Obama’s Top Film Pick Shakes Up Oscar Race for DiCaprio and Chalamet

Barack Obama has dropped his yearly rundown of standout books, tunes, and films, and this time, one title in particular is making waves among film buffs. Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest, One Battle After Another, has been on everyone’s lips since it was first teased, and now it’s landed a spot on Obama’s personal list of the year’s best. The former US President shared his picks on Medium, highlighting eleven films that caught his eye in 2025. Paul Thomas Anderson’s black comedy action-thriller led the pack, with other notables like Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, and The Secret Agent also getting a mention.

With the year wrapping up and awards season looming, Timothée Chalamet has been the bookies’ favourite for Best Actor thanks to his turn in Marty Supreme. But with Obama’s nod to DiCaprio’s performance, the race just got a lot more interesting. Chalamet, not yet 30, already has two Best Actor nominations under his belt—one for Call Me by Your Name in 2018 and another for A Complete Unknown this year. Both times, he missed out, losing to Gary Oldman and Adrien Brody. DiCaprio, meanwhile, took home his first Oscar in 2016 for The Revenant. Now, punters are wondering if One Battle After Another could see him score a second.

DiCaprio’s Latest Film: Awards Buzz and Big Numbers

The much-hyped comedy-thriller has quickly become a frontrunner for Best Picture as the awards circuit kicks off. Released in late September, One Battle After Another has already racked up a string of wins and critical acclaim. The film, directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, features a star-studded cast including DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. It’s sitting pretty with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has pulled in a hefty $205 million at the box office.

It’s also up for nine Golden Globe Awards, with nominations in categories like Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Actor for DiCaprio, Best Actress for Chase Infiniti, and supporting nods for Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor. Paul Thomas Anderson is also in the running for Best Screenplay, and Jonny Greenwood for Best Original Score. The film’s also picked up several Critics’ Choice nominations, further boosting DiCaprio’s chances. Still, the question remains: is it enough to outpace Chalamet?

Chalamet vs DiCaprio: Who’s Got the Edge?

Current prediction markets reckon Chalamet is still ahead, with a 55% shot at the Oscar for Best Actor, compared to DiCaprio’s 20%. For the Golden Globes, Chalamet’s odds sit at 48%, while DiCaprio trails at 28%. Despite the numbers, Obama’s endorsement has given DiCaprio’s campaign a fresh burst of momentum. Marty Supreme remains a strong contender, but the buzz around One Battle After Another is hard to ignore.

DiCaprio himself has spoken about what the film means to him. In a chat with the BBC, he said the story “

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 added that the film “

finds the humanity in all the central characters

,” making it easy for punters to connect with the story and its cast.

What the Cast Says About the Film’s Impact

Benicio del Toro, who plays Sergio St. Carlos, echoed DiCaprio’s thoughts, saying the film “

says something about its time

,” while still being “

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

” The film’s ability to balance social commentary with humour and heart has clearly struck a chord with both audiences and critics.

With the awards season heating up, all eyes are on whether DiCaprio can clinch his second Oscar or if Chalamet will finally take home the trophy. One Battle After Another is now streaming on HBO Max.