The 97th Academy Awards made history by honoring horror films. For the first time, multiple horror movies received significant nominations. This shift shows the Academy now values horror storytelling and talent. Horror performances demand incredible depth, yet the Oscars have rarely recognized them. The 2025 Oscars might finally change that.

The Substance Breaks New Ground

Leading this change is The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat. The film earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Demi Moore. This makes it only the seventh horror film nominated for Best Picture. It joins classics like The Exorcist and Get Out. This proves horror deserves a spot among the best films.

Demi Moore’s role as Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity undergoing a grotesque transformation, captivated audiences. Her performance shows that horror demands raw, emotional acting. It’s not just about screams and scares. Horror roles require deep character work. Moore’s Golden Globe win proves the industry is finally recognizing horror actors.

Nosferatu and Technical Excellence

Another standout is Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, which earned nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. Though it missed a Best Picture nod, these nominations highlight horror’s technical brilliance. Eggers’ reimagining of the classic vampire tale blends visual beauty with eerie tension, creating an immersive experience.

Horror films rarely receive recognition for their artistry. Nosferatu proves horror is more than just scares. It’s a space for stunning visuals, detailed set design, and deep storytelling.

The Historical Struggle of Horror at the Oscars

The Academy has long ignored horror films. Only a few have been nominated for Best Picture, and even fewer have won. Some notable exceptions:

• The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – The only horror movie to win Best Picture.
• Get Out (2017) – Won Best Original Screenplay but lost Best Picture.
• The Exorcist (1973) – Nominated for Best Picture but lost to The Sting.

Despite their impact and popularity, horror films rarely win major awards. The Academy must change this outdated mindset.

Why Horror Performances Deserve More Awards

Horror films push actors to explore fear, despair, and vulnerability. Drama and romance often dominate the Oscars, but horror requires just as much emotional depth.

Toni Collette’s performance in Hereditary (2018) stunned audiences, yet she received no Oscar nomination. Lupita Nyong’o’s dual role in Us (2019) showcased incredible range but was also ignored. The Academy dismisses horror as “genre acting” instead of recognizing it as powerful character work.

Demi Moore’s nomination for The Substance could break this pattern. If she wins, it sets a precedent. Future horror performances might finally get the recognition they deserve.

The Impact of Recent Horror Nominations

Recognizing horror at the Oscars can transform the industry. Here’s how:

• More funding – Studios may invest more in high-quality horror films.
• Attracting top talent – More A-list actors may take on horror roles.
• Encouraging creativity – Filmmakers may push storytelling boundaries.
• Changing audience perception – Horror may gain respect as serious cinema.

This year’s nominations for The Substance and Nosferatu could pave the way for future horror films to earn major awards.

What This Means for Future Horror Films

If the Academy continues recognizing horror, more films may compete in major categories. Imagine horror actors regularly nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress. Imagine horror directors being celebrated alongside Scorsese and Nolan.

This shift would validate horror filmmakers’ work. It would also encourage more ambitious storytelling. Horror has always reflected society’s fears—political, technological, and human. Recognizing horror at the Oscars would elevate it to its rightful place in cinematic history.

Conclusion

The 2025 Oscars mark a major shift for horror cinema. Films like The Substance and Nosferatu received long-overdue recognition. This proves horror is more than entertainment—it’s art.

For too long, horror has been dismissed. But this year’s nominations show change is coming. If Demi Moore wins Best Actress, it will be a historic moment. It will prove horror performances deserve awards just as much as dramatic or biographical roles.

The Academy is evolving. It must continue recognizing horror films and their creators. The 2025 Oscars might be the beginning of a new era for horror.