The 2025 BAFTA nominations have officially been announced, sparking excitement and debates over the biggest contenders and the most shocking snubs. Just like the 2025 Golden Globes, the BAFTA list has provided a range of surprises, and one glaring omission has left fans stunned. Edward Berger’s Conclave leads the charge with an impressive 12 nominations, while other heavy hitters like Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist follow closely behind with 11 and 9 nominations, respectively. However, amidst all the excitement and anticipation, there’s one movie I can’t help but feel was criminally overlooked: Challengers.
This Zendaya-starring film was easily one of the most talked-about releases of 2024, especially for its unforgettable score. To see Challengers completely snubbed in the Best Original Score category—especially when compared to the nominees like The Brutalist, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Nosferatu, and The Wild Robot—is a tough pill to swallow. Its music was one of the standout features of the film, so to see it miss out entirely feels like a significant injustice. Let’s hope the Oscars offer more recognition when their nominations are revealed on January 19, 2025.
While the exclusion of Challengers in the BAFTA nominations is a disappointment, the rest of the list presents plenty of exciting choices and unexpected surprises. Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap has garnered six nominations, while The Substance director Coralie Fargeat became the only female nominee for Best Director, a remarkable achievement in itself. Additionally, Anora has continued to receive recognition, both in the UK and internationally, further solidifying its place in the 2025 awards conversation. Despite the snubs, the BAFTA nominations present a diverse and intriguing collection of films, making this year’s race all the more thrilling.
BAFTA 2025 Full Nominee List: Big Names and Notable Films
The nominations for the 2025 BAFTA Awards include a mixture of critical darlings and surprise underdogs. Here’s a look at the key categories and nominees.
Best Film
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
Outstanding British Film
- Bird
- Blitz
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Hard Truths
- Kneecap
- Lee
- Love Lies Bleeding
- The Outrun
- Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Best Leading Actress
- Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
- Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths
- Mikey Madison, Anora
- Demi Moore, The Substance
- Saoirse Ronan, The Outrun
Best Leading Actor
- Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
- Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
- Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
- Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
- Hugh Grant, Heretic
- Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice
Best Director
- Sean Baker, Anora
- Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
- Edward Berger, Conclave
- Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two
- Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
- Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
Best Original Score
- The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg
- Conclave, Volker Bertelmann
- Emilia Pérez, Camille, Clément Ducol
- Nosferatu, Robin Carolan
- The Wild Robot, Kris Bowers
EE BAFTA Rising Star Award
- Marisa Abela
- Jharrel Jerome
- David Jonsson
- Mikey Madison
- Nabhaan Rizwan
Best Film Not in the English Language
- All We Imagine As Light
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Kneecap
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Best Cinematography
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Nosferatu
Major Surprises and Snubs
While Conclave undoubtedly dominated the nominations with its 12 nods, there were a number of films and performances that didn’t quite make the cut, leading to some shocking snubs. Here are a few highlights of what could have been:
- Challengers and Its Omission
As mentioned earlier, Challengers (starring Zendaya) was left off the list entirely, which is baffling given its widespread acclaim. The movie featured one of the most striking scores of 2024, which many critics felt was instrumental in setting the film’s tone. The snubbing of Challengers in this category, as well as others, is a major disappointment. - Daniel Craig’s Missing Nod
Another significant absence is Daniel Craig, who gave a standout performance in Queer. Despite the film’s acclaim, Craig was left out of the Best Actor category, which is often one of the most competitive at the BAFTAs. His omission is undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of the year. - Coralie Fargeat’s Historic Nomination
On a more positive note, Coralie Fargeat’s nomination for Best Director for The Substance is a welcome surprise. She’s the only female nominee in this highly competitive category, and her recognition for this intense thriller is an important step toward greater inclusivity in the film industry. - Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap
Kneecap is a film that has quickly captured the attention of critics and audiences alike, with six nominations, including Outstanding British Film. The film’s success at the BAFTAs highlights the importance of fresh voices in the industry, and Peppiatt’s work has earned the film well-deserved attention.
Analysis of Key Nominations
The 2025 BAFTA nominees showcase a diverse range of films across genres, including historical dramas, thrillers, animated features, and more. Here’s a closer look at some of the most significant nominations:
- Best Film
The five nominees for Best Film reflect a blend of critically acclaimed titles, including Conclave, which continues to dominate the awards circuit, and The Brutalist, a film that has garnered praise for its cinematography and strong performances. Anora and Emilia Pérez also shine in this category, with their compelling narratives and stunning visuals. - Best Director
The Best Director category is particularly competitive this year, with seasoned filmmakers like Denis Villeneuve and Jacques Audiard up against relative newcomers like Sean Baker and Coralie Fargeat. Fargeat’s nomination for The Substance is especially noteworthy, as she’s the only woman in the category, an achievement that has generated widespread excitement. - Best Cinematography
The Brutalist, Conclave, and Dune: Part Two all received nods for Best Cinematography, which isn’t surprising given their visually stunning cinematography. Films like Nosferatu and Emilia Pérez also showcase striking visuals, making this category one of the most competitive.
The Race for the 2025 BAFTA Awards
With so many talented films and performances in the mix, the 2025 BAFTA Awards are shaping up to be an exciting night filled with surprises, snubs, and jaw-dropping moments. Conclave has established itself as the front-runner, but films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez are hot on its heels, and the underdog successes of films like Kneecap and The Substance add an unpredictable element to the race.
Though Challengers’ lack of recognition remains a glaring oversight, the overall slate of nominees offers an exciting blend of talent, storytelling, and cinematic achievement. As the awards season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these films fare at the upcoming Academy Awards and other major ceremonies. Whatever happens, the 2025 BAFTA nominations have already proven to be an intriguing start to the awards season, and the race for the golden mask promises to be one for the books.
Conclusion
The 2025 BAFTA nominations list offers a fascinating mix of established talent and emerging voices, with Conclave leading the charge. While there were some notable snubs, particularly with Challengers and Daniel Craig’s omission, the list still represents an exciting range of films. With a number of surprise nominations—especially the recognition of Kneecap and Coralie Fargeat—the BAFTAs promise to be a thrilling ride for film lovers. The ultimate question remains: who will take home the coveted awards on the big night? Only time will tell.