Former President Barack Obama has revealed his top movie picks of the year.
The 44th president took to social media on Dec. 18, to share the annual list highlighting his favorite films, books, and songs released in the past 12 months.
Obama wrote on Instagram: “As 2025 comes to a close, I’m continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out!”
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It seems he has good taste when it comes to movies, because three films on the list — One Battle After Another, Sinners, and It Was Just an Accident have been getting a lot of attention from awards voters.
Action thriller One Battle After Another dominated the Globe Globe nominations earlier this month, with a leading nine nods, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film about a group of ex-revolutionaries on the run from a rogue colonel stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti.
Sinners led this year’s Critics Choice nominations with 17 nods, including Best Picture. The supernatural period film’s cast members Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Miles Caton all received nominations for their performances, and Ryan Coogler picked up a directing nod.
Revenge thriller It Was Just an Accident from Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at Cannes earlier this year. It’s also on the Oscars Shortlist for Best International Feature Film.
Missing from Obama’s list were Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, Nia DaCosta’s Hedda, and Sarah’s Oil.
Crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest made the Oscars Shortlist in the Best Original Song category. The finalists will be revealed when the Oscar nominations are announced on Jan. 22.
Period drama Hedda was included on the African American Film Critics Association’s list of Top 10 movies of the year.
Sarah’s Oil, which follows the true story of one of the nation’s first Black female millionaires, has a strong 83 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Check out President Obama’s favorite movie picks of 2025 below. You can also scroll through his Instagram post to see his favorite books and songs.
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
Sinners (Warner Bros.)
It Was Just an Accident (Mubi)
Hamnet (Focus Features)
Sentimental Value (Neon)
No Other Choice (Neon)
The Secret Agent (Neon)
Train Dreams (Netflix)
Jay Kelly (Netflix)
Good Fortune (Lionsgate)
Orwell: 2+2=5 (Neon)
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