The Super Bowl of the movie calendar, the Academy Awards is finally here and that means it’s time to talk Best Picture. 2023 was a fantastic year for film and all of the nominees are worthy of being in the conversation. While Oppenheimer seems to be the clear and away favorite, each one of these films deserves the honor of being talked about so today we are going to take on the very difficult task of ranking the 2023 Best Picture nominees. A quick disclaimer for everyone, I loved all ten of these films. Just because one is rated higher than another, doesn’t mean I don’t like them. So let’s get into it.

#10: Poor Things – Directed By Yorgos Lanthimos

Poor Things is a very formidable feature from Yorgos Lanthimos. Emma Stone is absolutely incredible here with a performance worthy of the Academy Award. Yorgos Lanthimos delivers another bonkers film with a very human story at the core. The cast is stellar with standout supporting performances from Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo. The technical is phenomenal with some of the best set design and costume design of this awards season. The writing does drag at some points, but in the end, I was so invested in Bella’s story that I needed to finish this wild time in the theater. It’s worth being in the conversation for Best Picture.

My Score: 87/100

#9: Anatomy of a Fall – Directed By Justine Triet

Anatomy of a Fall is a stunning feature effort from Justine Triet. One of the most impressive directorial efforts of this past year. An incredible use of detail, writing and sound. Sandra Hüller is phenomenal here, bringing out such a delicate, yet bombastic at times performance.. A thrilling courtroom drama with sharp dialogue, intriguing views and an interesting ending that will leave you wanting more. Meticulously crafted and brilliantly delivered with every detail mattering from the very first frame. It is worth all of the hype it has received and awards that it will potentially receive. It deserves to be in this conversation.

My Score: 88/100

#8: The Zone of Interest – Directed By Jonathan Glazer

The Zone of Interest is one of the most chilling films I have experienced in a movie theater. The name of the game here is sound design. You never see the horrendous actions at hand in the camps, but you can hear every single atrocity. I slowly but surely sunk into my seat as I watched this uncomfortable, but important piece of history play out in front of me. The performances are great, with Sandra Huller claiming her spot as one of the best actors of 2023 and the direction is so delicate. A heartbreaking film that I will never forget. 

My Score: 90/100

#7: American Fiction – Directed By Cord Jefferson

American Fiction takes the cake as one of the tightest and most well-written scripts of the year. It’s a satirical film with important messages that tackle race, media and how media is consumed. Cord Jefferson delivers a powerhouse debut both in the writing and behind the camera. Jeffrey Wright is fantastic here and delivers some great emotion here. This film is funny when it needs to be and delivers on the emotion when needed. Wright is the man for the job. The supporting cast is good, the technical gets the job done and the score is good. A really solid project that should be in this conversation. 

My Score: 90/100

#6: Maestro – Directed By Bradley Cooper

Maestro is another powerhouse directional effort from Bradley Cooper. He continues to prove that he deserves to be in the conversation as a high-class director and creative as a whole. The church sequence is absolutely breathtaking and left me in absolute awe. The performances are top-notch with Carey Mulligan carrying the emotion of this project from the very first frame that she is in. The technical is stunning and the music, as expected, is amazing. The emotion is an all-timer in this project. A winner from Netflix and one that I am so happy that I got to see in theaters.

My Score: 92/100

#5: Past Lives – Directed By Celine Song

Past Lives is such A beautiful film. It tackles themes of love, fate and timing. An awe-inspiring directorial debut from Celine Song that tugs at all of the emotions and stakes her claim as a real force in the filmmaking world. The performances are stellar, especially from Greta Lee with some of the best supporting efforts of the year. The technical is phenomenal with beautiful cinematography, simple but effective set design and a very emotional score. This one has lived with me since I first saw it in theaters and am happy that this is in the conversation for the best picture of the year. 

My Score: 92/100

 #4: Killers of the Flower Moon – Directed By Martin Scorsese 

Killers of the Flower Moon is an achievement from one of the greatest directors of all time. Scorsese has always wanted to create a film in the backdrop of a Western, and he did it in the boldest and biggest way possible. The way only he could. Lily Gladstone is an absolute queen and could very well take home the big award on Sunday night. Her subtlety moves mountains and is the emotional backbone of this incredibly emotional story. Scorsese is a master behind the camera as always and all of the technical is second to none. A long movie that I was glued to the entire time.

My Score: 95/100

#3: Barbie – Directed By Greta Gerwig

Barbie is an absolute revelation from Greta Gerwig. She brings such joy and passion and brightness to this very serious story at the core. A contemplative and emotional story that hits all of the right emotional marks while also being as funny as anything you will see all year. I laughed, I cried and my jaw was on the floor. The performances across the board are stellar, but Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as expected are the best part of this film. The technical is some of the best I’ve ever seen with Oscars coming their way. Even months later, I still think about this work. 

My Score: 96/100

#2: The Holdovers – Directed By Alexander Payne

The Holdovers has slowly but surely turned into one of my favorite films of 2023, creeping past Barbie at the last minute. It is an absolutely stunning movie from the start to the finish. The aesthetic, the set design and everything in between is just flawless to me. The entire cast cooks with Da’Vine Joy Randolph deserving the Academy Award that is coming her way. The writing is so emotional and funny and the direction is fantastic. A story about the world, companionship and overcoming hardship to become a better person. This will be a movie I revisit every year. 

My Score: 96/100

#1: Oppenheimer – Directed By Christopher Nolan

Oppenheimer is one of the greatest films of the 21st century and one of the most important pieces of filmmaking I have ever laid my eyes on. Nolan returns with another compelling and complex film that focuses more on the story this time than the spectacle. Cillian Murphy leads a cast full of star performances, the writing is some of the best I’ve seen this decade and the technical elements are on par with any of Nolan’s best films. The tension succeeds, the stakes are high and the ending leaves you terrified. A magnum opus from one of the best directors working today.

My Score: 100/100

Jack Lautaret is a film critic, host of the Jack Lautaret YouTube channel and writer for Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Online Film and Television Association. Twitter: @JackLautaret