Only One Horror Film Has Ever Won Best Picture- Can Weapons (2025) Change That?

Has any horror movie won an Oscar before? The horror genre is massively popular, yet underrepresented at the Oscars. This is not only about the scares- horror genre has always provided rich storytelling, sometimes intertwining cultural impact due to its thematic significance.

Given the Academy’s tendency to overlook horror films, should Zach Cregger’s Weapons (2025) be recognized as a Best Picture nominee, and what does this say about the genre’s place at the Oscars?

Only one horror film has ever won Best Picture? The historical snub of horror

The horror genre consistently faces resistance from the Oscars, making hopes for Weapons’ recognition seem uncertain. Yet, the film’s international acclaim and the elements that bolster its Oscar prospects suggest it may challenge this trend. Should we expect Weapons to break through and change perceptions?

Only one horror film has been able to bag the Best Picture Oscar to date, which is The Silence of the Lambs (1991). The film made waves in the media by winning the “Big Five” Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.​

It is a feat achieved by only two other movies, namely It Happened One Night (1934) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).  

In the table below, have a look at some other horror features that received certain other Oscars for various categories but never for Best Picture.

Apart from these, others earned an Oscar for Best Actress, Best Costume, Best Makeup, etc, including Misery (1990), The Fly (1986), Black Swan (2010), and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992).  

The role of Weapons (2025) in cinema

In the bigger picture, Weapons instills the idea that horror can be intellectually engaging and, without any major jumpscares, gore, or franchise power, it can be commercially successful.

It shows how wonderfully social themes like society’s reaction to tragedy and communal horrors, weaponization of people and things, and consumerism or control can be blended magically with horror and mystery.

It reflects on the fact that real-life horrors, such as the children’s disappearance, are the real fears and not just the entertainment factors with gruesome faces. Horror serves as a metaphor in Weapons, and not just distorted entertainment.

Weapons is a mirror that magnifies our deepest social and psychological fears and adds to the ongoing conversations of children’s safety, community breakdown, blame, grief, and conspiracies.

Although this supernatural thriller is filled with horror aesthetics, its unsettling events reflect the emotional and societal chaos of the real world, giving a strong message via a cinematic lens.  

Why Weapons (2025) deserves recognition

Till now, Sinners (2025) seems to be the biggest name that comes before our eyes for this year’s Best Picture contender. As per The Numbers, the film has earned $367 million worldwide as of August 2025, while Weapons has made $265 million.  

For a film to become an Oscar contender, it matters how big the numbers tell the story of the film. Films usually launch at the film festivals, do have political reasons for becoming an Oscar contender (like female director of color), Critics’ Choice, and getting 901 “No. 1” votes out of 9,905 eligible voters who cast ballots for Oscars’ top-10 contenders for Best Picture, per Awards Daily.

Several early predictions have been making their way out of the rabbit hole to make it to the big list, and France has made its decision already. It chose It Was Just an Accident (2025) as its Oscar contender, most likely for Best International Feature.

Some other would-be contenders were initially screened at Cannes, like Sentimental Value (2025). Check boxes for F1 The Movie (2025) and 28 Years Later (2025) have also been made.

So why does Weapons deserve Oscar recognition? If the Academy is willing to embrace quality and impact over genre bias—as has happened before—Weapons could become a breakthrough for horror at the Oscars.

As a long-time follower of horror cinema, I would like to list below the reasons that Weapons can make the Academy notice it:

• Last year, The Substance (2024) defied the odds by getting multiple above-the-line nominations.
• With an IMDb rating of 7.6 and a 93 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the chances are sky-high
• The makeup, hairstyling, and gory sights in Weapons that require special effects add to the notable exception for the film getting recognition
• With new young voters added to the voters’ list of Oscars this year, an expansion of adventurous film contendership and industry-wide push for inclusion is possible
• If critics’ love drives the passion choice for Weapons, particularly due to Amy Madigan’s performance as Aunt Gladys, then there is a great chance that Weapons can make it to the Best Picture contenders list for the Oscars 2026

 

 

 

 

 

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The path forward​

Filmmakers and fans have been advocating for fair representation of the horror genre at the Oscars. For instance, The Substance director, Coralie Fargeat, told Indie Wire,

“I don’t see horror films as any different from other movies. They are so political. They are such a great way to tell so many things in a very rude way, and in a very indelicate way. To me, they should compete at the same level as everything else.” [Source]

Horror’s slow rise might pave the way for more unconventional recognition. In recent years, horror has begun to shake off its stigma and has gradually started to earn a seat at the Oscars table.

Even if “getting noticed” is the beginning, then this means the shift could open doors for even more unconventional elements of filmmaking, like practical effects or genre-blending narratives.

Wrapping up…​

With all its cultural relevance and social impact, the horror genre still manages to fight for greater Oscar recognition. And if so is the case, then Weapons has high chances that it might surprise us with an Oscar this time.​

The Academy barely shows any love to horror, which is wrong. It has impeccable potential since the genre is no longer confined to blood and gore but recognized as a vehicle for meaningful storytelling.  

Do you think Weapons has a real shot at the Oscars? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Madiha Ali

Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like Screen Anarchy, High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.

She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.

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Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.

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