Award season might be right here earlier than it, and fairly just a few titles are gunning to lock in some wins. Earlier this week, the nominations for the 82nd Golden Globes have been introduced, traditionally being a great indication of who we will count on to see among the many nominees on the Oscars. With so many movies being worthy of reward and recognition, we share our picks for the highest eight contenders for Finest Image on the 97th Annual Academy Awards going down on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Emilia Perez
Netflix’s Emilia Perez was met with excellent evaluations after it was screened at a number of festivals, most praising Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez for his or her roles. Incorporating track and dance with an exhilarating story enjoying within the background, the movie has caught the eyes of many because it landed a whopping 10 Golden Globe nominations. As a movie led by highly effective girls, it’s certainly the women can count on to lock in some Finest Actress and Finest Supporting Actress nominations, with Finest Image being a no brainer for the Academy.
Conclave
Conclave is an acquired style. However for those who’re into movies that characteristic faith at their core, the plot is straightforward to know and makes for an suspenseful watch. Ralph Fiennes is phenomenal with little or no effort, with Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow to help. It’s worthy of Oscar noms for its sheer means to construct at a gradual tempo and hold you guessing for the reason that movie’s opening sequence. It’s not like many movies out at the moment, making it a novel method to showcasing the method to discover a new pope. With scandals lurking about with a number of candidates, you’re saved on the sting of your seat questioning what’s going to unfold subsequent.
Anora
Anora is a heavy contender for Finest Image because it’s a ravishing story of what occurs with a intercourse employee marries a robust man. It’s a whirlwind story that captured the essence Neon goals for with their initiatives. Mikey Madison is a delight on display screen, catching the eye of many for her first Golden Globe nomination. With Hollywood churning out repeat plots and remakes left and proper, recent takes on tales is what we want proper now and people are sometimes the movies that seize viewer’s hearts. Anora does simply that with its distinctive method, making it a should for the Academy to incorporate on their Finest Image listing, and it will really be a snub if it weren’t.
The Brutalist
With a runtime simply over three and a half hours, The Brutalist just isn’t solely an excellent nomination, however the flick is placing in a strong stake for truly taking dwelling the golden statue for Finest Image. Adrien Brody delivers one in all his profession finest performances as architect László Toth, additional sparking dialog about his potential to win Finest Actor. It’s a gritty depiction of wartime with an attention-grabbing arc that retains you locked in. The Academy has a historical past of together with movies that characteristic conflict, so this could tickle their fancy. It’s set to launch in theaters December 20, however critics have already rated it a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is extraordinarily telling contemplating scores have been subpar for many movies this 12 months.
Gladiator II
Typically a masterpiece doesn’t have to be revisited, with worry of it flopping or being pointless. That isn’t the case with Gladiator II, as it’s an thrilling comply with as much as the basic that made Russell Crowe a family title and gained him an Oscar again in 2001. Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are the standouts, with Washington reminding individuals he’s the GOAT. Mescal’s efficiency makes him extraordinarily memorable as he was pretty unknown previous to this movie. Gladiator II has all of it from an intriguing storyline to entertaining struggle sequences with Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn additionally contributing to the stacked solid. With a 12 months stuffed with nice initiatives, Gladiator II simply lands on critic’s prime 10, so it will be no shock for it to nab a Finest Image nomination.
Dune: Half Two
If there’s one class Dune: Half Two must be closely acknowledged for, it’s the movie’s beautiful cinematography coupled with the right rating. It shattered field workplace numbers upon its launch and for good causes because it was not solely cinematic expertise, however the stacked solid all pulled their weight to inform the story of Dune. Typically instances, we get a sequel that may be fairly lackluster in comparison with its authentic, however Dune: Half Two outshines the primary installment by a landslide. Many level to the actual fact we acquired to dive deeper into Zendaya’s character, Chani, and her relationship with Paul Atreides (Timotheé Chalamet). The movie might not pull within the win for Finest Image towards some robust competitors, but it surely’s positively worthy of a nomination.
A Full Unknown
It has been fairly the 12 months for Chalamet as A Full Unknown is his second movie on the listing. The outstanding method he spent 5 years to organize to painting Bob Dylan is fantastically proven all through the movie. From the singer’s distinctive voice to his mannerisms, Chalamet acquired it proper and critics who’ve seen the movie agree because the web flooded with rave evaluations this week. The remainder of the solid together with Edward Norton and Elle Fanning delivered stellar performances that demand recognition. For audiences unfamiliar with Dylan’s music or how he acquired his begin, A Full Unknown offers a strong blueprint of his life and a brand new sound that turned him right into a legend.
Depraved
To not embrace Depraved on the invoice for Finest Image can be an “un-popular” resolution. Ariana Grande and breakout star Cynthia Erivo introduced the beloved Broadway musical to the massive display screen and it didn’t disappoint as followers have waited for years for this adaptation. Very similar to Dune: Half Two, the visuals and rating are outstanding and a number of the finest to return an extended shortly. The chemistry between Grande and Erivo is price recognizing as effectively, making for a enjoyable movie from starting to finish. Is perhaps a battle of Disney vs. Nickelodeon as Grande and Gomez are each gunning for a win at this 12 months’s Academy Awards.