It’s nearly time to welcome 2026, the year we’ve been waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6 to finally arrive. But before we turn the page, let’s take a moment to celebrate the standout moments of this year—and that’s precisely what the IGN Awards 2025 are all about. From unforgettable games and cinematic masterpieces to groundbreaking TV series, 2025 delivered an incredible lineup of pop culture highlights. We’re honoring the very best from the past 12 months.
This year marked the long-awaited release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, proving once again that patience truly pays off. Yet 2025 wasn’t just about sequels—it was also a year of exciting new talent. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by debut studio Sandfall Interactive, quickly became the talk of the gaming world, dominating conversations for months. On the big screen, Sinners brought a moody, atmospheric thrill to horror action, while One Battle After Another kept us breathless with its relentless pace. On our screens at home, we were utterly captivated by the layered mysteries of Severance’s second season and lost in the gritty storytelling of Batman: Dark Patterns. These exceptional titles, and many others like them, are all in the running for one of our annual awards.
Here is the complete list of nominees for the 2025 IGN Awards. Starting Monday, December 15, and continuing through the week, we’ll reveal the winners in categories including Best Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Game, Best Movie, Best TV Show, Best Anime, and more. The week-long celebration will culminate on Friday, December 19, when we announce IGN’s Game of the Year. Be sure to return to this page daily—the full list of winners will be updated as they’re announced.
Before we begin, a quick note about our platform-specific categories. While we’ve typically favored games with strong ties to their respective consoles, we’ve never required exclusivity. This year, in response to evolving industry trends, we’re opening the door to *all* games published on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms—regardless of exclusivity. This shift reveals a fascinating truth: in 2025, third-party, multi-platform titles played just as vital a role in shaping each console’s identity as their exclusive titles did.
The IGN Awards are chosen by our editorial team—the creators behind every article, video, review, and guide you enjoy on IGN. But we don’t just want to share our picks; we want to hear from you. Cast your vote in the polls below for your favorite games, movies, shows, and more.
