Cahiers du Cinéma, the iconic French film magazine, has released its Top 10 films of 2025, placing Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude” at the top spot with Paul Thomas Anderson’s anticipated project, “One Battle After Another,” following at number two. The list reflects Cahiers’ ongoing focus on innovative cinema, particularly from Europe, and prominently features the Paul Thomas Anderson film 2025 among key titles this year.
Albert Serra’s Documentary Claims the Top Spot
Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude,” a bullfighting documentary spotlighting Peruvian torero Andrés Roca Rey, has earned the magazine’s highest honor this year. Having previously won the Golden Shell at San Sebastián, this win marks the second time Serra leads the publication’s annual list, following his previous success in 2022 with “Pacifiction.” This repeated recognition highlights Serra’s lasting influence among European filmmakers and his resonance with Cahiers du Cinéma’s editorial vision. His new documentary’s placement further cements his standing as a favorite within the respected magazine’s critical discourse.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio Takes Second Place
The eagerly awaited Paul Thomas Anderson film 2025, “One Battle After Another,” marks Anderson’s collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio and has been honored with the list’s second-place spot. Anderson, well-known for impactful films and innovative storytelling, receives his first inclusion in the magazine’s rankings with this new project. This feature not only spotlights Anderson’s creative vision but also demonstrates Cahiers du Cinéma’s recognition of his global influence in contemporary film, and solidifies his work’s relevance among the publication’s esteemed critics.
Other Noteworthy Films in Cahiers du Cinéma’s 2025 Top Ten
Nadav Lapid’s “Yes!” takes third place, following closely behind Serra and Anderson’s works. Other significant directors included on the list are Kleber Mendonça Filho, Richard Linklater, and Christian Petzold—names that frequently appear among European and festival favorites. As is often the case, Cahiers du Cinéma’s selection leans heavily into European cinema, showcasing both established figures and up-and-coming directors whose films are likely to attract attention on the festival and repertory circuits in the coming year.
An Emphasis on European and Auteur Cinema
The chosen films reflect not only the magazine’s longtime appreciation for European auteurs, such as Serra, Lapid, Mendonça Filho, and Petzold, but also its willingness to identify emerging talent and unusual entries that might escape mainstream attention. With Serra topping the list for the second time in just four years and Anderson making a notable debut, the list highlights how the magazine’s choices mirror contemporary cinephilia—a space where festival attention and critical acclaim converge. The wide variety of works recognized, from documentaries to feature fiction, underscores the rich diversity of modern cinema appreciated across Europe and beyond.
Cahiers du Cinéma’s Top 10 Films of 2025
Below are the ten films that have captured the attention of Cahiers du Cinéma for 2025:
1. Afternoons of Solitude (Albert Serra)
2. One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
3. Yes! (Nadav Lapid)
4. The Secret Agent
5. [Further titles not specified in the original content]
6. [Further titles not specified]
7. [Further titles not specified]
8. [Further titles not specified]
9. [Further titles not specified]
10. [Further titles not specified]
What This Year’s List Means for the Film Community
The unveiling of the ranking, particularly with the Paul Thomas Anderson film 2025 featured so highly, reinforces the magazine’s role in influencing global film discourse and festival priorities. As many of the selected films have not yet seen widespread release, anticipation is likely to drive cinephiles and festival programmers to seek them out in the coming months. For filmmakers and critics, Cahiers du Cinéma’s annual selection serves as both a barometer for cinematic innovation and a guide for what may become the year’s most-discussed films, propelling the recognized directors, including Anderson, Serra, and Lapid, further into the international spotlight.
— Cahiers du cinéma (@cahierscinema) November 28, 2025
