Introduction to the 2018 Best Picture Nominees
The 90th Academy Awards presented 9 Best Picture nominees for the 2017 film year, reflecting a year of both franchise blockbusters and intimate auteur achievements. This verified overview explains each nominee, its creative approach, and its cultural or awards significance, while establishing baseline facts including release windows, key creatives, and distribution context. The following breakdown supports long-term reference value for researchers, journalists, and readers seeking clarity on past eligibility windows and their lasting impact on film history and industry conversations.
What Are the Oscars Best Picture Nominees?
Eligibility and Voting Context
Released in calendar-year eligibility, the Best Picture field for the 90th Oscars reflected wide geographic and genre participation, guided by rules defined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Final voting followed preferential ballots, meaning nominees were assessed against one another rather than in isolation. This structure shapes how audiences interpret the list retrospectively and informs ongoing discussions about inclusion, representation, and competitive balance across categories.
- Eligibility based on theatrical release in Los Angeles County within standard eligibility year
- Voting conducted by AMPAS members using ranked-choice for Best Picture
- Rule changes over time influence submission formats and qualifying runs
The 9 Nominees at a Glance
| Film | Genre / Tone | Primary Distributor | Release Window (Eligibility) | Key Recognitions Beyond Best Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | War, Historical, Immersive | Warner Bros. | July 2017 (wide) | Editing, Sound, Score |
| Get Out | Horror, Thriller, Social Commentary | Universal | February 2017 (festival); wide February 2017 | Original Screenplay, Directing |
| Lady Bird | Comedy, Drama, Coming-of-Age | A24 | November 2017 (wide) | Actress, Directing |
| Lovers Rock | Drama, Romance | Amazon Studios / BFI | October 2020 (streaming) | Shortlists, critical recognition |
| The Shape of Water | Fantasy, Romance | Fox Searchlight | August 2017 (limited); wide December 2017 | Director, Production Design, Score |
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Dark Comedy, Crime Drama | Fox Searchlight | November 2017 (wide) | Actress, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay |
| The Post | Historical Drama, Thriller | Columbia / 20th Century Fox | December 2017 (wide) | Actress, Adapted Screenplay |
| Molly’s Game | Drama, Crime | Sony Pictures Classics | December 2017 (wide) | Actress, Adapted Screenplay |
| Darkest Hour | Historical, Biopic | Focus Features | November 2017 (wide) | Actor, Makeup, Production Design |
Genre and Thematic Landscape
The 2018 nominees spanned historical drama, genre storytelling, contemporary realism, and bold horror, indicating a committee attuned to both prestige and audience resonance. War and history loomed large with Dunkirk and The Post, while intimate, character-driven narratives—Lady Bird, Molly’s Game—balanced the slate. Genre work, notably Get Out and The Shape of Water, signaled appetite for inventive storytelling, and each carried distinct sociocultural undercurrents that extended conversations well beyond awards season. The distribution of nominations across major and specialty houses illustrated a multi-platform ecosystem where streaming originals were present alongside traditional studio fare.
Comparative Snapshot: Notable Distinctions
| Film | Director | Oscar Wins (Total) | Nominations (Total) | Runtime | MPAA Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | Christopher Nolan | 3 | 8 | 106 min | PG-13 |
| Get Out | Jordan Peele | 1 | 4 | 104 min | R |
| Lady Bird | Greta Gerwig | 0 | 5 | 94 min | R |
| Lovers Rock | Steve McQueen | 0 | 1 | 103 min | R |
| The Shape of Water | Guillermo del Toro | 4 | 13 | 123 min | R |
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Martin McDonagh | 2 | 7 | 116 min | R |
| The Post | Steven Spielberg | 0 | 10 | 116 min | PG-13 |
| Molly’s Game | Aaron Sorkin | 0 | 4 | 140 min | R |
| Darkest Hour | Joe Wright | 2 | 6 | 125 min | PG-13 |
Standout Performances and Creative Highlights
Across the field, performances and craft choices anchored each film’s durability in cultural memory. Leading actress contenders ranged from intimate naturalism in Lady Bird to the fierce, satirical edge in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Supporting categories highlighted contrasting textures, from quiet introspection to galvanizing oratory. On the technical side, Dunkirk’s immersive sound design and The Shape of Water’s production design exemplified how craft can elevate genre into iconic status. These elements not only drove campaign focus but also informed which films translated nominations into wins during the ceremony and subsequent festivals.
Box Office and Reception Trajectories
Commercial outcomes varied widely across the slate, from broad global hits to selectively embraced art-house fare. Dunkirk achieved robust theatrical returns and cross-format visibility, while Lady Bird cultivated a devoted base through awards momentum and home viewing. Films such as The Post balanced prestige with mainstream reach, whereas others like Lovers Rock found influence in critical circles and regional markets rather than headline box office. Distribution models—ranging from wide studio releases to festival-driven specialty rollouts—help explain disparities in audience scale and revenue, while underscoring the diversity of the Best Picture conversation.
Industry and Cultural Repercussions
The 2018 Oscars reshaped conversations around representation, genre legitimacy, and voting inclusivity. Get Out’s prominence elevated discussions of racial storytelling in mainstream cinema, while The Shape of Water’s wins underscored appetite for unconventional fantasy romance. Debates around snubs and surprises persisted well beyond the telecast, influencing how campaigns approached outreach, messaging, and coalition building. Streaming-era dynamics also surfaced as films like Lovers Rock signaled evolving pathways to eligibility and visibility, suggesting the Academy’s ongoing adaptation to viewing habits and global participation.
Enduring References and Legacy
For researchers and enthusiasts, the 2018 Best Picture nominees remain a benchmark of stylistic and thematic breadth within a single eligibility cycle. Detailed records of nominations, wins, and box office provide baseline data for longitudinal studies of taste, marketing, and institutional bias. By pairing verified facts with contextual analysis—such as genre distribution, director backgrounds, and release strategies—this reference supports durable understanding beyond the immediate news cycle, ensuring that insights remain applicable for years in academic, professional, and fan-facing contexts.