(Photo by A24/Everett Collection)

The 2021 Best Picture Oscar Nominees Ranked

For 2021’s Oscar edition, the Academy selected eight stand-out films released over the past year, with Mank leading the way atop 10 nominations. Nomadland and Promising Young Woman also had their helmers nominated for Best Director, the first time more than one woman has been recognized in the category for a single year. Minari and Sound of Metal also made a strong showing with their number of noms. You can see the full list of the 2021 Oscar nominations, print out our handy ballot for your Oscar pool, cast your vote in our online Oscar Ballot Poll, and read on to see the Best Picture nominees ranked by Tomatometer. —Alex Vo

#8

Mank (2020)
83%

#8

Adjusted Score: 103682%

Critics Consensus: Sharply written and brilliantly performed, Mank peers behind the scenes of Citizen Kane to tell an old Hollywood story that could end up being a classic in its own right.

Synopsis: 1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to... [More]

Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Burke

Directed By: David Fincher

#7

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
89%

#7

Adjusted Score: 109066%

Critics Consensus: An actors' showcase enlivened by its topical fact-based story, The Trial of the Chicago 7 plays squarely -- and compellingly -- to Aaron Sorkin's strengths.

Synopsis: In 1969, seven people were charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the protests at the... [More]

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong

Directed By: Aaron Sorkin

#6

Promising Young Woman (2020)
90%

#6

Adjusted Score: 115073%

Critics Consensus: A boldly provocative, timely thriller, Promising Young Woman is an auspicious feature debut for writer-director Emerald Fennell -- and a career highlight for Carey Mulligan.

Synopsis: Nothing in Cassie's life is what it appears to be -- she's wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she's living a... [More]

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Laverne Cox, Bo Burnham, Clancy Brown

Directed By: Emerald Fennell

#5

Nomadland (2020)
93%

#5

Adjusted Score: 118689%

Critics Consensus: A poetic character study on the forgotten and downtrodden, Nomadland beautifully captures the restlessness left in the wake of the Great Recession.

Synopsis: A woman embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession.... [More]

Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie

Directed By: Chloé Zhao

#4

Sound of Metal (2019)
97%

#4

Adjusted Score: 111871%

Critics Consensus: An evocative look at the experiences of the deaf community, Sound of Metal is brought to life by Riz Ahmed's passionate performance.

Synopsis: During a series of adrenaline-fueled one-night gigs, itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed) begins to experience intermittent hearing loss. When... [More]

Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Mathieu Amalric

Directed By: Darius Marder

#3

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
97%

#3

Adjusted Score: 115132%

Critics Consensus: An electrifying dramatization of historical events, Judas and the Black Messiah is a forceful condemnation of racial injustice -- and a major triumph for its director and stars.

Synopsis: FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader,... [More]

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback

Directed By: Shaka King

#2

Minari (2020)
98%

#2

Adjusted Score: 116845%

Critics Consensus: Led by arresting performances from Steven Yeun and Yeri Han, Minari offers an intimate and heart-wrenching portrait of family and assimilation in 1980s America.

Synopsis: A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas... [More]

Starring: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton

Directed By: Lee Isaac Chung

#1

The Father (2020)
98%

#1

Adjusted Score: 115013%

Critics Consensus: Led by stellar performances and artfully helmed by writer-director Florian Zeller, The Father presents a devastatingly empathetic portrayal of dementia.

Synopsis: Anthony (Academy Award Winner, Anthony Hopkins) is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the carers that his daughter, Anne... [More]

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots

Directed By: Florian Zeller