Ultimate Ranking of All 2025 Oscar-Nominated Movies: Which Film Takes the Top Spot?

2024 is set to be a transformative year for Hollywood. The list of 50 films nominated for an Academy Award this year showcases remarkable talent. This year’s Oscars are shaping up to be strong, with almost every nominee offering something worth discussing and a few even achieving greatness.

Every year, I take on the task of comparing these fifty films, which span various genres and themes. It’s a mix of apples, oranges, and unexpected fruits, but I’ve sorted them into a definitive ranking. Let’s dive into my evaluations.

Tyler Perry’s Oscar Nominee

Tyler Perry’s first Oscar-nominated film features Diane Warren’s nominated song, “The Journey.” Despite its catchy tune, the film itself, The Six Triple Eight, unfortunately falls short. It’s filled with clichéd dialogue and lacks depth. The story revolves around the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first all-Black female army regiment in WWII. They deserved a more nuanced portrayal, something that remains unseen in this film.

Documentary Features

The Oscars appear to be steering away from celebrity biographies in the documentary category. Yet, they still found room for another nod to Elton John and Bernie Taupin. While I usually embrace these films, Never Too Late struggles to prove itself as anything more than a rehash of John’s earlier life story. Despite touching on themes of aging and legacy, it lacks originality.

Best Animated Feature and Shorts

This year’s competition in animation is fierce. While some nominees tackle heavy themes, others go for lighter subjects, like a quirky film about three brothers seeking hair transplants in Turkey. It offers a somewhat humorous take, though it didn’t fully resonate, feeling muddled with melancholy.

Revisiting Iconic Franchises

Gladiator II continues the saga but struggles to rise above its predecessor’s ambitious spectacle. Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal offer solid performances, but the film feels overstuffed and less captivating than expected.

Another anticipated release, Inside Out 2, attempts to explore new dimensions of its characters but falters by overcomplicating its premise. It shifts focus from storytelling to an explorative yet confusing breakdown of a teen’s psyche.

The animated feature The Wild Robot charmfully manipulates emotions as it tells the story of a robot learning to connect with nature, evoking laughter and tears. Its success lies in its heartfelt storytelling and intricate animation.

Documenting Current Issues

Documentaries continue to shine a light on pressing social issues. Films like No Other Land address the plight of the Palestinian people with urgency and human connection, while Black Box Diaries portrays the struggle for justice following sexual assault.

With films exploring various narratives—be it the superhero tales of The Brutalist or the poignant questions raised in Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat—the Oscars reflect a tapestry of voices and stories. Each film, regardless of its finish line, contributes to the ongoing conversation about culture, representation, and the transformative power of cinema.

As the Oscar nominations approach, let’s celebrate the diversity of stories the nominees are ready to share.

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