Ranking the 2025 Best Picture Oscar nominees
The nominations for this year’s Oscars dropped a few days ago, with Emilia Pérez topping the list with a baffling 13 and The Brutalist and Wicked following up with 10.
Which films should you prioritise if you haven’t seen them yet? To get you started, here is the list of all 10 Best Picture nominees ranked in order of my preference from first to last.
This thriller sounds so dull on paper – a story about electing a new pope, who would have thought?! It is gripping from start to finish, it has truly unpredictable twists and the ensemble is excellent, from Ralph Fiennes to Carlos Diehz. I don’t think it will win anything other than Adapted Screenplay though. Still in cinemas
I’m Still Here
It’s very rare for a foreign language film to break through into the Best Picture category so that’s a huge indicator that this drama is amazing. Starring Fernanda Torres, this film tells the story of a family ripped apart when their father is taken away by the military dictatorship in Brazil, never to be seen again. This is based on a heartbreaking and infuriating true story. It may win the Best International Feature Film (Emilia Pérez will probably get it) and Torres may win Best Actress. Coming to cinemas on 7th February
I appreciate that Brady Corbet‘s epic drama may be off-putting for some as three and a half hours is a huge time commitment! I don’t think that runtime was completely necessary and it’s not perfect but the story – about immigrants who move to America after WWII – and its themes are powerful, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones are terrific and I thought about it for a long time afterwards. I expect this to win Best Picture and Brody to win Best Actor. In cinemas now
The Substance
I am thrilled – but surprised – that this body horror has received any awards nominations at all (not just the Oscars) because horrors are famously snubbed by awards voters. So this is a huge deal. Plus, it’s not an average horror – it is shocking, disgusting and the definition of a bold swing. The only category I can realistically see it winning is Best Actress with Demi Moore but that’s not a lock. She’s great but I’d prefer Torres! Now streaming on MUBI
I’ve seen this movie musical twice and I loved it even more on a second watch. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande couldn’t be more perfectly cast (Grande is SO funny!) and the sequences for Defying Gravity, Popular and Dancing Through Life are wonderful. Roll on part two! This has 10 nominations and I can see it winning a bunch of craft awards like Production Design and Costume Design. Now available to buy/rent via digital platforms
Sean Baker‘s Anora won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and has been receiving rave reviews ever since. I loved the first half but found the second half too long and drawn-out and not funny enough. I am thrilled for Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov getting recognised for their performances though. Honestly, I’m not sure if it will win anything. Now available to buy/rent via digital platforms
I’m not on the Dune hype train as much as most but I can still appreciate Denis Villeneuve‘s tremendous technical achievement. It looks and sounds incredible. The sheer scale of the movie is mind-blowing. Much like the first film, I didn’t care for the story, but I liked the visual and cinematic experience a lot. This could win some craft categories – Best Cinematography would be nice – but it came out last March so that may affect its chances. Streaming on Sky Cinema/NowTV
I cannot fathom this musical crime comedy’s 13 nominations!! What the heck? I quite liked the movie and I totally respected Jacques Audiard‘s big ambitious swing, but I would have only voted for Zoe Saldana‘s performance (which is actually lead rather than supporting) and El Mal for Best Original Song. I can see it winning those two categories plus Best International Feature Film (which should go to I’m Still Here). Streaming on Netflix
James Mangold‘s Bob Dylan biopic is simply fine. As the title suggests, you don’t come away from the film knowing Dylan particularly well. However, Timothee Chalamet deserves an Oscar nomination for his portrayal. I let out a little squeal of delight when I heard Monica Barbaro‘s name because she impressed me the most as Joan Baez. One of my favourite nominations this awards season! Still in cinemas
I feel bad putting this one last but I really did not vibe with Nickel Boys. It told a heartbreaking story about two boys sent to an abusive school but the first-person perspective ruined the experience for me. I commend RaMell Ross for his unique vision but I could not get on board with it. Still in limited cinemas