For decades, Hollywood has often overlooked the horror genre when it comes to awards. Despite cinema delivering daring artistry in films like Psycho and Get Out, the Academy has usually kept horror on the sidelines. But 2025 could be the year the monsters finally crash the red carpet. This year’s lineup boasts prestige directors, powerhouse performances, and boundary-pushing storytelling, proving the genre’s evolution from cult fave to Oscar frontrunner.
In the spirit of Halloween, let’s reflect on a few horror movies currently generating Oscar buzz and likely to garner nominations.
Sinners
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is the season’s most buzzed-about original horror film, still resonating long after its April release. Starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, the film follows estranged twin brothers who return to 1930s Mississippi and uncover a sinister secret lurking in their ancestral home. Sinners merges Southern Gothic imagery with haunting supernatural allegory, using vampiric myth to examine race, guilt, and legacy. Critics have called it “a masterpiece of visual and moral horror.” With Coogler’s visionary direction and Jordan’s commanding performance, Sinners has a strong chance at nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. Its lush design and soundscape could also make it a player in Cinematography, Costume Design, and Original Screenplay categories, making it a formidable entry for both genre fans and Oscar voters.
Weapons
Following the success of Barbarian, filmmaker Zach Cregger returns with Weapons, a tightly wound mystery-horror starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. The story centers on a small-town tragedy in which several students disappear simultaneously except one. Cregger blends societal paranoia with psychological dread, earning comparisons to Hereditary and The Sixth Sense. While its nontraditional narrative might divide voters, Weapons could sneak into Editing, Sound Design, or Amy Madigan could earn a nomination in the Supporting Actress category. Its layered performances and atmospheric visuals make it one of the year’s most unpredictable awards dark horses.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein may be the year’s biggest horror contender with production value prestige. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, del Toro’s adaptation reimagines Mary Shelley’s tale as a Gothic meditation on grief and identity. Shot with lavish detail and emotional weight, it’s the kind of elevated horror that wins both hearts and hardware. Given del Toro’s Oscar-winning track record (The Shape of Water), Frankenstein could dominate categories like Best Picture, Best Director, and Production Design. Its mix of artistry and humanity makes it the most likely horror film to earn serious Academy traction.
28 Years Later
Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later ranked #36 on Gold Derby’s Best Picture predictions and continues the legacy of his groundbreaking 28 Days Later (2002). This one does seem like a long shot, but the reuniting of Boyle with writer Alex Garland is something voters fawn over. The sequel explores a world still reeling from infection and survival trauma. With stunning cinematography and sharp performances, the film blends social commentary with visceral tension. While blockbuster franchises often struggle to find awards footing, 28 Years Later could compete in Visual Effects, Sound, and possibly Adapted Screenplay. Its prestige creative team might also nudge it toward above-the-line consideration.
If this year’s contenders are any indication, the genre’s long fight for respect in Hollywood might finally be over, ushering in a new golden age where fear, artistry, and prestige can coexist on cinema’s biggest stage.
Jamie Broadnax is the creator of the online publication and multimedia space for Black women called BlkCosmo Blerds. Jamie has appeared on MSNBC’s The Melissa Harris-Perry Show and The Grio’s Top 100. Her Twitter personality has been recognized by Shonda Rhimes as one of her favorites to follow. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and executive producer of the BlkCosmo Blerds Podcast.
