With the award season in full swing, we have picked our own winners and stand outs in film and music from the 2025 season. The Grammy and Academy Awards might set the official record, but many excellent artists and movies get overlooked. Here, we’re picking winners for our own categories.
Most Chaotic:
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
Despite Doechii’s eventual victory at the 2026 Grammys, we believe a different music video nominee truly takes the cake. “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter demonstrates a playful display of both Carpenter’s characteristic sarcasm and well-composed shots, capturing the mayhem of 2025 perfectly.
While other artists utilize repetition from scene to scene, Manchild is defined by fast costume changes and humorous scenarios that make each shot feel fresh and worthwhile.
Additionally, the warmth and saturation of the color scheme effectively matches the contagiously upbeat rhythm of the song. Bright oranges and yellows dominate both the wardrobe and set design, while slightly grainy visuals make one feel as though they are watching a home video.
Best Album Cover:
“Chromakopia” by Tyler the Creator
Tyler the Creator has never failed to introduce an album without a cover that speaks for itself artistically. Designed collaboratively by Tyler Okonma (Tyler the Creator), Luis Perez and Shaun Llewellyn, the black and white design stands out amongst Okonma’s previous albums.
His prior covers have been associated with bold colors and creative graphics, but perhaps the stark difference of Chromakopia represents the artist beginning a new chapter of his already decorated music career.
The album cover depicts Okonma clad in a coat and tie reaching out of frame. Upon closer inspection, what appears to be his face is actually a metallic-looking mask. This artistic choice signifies the pressures of the music industry and Okonma’s struggles with how he is perceived by the public. This album cover masterfully conveys the same personal truths that are reflected in tracks such as “Like Him.”
Best Dressed New Artist:
Olivia Dean
Sombr, Katseye, Leon Thomas and other notable artists rose to fame this year, but one who truly deserves this award is Olivia Dean.
Despite making a splash in the music industry, perhaps the most compelling thing about Olivia Dean is her unique wardrobe. Whether leading the polka dot trend of 2025 or embracing old soul glamour, Dean has managed to create a nostalgic and whimsical portrayal of girlhood and romance that is reminiscent of Diana Ross.
She makes an impression with her fresh and soulful album “The Art of Loving”, which offers a masterclass in storytelling, powerful vocals and a sense of awe that captivates listeners. Dean’s album manages to combine Motown, pop-soul and deep yearning together to create hits like “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love)”.
Dean has earned her Grammy, and a prominent place in the music industry for years to come.
Best Gothic Glamour:
Frankenstein
“Frankenstein” is a dramatic retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel from 1818 that would not be complete without its outstanding costume design. The movie strays from the original story, choosing to focus on Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with life and his complex feelings toward his monster.
Kate Hawley is a critically acclaimed costume designer, having won multiple awards previously for her work with “Lord of the Rings” and “Crimson Peak”.
Throughout “Frankenstein,” the costumes add a level of symbolism and foreshadowing that could tell the whole story on its own. Hawley’s best costumes are worn by Mia Goth, who played Victor Frankenstein’s mother, Claire, and Elizabeth, his brother’s fiancée.
Goth’s costumes throughout the movie provide deeper insight not only into her character’s thoughts, but also into how Victor interprets her.
These outfits exemplify Hawley’s skill and her remarkable ability to create story and emotion through her costumes alone.
Most Committed to the Role:
Timothée Chalamet in “Marty Supreme”
It is impossible to talk about great acting in this decade without mentioning Timothée Chalamet. He demonstrated commitment to “Marty Supreme” not only on screen, but off-screen as well.
“Marty Supreme” follows Marty Mauser, a table tennis player trying to find fame and wealth in 1950s America.
For months leading up to the premiere, Chalamet could be found standing on top of the sphere in Las Vegas, dressing in the signature Marty Supreme orange and marketing his movie at every moment.
When the movie hit theaters in December, Chalamet’s commitment to the role became especially clear.
He completely embodied Marty Mouser- his perfected table tennis skills made competition scenes intense. His emotional range, capturing the best, worst and most stressful moments of Mauser’s career, gives the character depth and complexity.
Chalamet’s charisma and vulnerability makes Mauser more relatable, and forces audiences to rethink the definition of success and the American dream.
Furriest Feature:
“Zootopia 2”
It’s one thing for a sequel to generate a record-breaking $1.7 billion at the box office, but entirely another to continue a beloved story without doing the original characters a disservice.
In “Zootopia 2,” recently partnered cops Nick and Judy begin another mission to save the world—this time aiding a friendly snake named Gary in his quest to prove that reptiles were wrongfully banished from Zootopia.
The animated comedy franchise once again provides signature witty quips and masterfully balances the occasional animal pun with genuinely moving and emotional scenes.
However, it is impossible to discuss the Zootopia franchise without mentioning the depth of Nick and Judy’s relationship, arguably matching the complexities of this year’s best picture nominees. Their friendship sums up the driving purpose of the movie: encouraging connections so powerful they can transcend societal divides.
In a world that relentlessly categorizes, “Zootopia 2 is a refreshing reminder that we are better together.
