Ranking Oscar Nominated Best Films Based on Box Office Collections: From Wicked to Dune 2

The 97th Academy Awards, known as the Oscars 2025, is just around the corner, with the ceremony scheduled for Sunday. The nominees are experiencing a mix of excitement and nerves ahead of the big night. This year, ten outstanding films have made the list for Best Picture, including Dune 2, Conclave, and Wicked. Each film has gained critical acclaim and performed impressively at the global box office, showcasing both small and big-budget productions.

In this article, we will rank these nominated films based on their box office earnings. Some films have achieved remarkable success due to their compelling storytelling, while others may have garnered attention with lower budgets. Read on for a detailed ranking.

These nominees represent a wide array of narratives and styles, celebrating cinematic excellence and innovation. Notably, The Substance, which stars Demi Moore, has revitalized her acting career, earning her accolades including the Best Actress award at various prestigious ceremonies like the Golden Globes and SAG 2025.

Demi Moore stands as a strong contender and could potentially win the coveted Best Actress award at the upcoming Oscars. However, this year's nominations saw some controversy, particularly the exclusion of Wicked director Jon M. Chu from the Best Director category. Each nominated film examines engaging subjects and unique storytelling angles, contributing to the rich array of narratives in cinema.

Box Office Rankings

Despite the varying budgets of these films, what stands out is their focus on content rather than star power. For instance, Nickel Boys, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about real-life abuse at a reform school, confronts themes of racism, injustice, and survival during the Jim Crow era. Conclave intrigues audiences with a powerful, dialogue-driven thriller about electing a new pope, with Ralph Fiennes delivering a spellbinding performance.

Below is the ranking of the Oscar 2025 Best Picture nominees based on their box office performance:

10. Nickel Boys – $2.85 million
9. Emilia Pérez – $15.43 million
8. I’m Still Here – $28.61 million
7. The Brutalist – $36.82 million
6. Anora – $40.89 million
5. The Substance – $77.16 million
4. Conclave – $101.20 million
3. A Complete Unknown – $110.66 million
2. Dune 2 – $714.64 million
1. Wicked – $728.25 million

This year, Emilia Pérez stands out with an impressive 13 Oscar nominations, followed closely by Wicked and The Brutalist, which received 10 nominations each. A Complete Unknown and Conclave secured 8 nominations, including Best Picture. Anora gathered nominations in 6 categories, while The Substance and Dune 2 are tied with 5 nominations. Lastly, I’m Still Here has garnered 3 nominations, with Nickel Boys rounding off the list with 2.

Mark your calendars for the Oscars 2025, taking place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The excitement is palpable as nominees await the outcome of their hard work and artistic expression.

Note: Box office figures are estimates from a variety of sources and have not been independently verified.Oscar, Film, BoxOffice