“Battle After Battle,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has been named the Best Film of 2025.

The National Board of Review (NBR) in the United States has unveiled the winners of its prestigious annual awards, celebrating exceptional accomplishments within the film industry.

For 2025, the crime drama “Battle After Battle”, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, emerged as the leading recipient. Although the movie experienced moderate box-office returns, it garnered widespread acclaim from critics for its outstanding artistic craftsmanship and profound dramatic impact.

Key Victories and Acting Honors

The film dominated with a total of five awards. Paul Thomas Anderson earned the Best Director title, while the cast was also recognized with notable accolades:

• Leonardo DiCaprio — Best Actor
• Benicio Del Toro — Best Supporting Actor
• Chase Infinity — Breakthrough Performance, marking a remarkable cinematic debut.

These honors underscore the critics’ view that despite the film’s modest financial success, it excelled in terms of acting prowess and directorial vision, setting a new standard for contemporary filmmaking.

Additional 2025 Award Recipients

Other distinguished projects received top awards, including:

• Best Actress — Rose Byrne for her role in the drama “I Would Kick You If I Could”
• Best Original Screenplay — Ryan Coogler for “Sinners”
• Best Adapted Screenplay — Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar for “Train Dreams”
• Best Animated Film — the science fiction feature “Arco”
• Best Foreign Language Film — “A Simple Coincidence”

The honor for Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Work was awarded to the final installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, “Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning”, starring Tom Cruise.

Background and Importance

The recognition for “Battle After Battle” signifies a significant achievement. Prior to the NBR awards, it had already been celebrated at the Gotham Awards on December 1st and by the New York Film Critics Circle on December 2nd. These accolades emphasize the film’s artistic significance and demonstrate how creative excellence can be honored regardless of commercial performance.

Critics lauded the movie for its unified direction, emotional resonance, and authentic depiction of crime drama, solidifying its status as one of the year’s most compelling releases.