Barack Obama’s Film Choice Shakes Up Oscar Predictions

Each year, Barack Obama shares his personal selection of standout books, music, and films, and his latest choices for 2025 have already sparked conversation. Among his preferred films is Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest project, One Battle After Another, a title that has been the subject of much speculation since its announcement and is now firmly in the spotlight as awards season approaches.

Oscar Buzz and the Main Contenders

Obama’s list, published on Medium, features eleven films that caught his attention this year. Topping the selection is Paul Thomas Anderson’s darkly comic action thriller, with other notable mentions including Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, and The Secret Agent. As the year draws to a close, the competition for Best Actor is heating up. Timothée Chalamet, widely regarded as a frontrunner for his role in Marty Supreme, now faces fresh competition. With Obama’s endorsement, DiCaprio’s performance in One Battle After Another could well shift the odds.

Chalamet, not yet thirty, has already secured two nominations for Best Actor: one for Call Me by Your Name in 2018, and another for A Complete Unknown this year, though he lost out to Gary Oldman and Adrien Brody. DiCaprio, meanwhile, previously took home the award in 2016 for The Revenant. The question now is whether his latest role will earn him a second statuette.

Critical Acclaim and Award Nominations

The much-talked-about comedy thriller has quickly become a leading contender for Best Picture. Released in late September, One Battle After Another has already collected several accolades. The film, directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, features a cast including DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. It currently boasts a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has grossed $205 million at the box office.

With nine nominations at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, the film is recognised in categories such as Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Actor for DiCaprio, Best Actress for Chase Infiniti, and supporting roles for Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor. Paul Thomas Anderson is also up for Best Screenplay, and Jonny Greenwood for Best Original Score. The film has received multiple Critics’ Choice nods as well, further strengthening DiCaprio’s position in the awards race.

Chances at the Oscars and Industry Predictions

Despite the film’s strong showing, the competition remains fierce. According to current prediction markets, DiCaprio’s chances of winning the Oscar for Best Actor stand at 20%, while Chalamet leads with 55%. For the Golden Globes, the figures are 28% for DiCaprio and 48% for Chalamet. The race is far from decided, and the coming weeks will be crucial for both actors.

For those interested in learning more about Marty Supreme, further details are available, but the focus remains on whether DiCaprio’s latest performance can outshine his younger rival.

Reflections from the Cast

One Battle After Another has resonated with audiences and its leading man alike. In a recent interview with the BBC, DiCaprio reflected on the film’s relevance, stating,

It holds a mirror up to society and talks about the divisiveness in our culture and the fact that there’s so much polarity…It’s political without making it feel like medicine.

He went on to say that the film

finds the humanity in all the central characters

, making it easy for viewers to connect with their experiences.

Benicio del Toro, who plays Sergio St. Carlos, echoed these sentiments, describing the film as one that

says something about its time

while remaining

entertaining…fun…[with] a lot of heart.

The film’s blend of timely themes and engaging storytelling has clearly struck a chord with both its cast and the public.

One Battle After Another is now available to stream on HBO Max.