Wow, this year’s Oscar nominations are incredible! It feels like a real throwback to the golden age of Hollywood with a whopping fifty features and short films recognized across all the categories. Six movies got eight or more nominations, which is a new record for a single year! While One Battle After Another did amazingly well with thirteen nominations – that would usually be enough to win everything – Sinners just blew everyone away with sixteen! It’s a historic year for the awards, honestly.
Collecting so many awards doesn’t always mean a movie gets a lot of nominations, but voters did surprise us with a few unexpected picks. The films vary quite a bit in quality. Impressive visuals or a catchy song don’t guarantee a movie is actually good. Trying to rank all 50 was tough, but I’m confident I got the order just right.
50. Jurassic World: Rebirth
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Nominations: (1) Best Visual Effects
The nomination for visual effects is the first Oscar recognition for a Rebirth film since The Lost World in 1997, largely thanks to director Edwards’ ambitious use of 35-mm film and on-location shooting in Thailand. However, the film’s visuals are let down by noticeably poor CGI. Even worse, the script and characters are weak, with the actors – including stars like Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey – wasted on unbelievable behavior and an irritating story about a family stranded in a dangerous situation.
49. Forevergreen
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=HKik4TkeUs4
Directed by: Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Short
Among the animated short film nominees, this one leans heavily into sentimentality. It feels like a blend of The Giving Tree and Charlotte’s Web, with a touch of lessons learned from nature, and a religious message at the end. The stop-motion film tells a simple story about a bear cared for by a pine tree. The tree provides everything the bear needs, but the bear is still drawn to less healthy snacks from a nearby campsite. The film asks whether the bear will appreciate the tree’s care when trouble arrives. Despite good intentions and beautiful animation, Forevergreen feels overly emotional and preachy, preventing it from being truly outstanding.
48. Elio
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ETVi5_cnnaE
Directed by: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Feature
It’s odd to describe a film about a child kidnapped by aliens and meeting different extraterrestrial species as simple, but Pixar has trained us to anticipate movies that tackle big ideas through relatable characters and emotional stories. Elio is about a boy who travels to space and discovers the meaning of friendship. It’s a sweet movie, but unfortunately, it wasn’t very memorable.
47. Butcher’s Stain
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Z0AehemQwF4
Directed by: Meyer Levinson-Blount
Nominations: (1) Best Live Action Short
A Jewish-Arab butcher is accused by his colleagues of ripping down a poster featuring Israeli hostages in the workplace break room. While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply serious issue, the film Butcher’s Stain offers a rather shallow exploration of prejudice and assumptions. The explanation of how the posters were torn down, revealed at the very end, feels forced and overly sentimental.
46. Diane Warren: Relentless
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=X1sacIFNhIk
Directed by: Bess Kargman
Nominations: (1) Best Original Song
The documentary Diane Warren: Relentless is pretty basic – it follows a familiar formula of artist biographies that also showcase their creative process, much like many others we’ve seen recently (think Lady Gaga’s Five Foot Two). However, I personally enjoy seeing how creative people work, especially those who are a bit eccentric, and Diane Warren certainly fits that bill. With decades of hit songs and a collection of quirky memorabilia, I found myself entertained. That said, it’s not a particularly strong film, and the song it’s nominated for feels similar to other, less successful, inspirational ballads she’s released lately.
45. The Smashing Machine
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=aRpnP3LZ99g
Directed by: Benny Safdie
Nominations: (1) Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Even though the film didn’t do well in theaters, it’s not a total failure – The Smashing Machine is actually a worse movie. The director tried to avoid typical sports movie clichés, which unfortunately put a lot of pressure on Dwayne Johnson to create a complex portrayal of fighter Mark Kerr, and it doesn’t quite succeed. The movie also unfairly portrays Kerr’s wife, played by Emily Blunt, in an extremely negative light.
44. The Singers
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=GchFxN1G1tw
Directed by: Sam A. Davis
Nominations: (1) Best Live Action Short
A dimly lit, rundown bar next to noisy train tracks, seemingly on the outskirts of town—or perhaps on the edge of something more—becomes the unlikely venue for a spontaneous singing competition between the bar’s downhearted patrons. The gloomy setting and heartfelt singing create a strangely haunting atmosphere, reminiscent of a place between worlds. This fits with the film’s source material: a Russian short story from the 1800s. However, despite this intriguing mood, the film never quite reaches its full potential, leaving viewers wondering if this is all there is to the story.
43. Frankenstein
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=x–N03NO130
Guillermo del Toro directed this film, which received nine nominations including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Sound.
Guillermo del Toro won Oscars for 2017’s The Shape of Water and has consistently been an Oscar contender since. While films like Nightmare Alley and now Frankenstein earned Best Picture nominations, and he won for the animated Pinocchio, I found Frankenstein to be his weakest effort so far. It’s not one specific flaw, but a combination of issues: Oscar Isaac feels miscast in the lead role, the visuals and costumes feel cheap and overly dramatic despite their nominations, and the script is filled with surprisingly corny lines. Jacob Elordi manages a genuinely moving performance despite these problems, making his Oscar nomination the only truly deserved one from this overblown film.
42. Viva Verdi!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=XbAGs7yYkKo
Directed by: Yvonne Russo
Nominations: (1) Best Original Song
The surprise Best Original Song nominee this year comes from an Italian documentary about retired opera singers living in a Milan home originally established by Giuseppe Verdi himself. The film beautifully captures these singers continuing to practice their art and guide a new generation. However, beyond that charming idea, the documentary feels a bit thin, and at just over an hour, it plays more like an extended short film than a full-length feature.
41. All the Empty Rooms
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JhpJ8INsR0g
Directed by: Joshua Seftel
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Short
Though the film tackles a heartbreaking subject – the empty bedrooms of children lost to school shootings – its impact is lessened by its presentation. The 35-minute documentary focuses on a CBS news segment created by Steve Hartman and Lou Bopp, who photographed these rooms hoping to convey the tragedy of school shootings to a numb public. This extra layer of storytelling distance doesn’t quite work, and the filmmaker doesn’t delve deeply into the experiences of either Hartman or the families affected. While respectful and sad, the film ultimately feels somewhat unsatisfying.
40. The Girl Who Cried Pearls
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=c_amkqzonSM
Directed by: Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Short
This short film, which won Best Canadian Short at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival, features an elderly man sharing a magical story with his grandchild. He recounts a youthful romance with a girl whose tears transformed into pearls. The film is beautifully created using stop-motion animation with uniquely painted figures, giving it a distinct style rarely seen in full-length animated movies. While the story is a familiar one – a bittersweet, fantastical memory – Colm Feore’s voice narration adds a sense of both wonder and sadness.
39. A Friend of Dorothy
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=v_hafSoyz_8
Directed by: Lee Knight
Nominations: (1) Best Live Action Short
Miriam Margolyes is delightful as Dorothy, a senior Londoner who feels overlooked by her family. She forms an unexpected friendship with Alistair Nwachukwu, a young man whose football lands in her garden. He’s fascinated by her collection of plays and art, and the two develop a heartwarming connection. While most short films rely on being concise, this one feels like it needs more time to breathe. The actors deliver strong performances, but the story feels a bit rushed, preventing the emotional bond between the characters from fully developing. It suggests this story could have been even more powerful as a longer film.
38. The Lost Bus
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=XSDHjkuwaic
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Nominations: (1) Best Visual Effects
The film The Lost Bus raises the question of who this movie is for. Anyone who experienced the 2018 Camp Fire or any of the recent California wildfires likely wouldn’t want to relive that trauma, especially given the director’s intense and overwhelming filming style. It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to experience that level of emotional distress. While the film’s fire effects are impressive and disorienting – earning it an award nomination – the story itself, about a bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) trying to reach his family and a teacher (America Ferrera) protecting her students, feels too straightforward compared to the powerful visuals.
37. Jane Austen’s Period Drama
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=vUZ8RACTNso
Directed by: Julia Aks and Steve Pinder
Nominations: (1) Best Live Action Short
It’s unusual to find Oscar-nominated shorts that are so consistently funny. The film playfully asks what would happen if a character like Elizabeth Bennet started her period while courting a Mr. Darcy-esque figure. While it could be seen as a slightly extended comedy sketch, the filmmakers, Aks and Steve Pinder (with Aks also starring), deliver it with such energy and wit that it works. The film features a couple of particularly clever moments, including a late reveal of the main character’s name and a delightful end-credit mention of executive producer Emma Thompson.
36. Perfectly a Strangeness
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=vG8rOAi6Q2g
Directed by: Alison McAlpine
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Short
I wrestled with whether this film truly qualified as a documentary – especially when I was directing donkeys and imagining what they thought of the observatory! It started to feel more like a fictional movie. But once I let go of that question and simply enjoyed the incredible view of the cosmos from Chile, I was completely captivated. The film might not offer much beyond that feeling of wonder, but when you’re watching a lot of serious documentaries, that’s a welcome experience.
35. Kokuho
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=p6k9Y-irvOE
Directed by: Lee Sang-il
Nominations: (1) Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Kokuho became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film ever. While you might anticipate a fast-paced thriller, the movie is actually a decades-spanning story about two rival Kabuki actors. Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama deliver strong performances as the brothers, who are rigorously trained by their father (Ken Watanabe), and the elaborate Kabuki makeup is a standout feature – particularly the aging effects used towards the end, which likely earned the film an Oscar nomination. However, at over three hours long, the movie feels slow at times, as the brothers’ successes and failures alternate throughout their lives.
34. Cutting Through Rocks
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=coStYVD5abk
Directed by: Mohammadreza Eyni and Sara Khaki
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Feature
The movie tells the story of Sara Shahverdi, the first female councilwoman in her Iranian village. She challenges traditional norms and faces resistance from men who want to maintain the existing power structure. Shahverdi fights for women’s rights, specifically their ability to own property, and works to stop child marriages. The film beautifully portrays her as a symbol of progress, with memorable scenes like Shahverdi riding her motorcycle against a sunset. Even when the filmmaking isn’t spectacular, Shahverdi’s strong personality keeps the audience engaged.
33. Arco
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=8WrYK5lA9_Q
Directed by: Ugo Bienvenu
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Feature
Coming out of the Cannes Film Festival and likely headed for Oscar consideration, Arco is the latest film from 38-year-old director Bienvenu, who bears a striking resemblance to actor Mark Eydelshteyn from Anora. It also features Felix de Givry, known for his role in the critically acclaimed Eden. Despite this promising background, Arco doesn’t quite live up to expectations. While visually striking – the film imagines a future where people travel through time wearing brightly colored ponchos – the story quickly settles into a familiar *E.T.like narrative once the main character appears and is found by a young girl and a group of eccentric scientists. It has moments of charm, but a story with time travel, magical gems, and protective bubbles feels surprisingly grounded and lacks the immersive quality you’d expect.
32. The Three Sisters
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Qg88aIGfvIM
Directed by: Konstantin Bronzit
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Short
This animated short is a classic Oscar nominee: short, silent, and from another country (directed by Russian filmmaker Bronzit, a two-time nominee). It’s surprisingly playful for an animated film! The story follows three women living on a tiny island who have to rent one of their homes to a large sea captain, leading to some amusing chaos. It’s lighthearted, energetic, and perfectly paced – it ends just as you’re starting to wish it would go on longer, all set to a great musical score.
31. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=RQ-A6l90Nz0
Directed by: Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Feature
This French-Belgian animated film is definitely the most puzzling of the year. It’s a strange mix of ideas – a baby who believes she’s a deity, the joy of white chocolate, and lots of imagery involving water. The animation is beautifully done, particularly the main character, and manages to convey deep emotions without relying heavily on spoken words. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s solid enough to land it comfortably in the middle of the pack.
30. Two People Exchanging Saliva
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=6klvwgo4DUE
Directed by: Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh
Nominations: (1) Best Live Action Short
Following the infamous slap at the Oscars five years ago, the awards show is bracing itself for potential incidents again. The short film “Musteata and Singh” presents a strange world where kissing is banned and slapping is used as a form of payment – even a status symbol, with wealthy women proudly displaying bruises. The film follows Malaise, a shop assistant played by Luàna Bajrami, as she becomes attracted to Angine, a rich woman played by Zar Amir Ebrahimi. The resulting story blends the styles of directors Yorgos Lanthimos, Céline Sciamma, and Ana Lily Amirpour, and is shot in black and white. While often playfully bizarre, the 35-minute film sometimes sacrifices emotional impact for its quirky style.
29. The Ugly Stepsister
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=5vZ1_Yxjwzs
Directed by: Emilie Blichfeldt
Nominations: (1) Best Makeup and Hairstyling
It’s fantastic that the Academy recognized the makeup and hairstyling in the unique and unsettling film, The Ugly Stepsister. It gained attention initially as a late-night showing at Sundance and then premiered on the streaming service Shudder, which makes the nomination even more surprising! Director Blichfeldt offers a fresh take on the Cinderella story, focusing on Elvira, the stepsister, and her desperate attempts to win the prince’s attention through increasingly extreme and painful cosmetic procedures. The film vividly portrays the gruesome reality of early cosmetic surgery, including procedures done without anesthesia, and throws in a truly horrifying tapeworm for good measure. While the movie loses some momentum towards the end, Blichfeldt’s bold vision, combined with Lea Myren’s committed performance and, yes, that unforgettable tapeworm, ultimately make it a success.
28. Zootopia 2
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=5AwtptT8X8k
Directed by: Jared Bush and Byron Howard
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Feature
Ten years after Zootopia charmed audiences and won an Oscar for directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, Disney returns to the animal world with a new story. This time, the film explores themes of wealth, privilege, and prejudice through the story of a lynx family and the societal fear surrounding snakes. Like the first Zootopia, it’s full of humor, important lessons, and features a catchy song by Shakira during the credits. The original film was a massive box office success, earning nearly $2 billion worldwide, so whether it receives major awards recognition isn’t the most important thing.
27. Mr. Nobody Against Putin
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=9150MCMSrgc
Directed by: David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Feature
Filmmaker Pavel “Pasha” Talankin stars in this revealing documentary, offering a rare look inside the patriotic education system in Russian elementary schools under Vladimir Putin. Talankin, who worked as a teacher and videographer in the heavily polluted industrial town of Karabash, secretly filmed how the government attempts to instill pro-war sentiment in children regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The footage, both insightful and disturbing, forms the core of the film. Talankin is a compelling figure himself – a quiet, dedicated teacher clearly adored by his students. While the film doesn’t quite deliver on the suspense surrounding how he smuggled the footage out of Russia, it powerfully exposes the situation in Russia and serves as a stark warning to other nations.
26. Avatar: Fire and Ash
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=nb_fFj_0rq8
Directed by: James Cameron
Nominations: (2) Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects
Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of Avatar: The Way of Water, I did acknowledge that James Cameron impressively expanded the world of Pandora with its underwater scenes. However, Fire and Ash feels very familiar, revisiting many of the same themes – like the difficult relationship between Quaritch and Spider, and the story of Payakan, the lonely whale. While the new fire warrior, Varang, had potential, she wasn’t fully developed by the end. Considering Cameron’s usually inventive filmmaking, Fire and Ash felt disappointingly routine.
25. Children No More: Were and Are Gone
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=VE75N-uTN58
Directed by: Hilla Medalia
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Short
Like the documentary Armed Only With a Camera, Children No More follows people trying to capture terrible events in a way that respects those who have died and also compels others to take notice. The film focuses on a group of Israelis in Tel Aviv who hold quiet protests against their country’s actions in Gaza, specifically the deaths of children. Director Medalia, along with producers Yael Melamede and Sheila Nevins, document how the group works to make their protests both respectful and meaningful. While the protesters hope to connect with other Israelis, their silent vigils are repeatedly met with hostility from hecklers, dashing those hopes.
24. KPop Demon Hunters
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=3JTVQTk36R8
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, this film received two nominations: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
While KPop Demon Hunters is a strong animated film, its soundtrack is truly exceptional. In a year lacking in truly inspiring animated features (aside from anime, which hasn’t yet gained recognition from the Academy Awards despite its box office success), this film stands out thanks to its vibrant energy, compelling story, and catchy pop music. The songs themselves are fantastic – perfectly crafted pop tunes that, as in all great musicals, effectively move the plot and develop the characters. The filmmakers even created an entire fictional pop group and wrote them a collection of hit songs, seemingly just for the joy of it! Considering that far less impressive work has won Oscars, this film deserves serious consideration.
23. Retirement Plan
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=O660kFEm3kY
Directed by: John Kelly
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Short
I probably enjoyed this movie, which essentially explores a man’s wish list for retirement. It really spoke to me – it’s about finally having time for all the things you’ve saved to do, like reading those bookmarked articles and novels gathering dust on your shelves. It’s a thoughtful and often funny list, and the narrator, Domhnall Gleeson, has a lovely voice. The simple animation style perfectly fits the film’s theme of finding joy in small moments, and thankfully, it avoids becoming overly sentimental.
22. F1
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=4DGgue0BoD8
I’m so excited about this movie! Joseph Kosinski directed it, and it’s been nominated for four awesome awards: Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. Fingers crossed it wins big!
Oscar voters clearly enjoy films featuring fast cars! After Ford v. Ferrari received a Best Picture nomination, it wasn’t surprising to see F1 also get a nomination. While the movie is enjoyable, it probably helps to be a fan of Formula One racing to fully appreciate it. Brad Pitt delivers a classic movie star performance as the aging driver, and the film is boosted by a charming romantic storyline featuring Kerry Condon. However, despite director Kosinski’s skill in showing speed, some of the film’s moments feel a bit cheesy. Another movie ending with the two main rivals simply acknowledging each other from a distance? It’s a familiar trope.
21. Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bceerB407LY
Directed by: Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Short
Following the death of journalist Brent Renaud at the hands of Russian forces in Ukraine in March 2022, his brother Craig created a short film as a tribute. The 40-minute documentary powerfully conveys the grief of his loss – it doesn’t shy away from showing Renaud’s body – and highlights the importance of Brent’s work documenting conflict and hardship in places like Somalia, Afghanistan, Central America, and Ukraine. While the film doesn’t delve deeply into Renaud’s career or the risks faced by journalists in war zones like Ukraine and Gaza, its focused approach is effective for a short film.
20. Song Sung Blue
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ZqU7iiHFCzw
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Nominations: (1) Best Actress
Going into the movie, everyone had a preconceived notion of what it would be like – a cheesy, over-the-top spectacle starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a Neil Diamond tribute act. The trailers, filled with Jackman in flashy outfits and Hudson’s exaggerated accent, suggested a cringe-worthy experience. Many viewers likely missed the film’s genuine strengths, or didn’t bother watching it at all. However, some of us found a surprisingly touching story beneath all the earnestness, particularly in Jackman’s performance. Kate Hudson delivers a fantastic, Oscar-worthy performance as a woman with unwavering determination facing hardship. The supporting actors are surprisingly good, and the film is based on a truly unbelievable true story involving Pearl Jam and multiple car accidents. Despite all the potential for cheesiness, the movie manages to make even Neil Diamond’s most overplayed song, “Sweet Caroline,” work within the narrative.
19. The Devil Is Busy
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=p4rC1468JuQ
Directed by: Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Short
Documentary shorts frequently cover difficult and important topics, but Gandbhir and Hampton’s film about abortion goes deeper than a simple overview. The filmmakers contrast the heated protests – where demonstrators shout warnings about hell – with the calm strength of Tracii, the clinic’s head of security, who relies on her own faith to protect patients.
18. The Alabama Solution
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xRNND_uve8I
Directed by: Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Feature
Jarecki, who was previously Oscar-nominated for the 2003 documentary Capturing the Friedmans, co-directed this film, an investigation into Alabama’s prison system and the serious allegations of abuse at Easterling Correctional Facility. The filmmakers and inmates worked secretly, using hidden recordings and anonymous calls, to expose widespread problems within a cruel system. The film goes beyond just one prison, connecting the issues to the governor’s office and revealing how arguments about states’ rights are often used to conceal abuse. It’s a well-researched documentary that demonstrates the important role filmmakers play in protecting human rights.
17. Come See Me in the Good Light
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=t0B8sjxR7Mo
Directed by: Ryan White
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Feature
Andrea Gibson, a poet and activist facing terminal cancer, is the heart of this film. Their journey, alongside their partner Megan Falley – navigating test results, treatments, and difficult prognoses – forms a central part of the story. However, the film truly shines when it explores other aspects of Gibson’s life: their experiences with sexuality and gender, the strong network of support around them, including past loves, and their unwavering commitment to their art. Even if you’re not a fan of spoken-word poetry, Gibson’s powerful stage performance is deeply moving and inspiring. In a year that saw many emotional films, like Hamnet, this film is just as capable of bringing tears to your eyes.
16. Bugonia
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bd_5HcTujfc
This film is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and has received four nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s latest film, their third to be nominated for Best Picture in eight years, has sparked a lot of debate. It’s understandable, given the movie’s shocking violence and a twist ending that some find brilliant, while others find it frustrating. I personally fall into the latter group. It’s enjoyable watching Stone and Jesse Plemons play their roles as a controlling businesswoman and an angry conspiracy theorist. The script cleverly highlights the common frustration of our times, where meaningful conversations between people with different beliefs often break down due to misinformation or stubborn self-interest. However, the film seems to lose its direction at the end, opting for a cynical twist that feels empty and doesn’t offer much substance – a similar issue seen in their previous film, The Menu. While it’s a good film overall, it’s often frustrating, and hopefully signals that Lanthimos and Stone will explore new ideas in their next project.
15. Sentimental Value
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=lKbcKQN5Yrw
I’m so excited about this film! It’s directed by the incredibly talented Joachim Trier, and it’s received a whopping nine nominations! They’re up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and even two nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Plus, they’re also recognized for Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature, and Best Film Editing – it’s a huge achievement!
A famous Norwegian director attempts to connect with his adult daughters by casting his eldest in his new film. While some might see this as a calculated move to finally earn an Oscar nomination, that view overlooks the film’s many strengths, especially the performances. Stellan Skarsgård brilliantly portrays a self-absorbed father who feels more like a victim than someone needing to apologize. Renate Reinsve excels as a character who’s both principled and frustratingly insecure. Elle Fanning cleverly embodies an American actress struggling to understand the film she’s in, yet surprisingly insightful about her own miscasting. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas delivers a nuanced performance as the seemingly ‘well-behaved’ daughter. Beyond the acting, the film boasts impressive sets and confident direction. It resonates with Hollywood insiders dealing with family issues, but it doesn’t necessarily represent their views.
14. Weapons
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=OpThntO9ixc
Directed by: Zach Cregger
Nominations: (1) Best Supporting Actress
It’s a shame when a movie is remembered for just one thing, especially when it’s as good as Weapons. Amy Madigan is fantastic as Aunt Gladys – she’s a big reason people loved the film and campaigned for her Oscar nomination! But the movie offers much more than just a memorable performance. It tackles important issues like school shootings and the feeling of being watched, without relying on predictable or overused dramatic themes. Beyond Madigan, the entire cast, including Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, and Alden Ehrenreich, delivers strong performances, and the film truly deserved a nomination for its casting choices.
13. Butterfly
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Y5u1XJHr-UE
Directed by: Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens
Nominations: (1) Best Animated Short
This film is a beautifully made and unusual biopic, told through striking animation that feels like a painting come to life. It tells the story of Alfred Nakache, a French Algerian Jewish swimmer who was prevented from competing for France during World War II because of discriminatory laws. The animation, created with hand-painted techniques, evokes a dreamy, sometimes haunting, feeling of memory. We see Nakache at different stages of his life – as a child, an athlete, a family man, a prisoner in Auschwitz, and an elderly man. It’s a visually stunning and deeply meaningful film.
12. The Voice of Hind Rajab
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=hrssPpqv6vc
Directed by: Kaouther Ben Hania
Nominations: (1) Best International Feature
I almost hesitate to even rank this film alongside others, because it’s something else entirely. It uses actual emergency calls from Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl in Gaza who was trapped in a car during the conflict, and it’s devastating. The film focuses on the Red Crescent workers desperately trying to reach her, all while we hear their frustration with the obstacles put in their way just to keep them safe. It’s incredibly infuriating to watch, mixing reenactments with these real, raw recordings. Sometimes, the movie feels like it can’t quite capture the full weight of what happened, but that’s not from a lack of effort – the filmmakers clearly poured their hearts into it.
11. The Perfect Neighbor
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=fNp85HGJtoo
Directed by: Geeta Gandbhir
Nominations: (1) Best Documentary Feature
The strength of Gandbhir’s documentary about a deadly shooting stemming from neighborhood conflicts in 2023 lies in its objectivity. The film presents a complex situation: a white woman harboring fear and resentment towards the Black and brown children in her community, residents aware of her bias but hesitant to escalate the situation, and her attempts to use the police against her neighbors. While the police officers – whose bodycam footage forms the core of the film – seem well-intentioned, they ultimately represent a system unable to prevent tragedy. The documentary is both deeply upsetting and infuriating, offering a stark and honest look at the real-world consequences of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
10. Sirât
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70
Directed by: Óliver Laxe
Nominations: (2) Best International Feature, Best Sound
The film Sirât opens with booming house music in the Moroccan desert, immediately presenting two possible interpretations: is this sound a sign of something ominous, reflecting a father’s desperate search for his lost daughter among the nomadic people, or is it a hypnotic rhythm suggesting a deep, spiritual awakening? However, the film is actually about something else entirely: the inescapable reality of the modern world catching up with you, even when you try to escape it. I’m intentionally being unclear because the film is best experienced without knowing too much beforehand. But director Laxe skillfully uses the power of cinema to truly captivate and shake you awake.
9. Blue Moon
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qo7gRHip0lI
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Nominations: (2) Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay
This film is quite different from Linklater’s other 2025 project. While that one involved Paris and a black-and-white, French New Wave style, this one is set primarily in a bar. Through clever filming techniques, Ethan Hawke portrays the much shorter Lorenz Hart, a Broadway composer. The movie unfolds as a 100-minute conversation filled with gossip about the world of musical theater and notable bisexual figures from the mid-20th century. Hawke’s performance is captivating – he’s both sharp-tongued, frustrating, and deeply vulnerable. He, along with Linklater and screenwriter Robert Kaplow, crafted a story about a pivotal moment in American musical history and an artist aware that his time is passing.
8. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ywFDoT7LBbQ
Directed by: Mary Bronstein
Nominations: (1) Best Actress
As a movie lover, I was completely blown away by Rose Byrne’s performance. She plays a mom and wife dealing with a seriously ill child and a falling-apart life, and it’s so raw and intense, I honestly wondered if audiences – and especially the Oscars voters – would stay with her through the whole film. I’m so glad they did! Big props to writer-director Bronstein too, for balancing so much humor and justified frustration with the story, and for making some really brave choices with the camera, getting uncomfortably close to the action. The basic premise – a mother at her breaking point – could easily fall into cliché, but Bronstein and Byrne really dug deep. They made Linda’s situation – her complicated, funny, and protective relationship with her daughter, her daughter’s eating disorder, and her total frustration with therapy, both as a patient and a therapist – feel incredibly real and nuanced.
7. Train Dreams
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=_Nk8TrBHOrA
Directed by Clint Bentley, the film received four nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song.
I didn’t expect this movie to spark so much disagreement, especially among those who had read the book. Since I didn’t have that prior experience, I found myself completely immersed in the beautifully shot and subtly dangerous world created by director Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar, set in the Pacific Northwest. The visuals, captured by Adolpho Veloso (who deserved his nomination), are stunning, and Will Patton’s narration feels reminiscent of Terrence Malick’s style. However, the film truly takes off when William H. Macy begins to discuss the harshness of nature—especially after the movie has already shown us how ruthless the logging industry is.
6. The Secret Agent
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=0nNAVGX8n7w
Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, the film received four nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best International Feature, and Best Casting.
This film initially seems like it might be a straightforward spy thriller, but it quickly becomes something much more profound. While viewers expecting a typical James Bond-style adventure might be surprised, they won’t be disappointed for long. The movie powerfully explores the lasting effects of fascist rule, and director Mendonça masterfully balances heavy themes with memorable characters – like the unforgettable Dona Sebastiana – and moments of surreal humor. The story shifts between past and present, creating a cohesive and ambitious work that, though complex, remains surprisingly focused and delivers a truly original cinematic experience.
5. Hamnet
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xYcgQMxQwmk
Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film received eight nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.
Some film fans seem upset with Hamnet, and I don’t quite get why. They feel Zhao takes too many liberties with Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, which reimagines the life of William Shakespeare, his wife Agnes, and their son’s death from the plague. This movie asks viewers to embrace Agnes’s spiritual connection to nature, accept the ambiguity between life and death, and allow the final scenes – where Hamlet is conceived and created – to merge art and sorrow into something beautiful. While the criticism that Agnes seems unaware of what a play is has a point, it prevents people from appreciating the film on its own merits. With outstanding performances – especially from Jessie Buckley, Emily Watson, and the Jupe brothers – Hamnet is a deeply moving and cathartic experience, and a likely Oscar contender.
4. Sinners
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7joulECTx_U
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film received 16 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and awards for Casting, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song, Production Design, Sound, and Visual Effects.
It’s easy to think you understand how good a film is, and then something like Sinners comes along, breaking records with 16 Oscar nominations and making you reconsider. The truth is, Sinners is truly exceptional. The “I Lied to You” sequence, in particular, is a stunning achievement. Director Coogler masterfully blends over a century of music, dance, racial history, sexuality, and artistic freedom into one unforgettable scene. Beyond that, the film features richly developed characters grappling with loss, pain, crime, and ambition, all within a vampire story that cleverly explores the appropriation of Black art. While the ending felt a little rushed, the overall brilliance of Sinners more than compensates for it.
3. Marty Supreme
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=s9gSuKaKcqM
Directed by Josh Safdie, the film received nine nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Production Design.
Honestly, it’s a little frustrating seeing people criticize Marty Supreme just because its main character is, well, a bit of a jerk! But that’s the point, isn’t it? You’re supposed to be thrown into the world with this confident, maybe even awful, kid! And beyond that, the movie is incredible. It moves at a breakneck speed, and the cast is just amazing – Drescher, Bernhard, Tyler, Ferrara… seriously! It perfectly captures that weird space between being a local hero and just another pushy salesperson. Everything hinges on Timothée Chalamet’s performance, and he absolutely nails it. He plays Marty with such unwavering belief in himself that you almost understand why people let him walk all over them. I love that the film doesn’t give us a simple, satisfying ending where Marty gets what he deserves; it’s much more thought-provoking. Now we’ll just have to wait and see if Timothée’s pursuit of an Oscar goes a little better for him!
2. One Battle After Another
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=kQUPdVxZNPk
Paul Thomas Anderson directed this film, which received 13 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, two nominations for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design, as well as a nomination for Best Sound.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s films consistently create a unique, slightly off-kilter cinematic world – think the adult film industry in Boogie Nights, the bizarre rain of frogs in Magnolia, or the quirky characters in Licorice Pizza. This talent is why he’s so good at adapting Thomas Pynchon. What makes his latest film, One Battle After Another, so compelling is that within this established style, he directly addresses the emotional core of contemporary America. The film’s characters, particularly the ‘Christmas Adventurers’ and the Baktan Cross community, feel surprisingly relevant to real-world events like the mutual aid networks seen in Minneapolis. Instead of offering simple answers, Anderson explores the absurdity of it all, pushing his characters to their limits with a mix of humor, violence, and unforgettable details like the Sisters of the Brave Beaver. It’s his most pressing and technically impressive film to date. Just when you think you’ve seen every possible car chase, Anderson and cinematographer Michael Bauman deliver something entirely new, putting you right in the middle of the action. Despite its fantastical elements, the film feels deeply recognizable. Ultimately, Paul Thomas Anderson has created what many will consider the defining American film of the year.
1. It Was Just an Accident
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=nF04v-ze2Yc
Directed by: Jafar Panahi
Nominations: (2) Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature
Jafar Panahi’s latest film has quickly become a standout of the year. Given his history, it’s fitting he’d create something so relevant and urgent, but even with that expectation, the film is remarkable. It begins with a straightforward premise: a mechanic (Vahid Mobasseri) seeks revenge on a man who used to imprison him. However, Panahi takes this simple idea in a surprising direction. The mechanic enlists help, and soon a quirky group of people, all eager to punish the man, are debating the best way to get justice. The film is unexpectedly funny, blending the tone of serious dramas like Death and the Maiden with the playful energy of Search Party. This comedic touch is what truly makes It Was Just an Accident special. The film manages to balance its dark humor with a powerful, emotional climax, solidifying Panahi’s reputation as a uniquely talented and insightful filmmaker. It’s a shame that some viewers were deterred by the film’s serious subject matter and the perception of it being another heavy drama about the Middle East. Their loss—this film offers a valuable opportunity to broaden our understanding of different cultures and perspectives, something that movies—and the Oscars—should be doing more of.
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2026-03-10 17:06