The 98th Academy Awards Could Be A Gamechanger For The Horror Genre

The 98th Oscars could be a historic year for the horror genre, especially in the screenplay categories. The Academy Awards have celebrated the film industry for almost a century, highlighting achievements across the full scope of the filmmaking process. However, some genres and styles have struggled to earn award recognition, with genres like sci-fi only winning a few major awards.

Among the most infamous omissions is the horror genre, which has typically garnered more attention for its special effects and art design than its performances or plot lines. While there are some exceptions, it’s rare (but not unheard of) for horror to break out in most high-profile categories. The 98th Academy Awards might break that precedent, though.

The Horror Genre Could Have A Historic Showing At The 98th Academy Awards

While the Oscars have celebrated several horror films over the years, the upcoming 98th Academy Awards could be a real and rare opportunity for the horror genre to shine in the Original and Adapted Screenplay categories. Horror has always had a hard time breaking through at the Oscars.

Although there have been some exceptions, the horror genre typically does best in the below-the-line categories that celebrate achievements in makeup, costuming, and art design. A handful of notable horror movies have been nominated for Best Original Screenplay or Best Adapted Screenplay, with only a few (such as The Exorcist and Get Out) winning the award.

Notable Horror Movies Nominated For A Screenplay Oscar	Category	Status
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)	Best Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium	Nominated
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Nominated
The Exorcist (1973)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Won
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Won
The Sixth Sense (1999)	Best Original Screenplay	Nominated
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)	Best Original Screenplay	Nominated
Get Out (2017)	Best Original Screenplay	Won
The Shape of Water (2017)	Best Original Screenplay	Nominated
The Substance (2024)	Best Original Screenplay	Nominated

2025 has seen several critically acclaimed horror films enter the potential shortlist for both Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has been heralded as one of the best films of the year by many, with Coogler’s original vampire film’s blend of a period setting, social commentary, and strong characters likely netting it a nomination.

Three other original horror films seem poised to potentially join it in that category. Weapons was a bona fide box-office smash, Together wowed critics, and Bring Her Back was one of the more emotionally affecting films of the year. Every one of these has the genuine strength to be nominated and has been championed by critics all year long.

In the Adapted Screenplay category, films like 28 Years Later, Frankenstein, Bugonia, and The Long Walk all do a terrific job of taking their source material in new (and often horrifying) directions. Each of them also has an emotional and thematic weight that the Academy Awards tend to reward, underscoring the genre’s chances at the Oscars.

This is beyond any other potential nominations in other categories, like Best Picture or Best Director, which could further highlight the genre’s place within award season consideration. What makes all this so exciting as a horror fan is the way it speaks to scary movies becoming part of the high-culture cinematic pedigree that often surrounds the Oscars.

As a highly regarded celebration of cinema, the Academy Awards are the perfect place to highlight successful artists making unexpected masterpieces. This year has seen plenty of impressive entries to the horror genre that boast strong box office numbers, impressive filmmaking, and real-life creator narratives needed to propel a movie in award season.

At the time of this writing, only the 90th Academy Awards featured two prominent horror movies in the same screenplay category, with Get Out beating The Shape of Water for the Oscar.

There’s even a chance multiple horror films could occupy the category, potentially making history for a genre that’s often been looked past by Academy voters. It would be an affirmation and confirmation that horror has been recognized by the more prestigious corners of the industry, not just for its technical achievements, but for the merit of its storytelling.

A good horror screenplay is a tricky beast, capable of creating a haunting atmosphere while still retaining a clear cinematic perspective and voice. 2025 has seen several impressive examples of the genre that find that delicate balance between drama, thriller, and genuine horror reach the Academy Awards voting body and win Oscar gold.