2018 Best Picture Nominees: Complete Overview of the 90th Academy Awards

Introduction to the 2018 Best Picture Nominees

The 2017 film year produced a wide spectrum of storytelling, from intimate character studies to expansive historical dramas. For the 90th Academy Awards, the Best Picture field reflected that range, pairing intimate studio efforts with bold independent voices and major studio tentpoles. This overview explains each nominee, its creative approach, and its cultural or industry context. The explanations below are designed as evergreen reference material, supporting lasting clarity about the 2018 nominations and their ongoing relevance.

What Were the 2018 Best Picture Nominees

The 90th Academy Awards presented nine nominees for Best Picture, released between late 2017 and early 2018. The field spanned biographical drama, historical epic, romantic comedy, coming-of-age story, and intimate realism. Below is a concise table of the nominees and key attributes, followed by deeper exploration of each film and its context.

Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan’s war film recounts the 1940 evacuation of Allied forces from the beaches of Dunkirk, using a triptych timeline (land, sea, air) to create relentless tension. The movie emphasizes practical effects and large-format presentation, notably IMAX, to convey the scale and urgency of the historical event without leaning heavily on individual dialogue or traditional biopic structure.

The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s romantic fantasy follows a mute janitor who develops a bond with an amphibious creature held in a laboratory. Mixing fairy-tale motifs with Cold War tension, the film is celebrated for its visual design, production craftsmanship, and emotional core, ultimately winning Best Picture.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

This darkly comic crime drama explores grief, rage, and accountability in a small Missouri town. Frances McDormand’s performance anchors a story that balances sharp humor with severe moral questions, earning strong awards season attention and multiple nominations beyond Best Picture.

Lady Bird

Sofia Coppola’s affectionate look at mother-daughter dynamics and suburban adolescence captures a specific emotional landscape with warmth and precision. The film resonated with audiences and critics for its authenticity, nuanced performances, and sensitive direction.

Call Me by Your Name

Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of André Aciman’s novel presents a lush, sun-drenched portrait of first love and self-discovery set in 1980s Italy. Its critical acclaim contributed to broader conversations about representation and queer storytelling in mainstream cinema.

Phantom Thread

Paul Thomas Anderson’s meticulous study of control and devotion in the world of haute couture features intricate period detail and a measured performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. Though it did not win Best Picture, its craft and performances remain highly regarded within the season’s discussion.

The Post

Steven Spielberg’s Washington-based drama examines press freedom and government accountability through the lens of the Pentagon Papers. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks anchor a conventional but well-executed procedural about institutional courage and editorial responsibility.

Get Out

Jordan Peele’s breakout genre film blends horror, satire, and psychological thriller to potent effect. Its exploration of racial dynamics and coded societal tensions made it a critical and commercial highlight of the year, establishing Peele as a major directorial voice.

Context Around the 2018 Nominees

The Best Picture field often mirrors broader industry conversations about form, content, and audience reach. In 2018, voters weighed streamlined, visually driven spectacles against intimate, dialogue-forward dramas. Streaming platforms were beginning to assert influence on awards discourse, although theatrical exhibition and critical reception remained central. The diversity of genres among the nominees indicated a willingness to recognize varied cinematic approaches within a single competitive field.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

Several 2018 nominees left a durable mark on the industry and on audience expectations. Get Out reshaped conversations around genre and representation, while The Shape of Water demonstrated the commercial and critical viability of unconventional fantasy romance. Lady Bird and Call Me by Your Name became touchstones for nuanced coming-of-age storytelling. Dunkirk reinforced the appetite for large-format, experiential cinema, and Three Billboards showcased how formal rigor can coexist with emotional discomfort. The Post underlined the continuing relevance of institutional critique in mainstream drama.

Key Takeaways

• The 2018 Best Picture nominees encompassed multiple genres, from horror to historical epic.
• Diverse storytelling approaches were recognized, balancing commercial and auteur-driven work.
• Several films continue to influence conversation around representation and craft.
• The field illustrates the Academy’s capacity to honor both popular and challenging cinema.
• Individual films offer case studies in how form, theme, and market positioning intersect.

Closing Note

As a reference, this explanation outlines the 2017–2018 awards landscape and the lasting significance of that year’s Best Picture nominees. The analyses below are intended to remain useful beyond the immediate awards cycle, supporting informed discussion of perennial questions around recognition, taste, and cinematic impact.