Oscars 2025: We Rank The 10 Best Picture Nominees

Every year, as soon as the Oscar nominees are announced, I spend the next month trying to make sure I see as many of them as possible. This year, I was able to plow through all the Best Picture nominees in short order, and I have to say, I was impressed. This was a strong year with things to like about all of them. They're bold, audacious, sweeping, and epic. Let's dive in. 1. AnoraDirector: Sean Baker Writer: Sean Baker Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura BorisovEvery time I think about his movie, I just smile. It's a twisted Cinderlla story that features a stripper with a heart of gold. And it has so much to say about the American Dream, capitalism, and love. 2. The BrutalistDirector: Brady CorbetWritten by: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold. Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe AlwynA brilliant entry into the annals of epic filmmaking. This story covers many decades and is edited so energetically that you never feel the length. We're emotionally invested in these people and want a better life for them. 3. The SubstanceDirector: Coralie Fargeat Writer: Coralie Fargeat Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret QualleyBody horror is not usually my order, but this movie transcended genre and took us deep into Hollywood, hopes, dreams, and our body. It felt so culturally relevant and emotional, while also being hilarious and bleak. 4. ConclaveDirector: Edward BergerScreenwriter: Peter Straughan Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian MsamatiI've already waxed about my twelve years of Catholic School, but I do think there's something universal about this movie as well. We want world peace. We want fulfillment. We want happiness. Seeing them try to put the burden of solving that on one leader and hoping for the best is cinema. 5. Nickel BoysDirector: RaMell RossScreenplay: RaMell Ross, Joslyn BarnesCast: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed DiggsI think it's probably unfair to have this in the middle because out of all the movies I felt like this one made me want to do something about the world. It's a brutal look at an abusive school during an abusive time. 6. A Complete UnknownDirector: James MangoldScreenplay by: James Mangold and Jay Cocks. Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Monica BarbaroA Bob Dylan movie with a ton of music was always going to be my jam. I thought Chalamet was transformative in this role, and Monica Barbaro absolutely crushed as Joan Baez.7. WickedDirector: Jon M. ChuScreenwriters: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan SlateI love musicals. My wife and I saw this movie three times in theaters. We had so much fun. It's really a great adaptation from the live show and such an effervescent time to tap into your emotions. 8. I'm Still HereDirector: Walter SallesScreenplay: Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega, Marcelo Rubens Paiva Cast: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro, Antonio SaboiaIt took me a while to catch this one, but when I did, I totally understood why it was nominated. It has a powerhouse performance amidst a dark mystery of a disappearing husband and political turmoil.9. Dune Part IIDirector: Denis VilleneuveScreenwriters: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier BardemIf you're talking about Dune II and it's ninth on a list, it must have been a good year. This sequel carries us deeper into the mythology. It features another great Chalamet performance as a leader unsure how to put his people first when he starts buying into his own legend.10. Emilia PérezDirector: Jacques AudiardScreenwriters: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Nicolas Livecchi. Cast: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena GomezI'm not gonna lie, I can't get the vaginoplasty song out of my head. This is one of those audacious movies that you watch and then have to talk about with someone. While I don't think it's a favorite to win this award, I think people will talk about it for a long time. Summing Up the 2025 Best Picture Nominees The Academy Awards are so much fun. It's a celebration of people who worked so hard in Hollywood and made movies that connect. While you may not like all of them as I did, I'm sure there are titles in here that will connect with you and that will stick with you forever. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Feb 28, 2025 - 20:51

Oscars 2025: We Rank The 10 Best Picture Nominees

Every year, as soon as the Oscar nominees are announced, I spend the next month trying to make sure I see as many of them as possible.

This year, I was able to plow through all the Best Picture nominees in short order, and I have to say, I was impressed. This was a strong year with things to like about all of them.

They're bold, audacious, sweeping, and epic.

Let's dive in.

1. Anora

Director: Sean Baker

Writer: Sean Baker

Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov

Every time I think about his movie, I just smile. It's a twisted Cinderlla story that features a stripper with a heart of gold. And it has so much to say about the American Dream, capitalism, and love.

2. The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Written by: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold.

Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

A brilliant entry into the annals of epic filmmaking. This story covers many decades and is edited so energetically that you never feel the length. We're emotionally invested in these people and want a better life for them.

3. The Substance

Director: Coralie Fargeat

Writer: Coralie Fargeat

Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley

Body horror is not usually my order, but this movie transcended genre and took us deep into Hollywood, hopes, dreams, and our body. It felt so culturally relevant and emotional, while also being hilarious and bleak.

4. Conclave

Director: Edward Berger

Screenwriter: Peter Straughan

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati

I've already waxed about my twelve years of Catholic School, but I do think there's something universal about this movie as well. We want world peace. We want fulfillment. We want happiness. Seeing them try to put the burden of solving that on one leader and hoping for the best is cinema.

5. Nickel Boys

Director: RaMell Ross
Screenplay: RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes
Cast: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs

I think it's probably unfair to have this in the middle because out of all the movies I felt like this one made me want to do something about the world. It's a brutal look at an abusive school during an abusive time.

6. A Complete Unknown

Director: James Mangold

Screenplay by: James Mangold and Jay Cocks.

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro

A Bob Dylan movie with a ton of music was always going to be my jam. I thought Chalamet was transformative in this role, and Monica Barbaro absolutely crushed as Joan Baez.

7. Wicked

Director: Jon M. Chu

Screenwriters: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox

Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slate

I love musicals. My wife and I saw this movie three times in theaters. We had so much fun. It's really a great adaptation from the live show and such an effervescent time to tap into your emotions.

8. I'm Still Here

Director: Walter Salles

Screenplay: Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega, Marcelo Rubens Paiva

Cast: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro, Antonio Saboia

It took me a while to catch this one, but when I did, I totally understood why it was nominated. It has a powerhouse performance amidst a dark mystery of a disappearing husband and political turmoil.

9. Dune Part II

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Screenwriters: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem

If you're talking about Dune II and it's ninth on a list, it must have been a good year. This sequel carries us deeper into the mythology. It features another great Chalamet performance as a leader unsure how to put his people first when he starts buying into his own legend.

10. Emilia Pérez

Director: Jacques Audiard

Screenwriters: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Nicolas Livecchi.

Cast: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez

I'm not gonna lie, I can't get the vaginoplasty song out of my head. This is one of those audacious movies that you watch and then have to talk about with someone. While I don't think it's a favorite to win this award, I think people will talk about it for a long time.

Summing Up the 2025 Best Picture Nominees

The Academy Awards are so much fun. It's a celebration of people who worked so hard in Hollywood and made movies that connect. While you may not like all of them as I did, I'm sure there are titles in here that will connect with you and that will stick with you forever.

Let me know what you think in the comments.