It’s hard to believe the Oscars are right around the corner! If you’re like me (which I’m sure most of you aren’t since I obsess over pointless award shows for more months that I would like to admit) then you’ll have some pretty strong opinions on each of the films nominated this year. Though there are plenty of snubs and some surprise inclusions, it’s actually a pretty diverse collection of films. Everything from Oscar bait to sleeper hit indie films to blockbusters round out the list, which is refreshing from the very common “films old white men enjoy” nominees that has plagued the Oscars for quite some time. Luckily, we actually have a fun race this year, so what better way to celebrate than to rank them all from least favorite to best?
As always with these lists, it is all purely subjective. I’ve seen every single film in every above the line category, including Documentary, Best Animated Feature, and Best International Feature. That doesn’t necessarily make me an expert, but it does heavily influence my rankings when I have far more than just the biggest films of the year as my barometer. But all in all, this is meant to be all in good fun and not meant to be any kind of authority on film. My least favorite could very well be your favorite film of 2022, and we can both be right.
So here are all of the Best Picture Nominees ranked from least favorite to best!
10. “Elvis“
I”m gonna reiterate this until I’m blue in the face: the Academy has a biopic problem and they can’t help themselves to fix it. I’m the first to admit that Baz Luhrrman is a choice, and you’re either along for the ride or can’t believe he gets to make films. There is no middle ground with him, and “Elvis” is kind of the worst of all of his indulgences. I’m just not sold on the impersonation performance carrying a film across the finish line and that’s what we have here. “Elvis” is a really bad film with a great performance, and has no business whatsoever being on the Best Picture list. Also, who the fuck watched Tom Hanks in a fat suit delivering a weird, indiscernible (Dutch?) accent and thought ya, this is a Best Picture winner. Get bent.
9. “The Fabelmans”
I get the sense that the “The Fabelmans” will age very, VERY well over time. It is filmmaking craft at its absolute peak, and Spielberg’s own magnum opus in the most personal way. I don’t think it sings quite as much as it strives to, and feels a bit too indulgent to be as herald as it is currently. It’s not a bad film, but it is one that I don’t think is worthy of making the best of list, and needs time to foster its appreciation and have a more revisionist history of adoration that being propped in the moment.
8. “Triangle of Sadness”
This is a really strange entry into the Best Picture race, and easily one of the most surprise inclusions of the entire list. I actually really enjoyed “Triangle of Sadness,” but not enough to launch it into the Best Picture stratosphere. It’s a little too blunt in its social commentary, and the “eat the rich” theme that has been a common narrative across multiple films doesn’t quite feel as important or as well executed as some of its other counterparts. “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “The Menu” do the same thing but better, and I’m shocked that this one managed to sneak its way into the best of the best this year.
7. “Avatar: The Way of Water”
I am not nor have I ever been an “Avatar” fan. I’m all for James Cameron doing whatever the hell he wants to do, and no one can deny the man understands film as a visual medium better than pretty much anyone to ever to do it. But the highest grossing sequel of all time as a follow up to the highest grossing film of all time doesn’t mean it’s a Best Picture candidate. Visually, “Way of Water” is an unparalleled achievement. But as an overall film? Ya, no, it’s pretty subpar. It’s a mess narratively, completely bland and uninteresting without the spectacle, and even after anyone leaves the theater they still can’t name a single character in a film they just spent 3 hours watching. “The Way of Water” is a visual marvel that makes up for a bad film, and probably shouldn’t be on the Best Picture list.
6. “All Quiet on the Western Front”
I’m actually in on “All Quiet on the Western Front.” It is an incredible film and a masterclass in remakes done right. Everything from the cinematography to the score to the acting to overall execution of the film sing in perfect harmony, and yet I can’t help but feel like it’s a little unfair to include it here when it is clearly going to snag the Best International Feature win. It’s not that the film isn’t deserving, I just don’t know that I”m ready to cosign on one film having a chance in both categories. Especially when there were other films that probably should have their shot here. “Western Front” is going to win a lot of categories. It doesn’t need to be included here no matter how incredible of a film it actually turned out to be.
5. “Top Gun: Maverick”
I’m gonna say this loud and clear so no one comes after me: “Top Gun: Maverick” is really good and though shocking to see it on the list, deserves to be here. It is both a tired and true crowd pleaser and another ingenious step towards bettering filmmaking. It’s a sequel no one asked for and ended up being one we can’t believe we never got sooner. Though “Maverick” is a lot like “The Way of Water” in that its best foot forward is technical and not necessary narrative or performance, it gets far more right that it does wrong and its cultural relevance of bringing movies back from the brink of its streaming and pandemic destruction cannot be overstated. It’s not the best film on the list, but it is certainly the first one that deserves to be included.
4. “Women Talking”
I really wish “Women Talking” was given more chances to shine this year. It is such an incredible, important film that is so well executed and performed I can’t believe how poorly it did in the precursors and the rest of the categories. I’m not sure if it was promotion or a bad campaign, or just good old fashioned misogyny that held “Women Talking” back from being a clear frontrunner for most of above the line categories. I adored this movie, and while I know it’s going to come up completely empty handed, it deserves more than it has received and I am truly thankful it at least made the list that mattes most.
3. “The Banshees of Inisherin”
I’ll be the first to admit that “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a hard film to gravitate towards. You really have to be a Martin McDonough fan to appreciate what he’s doing here, and even then this one has left some polarizing takes in its wake. I genuinely thought this film would be the clear frontrunner for everything; best director, picture, actor, supporting actor, supporting actress, cinematography etc. But it seemed to have lost steam once it was available to general audiences, and its unstoppable locomotive came to a screeching halt as we got into the precursors. Nevertheless, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is one of my favorite films of the year, and while I don’t think it will win it deserves its spot among the nominees.
2. “Tár”
I’ve actually watched this film 3 times now, and “Tár” gets better with each viewing. Blanchett is simply electric, and the painstaking attention to detail to create a world so visceral and lived in people are questioning if Lydia Tar is a real person deserves all the praise. Fields’ incredible examination of our current culture through the lens of the classical music world along with Blanchett’s mesmerizing performance makes “Tár” a tired and true contender and a possible winner for it all. While I understand this one isn’t for everyone, “Tár” is for me and I love this film. Hence why it takes the number 2 spot.
1. “Everything Everywhere All At Once“
Surprising no one, “Everything Everywhere All at Once“ takes the cake for the number one spot. This is by far and away the best film of the year, and I’ve been championing this one since I saw it a year ago. I remember leaving the theater and thinking to myself I will not see a better film this year. I ended up seeing 210 new films in 2022, and nothing topped “Everything Everywhere All at Once” for me. This is the clear frontrunner and easily the best film of the Best Picture nominees. It is near perfect and I want this film to take home everything on Sunday.
So there you have it, my Best Picture rankings!
