Since we’re only halfway through 2025, it’s still very hard to predict what movies will be nominated for Best Picture at next year’sAcademy Awards. However, it’s always fun to theorize what kind of movies members of the Academy are enjoying this year. After all, many incredible films have already been released this year, such asMickey 17,Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning,Sinners,F1 The Movie, and several others.
There have been many great films released in several different genres this year, but I thinkSinnersandF1 The Moviehave the best shot at landing Best Picture nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards. Immediately upon its release,Sinnerswas regarded as the best movie of the year, and also cemented its lasting legacy by breaking several box office records.
Similarly, the recently releasedF1 The Moviehas been a major box office successand has also garnered great critical reviews. Anew Oscars rulerequires Academy members to watch all the films in a category before voting, so ifSinnersandF1 The Movieare nominated for Best Picture, voters will definitely be impressed. Therefore,let’s examine whySinnersandF1 The Moviewould be great Best Picture nominees at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Sinners Should Be A Lock For A Best Picture Nomination
Sinners Is One Of The Most Thematically Rich Movies Of The Year
Ever since its release,reviews forSinnershave been fantastic, with Screen Rant’s own Mae Abdulbaki giving it a score of 9 out of 10.Even though Ryan Coogler’s newest film is a vampire horror movie, it explores complex themes, such as race, identity, family, and community, that have resonated with audiences all over the world.
This is evident fromSinners’total box office haul. Over the course of its theatrical run, the film managed to gross a total of $365 million globally (viaBox Office Mojo). Nowadays, this kind of box office haul is very rare for a completely original movie, butCoogler defied all the odds withSinners. The horror movie broke countless records at the box office, and will definitely be remembered for years to come.
WithSinners, Coogler successfully managed to toe the line between blockbuster and art, which is a major achievement.
In fact,Sinnerscould very well be remembered as the definitive movie of 2025, which is why it should be a lock for a Best Picture nomination at next year’s Academy Awards.Sinnershas the right mix of critical acclaim and box office successto be nominated for the top prize at the Oscars. WithSinners, Coogler successfully managed to toe the line between blockbuster and art, which is a major achievement.
SinceBlack Panther, Coogler’s third feature film, was nominated for Best Picture in 2019,Sinnerswill definitely be on the Academy’s radar. The only thing that could work against it is its early release date, butWarner Bros. will definitely campaign hard for the movie before awards season begins. Therefore, I hope to seeSinnersas a Best Picture nominee in 2026.
F1 The Movie Could Also Be In The Best Picture Race
F1 The Movie Is A Major Summer Blockbuster
WhileSinnersshould be a lock for Best Picture at next year’s Oscars,F1 The Movieis more of an outside bet. Historically, a major blockbuster likeF1 The Movieis not the kind of film that the Academy would recognize in the Best Picture category. However, things have changed in recent years, and it seems likethe Academy now likes to nominate a couple of blockbusters every year.
In recent years, blockbusters likeDune: Part Two,Avatar: The Way of Water, andTop Gun: Maverickhave been nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It needs to be mentioned thatF1 The Movieis directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also helmedTop Gun: Maverick, so he is clearly a filmmaker that the Academy likes.
Reviews forF1 The Moviehave been great, but it definitely won’t end up being one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Despite this,it could still end up receiving aTop Gun: Maverick-style Best Picture nomination at next year’s Academy Awards. Just likeTop Gun: Maverick,F1 The Movielikely won’t win Best Picture, but it would still be great to see it get nominated.
Which Upcoming Movies Will Factor Heavily Into The 2026 Oscars?
Plenty Of Exciting Movies Are Still To Come In 2025
In addition toSinnersandF1 The Movie,films likeHamnet,Bugonia,Sentimental Value,Die, My Love,The Smashing Machine,Marty Supreme, and, of course,Wicked: For Good, are also some of the biggest contenders for Best Picture at the 2026 Academy Awards. All of these movies will be released this fall, which is when members of the Academy will be deciding what to recognize at next year’s ceremony.
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Additionally,James Cameron’sAvatar: Fire and Ashalso releases in December, and could be a major blockbuster that potentially takes a spot away fromF1 The Movie. Therefore, since there are still many anticipated films that are set to come out this year, it is not a guarantee thatSinnersandF1 The Moviewill be nominated for Best Picture.
Based on all the aforementioned films, next year’s Best Picture pool could be stacked with incredible movies. However, out of all the films that have already been released in 2025,SinnersandF1 The Movieare definitely the two most likely to be nominated for Best Picture at theAcademy Awards, and it would honestly be so disappointing if the former, in particular, didn’t receive a nomination.
Sinners
Cast
Sinners follows twin brothers who, in an attempt to escape their past hardships, return to their hometown seeking a fresh start. However, they find themselves confronted by a formidable and sinister presence awaiting their comeback. The 2025 film explores themes of redemption and malevolence.
