"When "The Exorcist" was nominated for 10 Oscars in early 1974, it became not only the first horror movie to earn recognition in so many categories, but the first one ever to get a Best Picture nomination. Sadly for fans of the genre, "The Exorcist" wasn't a new beginning for the Academy but an exception that proved the rule: When it comes to the Oscars, horror just doesn't get the respect it deserves."
"2025 has been one of the best years for horror in recent memory, from bold auteur swings like Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" and Zach Creggar's "Weapons" and highly original debuts such as Drew Hancock's "Companion" to series-best franchise entries ("Final Destination: Bloodlines," "I Know What You Did Last Summer") and experimental works that push the boundaries of the genre despite poor reviews ("Him")."
"Michael B. Jordan's subtle, complex turn as twin brothers in "Sinners" and Amy Madigan's gloriously unhinged role as the villain of "Weapons" have already generated Oscar buzz, and both performances are unquestionably worthy of awards consideration - but they're not the only ones. Academy voters shouldn't sleep on the great work done by actors in less widely acclaimed horror fare; some of the best acting of 2025 can be found in franchise gorefests and indie oddities."
Horror films have historically received limited recognition from the Academy, with The Exorcist (1974) as a rare outlier for major nominations. Occasional exceptions include Carrie, Get Out, and The Silence of the Lambs, but overall genre respect from Oscar voters is sparse. The year 2025 delivered a strong array of horror work, spanning auteur projects (Sinners, Weapons), original debuts (Companion), franchise entries (Final Destination: Bloodlines; I Know What You Did Last Summer) and experimental films (Him). Several 2025 performances, notably Michael B. Jordan and Amy Madigan, have generated awards buzz, and noteworthy acting appears across both high-profile and obscure horror titles.
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