Award season will be here before you know it, and quite a few titles are gunning to lock in some wins. Earlier this week, the nominations for the 82nd Golden Globes were announced, historically being a good indication of who we can expect to see among the nominees at the Oscars. With so many films being worthy of praise and recognition, we share our picks for the top eight contenders for Best Picture at the 97th Annual Academy Awards taking place on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Emilia Perez
Netflix’s Emilia Perez was met with outstanding reviews after it was screened at several festivals, most praising Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez for their roles. Incorporating song and dance with a thrilling story playing in the background, the film has caught the eyes of many as it landed a whopping 10 Golden Globe nominations. As a film led by powerful women, it is without a doubt the ladies can expect to lock in some Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations, with Best Picture being a no brainer for the Academy.
Conclave
Conclave is an acquired taste. But if you’re into films that feature religion at their core, the plot is simple to understand and makes for an suspenseful watch. Ralph Fiennes is phenomenal with very little effort, with Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow to support. It’s worthy of Oscar noms for its sheer ability to build at a steady pace and keep you guessing since the film’s opening sequence. It’s unlike many films out today, making it a unique approach to showcasing the process to find a new pope. With scandals lurking about with several candidates, you’re kept on the edge of your seat wondering what will unfold next.
Anora
Anora is a heavy contender for Best Picture as it’s a beautiful story of what happens with a sex worker marries a powerful man. It’s a whirlwind story that captured the essence Neon aims for with their projects. Mikey Madison is a delight on screen, catching the attention of many for her first Golden Globe nomination. With Hollywood churning out repeat plots and remakes left and right, fresh takes on stories is what we need right now and those are typically the films that capture viewer’s hearts. Anora does just that with its unique approach, making it a must for the Academy to include on their Best Picture list, and it would truly be a snub if it were not.
The Brutalist
With a runtime just over three and a half hours, The Brutalist is not only a great nomination, but the flick is putting in a solid stake for actually taking home the golden statue for Best Picture. Adrien Brody delivers one of his career best performances as architect László Toth, further sparking conversation about his potential to win Best Actor. It’s a gritty depiction of wartime with an interesting arc that keeps you locked in. The Academy has a history of including films that feature war, so this should tickle their fancy. It’s set to release in theaters December 20, but critics have already rated it a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is extremely telling considering ratings have been subpar for most films this year.
Gladiator II
Sometimes a masterpiece doesn’t need to be revisited, with fear of it flopping or being pointless. That isn’t the case with Gladiator II, as it is an exciting follow up to the classic that made Russell Crowe a household name and won him an Oscar back in 2001. Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are the standouts, with Washington reminding people he is the GOAT. Mescal’s performance makes him extremely memorable as he was fairly unknown prior to this film. Gladiator II has it all from an intriguing storyline to entertaining fight sequences with Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn also contributing to the stacked cast. With a year full of great projects, Gladiator II easily lands on critic’s top 10, so it would be no surprise for it to nab a Best Picture nomination.
Dune: Part Two
If there’s one category Dune: Part Two should be heavily recognized for, it’s the film’s stunning cinematography coupled with the perfect score. It shattered box office numbers upon its release and for good reasons as it was not only cinematic experience, but the stacked cast all pulled their weight to tell the story of Dune. Often times, we get a sequel that can be rather lackluster compared to its original, but Dune: Part Two outshines the first installment by a landslide. Many point to the fact we got to dive deeper into Zendaya’s character, Chani, and her relationship with Paul Atreides (Timotheé Chalamet). The film may not pull in the win for Best Picture against some tough competition, but it’s definitely worthy of a nomination.
A Complete Unknown
It has been quite the year for Chalamet as A Complete Unknown is his second film on the list. The remarkable way he spent 5 years to prepare to portray Bob Dylan is beautifully shown throughout the film. From the singer’s unique voice to his mannerisms, Chalamet got it right and critics who have seen the film agree as the internet flooded with rave reviews this week. The rest of the cast including Edward Norton and Elle Fanning delivered stellar performances that demand recognition. For audiences unfamiliar with Dylan’s music or how he got his start, A Complete Unknown gives a solid blueprint of his life and a new sound that turned him into a legend.
Wicked
To not include Wicked on the bill for Best Picture would be an “un-popular” decision. Ariana Grande and breakout star Cynthia Erivo brought the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen and it did not disappoint as fans have waited for years for this adaptation. Much like Dune: Part Two, the visuals and score are remarkable and some of the best to come a long in a while. The chemistry between Grande and Erivo is worth recognizing as well, making for a fun film from beginning to end. Might be a battle of Disney vs. Nickelodeon as Grande and Gomez are both gunning for a win at this year’s Academy Awards.