Seven Horror Films That Received Best Picture Nominations at the Oscars

This year’s Oscar nominations have created quite a buzz, particularly with the inclusion of a horror film in the esteemed Best Picture category for the first time in many years. As the 2025 Academy Awards approach, discussions around the nominations, surprises, and predictions for winners across various categories are heating up. With 2024’s cinematic standout films poised for recognition, the award season showcases a range of talent in acting, directing, music, and beyond.

The Best Picture contenders for the 2025 Oscars include notable titles such as Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked. Among these, the nomination of a horror film—marking only the seventh instance in Oscar history—has caught the eye of many cinephiles.

The Exorcist (1973)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 46th Academy Awards

One of the most defining films in horror history, The Exorcist, was the first horror film to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars in 1973. Garnering a total of ten Academy Award nominations, the film narrates the chilling tale of two Catholic priests attempting to exorcise a demon from a young girl, striking a lasting chord within the genre. Its cultural impact has remained significant, affirming its place as a classic in horror cinema.

During that awards season, The Exorcist competed against strong contenders like The Sting and American Graffiti. Although it did not win—The Sting claimed the Best Picture award—the nomination itself was a groundbreaking moment for horror films.

Jaws (1975)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 48th Academy Awards

Following in the footsteps of The Exorcist, Jaws made its mark on the Academy Awards as the second horror film nominated for Best Picture in 1975. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film redefined the summer blockbuster with its gripping story centered around a menacing shark, quickly earning it a legendary status in American cinema.

Jaws received four nominations, securing wins for Film Editing, Original Score, and Sound. Despite its iconic status and critical acclaim, it lost the Best Picture accolade to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards

In 1991, The Silence of the Lambs shattered barriers by becoming the third horror film to snag a Best Picture nomination. The film features a gripping storyline where FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the help of the brilliant and terrifying Dr. Hannibal Lecter in catching another serial killer.

This iconic film made history at the 64th Academy Awards by winning all five major categories, a feat not replicated until then. Its legacy continues to influence the horror genre significantly.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 72nd Academy Awards

The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, marked the return of horror films to the Oscars after an almost seven-year hiatus. Renowned for its masterful twist ending and poignant storytelling, it captivated audiences and critics alike.

Nominated for Best Picture at the 72nd Academy Awards, it faced off against strong competitors such as American Beauty and The Green Mile. While it did not claim the top prize, its nomination reaffirmed its place within the horror canon.

Black Swan (2010)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards

Making strides in 2010, Black Swan emerged as the fifth horror film to gain a Best Picture nomination. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this psychological thriller explored the dark side of ambition within the ballet world, earning rave reviews and an Oscar win for Natalie Portman as Best Actress.

Despite its compelling narrative and acclaim, the film ultimately lost the Best Picture award to The King’s Speech, yet it remains a notable entry in horror film history.

Get Out (2017)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 90th Academy Awards

Get Out represented a modern take on horror when it received a nomination for Best Picture in 2017. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film masterfully explored themes of race and identity through a psychological lens, earning both critical acclaim and cultural significance.

While it secured four nominations and took home the award for Best Original Screenplay, it ultimately lost out on Best Picture to The Shape of Water. It remains an essential film not just in horror, but in the broader cinematic landscape.

The Substance (2024)

Nominated for Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards

As the most recent addition to this elite group, The Substance marks the seventh horror film to be nominated for Best Picture. Distinguished by its focus on body horror, the film explores the dark implications of a black market drug that allows a fading celebrity to clone herself, revealing chilling consequences.

Alongside its Best Picture nomination, The Substance has garnered nominations for Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the upcoming 97th Academy Awards. As the ceremony approaches on March 2, 2025, industry watchers are eager to see if it can overcome competition from films like Anora and Dune: Part Two.

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