Ranking Oscar Nominated Best Films By Box Office Collections: Wicked, Dune 2 and More

The 97th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars 2025, are just around the corner. The excitement is palpable among the nominees, who are experiencing a mix of nerves and anticipation as they await the ceremony on Sunday. This year, ten films have been nominated for the coveted Best Picture category, including notable titles like Dune 2, Conclave, and Wicked. Each of these films has received critical acclaim and shown significant success at the global box office. While some films were produced on tighter budgets, others operated on a larger scale. Today, we will take a closer look at how these contenders stack up against each other based on their box office earnings.

Every nominated film has been recognized for its storytelling and cinematic creativity, showcasing a wide array of themes and ideas. These films have excelled not only for their engaging narratives but also for their cultural significance, technical artistry, and outstanding performances. Notably, The Substance, featuring Demi Moore, marks a notable resurgence in her acting career. She has already bagged the Best Actress Award at several prestigious events, including the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards 2025.

Demi Moore is a strong candidate for the Best Actress prize at the Oscars this year. However, this year's nominations did not come without controversy. The absence of Wicked's director Jon M. Chu from the Best Director category sparked debate among critics and fans alike. Despite this, all nominated films introduced exciting and thought-provoking topics through their storytelling. Additionally, many successful low-budget films emerged as the true champions in the previous awards season.

Content-Driven Cinema

Many of this year's nominees are characterized more by their compelling content than by star power. For instance, Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, confronts serious issues such as racism and injustice, set against the backdrop of Jim Crow-era America. Meanwhile, Conclave provides a gripping experience delving into the complex, secretive process of electing a new Pope, featuring a standout performance by Ralph Fiennes.

Now, let’s take a look at the box office performance of the Best Picture nominees for the Oscars 2025:

10. Nickel Boys – $2.85 million
9. Emilia Pérez – $15.43 million
8. I’m Still Here – $28.61 million
7. The Brutalist – $36.82 million
6. Anora – $40.89 million
5. The Substance – $77.16 million
4. Conclave – $101.20 million
3. A Complete Unknown – $110.66 million
2. Dune 2 – $714.64 million
1. Wicked – $728.25 million

Emilia Pérez leads the nominations this year, earning an impressive 13 Oscar nominations. Close behind are Wicked and The Brutalist, both of which received 10 nominations. A Complete Unknown and Conclave are not far behind with 8 nominations, including Best Picture. Anora has garnered 6 nominations, while The Substance and Dune 2 are tied with 5. I’m Still Here received 3 and Nickel Boys rounded out the list with 2.

The Oscars 2025 ceremony is scheduled for March 2nd at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Please note that the box office figures are estimates sourced from various reports and have not been independently verified.

Oscar, Films, BoxOffic