‘Sinners’ and ‘Hedda’ Among African American Film Critics Top Movies of 2025

Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror thriller Sinners and the period drama Hedda, written and directed by Nia DaCosta, are among the movies being recognized this year by the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA).

The group announced its picks for best films of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as voted on by AAFCA’s more than 100 members across the nation.

The diverse selection of Top 10 films are:
1. Sinners (Warner Bros.)

2. One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)

3. Hedda (Amazon MGM)

4. Frankenstein (Netflix)

5. Hamnet (Focus Features)

6. Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

7. F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)

8. One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)

9. The Knife (Relativity Media)

10. The Smashing Machine (A24)

Related: ‘Sinners’ Dominates 2026 Critics Choice Awards Nominations

The organization also announced the winners of its 17th Annual AAFCA Awards.

BEST ACTOR – Michael B. Jordan, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

BEST ACTRESS – Tessa Thompson, Hedda (Amazon MGM)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – Damson Idris, F1: The Movie (Apple/Warner Bros.)

BEST DOCUMENTARY – The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)

BEST DIRECTOR – Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

BEST WRITING – Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

EMERGING FACE (ACTOR) – Miles Caton, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

EMERGING FACE (ACTRESS) – Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)

BEST INDEPENDENT FEATURE – Hedda (Amazon MGM)

BEST ENSEMBLE – Sinners (Warner Bros.)

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT – The Rebel Girls

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT – Hoops, Hopes & Dreams

BEST ANIMATED SHORT – Black Man, Black Man

BEST MUSIC – Ludwig Göransson, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

“The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite,” AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in.”

The awards will be handed out at the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards on Feb. 8 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California.