramas, streaming originals and theatrical experiences speaks to a landscape that values diversity not just in casting and perspective, but in the very forms stories take.
For audiences, this list functions as a roadmap—an invitation to explore stories that have captured the collective imagination. Whether it’s a sweeping visual epic like “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” an emotionally intimate piece like “Hamnet,” a genre-bending reimagining like “Frankenstein,” or a deeply human television drama like “Adolescence,” the AFI list offers something for every mood and every type of viewer. It reminds us that great storytelling doesn’t exist in isolated pockets; it thrives across platforms, formats and genres.
As awards season continues to unfold, the AFI Awards 2025 honorees will remain a touchpoint for voters, critics and audiences alike. They represent a mosaic of creativity at its best, a celebration of the year’s most meaningful, ambitious and memorable work. Whether you’re catching up at home, heading to theaters or diving into a binge-able series, the AFI list is the perfect compass to guide your viewing journey. And as always, it’s a testament to the power of film and television to challenge, comfort, excite and inspire—an enduring reminder that storytelling is as vital as ever.