The American Film Institute has named its top 10 films of the year. And while this is just one of many lists coming out this week, it’s worth paying special attention to—because it is one of the strongest indicators for which films will wind up being nominated for best picture at the Oscars.
The best picture Oscar winner has also appeared on AFI’s top 10 list every year since 2009, with two exceptions: in 2011 and 2019, when best picture was won by international films. (As the name implies, AFI honors only American movies.) And even in those two years, The Artist and Parasite received special AFI awards, meaning that the body still recognized the eventual best picture winner.
This year’s list includes many expected best picture frontrunners, from Anora to The Brutalist to Conclave. Sing Sing, which previously won big at the Gotham Awards, was also included, along with Nickel Boys, which has picked up momentum after faring well in the Indie Spirit Awards nominations. Wicked is also having a strong week, landing on AFI’s list and also being named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review on Wednesday.
The inclusion of Emilia Perez—a mostly Spanish-language musical filmed internationally—may seem at odds with the group’s focus on American films, but because the film stars American actors Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, it was able to be considered; AFI’s rules state that any film is eligible if it has “significant creative and/or production elements from the United States. Stories need not be presented in the English language if incontrovertibly American.”
The most notable snubs from AFi’s list include September 5 and Gladiator II, which both remain on the bubble this awards season after missing out with other critics and awards lists this week.
AFI also selected its top 10 television programs of the year, citing Emmy favorites like The Bear, Hacks, and Shōgun, while also highlighting some popular audience hits like Nobody Wants This and The Penguin. Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a British production, will be honored with a special award because it falls outside the group’s eligibility rules.
The winners are voted on by a jury process in which AFI trustees, artists, critics and scholars determine the year’s most outstanding achievements. The complete lists are below.
AFI MOTION PICTURES OF THE YEAR
Anora
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
Nickel Boys
A Real Pain
Sing Sing
Wicked
AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Hacks
A Man On The Inside
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Nobody Wants This
The Penguin
Shōgun
Shrinking
True Detective: Night Country
AFI SPECIAL AWARD
Baby Reindeer
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