Every year, awards season ignites lively debate among movie fans over which films stood out over the previous twelve months. With the Oscars as the ultimate conversation starter, we joined the discussion and ranked the Best Picture nominees in this special Oscars edition of Ranked. If the Academy considers these films worthy, they deserve a close look — and a healthy debate.
We welcome differing opinions, so please share your thoughts in the comments below.
9. Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour Review
Despite a controversial ideological premise, Darkest Hour’s strongest asset is its central performance. The film lacks the artistic subtlety, depth, and visual sophistication of several competitors, and the screenplay occasionally exposes narrative weaknesses. Still, a carefully crafted lead performance carries the film and makes it watchable, even if it doesn’t quite belong among the year’s most accomplished contenders.
8. The Post
The Post Review
Spielberg’s The Post feels purpose-built for awards season, and while that may suggest calculated intent, the film’s screenplay is strong and the direction turns small moments into powerful scenes. It champions the importance of truth in an era of misinformation, making it timely and engaging. Yet compared with other nominees, The Post can feel emotionally reserved, which keeps it from rising higher in this particular ranking.
7. Get Out
Get Out Review
Jordan Peele’s Get Out is a bold, politically charged horror film that holds up a mirror to society. It gives voice to often overlooked perspectives and demonstrates the creative payoff of more diverse voices reaching Academy voters. As a genre film that transcends expectations and entered the Best Picture conversation, Get Out stands out for its originality, sharp social commentary, and expertly controlled suspense.
6. Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread is a film of intense craft and meticulous design. Paul Thomas Anderson draws an extraordinary performance from his lead and pairs it with striking cinematography. The story examines a controlling character whose relationship dynamics can feel troubling and ambiguous, which has made the film polarizing. While its themes may clash with the current cultural climate and make wide appeal more difficult, Phantom Thread remains a finely constructed work that balances tension and beauty.
5. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Three Billboards Review
Three Billboards has sparked debate for its portrayal of morally ambiguous characters and the limited consequences they face. Martin McDonagh’s film has been recognized for its screenplay and acting and has earned numerous accolades across the awards season. Its pacing, dark humor, and echoes of Western storytelling make it distinctive. Excellent performances and a tightly woven narrative keep it strong in the lineup, even if its tone divides audiences.
4. Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan turned a complex historical rescue into a taut, immersive cinematic experience with Dunkirk. Dividing the story into three interlocking timelines, he created a relentless, tension-driven film that relies less on dialogue and more on precision in direction, editing, cinematography, and score. Hans Zimmer’s score heightens the film’s urgency, and Dunkirk emerges as a must-see event movie that showcases Nolan’s mastery and makes a compelling case for awards recognition.
Recommended for you: Christopher Nolan Films Ranked
3. Lady Bird
Lady Bird Review
Lady Bird delivers a truthful, touching portrait of adolescence anchored by Saoirse Ronan’s compelling lead and Laurie Metcalf’s powerful supporting turn as her mother. Greta Gerwig’s debut feature captures the messiness of growing up with wit, warmth, and emotional clarity. Its writing, performances, and direction make it one of the best coming-of-age films in recent years and a standout among the Best Picture nominees.
Recommended for you: Greta Gerwig – The Essential Collection
2. The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water Review
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water feels like a fairytale for modern times: lush, melancholic, and hopeful. The film’s romantic fantasy speaks to resilience and compassion in an era marked by divisiveness, and its visual design and emotional core pay tribute to classic cinema. Del Toro crafts a timeless story that resonates beyond the awards season and lingers in the memory like a modern myth.
Recommended for you: Guillermo Del Toro Movies Ranked
1. Call Me By Your Name
Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name captures the intensity and tenderness of first love with rare sensitivity. The film combines evocative imagery, precise editing, and a memorable monologue to create a deeply affecting romance that lingers long after the credits roll. Every element—from performance to pacing to visual poetry—works together to deliver one of the most sincere and beautiful love stories of recent cinema, earning its spot at the top of this list.
Deciding the year’s best film was difficult because these nominees excel in different ways. In our view, Call Me By Your Name edged out The Shape of Water by offering an intimacy and emotional clarity that felt unmatched across the field. Naturally, opinions will vary—film is subjective, and that diversity of reaction is part of what keeps cinema vibrant. If you disagree, tell us why in the comments.