These five films are competing for Hollywood's top prize

The Oscars are upon us, and the battle for golden statuettes is on again. All eyes are on the most prestigious category: Best Picture. From epic sci-fi to gripping dramas, here are the five films vying for Hollywood's top prize.

Anora

With six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress, director Sean Baker's Anora is one of the year's most notable titles. The film follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a young sex worker from Brooklyn who works in an exclusive club. When she meets 21-year-old Russian billionaire's son Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), her life changes forever. Their relationship leads to a chaotic week of luxury, drugs, wild parties and an impulsive wedding in Las Vegas. What starts as a Cinderella story quickly turns into a rollercoaster when Vanya's filthy rich parents want to have the marriage annulled.

The film previously won the Golden Palm in Cannes. 

The Brutalist

With ten Oscar nominations and three Golden Globes under his belt, The Brutalist already one of the most impressive films of the year. This epic drama from director Brady Corbet tells the story of architect László Tóth (Adrien Brody), who emigrates to America after World War II in the hope of building a new life.

What starts as a dream full of possibilities quickly turns into a fierce battle. His only hope seems to be the assignment from industrialist Van Buren, who asks him to design a prestigious building. But the high expectations, personal tragedies and artistic compromises take their toll… 

Dunes: Part Two

With five Oscar nominations, Denis Villeneuve returns with the breathtaking sequel to his epic science fiction saga. Dunes: Part Two picks up where the first part left off. 

For the die-hard sci-fi fans: in this installment, Paul joins the Fremen, the inhabitants of the desert planet Arrakis, and seeks revenge against the enemies responsible for the downfall of his family. Alongside Chani (Zendaya), he must not only gain the respect of the people, but also prevent a terrible future that only he can foresee…

Emilia Perez

With no less than thirteen Oscar nominations, Emilia Pérez was initially the big favorite of the year. Director Jacques Audiard (Un prophète, De rouille et d'os) surprised the audience with this unique mix of crime, musical and comedy, in which a Mexican drug lord decides to turn her life around and continue as a woman. The film was previously awarded four Golden Globes and won the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.

The role of Emilia is played by Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for an Oscar. What started as a feel-good moment for Hollywood, however, took an unexpected turn. Old controversial tweets from Gascón, in which she made negative comments about George Floyd, corona vaccinations and Islam, among other things, caused an uproar. Both her co-stars and Netflix distanced themselves from the actress. The uproar has now also affected the film itself. According to The Hollywood Reporter, several Oscar voters are said to be having difficulty voting for Emilia Pérez, despite the film's critical acclaim and groundbreaking nature. 

Wicked

The long-awaited film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical Wicked impresses with eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. This enchanting prequel to The Wizard of Oz, directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), tells the story of two young women, Elphaba and Glinda, who develop an unexpected friendship from completely different worlds. 

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has been ostracized since birth because of her bright green skin, while Glinda (Ariana Grande) is a popular, ambitious young woman who seems to have it all. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the magical land of Oz. But while Elphaba is determined to fight injustice and stay true to herself, Glinda becomes increasingly entangled in her desire for power and status. Their relationship is tested when they encounter the legendary Wizard of Oz, ultimately leading to Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West.

Want to discover the complete overview of all nominees? Check it out here on The Academy's official website.