We are in the thick of awards season, which means it’s time to start forming very strong opinions for no reason other than because we feel like it and love Letterboxd. The Academy Awards—aka the Oscars, of course—are the biggest night in film, with Best Picture widely considered to be the most prestigious award of the night. And while professional critics spend months analyzing every frame and performance, the rest of us are just trying to binge watch the nominees before the ceremony and decide which one deserves our vote from the couch.
So naturally, we did what any group of movie-lovers get into this time of year: Ranking. Some movies completely wrecked us emotionally, some surprised us, and a few left us wondering how exactly they ended up in the Best Picture lineup in the first place. A quick disclaimer before we begin: Believe it or not, we are not film professors, professional critics, or members of the Academy. We’re simply gals who love going to the movies and gabbing about them afterward. From the ones that didn’t quite land for us to the one we think should absolutely win it all, here’s our ranking of this year’s Best Picture nominees:
Meet Our Cinephiles
CAITLIN SCHNEIDER
Graphic Designer
MCKENNA PRINGLE
Assistant Editor of Branded Content
MADIGAN WILL
Assistant Editor
Our Official 2026 Best Picture Ranking
10. F1
Madigan: 2.5/5
F1’s presence on this list alone feels like pure cinephile rage bait. It’s definitely one of those big box-office charmers that loves hearing its cliché engine roar—complete with a series of glow-up montages and lots of aggressively cheesy one-liners. Is it good? Yeah, sure, fine, I’ll admit it—it’s a decent popcorn movie. And the score is very well done, Mr. Hans. But is it Oscar-worthy? I don’t think so. It feels like Top Gun‘s nepo baby to be real honest. But this cinephile is still a little sour that F1 edged out more daring contenders like No Other Choice this year. And should it sweep in with a Best Picture win based on slick editing and box-office dominance alone, I fear I will be forced to stage a deeply dramatic temper tantrum in the name of cinema.
Caitlin: 1/5
A couple of years ago, I had a big F1 phase, mainly because of the Netflix docu-series, but also a little because of how gorgeous those little drivers are. So I randomly have a lot of baseline knowledge of the sport. With that said, I was genuinely impressed with the way they shot the races and incorporated the fictional drivers into the real lineup of F1 drivers. It’s a really cool achievement, but I swear to god Apple TV+ paid the Academy to get this movie nominated. The script is cringey, the score is uninspired, and the runtime is at least an hour too long. They flashed Brad Pitt’s abs more than once to distract from the film’s flaws, but that trick ain’t working on me!
McKenna: 2/5
To be so honest I’ve never watched a second of Formula 1 in my life, which might explain why this did absolutely nothing for me. I could tell it was trying very hard to be exciting, but the whole thing felt like it was made for a very specific audience—and I am simply not that audience. The racing scenes were fine, I guess, but outside of that I found myself zoning out for most of it. And as a Best Picture nominee? I’m confused. It felt way more like a big-budget “watch with your dad on a Sunday afternoon” kind of movie, instead of something that belongs in the Oscars lineup.
9. Frankenstein
Madigan: 4/5
This movie has some of the most insane set designs I’ve seen in a while. I am a sucker for a movie that commits to that tinted, hyper-artificial world, and I loved the way this one looked so far removed from our reality, but emotionally close by. Jacob Elordi as our beloved Creature was such a beautiful casting choice here, too. Leave it to this man to take a tragic storyline like this and turn it into something hot. Frankenstein is what cinema is all about, and I would be a happy little movie snob if it took home the Best Picture prize. However, I do candidly think there are other movies on this list that might be more convincing to the real voters. Regardless, this is a beautiful movie, and I thank you Guillermo del Toro.
Caitlin: 2/5
Jacob Elordi is fantastic and deserves his supporting actor nom. His version of the monster is so sweet and tender! I thought moments of the visual effects were actually really cool, and Victor making the monster was a great sequence. It completely lost me with the overly CGI’d moments, though. The pack of wolves that appeared looked straight out of the Twilight movies. I really wish the whole film had held onto the creepiness of that monster-making sequence, but it unfortunately lost it and my interest about halfway through.
McKenna: 2/5
I want to start by saying that Jacob Elordi is great here—a nom well deserved! And Guillermo del Toro clearly knows how to craft a visually interesting film. But overall, I just couldn’t get myself invested. Maybe it’s adaptation fatigue, but I’m at the point where I’m craving something new rather than another take on a story we’ve seen so many times. Nothing about it was bad; it just never pulled me in the way I wanted it to.
8. Marty Supreme
Madigan: 4/5
OK, I feel like people either absolutely despised or loved this movie. And not just because of the random sperm scene that made a lot of us feel mildly uncomfortable. I think it really comes down to two perspectives here and I wanna talk about it: The dreamers vs. the realists. If you’re a realist, seeing Marty bulldoze every person in his path like they’re minor inconveniences on his vision board is toxic baby-boy behavior. He’s selfish, chaotic, and foolish. But if you’re a dreamer, this movie offers something much more painful and beautiful. It’s a story about love and sacrifice in the name of chasing something bigger than yourself.
As a dreamer myself, I admit this movie earns my creative respect and admiration. I truly loved it. The dreamer’s reality is a foolish one, but sometimes, it’s the people who never dare to dream at all who end up looking like the fools in worlds like Marty’s.
Caitlin: 3/5
A wild ride! The last 30 minutes of this film are nearly perfect. While it is a great performance and film as a whole, Timothée never really became Marty to me, which is ironic because of his attempt at a “method” press tour. I’ll tell ya what we’re not lacking in society is white men being so overly confident to the point of arrogance. But alas, the Oscars don’t shy away from vanity! Good luck, Timmy! I hope someone else wins!
McKenna: 3.5/5
I think the insanely elaborate press tour might have set my expectations a little too high, because by the time I watched it, I was waiting for something bigger to happen. The pacing and editing style also had me feeling soooo stressed the entire time—which, to be fair, is very on-brand for Josh Safdie and was probably the point. That said, there were definitely moments I loved. Tyler, The Creator slayed it for someone who’s never acted before, and the movie has an undeniable high energy that keeps you gripped until the end.
7. The Secret Agent
Madigan: 3.5/5
The Secret Agent is so, so culturally rich. Wowza. It’s a little bit slower, but I do love movies that have my brain constantly questioning every character and frame, unsure of who to trust or root for. It didn’t hit me the way a lot of the other movies on this list did, unfortunately, but I LOVED the introduction to this world, and the way the quieter moments felt so uneasy and loud. It’s a thinker, and very long indeed, but I was happy to spare the three hours for Wagner Moura. I also haven’t wanted a Volkswagen Beetle this bad since my first watch of Herbie: Fully Loaded.
Caitlin: 4/5
I had no clue what to expect before watching this (I don’t think I even saw a trailer) and I was completely locked in for the 2 hours, 40 minute runtime. Wagner Moura is such a good lead and this might be the strongest cast of supporting actors I’ve ever seen. I want a spinoff about every single one of them! I was also totally caught off guard by the humorous—almost zany—moments that broke up the very serious subject matter. I love when films take artistic risks like this and it actually works. Between this and last year’s I’m Still Here, Brazil in the 1970s might be the most interesting setting possible for a film.
McKenna: 3.5/5
Pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere is really strong, and the story slowly pulls you deeper into this tense, uneasy world where you’re constantly trying to figure out who to believe and trust. I also appreciated how patient the movie is—it takes its time building things out instead of rushing to the point. Still, it never fully grabbed me the way some of the other nominees did.
6. Bugonia
Madigan: 4.5/5
Basically, the Bee Movie if it suddenly developed a satirical bite and superiority complex, if you ask me. My only ick with this one is really just Teddy Gatz’s ponytail. I spent a considerable amount of the runtime hoping that man would discover conditioner in a shower scene, but never did. I know the look is purposeful, but still. Hair grievances (grease-ances?) aside, Bugonia is a bold, bonkers film in the best of ways. Stories like this have never felt more crucial. I would argue it takes a little bit of delulu to make the Oscar podium, and this movie embraces it fiercely.
Caitlin: 3/5
I took a break from Yorgos Lanthimos’ films after what I think was a case of overexposure. I started to not feel as excited about them after seeing the same cast in every single one, but then people started raving about Bugonia, and I had to jump back on the bandwagon. This film made me feel so uneasy, and I had a pit in my stomach the entire time. When I read reviews after, so many were hailing it as a laugh-out-loud comedy, whereas I don’t think I laughed at all?? I don’t know, it just landed differently in my brain. The cinematography, the makeup, the production design, the SCORE. Holy hell, the score. It’s all so deeply disturbing, but it really works. Oh, and the end is nuts.
McKenna: 4/5
Look, by the time the big reveal happened, I wasn’t exactly shocked…like, of course that was the case. But honestly, that didn’t ruin the experience for me. The performances, score, and cinematography are all doing a lot of heavy lifting here—it’s quite impressive. It also leans into its weirdness in a way I respect, even if the humor didn’t always land for me. I will say Michelle randomly loving “Good Luck, Babe!” killed me. Overall, I was definitely entertained, but it was maybe a little too on the nose with its political commentary for me.
5. Hamnet
Madigan: 4.5/5
Jonathan Bailey, I see your slutty little glasses, and I raise you Paul Mescal in a sexy little hoop earring. Hamnet, all I can really say about you is what the hell did you do to me? I knew this one would change me, but I didn’t know it would almost emotionally destroy me. And while it was truly a stunning and daring watch, it was also so powerful that I will never ever in my life be watching it again. Something I jokingly tease, but also applaud Chloé Zhao for. Jessie Buckley absolutely deserves every bit of recognition she’s been getting on the award season train, too. I could see it taking home the prize this year, especially after its recent Golden Globe and BAFTA wins.
Caitlin: 4/5
Jessie Buckley, man. She’s winning that Oscar for a reason. An absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful performance. I felt her guttural screams deep in my bones. Jacobi Jupe, who played Hamnet, is such an incredible talent as well. It’s funny, though it’s ultimately a tragedy, watching this made me want to be a mom even more. What a gift it is to create someone and love them so deeply.
McKenna: 3/5
There’s no denying this is a beautifully made film with some incredible performances—Jessie Buckley, especially, is unbelievable, and if she doesn’t win Best Actress, I will be throwing hands with the Academy. That said, I personally struggled to fully get into it. Maybe it’s my personal beef with Shakespeare (I read so much in high school and college, I’m just really over it), but Buckley’s performance was really the only thing that particularly struck me. Also, I’m sorry, but Paul Mescal’s hoop was pissing me OFF!!!!
4. Sentimental Value
Madigan: 3.5/5
My fellow eldest-daughter trauma wearers, this movie is a cinematic therapy session that will either break you, heal you, or make you text your sister, you love her. Renate’s performance was heartbreakingly beautiful here, and is one I had to watch twice to fully breathe in. But I honestly think Inga was the real scene thief. I spent most of the movie just wanting to hug her character; she really did something to me. I don’t think Sentimental Value will necessarily win, but any time a foreign film lands in the Best Picture conversation, I get excited just for the sake of cinema and stories like this being loudly embraced.
Caitlin: 4/5
Joachim Trier is that guy! He and Eskil Vogt really know how to write complex female characters, which I do not say lightly. The Worst Person in the World is a film I’ve only seen once, but still think about all the time. I think I could watch Renate Reinsve do anything—there’s something about her face. All of the characters feel so lived in, and the production design is outstanding. They feel like a real family in a real house where nothing feels false. I’m such a sucker for a family drama, and when one is as well done as this, it’s hard to beat.
McKenna: 5/5
This one completely got me. The way it explores family dynamics felt so raw and recognizable, and every single performance added something meaningful to that emotional core. I also loved the subtle, dry humor sprinkled throughout—it gave the heavier moments room to breathe instead of feeling overwhelmingly bleak. By the end, I just sat there thinking about my own family and all the complicated love that comes with it. Movies that make you reflect like that are really special.
3. Train Dreams
Madigan: 5/5
Never thought I could get this emotional about trees, but thanks to Train Dreams, I cry at forests now. This is one of the most beautiful heckin stories I’ve ever seen. My sister boldly put this in her top four already, and while I might need another watch to fully secure its place on my own list, it’s undeniably a movie that is meant to be felt wholeheartedly. It’s also really nice seeing William Macy in a character that’s a little more morally grounded than Shameless (good for him). This movie still sits with me, and is such a beautiful metaphor for life—and all of the painful and beautiful things that work together to make it so.
I think this one winning Best Picture is what my heart secretly wants, even though I know it’s probably going to be Sinners or One Battle After Another. Still though… I will be here, emotionally campaigning for trees.
Caitlin: 4/5
This film is absolutely beautiful. Not only the story, but also the cinematography. I was caught off guard by how moved I was by this—tears were streaming down my face for a solid hour (am I ok?). People are sleeping on this film (figuratively and literally, as my grandparents fell asleep ten minutes in, to my dismay), and Joel Edgerton deserves so much more recognition than he’s getting. It’s the opposite of a flashy performance, which might be why it’s overlooked in the year of Leo and Timmy.
McKenna: 4/5
Just stunning. What I loved most is that it trusts the audience enough not to spell everything out. Instead of pushing a message in your face, it lets the story unfold quietly and invites you to sit with it. When films pull that off well, they end up feeling much more powerful—and this one definitely does. It’s a reminder of how fleeting life is and how even the smallest moments can carry meaning. I walked away feeling ridiculously emotional and introspective about it all.
2. Sinners
Madigan: 5/5
Two Michael B. Jordans. TWO. Should I even say anything else? OK, if I must—this is one of the boldest, baddest, and nastiest films of the season in the best way possible. It’s dripping with color motifs, visual depth, and is a movie that I feel like Alfred Hitchcock quietly applauded in his little cinematic afterlife. I don’t think we have loved a vampire movie this much since Twilight, and it’s definitely going down as one of the best (arguably, the best in this cinephile’s opinion). It even has my most committed “I hate musicals” watchers quietly eating their words (@ my husband).
Caitlin: 4/5
Might be the only film nominated that I truly feel like I could watch over and over again. It’s so fun to get an original, powerful, genre-bending story in this era of endless remakes and sequels. The music literally gives me full-body chills whenever I hear it (that slide guitar!!). Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are an unstoppable force. My only tiny qualm is the post-credits ending. It felt a little goofy compared to the rest of the film and has that Marvel energy that I don’t resonate with. But I understand the purpose of adding it.
McKenna: 4.5/5
For lack of better phrasing, this is just cool as f*ck. I sometimes struggle to get fully immersed in sci-fi worlds, but this one hooked me almost immediately. The concept is bold, the energy is high, and it never feels like it’s playing it safe. And yes, I would like to formally acknowledge the fact that we get two Michael B. Jordans here, which frankly is a win for everyone. It could’ve been very easy for a vampire movie to feel corny (no shade to Twilight), but this didn’t at all. Most Oscar nominations ever IKTR!
1. One Battle After Another
Madigan: 4/5
This movie is pure cinema. While it is very often that a movie will make me cry solely because of how magical it feels just to be consumed by it, this one really got me. It’s not my absolute favorite Leo performance, but it is a Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti movie for me. And that car-chase scene will go down in the cinephile books as one of the best, hands down! I had an absurd amount of fun watching this one. Of all the movies on this list, One Battle After Another feels like it’s most likely to take that Best Picture award home. And I would be happy to see it.
Caitlin: 5/5
Paul Thomas Anderson might be the most talented person on earth (and the most humble, take notes, young Timothée). I don’t think there’s another director who’s able to write and direct stories at the caliber he can. One Battle After Another feels like a shock of electricity. The performances are at the highest level of authenticity and commitment—I’m not sure it’s possible to be any better. The relevance to the current problems in our country not only makes this a harrowing watch, but an important one. Should this win Best Picture? 100000%. What a huge mistake if it doesn’t.
McKenna: 5/5
When I say this is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years, I mean it. Maybe one of my favorite movies…ever. From start to finish, I was completely locked in, and by the time it ended, I realized I genuinely didn’t have a single complaint. Every performance works, the storytelling is amazing, and the whole thing just feels like the kind of movie that reminds you why you love going to the theater in the first place. If it were up to me, Best Picture would already be decided.
McKenna Pringle, Assistant Editor of Branded Content
As the Assistant Editor of Branded Content, McKenna collaborates with our sales team as well as the editorial and marketing teams to create both written and social media content across multiple platforms. She also collects and analyzes performance data in order to pivot creative strategies accordingly, and assists our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth, productive, and fun process all-around.
Feature images credited to: Emvats | Adobe Stock, ShahinAlam | Adobe Stock, KrakenImages | Adobe Stock
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