The 2025 Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) has spoken, and the winners are in! But here's the burning question: Did they get it right? From groundbreaking films to stellar performances, this year's selections are sure to spark debate. Let's dive into the highlights and uncover the choices that might just surprise you.
The Best Films of 2025: A Diverse Lineup
The KCFCC has crowned an eclectic mix of films as the best of the year, each bringing something unique to the table. From the haunting Frankenstein to the gripping One Battle After Another, the list includes:
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- It Was Just an Accident
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
- Weapons
And this is the part most people miss... The Robert Altman Award for Best Director has gone to some of the industry's most visionary filmmakers. Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ari Aster (Eddington), and Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein) are among the honorees. But is this lineup as groundbreaking as it seems? Let’s discuss.
Best Actor and Actress: A Battle of Titans
Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) lead the charge in the acting categories. Yet, with fierce competition from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessie Buckley, were these the right choices? What do you think?
Supporting Roles: The Unsung Heroes
Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another) and Glenn Close (Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery) shine in the supporting categories. But with such strong contenders, who truly deserved the spotlight?
Screenplay, Cinematography, and Score: The Backbone of Cinema
From Marty Supreme’s original screenplay to Frankenstein’s cinematography, these technical achievements are undeniable. Yet, here’s where it gets controversial: Did The Fantastic Four: First Steps really deserve Best Original Score? Share your thoughts!
Animated, Foreign, and Documentary: A Global Perspective
Arco and Zootopia 2 battle it out in the animated category, while Sentimental Value and It Was Just an Accident represent the best in foreign cinema. Documentaries like My Mom Jayne and Orwell: 2+2=5 offer thought-provoking insights. But which one left the biggest impact?
Genre Awards: Pushing Boundaries
The Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and the Tom Poe Award for Best LGBTQ Film celebrate diversity in storytelling. Frankenstein and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery stand out, but are they truly the most innovative?
Stunt Ensemble: Action at Its Best
F1 The Movie and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning showcase jaw-dropping stunts. But which film truly pushed the limits of action cinema?
Now, it’s your turn! What are your thoughts on the 2025 KCFCC winners? Do you agree with the choices, or do you have a different favorite? Let’s spark a conversation! Share your opinions on our X account (https://x.com/NextBestPicture) and join the debate. For more awards season updates, check out our Awards Calendar, Precursor Wins, Precursor Tracker, and Oscar Predictions. Let’s keep the cinematic conversation going!
