Here Are the Best Picture Nominees at the 98th Academy Awards

The 98th Academy Awards will recognize the best films released in 2025, showcasing a diverse array of cinematic achievements from renowned directors and emerging voices. These nominees represent the pinnacle of filmmaking across various genres, including historical epics, intimate character studies, and high-concept science fiction. Producers and studios have curated a selection of narratives that push the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry. As the film industry anticipates the awards season, these ten features have emerged as the primary contenders for the prestigious Best Picture category.

‘Bugonia’ (2025)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this science fiction film follows two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a high-powered CEO. They are convinced that she is actually an alien intent on destroying the planet Earth. The project serves as an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean cult classic ‘Save the Green Planet!’. Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, the narrative explores themes of paranoia, institutional power, and the nature of belief. Producers for the film include Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Ed Guiney, and Andrew Lowe.

‘F1’ (2025)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, this high-octane drama features Brad Pitt as a retired Formula 1 driver who returns to the track to mentor a young prodigy. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the production utilized actual racing events to capture authentic high-speed footage. The story focuses on the intense psychological and physical demands of the professional racing world. It aims to deliver a visceral cinematic experience through groundbreaking filming techniques and realistic stunt work. The cast also includes Damson Idris and Kerry Condon.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro directs this adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, focusing on the obsessive scientist Victor Frankenstein. The film stars Oscar Isaac as the creator and Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster brought to life through experimental science. The narrative explores the moral consequences of playing God and the profound loneliness experienced by the creature. Del Toro’s signature gothic aesthetic provides a unique visual backdrop for this exploration of human ambition and rejection. Producers J. Miles Dale and del Toro oversee the project for Netflix.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, this film is directed by Chloé Zhao and stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The story centers on Agnes Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, as she grapples with the loss of her young son, ‘Hamnet’. Set against the backdrop of the Black Plague in 16th-century England, the narrative explores the intersections of grief and creativity. Producers Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg, and Sam Mendes helped bring this period piece to the screen. The film emphasizes the emotional resilience of a mother during a historical crisis.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

Josh Safdie directs this biographical drama inspired by the life of professional ping pong player Marty Reisman. Starring Timothée Chalamet, the film delves into the competitive world of table tennis during the mid-20th century. Producers Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, and Chalamet focus on the athlete’s rise within the sport. The narrative follows the titular character as he navigates the highs and lows of professional fame and personal eccentricities. This production marks a significant departure from Safdie’s previous urban crime thrillers.

‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)

Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this black comedy action thriller is loosely inspired by the 1990 Thomas Pynchon novel ‘Vineland’. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-revolutionary who is forced back into a combative lifestyle to protect his daughter from a corrupt military officer. The expansive ensemble cast includes Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. Set in a stylized version of the United States, the story explores themes of counterculture and systemic authority. Anderson co-produced the film alongside Sara Murphy and Adam Somner.

‘The Secret Agent’ (2025)

Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, this neo-noir historical political thriller is set in Brazil during the 1970s military dictatorship. The plot follows Armando, a former professor played by Wagner Moura, as he attempts to flee political persecution and resist the authoritarian regime. The narrative captures the tension and paranoia of life under surveillance in a city on the edge of social upheaval. The cast features Maria Fernanda Cândido and Udo Kier in his final film performance. Producers Emilie Lesclaux and Saïd Ben Saïd collaborated to bring this Brazilian story to international audiences.

‘Sentimental Value’ (2025)

Directed by Joachim Trier, this drama follows a family in the wake of a matriarch’s death as they navigate the complexities of grief. The story focuses on an actor who returns to her childhood home to settle her mother’s affairs and confront unresolved tensions. Set in Norway, the film explores the subjective nature of memory and how past experiences shape present relationships. It reunites Trier with actress Renate Reinsve in a character-driven exploration of emotional legacy and artistic identity. Producers Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar facilitated the international production.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Directed by Ryan Coogler, this supernatural thriller stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers returning to their hometown. Set in the Jim Crow-era South, the story involves the brothers attempting to leave their troubled pasts behind while encountering a malevolent force. The plot weaves together elements of traditional folklore and historical tension to create a unique horror narrative. Producers Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian collaborated on this project to explore themes of family secrets and racial identity. The film marks the latest collaboration between Coogler and Jordan.

‘Train Dreams’ (2025)

Directed by Benedict Andrews, this adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones. The narrative follows Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the American West at the start of the 20th century, who loses his family to a wildfire. As he navigates a rapidly changing world, Grainier experiences various encounters that blur the line between reality and myth. The film captures the rugged landscape and the existential journey of a man seeking meaning after profound loss. Producers David Hinojosa and Christine Vachon brought this meditative historical drama to the screen.

Share which of these potential contenders you are most excited to see in the comments.