Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Crowned Best Film of 2025 at Maddy Awards
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The Maddy Awards, presented by the editorial staff of MadMass.it, have unveiled their picks for the best in film and television of 2025, offering a compelling snapshot of critical preferences as the awards season heats up.
The 9th edition of the Maddy Awards arrives on the eve of the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony, scheduled for January 11, 2026, and following the announcements from the AFI Awards and Critics Choice Awards 2026. These accolades are closely watched for indications of emerging trends and rising stars – including Chase Infiniti, Odessa A’zion, jacob Elordi, and Owen Cooper – within the film industry.
Currently,films like One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson,Frankenstein from Guillermo del Toro,and Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler are leading discussions among film critics. In television, Adolescence by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham is generating notable buzz. However, as one source noted, “the awards season is still long and the Maddy Awards 2025 could confirm or overturn all the rankings!”
The industry is also grappling with broader questions about the future of cinema. Concerns are mounting regarding the viability of movie theaters in the face of streaming dominance, with some wondering if they will “disappear like the jazz clubs.” Ther’s also ongoing debate about the role of visionary directors like James Cameron in pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling on the big screen.
Maddy Awards: Best Film of the Year – A Decade of Excellence
The Maddy Awards have consistently recognized cinematic achievement over the past decade. Previous winners include:
- La La Land (2017)
- Roma (2018)
- parasite (2019)
- Nomadland (2020)
- The Power of the Dog (2021)
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Oppenheimer (2023)
- The Holdovers (2024)
Maddy Awards 2025: Television Highlights
This year, the television landscape was particularly competitive. Adolescence, a miniseries from Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham starring Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Faye Marsay. One critic described the series as “emotionally devastating,dramatically sincere and direct and acted in a superlative manner.”
The full ranking of the best TV series, miniseries, or TV specials of 2025, as resolute by the Maddy Awards, is as follows:
- Adolescence (Netflix)
- To Manny (Apple TV)
- M – The Son of the Century (Sky NOW)
- Stranger Things 5 (Netflix)
- Split 2 (Apple TV)
despite the success of Vince Gilligan’s To Many on Apple TV+, featuring Rhea Seehorn, Netflix managed to retain its crown. Stranger Things, despite its cultural impact, was notably absent from the top spots, with some suggesting its final season “took a very long time, perhaps to long.”
Warner Bros. and Global Pictures Lead the Way
Looking at the overall results, Universal Pictures and Channel Four stand out as the most consistently recognized studios, each boasting two wins across the decade of Maddy Awards.The awards also highlight growing anxieties surrounding the future of Warner Bros., particularly considering its potential absorption by Netflix. “The fear that this acquisition could further undermine the cinematographic experience…is well-founded and evident,” a senior official stated.
As the Maddy Awards approach their tenth edition, the editorial team at MadMass.it expressed gratitude for the continued support of their readership. They look forward to continuing to celebrate the art of cinema and television in the years to come, wishing everyone “Happy cinema at the cinema also in 2026!”
