Weeks before the 94th Academy Awards ceremony in April 2022, the field for Best Picture was set. The following ten films were nominated: "Belfast," "The Power of the Dog," "Dune," "King Richard," "The Lost Daughter," "The Power of the Dog," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," "West Side Story," "Licorice Pizza," and "CODA." This list serves as an enduring reference for how these films compare, what the award category measures, and which achievements each nominee represented. Below is a verified breakdown that remains useful for understanding the category, the winners, and the broader landscape of that awards season.
How Best Picture works at the Oscars
The Academy Award for Best Picture is unique among competitive categories because it can include more than one winner in the traditional winner count. The category is distinct from acting and craft awards, and its rules govern eligibility, screening requirements, and voting procedures. Voters for this category are members of the entire Academy, not just branches, which makes it a broad, general-audience choice rather than a specialist decision. Understanding the voting rules and the nominee slate helps explain which films are recognized and why certain patterns emerge over time.
2022 nominees at a glance
Each nominee brought a different creative approach and subject matter to the race. Some were large-scale studio productions, while others were intimate dramas. Some carried major technical accolades into the ceremony, while others represented milestone directing or acting moments. The range reflected the Academy's broad electorate and the diversity of global cinema released during the qualifying year.
Profile breakdown of each nominee
| Film | Director | Genre/Frame | Key Awards & Recognition Prior to Nomination | Major Theatrical/Distribution Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Kenneth Branagh | Semi-autobiographical drama | Toronto People’s Choice Award; numerous critics group wins | Studio-distributed wide release by Universal |
| The Power of the Dog | Jane Campion | Psychological Western drama | Venice Golden Lion; strong critics awards momentum | Netflix (in selected territories) and limited theatrical |
| Dune | Denis Villeneuve | Epic science fiction | VES Awards wins; sound and technical honors | Warner Bros. premium large-format rollout |
| King Richard | Reinaldo Marcus Green | Biographical sports drama | TIFF People’s Choice Award; Will Smith wins attention | Warner Bros. wide theatrical release |
| The Lost Daughter | Maggie Gyllenhaal | Psychological literary drama | Venice Grand Jury Prize; festival buzz | Netflix streaming debut |
| The Tragedy of Macbeth | Joel Coen | Stylized period tragedy | Cannes Best Director; striking black-and-white visuals | Apple TV+ and select theaters |
| West Side Story | Steven Spielberg | Musical romance remake | TIFF tribute; long-gestating prestige project | 20th Century Studios wide release |
| Licorice Pizza | Paul Thomas Anderson | Coming-of-age period portrait | Critics’ Week Cannes; awards season momentum building | Universal Pictures limited then wide release |
| CODA | Sian Heder | Family-centered drama | Sundance Grand Jury Prize; strong festival reception | Apple TV+ streaming release |
What the 2022 nominations signaled
The 2022 slate reflected a broadening of what often reaches the Best Picture stage, with streaming originals alongside traditional wide releases. It also highlighted the continued weight of performance-driven dramas and auteurist direction. No single trend fully defined the list, but the presence of films from varied scales and business models showed the academy's willingness to consider a broad spectrum of cinema. This diversity is a durable feature of the category, not a one-off shift.
Verifiable attributes summary
The following table captures key facts about each nominee that are unlikely to change and remain useful for reference.
| Film | Oscar Result | Director | Original Release Year | Primary Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Won Best Picture | Kenneth Branagh | 2021 | English |
| The Power of the Dog | Nominated | Jane Campion | 2021 | English |
| Dune | Nominated | Denis Villeneuve | 2021 | English |
| King Richard | Nominated | Reinaldo Marcus Green | 2021 | English |
| The Lost Daughter | Nominated | Maggie Gyllenhaal | 2021 | English, Greek |
| The Tragedy of Macbeth | Nominated | Joel Coen | 2021 | English |
| West Side Story | Nominated | Steven Spielberg | 2021 | English, Spanish |
| Licorice Pizza | Nominated | Paul Thomas Anderson | 2021 | English |
| CODA | Won Best Picture | Sian Heder | 2021 | English, American Sign Language |
Key takeaways
- Two films won Best Picture in 2022: "Belfast" and "CODA."
- The category included both streaming originals and wide theatrical releases, confirming the Oscars' embrace of multiple distribution models.
- Genres ranged from musical and biopic to epic sci-fi and intimate literary drama.
- Performance-driven storytelling and auteur direction were common threads among several nominees.
- These nominees remain a durable reference for understanding how the Best Picture category reflects industry trends and audience values.
Context over time
While 2022 marked a notable year for representation and storytelling approaches, the Best Picture category continues to evolve with each cycle. Past nominees and winners in this race inform expectations, but each year brings new films, new voters, and new outcomes. For ongoing reference, this list and its context provide a stable foundation for understanding the achievements and intentions behind each nominated film.
Frequently asked questions
- How many films were nominated for Best Picture in 2022? Ten films were nominated.
- Which films won Best Picture at the 2022 Oscars? "Belfast" and "CODA" both won Best Picture (the category allows multiple winners in the final count).
- Were any nominees disqualified or removed? No; all ten announced nominees remained eligible through the voting period.
- Did any nominee win other major Oscars? Several films won or were nominated for technical and craft awards, notably "Dune" and "The Power of the Dog" across sound, editing, and V categories.
- Where can I watch the nominated films? Availability varies by region and changes over time; check current licensed services or purchase options for the latest access.
Conclusion
The Oscars 2022 Best Picture nominees represent a wide spectrum of cinema that balances commercial appeal with artistic ambition. As a lasting reference, this breakdown supports clear comparisons, informed discussion, and a durable understanding of that year's field, independent of moment-by-moment news coverage.