AFI Announces Top Movies of 2025: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ ‘Wicked: For Good’ and More

The American Film Institute (AFI) has unveiled its selection of the top films and television programs for 2025, highlighting this years most noteworthy contributions to cinema and the small screen.

Top Films of 2025

AFIs list of the best films, presented alphabetically, includes:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Bugonia
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Jay Kelly
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Train Dreams
• Wicked: For Good

Top TV Shows of 2025

The AFI also recognized the standout television programs of the year, listed alphabetically:

• Adolescence
• Andor
• Death by Lightning
• The Diplomat
• The Lowdown
• The Pitt
• Pluribus
• Severance
• The Studio
• Task

Special Recognition

AFI presented a special award to It Was Just an Accident by filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who was recently sentenced in absentia to one year in prison in Iran. The film is honored for its artistic and cultural significance.

AFI Awards Celebration

The honorees will be celebrated at a luncheon in Los Angeles on January 9. AFI aims to recognize works that exemplify the power of storytelling and creative excellence without fostering competition.

For more than 25 years, AFI Awards has championed the spirit of collaboration and artistic achievement, said AFI president and CEO Bob Gazzale. We are proud to honor these creative ensembles that showcase the impact of art, especially in challenging times.

Author: Gavin Porter