Average Ratings for Best Picture Nominees at the Oscars

The Oscars (Academy Awards) have always been a cinematic battleground, but some films have left a lasting mark. Since 2001, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King has reigned supreme as the highest-rated Best Picture winner with an IMDb score of 9.0. Meanwhile, Chicago claimed the title of the lowest-rated winner in the same period, with a rating of 7.2. The journey of IMDb scores highlights the varying critical acclaim of these celebrated films.

In 2025, Emilia Pérez made history for a different reason earning the controversial honor of being the lowest-rated Best Picture nominee ever, with an IMDb score of 5.8. The “Best Picture” category remains the Oscars’ crown jewel, encapsulating the art and cultural dialogue of its time, but as the data shows, critical reception doesn’t always reflect the Academy’s choices.