The Gotham Awards 2025 were full of unforgettable moments — including some that made us do a double take.
The ceremony took place on Monday, December 1, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, honoring some of the most talked-about films of the year, including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly and Paul Thomas Anderson‘s One Battle After Another.
Among the night’s honorees were Song Sung Blue’s Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, who received the inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute, the Sinners cast, who earned the Ensemble Tribute for the blockbuster horror film and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’s Jeremy Allen White and Scott Cooper, who were awarded the Cultural Icon Tribute.
Us Weekly rounds up the best and worst moments from the show, including what you may have missed below:
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Best: Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Pack on PDA
Jackman, 57, and Foster, 50, cozied up together on the red carpet at the event. The actor looked dapper in a classic black suit, while his girlfriend glowed in a strappy black sequin gown that she paired with emerald drop earrings. The couple, dating since last year, made their official debut at Song Sung Blue‘s Los Angeles premiere in October.
Worst: Adam Sandler’s Awkward Noah Baumbach Intro
Far be it for Us to disagree with The Sandman, but Sandler, 59, took too long introducing Baumbach, 56, who earned the Film Tribute Award. The actor, who appears opposite George Clooney in the upcoming Jay Kelly, appeared onstage with fellow presenter Emily Mortimer for roughly nine minutes. Sandler seemingly went off-script, ad-libbing comments such as, “Can I get a f***in hell yeah from everybody! That was some good s*** Emily said, let’s go!”
For her part, Mortimer, 54, appeared to squirm amid Sandler’s unpredictable commentary.
Best: Guillermo del Toro’s Fiery Acceptance Speech
The Frankenstein director ignored producers’ cues to leave the stage while accepting the Vanguard Tribute alongside Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, instead continuing on with a speech and speaking over the announcer as he shared his hot take on AI. Praising Frankenstein‘s cast and crew, he declared, “The artistry of all of them shines on every single frame of this film that was willfully made by humans, for humans.”
Del Toro added: “It belongs to all of them, and I would like to extend our gratitude and say, ‘F*** AI.”
Worst: Jafar Panahi’s Sentence
Panahi, 65, won Best International Feature, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for his drama It Was Just an Accident, but his victories were unfortunately overshadowed by grimmer headlines. Earlier Monday, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that the Iranian filmmaker had been sentenced to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban amid accusations of propaganda against Iran.
Best: Elle Fanning’s Fun Rapport With Kristen Stewart
Fanning, 27, bantered adorably with Stewart, 35, before they presented the award for Outstanding Lead Performance to Sopé Dìrísù in My Father’s Shadow.
“We have the same birthday: April 9th!” Elle said of Stewart, to which the latter added, “Her big sister [Dakota Fanning] is my best friend.”
“Yeah, and I’m finally cool enough to hang out with you,” Elle said, smiling.
Worst: No Clapping
For anyone viewing the show at home, either the sound was off — or nobody was applauding for any of the award winners, making each category feel awkward, instead of jubilant.
Best: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Tribute to Maya Rudolph
Taking the stage to claim Best Picture for One Battle After Another, writer-director Anderson, 55, took a moment to honor his wife, Rudolph, 53, saying, “December 1, 24 years ago, I met a lady who made me a better filmmaker: Happy Anniversary, Maya. Thank you.” Cue the “awwwwwws.”
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Best: Relatable Kings
While accepting the Cultural Icon Tribute alongside his Deliver Me From Nowhere director, Scott Cooper, White, 34, fumbled over his words.
“We’re very grateful that Bruce [Springsteen] allowed us into [his] space. And to tell a story he had never told himself and never mythologized,” said the actor, who portrayed The Boss in the biopic, struggling to find the right away to pronounce mythologized. “Sorry guys, I’m tired!” Allen confessed with a laugh before handing the speech back over to Cooper.
And taking the stage to rep Sinners, filmmaker Ryan Coogler confessed to being nervous. Stars: They’re just like Us!
