Ranking Every Horror Movie Nominated for Best Picture: From Worst to Best

The Oscars have occasionally recognized horror films, surprising audiences as nominations for Best Picture. Despite the Academy’s historical preference for dramas, genre cinema has produced countless masterpieces. From action thrillers like Die Hard to science fiction gems such as The Matrix, it’s evident that outstanding storytelling prevails across genres. However, works of horror—despite their artistry—often go unacknowledged in major categories. Performances like Toni Collette’s in Hereditary and John Landis’ compelling script for An American Werewolf in London highlight the deep talents in horror filmmaking, yet they frequently escape the spotlight.

Recently, however, some horror films have broken through this barrier, earning Oscar nominations. For instance, the 2025 Academy Awards recognized Coralie Fargeat’s eccentric body horror film, The Substance, which stands alongside contenders like Anora, The Brutalist, and A Complete Unknown as a nominee for Best Picture. This marks a significant achievement, as The Substance becomes only the seventh horror film in Oscars history to garner such an honor. Let’s explore where it ranks among its genre peers previously nominated for Best Picture.

7 The Sixth Sense

Cole in bed looking scared in The Sixth Sense

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Sixth Sense captured hearts and minds at the 72nd Academy Awards, earning a Best Picture nomination and paving the way for its creator as a prominent figure in horror. The film features Haley Joel Osment as Cole Sear, a young boy who believes he can communicate with the dead, and Bruce Willis as his child psychologist, Malcolm Crowe. In addition to its Best Picture nod, the film received nominations for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and acting recognitions for Osment and Toni Collette.

While it’s celebrated for its emotional depth and memorable twist, some plot inconsistencies raise questions. The notion that Malcolm is dead throughout the film invites scrutiny, particularly regarding his role as a therapist. Despite these issues, the film remains a masterclass in character-driven storytelling veiled in supernatural horror.

6 Black Swan

Natalie Portman's Nina as the Black Swan in Black Swan

Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, received a Best Picture nomination at the 83rd Academy Awards before eventually losing to The King’s Speech. The film also secured nominations for Best Director and Best Cinematography, along with Natalie Portman’s win for Best Actress due to her stunning portrayal of troubled ballerina Nina Sayers. The plot follows Nina as she grapples with her obsession and rivalry with fellow dancer Lily, leading to a psychological descent.

While Black Swan is technically proficient, it doesn’t quite reach the thematic depth explored by other nominated horror films like The Silence of the Lambs or Get Out. Nonetheless, it remains a haunting exploration of mental health and the pressures of a toxic environment, contrasting the brutality of wrestling in Aronofsky’s prior work, The Wrestler, with the elegance of ballet.

5 The Substance

Demi Moore looking in the mirror in The Substance

Coralie Fargeat’s latest horror entry, The Substance, has made headlines as a nominee at the 97th Academy Awards, standing out in a season filled with notable contenders like Conclave and Dune: Part Two. This unique film earned several nominations, including Best Director and Best Actress for Demi Moore. Its recognition exemplifies a rarity: both the Academy’s appreciation for horror and the film’s bizarre, yet engaging storytelling.

In The Substance, Moore portrays a faded Hollywood starlet, Elisabeth Sparkle, who turns to an experimental procedure in an attempt to restore her youth, resulting in the creation of a younger version of herself. The film’s unsettling narrative utilizes horror tropes to poignantly critique societal standards surrounding women’s appearances and the surreal lengths one might go to in pursuit of eternal youth.

The film is notable for its striking prosthetic effects created by Pierre-Olivier Persin, transforming Moore into a grotesque version of her character. Moore’s performance imbues the film’s absurdity with genuine emotion, particularly exemplified in a moving scene involving a bathroom mirror, demonstrating how even visceral horror can evoke deep compassion.The Substance marks an exciting addition to the canon of horror films at the Oscars.

4 The Silence of the Lambs

Anthony Hopkins in a prison cell in The Silence of the Lambs

Jonathan Demme’s chilling film, The Silence of the Lambs, remains a landmark in horror cinema as the first—and only—horror film to win the Best Picture Oscar at the 64th Academy Awards. The film swept the major awards, including Best Director for Demme and acting honors for both Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Foster portrays FBI trainee Clarice Starling, seeking insight from the notorious cannibal Hannibal Lecter, as she hunts the serial killer Buffalo Bill.

What sets The Silence of the Lambs apart is its powerful commentary on gender dynamics within a male-dominated workspace. The film intricately weaves themes of misogyny into its narrative, as Foster’s character battles societal expectations while confronting a monster preying upon women.

3 Get Out

Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking directorial debut, Get Out, garnered a Best Picture nomination at the 90th Academy Awards, further establishing Peele as a formidable force in horror. Losing to The Shape of Water, Peele did take home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film delves into racial tensions as a Black man visits his white girlfriend’s family, only to uncover unsettling secrets within their seemingly progressive bubble.

Get Out revitalized the social thriller genre, proving that horror can serve as a poignant platform for discussion of contemporary issues. Peele’s expert use of horror conventions to address the nuances of racism— from overt prejudices to subtle microaggressions—cements its place as a modern classic.

2 The Exorcist

Possessed Regan (Linda Blair) in The Exorcist

Nominated for Best Picture at the 46th Academy Awards, The Exorcist stands as a monumental work within the horror genre, although it ultimately lost to The Sting. The film scored eight nominations overall, with William Peter Blatty winning Best Adapted Screenplay for his transition from novel to script. Linda Blair plays Regan, a young girl possessed by a demon, while Ellen Burstyn portrays her desperate mother, and Max von Sydow and Jason Miller take on the roles of the priests tasked with her exorcism.

The genius of The Exorcist lies in its unflinching approach to supernatural horror, presenting the story as a maternal drama rather than a conventional horror flick. It’s no surprise it became the first horror film nominated for Best Picture— its compelling narrative and profound emotional themes make it a worthy contender for any major award.

1 Jaws

Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, not only initiated the summer blockbuster phenomenon but also earned a Best Picture nomination at the 48th Academy Awards, albeit losing to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. While the film won Oscars for Best Sound, Best Editing, and Best Original Score, its gripping tale of a 25-foot great white shark terrorizing a seaside town remains iconic.

The masterful execution of suspense, characterized by Spielberg’s meticulous direction, shines through in Jaws. More than just a creature feature, the film delves into the dynamics between its characters, intertwining their personal conflicts within the broader narrative of survival. This blend of thrilling entertainment with deeper thematic resonance is what makes Jaws a timeless classic.

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