Oscars 2023: A Disconnect with Audiences and a Focus on Smaller Films

The 97th Oscars are approaching, set to take place on Sunday, but this year's event has already been marked by controversy and a lack of excitement surrounding the nominated films. Many fans feel detached, echoing sentiments expressed in various online forums.

"I feel really underwhelmed by this year’s nominations and wins at other award shows like the Golden Globes," commented one user on a Reddit forum dedicated to the Oscars. Another user added, "I’m just not all that excited about most of the films this year. It feels like a mediocre year, especially compared to last year. The ongoing drama has been tiring; I just don’t care about it anymore."

According to Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo, many Oscar voters are expressing similar frustrations. Some believe that the Oscars have lost their significance, indicating a potential decline in the prestige of the awards. Arroyo relayed that one Oscar voter said, "I’m not even voting. The Oscars are over," highlighting a growing sense of disillusionment within the voting community.

Arroyo pointed to smaller films like "Emilia Perez," "Anora," and "The Brutalist" as award contenders that have not generated much excitement among typical moviegoers. He noted that "Wicked" is arguably the only box office success nominated for Best Picture, with the other nominees being lesser-known arthouse films.

Data from BoxOfficeMojo shows that only two of the best picture nominees, "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two," made it into the top ten ticket sales of the past year. The top two spots were taken by films like "Inside Out 2" and "Deadpool & Wolverine," along with numerous franchise sequels dominating the box office.

Arroyo believes that the Oscars fail to reflect the popular tastes of audiences. "They are not taking account of popular sentiments when making these selections," he explained. This disconnect, he argued, highlights a significant issue where those in Hollywood are isolated from the general audience. Some industry insiders acknowledge this gap and ponder if the Oscars will ever be the same.

He suggested that if the Oscars truly reflected the average moviegoer’s interests, franchises like "Deadpool & Wolverine" would be contenders. Furthermore, Arroyo discussed conversations with Oscar voters, some of whom are previous winners, who share this lack of excitement for the nominees presented.

"One Oscar winner mentioned to me, ‘You know, my film probably wouldn’t qualify for an Oscar now because there are so many boxes you have to check,’ referring to the new representation and inclusion standards imposed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)," Arroyo explained.

The Academy's new diversity requirements, instituted in 2024, mandate that films nominated for Best Picture meet specific criteria regarding representation of underrepresented groups, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. These guidelines require representation both in front of and behind the camera, as well as in marketing and distribution practices.

Another Oscar winner expressed concern about the barriers these requirements create, noting that several films might be disqualified simply because they cannot meet the diversity standards. This situation may prevent many deserving films from even being considered for an Oscar.

As the upcoming ceremony approaches, attention is also focused on viewership ratings. Last year’s event saw an increase in viewership, marking a notable rise for the third consecutive year. The 2022 ceremony drew 19.5 million viewers from the 18-49 age demographic, a 4% increase from previous years. However, Arroyo questions whether this growth will continue in light of this year’s nominations, which seem to lack the cultural impact that films like "Wicked" have had.

With a changing landscape in entertainment—where streaming services are becoming increasingly influential—Arroyo believes the Oscars may need to adapt. He argues that if they want to stay relevant, they should consider allowing audience participation, such as introducing a popular choice award to engage wider viewers.

As the 2023 Oscars prepare to take place, the conversation surrounding the ceremony remains focused on its relevance, its nominees, and its ability to connect with audiences who want to see their favorite films celebrated on the big stage.

Oscars, audience, movies