The Oscars have a long, unfortunate history of disregarding horror movies, with very few films ever getting at least a nomination. The Academy Awards have become more open to nominating horror movies in recent years, as seen in 2024 with hit films like The Substance, Alien: Romulus, and Nosferatu. However, there are two spectacular horror movies released in 2025 that deserve nominations for major Oscars in 2026.

Writer-director Ryan Coogler’s Sinners was a horror blockbuster phenomenon that continues to be a landmark movie in 2025. Weapons seems like it will follow suit in terms of success and acclaim this year, as Zach Cregger’s film initially received 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

As a result, both of these horror movies are already among the public’s popular picks to be nominated for next year’s Oscars. While the actual voting process to determine Oscar nominations is still months away, Sinners and Weapons are arguably among the few 2025 movies released so far with a sH๏τ to be at the 98th Academy Awards.

There’s already an expectation building that both movies will be featured in various Oscars categories, including 2026’s Best Picture lineup. Either or both of them being snubbed by the Academy entirely is still possible. But that is not the outcome the genre and industry need.

The Academy Ignoring Sinners & Weapons Would Be Inexcusable

A 2026 Oscars nomination announcement that doesn’t include either Sinners or Weapons would continue the award show’s tendency to overlook great work in the horror genre and fail to recognize two films that are widely considered to be the best of the year.

Sinners became one of the most adored and H๏τly discussed horror movies of the year due to its spectacular performances, music, visuals, writing, and Coogler’s direction. On top of being an outstanding cinematic achievement, Sinners told a harrowing and relevant tale about racism in America. The Oscars disregarding such a powerful and timely film in 2026 would be a disappointment.

Weapons presents a sprawling tale of an ordinary American town whose inner demons are brought to light in the wake of a terrible, mind-boggling tragedy. Cregger’s new horror movie uses masterful suspense and extreme terror to tell a grief-driven story that addresses many modern issues, particularly as an allegory for school shootings.

Both movies represent a wild, terrifying horror blockbuster that many people can relate to thanks to their original, character-driven stories and intense social commentaries. At the same time, the cinematic artistry of both films has made them some of the most distinctive, well-crafted horror movies of the year.

With the Oscars starting to become a bit more horror-friendly, recognizing Sinners and Weapons at next year’s ceremony would be a great way to continue that trend. Failing to do so would show how out-of-touch or narrow-minded the Academy can be with what types of movies it favors.