The nominations for the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards are in, and as always, they have their fair share of snubs and surprises.
At the top of the list of snubs this year are “Wicked,” which missed out on the best film category, and Denzel Washington (“Gladiator II”) who, despite being one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, has still never scored a BAFTA nomination. But there were plenty of welcome surprises too, like Hugh Grant earning a lead actor nod for his creepy turn in “Heretic” and Irish-language music film “Kneecap” receiving a better-than-expected six noms.
Below, we break down the biggest developments from this morning’s announcement.
SNUB: “Wicked” misses out on best film
In what is probably the most surprising snub of the day, Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation failed to earn a nomination for best film. It was likely pushed out by another musical — Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” — which, given its international connections, could have resonated more with U.K. voters. It’s also worth noting that “Wicked,” though a box office phenomenon in the U.S., didn’t perform as well internationally. “Wicked” was also not recognized in the adapted screenplay category, though it did earn acting nods for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as well as five nominations in the craft categories.
SNUB: Denzel Washington remains without a BAFTA nomination
Denzel Washington’s lack of recognition — awards and nominations — from BAFTA voters has become something of an embarrassment for the British Academy given the accolades he’s accumulated elsewhere (not to mention him being widely regarded as one of the finest actors working today). Following the praise he received for his supporting role in “Gladiator 2” as the scheming former slave Macrinus, many thought 2025 would be year that this omission was finally overturned. But not so, his snub likely to be one of the biggest from the current crop of nominees. There’s a good chance Washington will be awarded a BAFTA Fellowship before he gets a nomination.
SURPRISE: Hugh Grant gets lead actor nod for “Heretic”
There was jubilation back in 2018 when Hugh Grant received a BAFTA supporting actor nomination for his comic performance in “Paddington 2”. Fast forward 7 years and there’s likely to be cheers for his nomination for an entirely different type of film (and one highlighting just how much Grant has shaken off his old rom-com tag). Grant’s lead performance as a sinister recluse who terrorizes two missionaries in the horror film “Heretic” was widely praised by critics, helping lead the film to a $50 million box office.
SNUB: “Challengers” gets nothing
Despite being released back in March 2024, there was still some hope that “Challengers,” Luca Guadagnino’s steamy tennis romp starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faust has enough momentum to a little ‘love’ (sorry) from the home of Wimbledon. The performance categories may have been too far out of reach, but the pulsation score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, alongside Justin Kuritzkes’ original screenplay and Marco Costa’s editing was on several scoresheets. However, at least when it came to the BAFTAs, rain stopped play.
SURPRISE: “Super/Man” nominated for documentary after Oscar snub
Earlier this month, many were shocked when “Super/Man” — the documentary on the legacy of actor Christopher Reeve after a horse riding accident left him paralyzed — was left off the Oscars best doc shortlist. However, the film may find redemption at the BAFTAs, as it was included among its doc nominees today alongside “Black Box Diaries,” “Daughters,” “No Other Land” and “Will & Harper.”
SURPRISE: “Kneecap’s” record-breaking six noms
Since it first debuted in Sundance a year ago, “Kneecap” has become the little film that could. Rich Peppiatt’s wild comedy-biopic about the real-life Belfast rap trio — who all play themselves — has spent the last 12 months garnering both critical acclaim and awards, beloved for both its anarchic, drug-soaked story and proud use of the Irish language. But few back in January 2024 would have predicted this would take the film all the way to the BAFTAs red carpet. Six nominations — original screenplay, outstanding British film, outstanding debut, film not in the English language, casting and editing — is a phenomenal achievement for the low-budget indie and makes it the most nominated debut film in BAFTA history. It’s also probably the first BAFTA nominated film that began life following a 12-hour all-night bender.
SNUB: “All We Imagine as Light’s” sole nomination
Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light” has amassed an astonishing array of honors since bowing in Cannes (where it was the first film from India to compete for the Palm d’Or in 30 years). Landing a space on BAFTA’s film not in the English language list was seen as practically a dead cert, but there was hope Kapadia would be recognized in the director category and perhaps even original screenplay.
SNUB: Nicole Kidman for “Babygirl”
After failing to earn a SAG nomination for her daring performance in Halina Reijn’s erotic thriller “Babygirl,” the Oscar winner was once again snubbed by BAFTA. However, Kidman did earn a nod from the Golden Globes, so she still has a chance in the Oscar race. BAFTA’s leading actress category instead included Saoirse Ronan for “The Outrun,” who has long been a favorite of the awards body.
SURPRISE: “Sing Sing” success
So far, Colman Domingo has been getting most of the awards season love for “Sing Sing,” Greg Kwedar’s prison drama. Though Domingo continued his streak with the BAFTAs, earning a lead actor nom, the film was also recognized in the adapted screenplay category alongside “Conclave” and “Emilia Pérez,” and Clarence Maclin — one of the formerly incarcerated men cast in the movie — also scored a supporting actor nod.
SNUB: Daniel Craig for “Queer”
He may have been Bond, James Bond, but Daniel Craig’s performance in “Queer” didn’t seem to resonate with British voters. Despite Craig earning Golden Globe and SAG noms for his bold turn in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel, he was beaten out by awards race wild cards like Hugh Grant (“Heretic”) and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”).
