Top 10 Films to Watch Before the Next Oscars: A Guide for Every Movie Lover

Introduction

The countdown to the next Academy Awards has officially begun. With each passing week, critics, fans, and pundits speculate on which films will make it to the coveted nomination list. But you don’t have to wait until the Oscars air to start enjoying the magic. From international darlings to powerful biopics and genre-defying experiments, these films are the ones everyone will be talking about when the red carpet rolls out.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top 10 films to watch before the next Oscars, explaining why each is generating buzz, who the standout performers are, and how they’re positioning themselves for gold.

1. Killers of the Flower Moon

Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro

Scorsese’s sprawling adaptation of David Grann’s non-fiction bestseller is both a true-crime narrative and a devastating indictment of American history. Set in 1920s Oklahoma, the story centers on the Osage Nation, whose people became incredibly wealthy after oil was discovered beneath their land. That wealth attracted white opportunists—many of whom orchestrated a campaign of murder to seize Osage wealth and resources.

Deep Dive:

• Themes of systemic racism, colonialism, and betrayal run throughout the film.
• Shot in actual Osage territory, lending authenticity to the setting.
• Robbie Robertson’s haunting score further elevates the emotional intensity.
• DiCaprio and De Niro explore complex moral ambiguity, while Gladstone’s restrained power serves as the emotional heart of the film.

Oscar Buzz: Best Picture, Director, Actress (Gladstone), Supporting Actor (De Niro), Adapted Screenplay.

2. Oppenheimer

Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a gripping psychological biopic that eschews traditional pacing in favor of a layered, time-jumping narrative. Chronicling J. Robert Oppenheimer’s rise as the “father of the atomic bomb,” it’s also a harrowing exploration of guilt and legacy.

Deep Dive:

• The film’s dual narrative structure (color for subjective, black-and-white for objective) creates a riveting internal conflict.
• Cillian Murphy delivers a career-defining performance filled with internal turmoil and understated charisma.
• The dialogue-heavy second act smartly dissects politics, betrayal, and identity.
• Downey’s turn as Strauss is both menacing and nuanced, marking a dramatic departure from his Tony Stark persona.

Oscar Buzz: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Murphy), Supporting Actor (Downey), Cinematography, Editing, Score.

3. Poor Things

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe

A visually audacious and thematically daring film, Poor Things merges Victorian science fiction with 21st-century feminist thought. Emma Stone’s Bella is a reimagined Frankenstein’s monster—a woman navigating the world anew, questioning everything.

Deep Dive:

• Lanthimos blends absurdist humor with philosophical depth, challenging social conventions and gender roles.
• Emma Stone’s physicality—her gait, vocal cadence, and expressive range—makes her performance unforgettable.
• Mark Ruffalo surprises as a comic foil, playing a self-absorbed libertine who underestimates Bella.
• Visually, the film is a masterpiece: baroque cityscapes, lavish interiors, and steampunk aesthetics.

Oscar Buzz: Best Actress (Stone), Best Picture, Production Design, Costume Design, Adapted Screenplay.

4. The Zone of Interest

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Christian Friedel, Sandra Hüller

A radical departure from conventional Holocaust storytelling, The Zone of Interest forces viewers to confront the horror through what’s left unsaid and unseen. Glazer’s minimalistic direction emphasizes the banality of evil.

Deep Dive:

• The film’s juxtaposition of domestic scenes and the audio landscape of Auschwitz is profoundly disturbing.
• Friedel and Hüller deliver icy, dispassionate performances that reflect ideological numbness.
• The film avoids sentimentality, choosing instead a chilling, observational style.
• A testament to how sound and silence can shape horror as much as visuals.

Oscar Buzz: Best International Feature, Direction, Sound Design, Editing.

5. Maestro

Director: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan

More than a biography, Maestro is a sweeping character study. Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein captures both public bravado and private vulnerability. Carey Mulligan’s Felicia Montealegre is equally compelling, portraying strength and fragility in equal measure.

Deep Dive:

• Cooper’s use of aspect ratios and monochrome/technicolor shifts enhances the period immersion.
• Music is not just background—it’s a narrative force, mirroring Bernstein’s emotional states.
• The film’s nonlinear storytelling structure evokes Bernstein’s musical experimentation.
• Mulligan gives one of her best performances—quietly devastating and powerfully restrained.

Oscar Buzz: Best Actor (Cooper), Supporting Actress (Mulligan), Makeup, Production Design, Cinematography.

6. Anatomy of a Fall

Director: Justine Triet
Starring: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud

A courtroom drama that evolves into a philosophical inquiry, Anatomy of a Fall interrogates the stories we tell—about ourselves and those we love. The narrative unfolds like a psychological puzzle.

Deep Dive:

• The French-Alps setting is both idyllic and isolating, amplifying tension.
• Sandra Hüller’s multilingual performance is masterfully nuanced, full of ambiguity.
• The film scrutinizes artistic integrity, gender bias, and familial dynamics.
• The young son’s testimony raises existential questions about perception and truth.

Oscar Buzz: Best International Feature, Best Actress, Original Screenplay.

7. The Holdovers

Director: Alexander Payne
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa

A film that feels like it belongs in another era—in the best way. The Holdovers revives the intimacy and character richness of 1970s American cinema.

Deep Dive:

• Giamatti’s performance is droll, wounded, and ultimately redemptive.
• Randolph shines as a mother in mourning, bringing humor and depth to every scene.
• The wintry New England setting reinforces themes of emotional coldness and eventual thaw.
• The film explores class, loss, and unlikely companionship with understated brilliance.

Oscar Buzz: Best Actor (Giamatti), Supporting Actress (Randolph), Original Screenplay.

8. Barbie

Director: Greta Gerwig
Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling

Gerwig’s Barbie is an explosion of style and subversion. What could’ve been a shallow toy commercial becomes a multi-layered satire that’s surprisingly emotional.

Deep Dive:

• The production design is a pastel fever dream—every frame is art-directed within an inch of its life.
• Robbie captures Barbie’s existential crisis with grace and sincerity.
• Gosling’s “Kenergy” and musical number “I’m Just Ken” became a pop culture phenomenon.
• Gerwig critiques capitalism, gender dynamics, and consumer identity without losing narrative momentum.

Oscar Buzz: Best Supporting Actor (Gosling), Original Screenplay, Production Design, Costume Design.

9. Past Lives

Director: Celine Song
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

A meditation on fate and missed connections, Past Lives evokes the emotional clarity of films like Before Sunrise. Celine Song’s debut is lyrical and precise.

Deep Dive:

• The film’s stillness invites introspection—pauses and silences speak volumes.
• Greta Lee and Teo Yoo embody longing and restraint with heartbreaking authenticity.
• Dialogues are spare, but rich in subtext and emotional resonance.
• In-Yun, a Korean concept of fate, adds philosophical weight to the romantic narrative.

Oscar Buzz: Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Lee).

10. Napoleon

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby

With epic battles and intimate drama, Napoleon presents the French Emperor as both legend and man. Scott’s direction merges historical grandeur with psychological introspection.

Deep Dive:

• Phoenix’s erratic energy brings unpredictable depth to Napoleon—ambitious yet emotionally stunted.
• Vanessa Kirby’s Josephine is alluring and enigmatic, making their toxic love story central.
• Lavishly produced with historical detail, the film walks a tightrope between spectacle and substance.
• The political machinations and personal insecurities make Napoleon both larger-than-life and disturbingly relatable.

Oscar Buzz: Best Actor (Phoenix), Production Design, Costume Design, Visual Effects.

Honorable Mentions

Saltburn

A gothic-tinged thriller about obsession, deception, and the cost of privilege. Emerald Fennell’s follow-up to Promising Young Woman is divisive but unforgettable.

All of Us Strangers

A supernatural romance that explores memory, grief, and human connection. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal are heartbreakingly good.

May December

A provocative story about a scandalous relationship being adapted into a movie. Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore both give powerhouse performances.

Why These Films Matter

The Oscars aren’t just a popularity contest—they’re a reflection of what the film industry values each year. These top 10 films cover a wide range of genres and themes, from historical reckonings to intimate dramas and fantastical journeys. Each one tells us something about where cinema is headed in 2025.

These films also reflect broader industry shifts:

• Increased visibility for international cinema, with Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest leading the charge.
• More complex female leads, seen in Poor Things, Past Lives, and Barbie.
• Directors returning to form, such as Nolan and Scorsese delivering some of their most emotionally resonant work.

How to Watch Them

Some of these titles are already available on streaming platforms, while others are still in theaters or releasing soon on demand. Here’s a quick reference:

Conclusion

Whether you’re preparing to win your Oscars ballot pool or simply want to stay ahead of the cinematic curve, these 10 films are essential viewing. They reflect the best of modern filmmaking—emotionally rich, technically masterful, and culturally significant.

So grab your popcorn and plan your watchlist—Oscar season is just getting started.

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