The Oscars: What audiences think of this year's Best Picture nominations

Unlike 2024, when the Best Pictures category contained massive blockbusters like ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ the films that are dominating this year’s awards are generally more independent and lesser-known by audiences.

This year, there were 10 pictures nominated, a tradition that dates back to 2009. There were a couple of major hits like ‘Dune 2’ and ‘Wicked,’ but their box offices paled in comparison to last year’s Barbenheimer phenomenon, which raked in $2.4 billion worldwide.

While many people simply haven’t seen most of this year’s films, those who have seen some of the leading films have a lot to say. Here are the movies ranked from worst to best, according to Rotten Tomatoes audience reviews as of late January 2025.

With 13 Oscar nominations, this groundbreaking Netflix film is leading this year’s Oscars. This musical follows the journey of four women in Mexico, specifically a fearsome cartel leader who tries to disappear so that she may transform into a woman. Since it’s a Netflix film, there’s no box office information.

Image: Rotten Tomatoes Trailers /Youtube

This movie is polarizing among critics, but audiences generally hate it. Many said they couldn’t even sit through the whole movie due to a poor script, stereotypical portrayal of Mexicans, and even worse music. Of course, 30% thought it was fantastic.

Image: Rotten Tomatoes Trailers /Youtube

This body horror film starring Demi Moore follows the story of a fading celebrity who uses a black-market substance that creates a younger version of herself. However, there are a few unexpected side effects. It made $45 million worldwide, according to Comscore.

This is one that audiences either loved or hated. While most people said they enjoyed the beginning story about the psychology of the actress, its bizarre escalation into gore lost many viewers while turning others into rabid fans.

Image: Rotten Tomatoes Trailers /Youtube

This film had a budget of $23.2 million but so far has only raked in $1.5 million at the box office. The film, based on a novel, follows two African American boys sent to an abusive reform school in 1960s Florida. The unique filmmaking insists on a first-person point of view for the first third of the film.

Image: Amazon MGM Studios/Youtube

Not many people have seen this one, but the ones who have are quite split. Some said the director’s approach was frustrating and that it was a bad interpretation of the source material. Others said it was interesting, unique, and full of great performances.

Image: Amazon MGM Studios/Youtube

This period drama starring Adrien Brody tells the story of a visionary architect who escaped Nazi Europe. Once he arrives in America, he meets a prominent industrialist who changes his life. The only available data shows that the film made just $6 million at the domestic (U.S. and Canada) box offices.

Image: A24/Youtube

Audience reviews generally complain that the runtime of 3h 35 minutes is too long. However, many praised Brody’s acting and the exquisite filming and story of the post-WWII refugee experience. Detractors said it was on the boring side.

This political thriller focuses on what happens after the pope dies of a heart attack and a British cardinal organizes a papal conclave to elect who will take over. With secrets and scandals, this film also explores identity politics. It made $76 million worldwide, according to Comscore.

Image: Focus Features/Youtube

Audiences also dug this film, especially praising the fabulous acting, particularly from the star Ralph Fiennes. Overall, the consensus is that this flick keeps you on the edge of your seat until a great twist at the end. It also leaves audiences with a lot to think about long after they leave the theater.

Image: Focus Features/Youtube

This American romantic comedy-drama is a modern Cindarella story that follows the marriage between a young s e x worker and the son of a Russian oligarch. According to Comscore, it earned $32 million worldwide.

Image: NEON /Youtube

This gritty romcom may not be a blockbuster, but critics and those who have seen it are big fans. Audiences give it a 90%, and their consensus is: “Flipping fairy tale lore upside down, ‘Anora,’ like its titular anti-princess, may make you laugh and still break your heart.”

Image: NEON /Youtube

This is the most popular film to have received a nomination, with a worldwide box office of $715 million. This second installment of the ‘Dune’ saga follows the journey of Paul Atreides uniting with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

Image: Dune: Part Two | Official Trailer/ Warner Bros. Pictures/Youtube

Audiences are generally quite obsessed with this movie, urging you to watch it on the biggest screen possible. They applaud its beauty, epic storyline, and mastery of the sci-fi genre.

Image: Warner Media

Another blockbuster, this film raked in at least $710 million worldwide, according to Comscore. Based on the Broadway musical of the same name and starring pop star Adriana Grande, it offers a glimpse into the untold story of the witches of Oz.

Image: Universal Pictures

While many of those who saw and reviewed this movie are diehard Adriana Grande and musical fans, it’s safe to say they were not disappointed. “Can’t wait for part 2!” was a common sentiment among reviewers who praised the cast, music, and beauty of the film.

Having raked in $61 million worldwide, according to Comscore, this Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet portrays the singer-songwriter through his early folk music success until he goes electric in 1965.

Image: SearchlightPictures/Youtube

This is one of the rare instances where audiences preferred the movie more than critics (96% versus 80%). Viewers especially love the depictions of Dylan and Joan Baez, whose actors actually learned to sing and play instruments for the film.

This Brazilian drama about family life and political oppression follows a mother and activist coping with the forced disappearance of her husband. It’s based on a memoir of the same name and has grossed at least $14 million on a $1.5 million budget, according to Deadline, making it the highest-grossing Brazilian film since the pandemic.

Image: Sony Pictures Classics/ Youtube

While this is one of the least-reviewed films on the list, those who saw it loved it. Audiences particularly applauded the moving performance of Fernanda Torres and how it tells a deep story of the dark history of Brazil and the power of family. Many said it’s a must-see, and a few even said it’s the best movie of recent years — or ever.

Image: Sony Pictures Classics/ Youtube

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