Best movies of the 2020s ranked using every Best Picture nominee in a March Madness-style bracket. In this episode, we debate and break down the top Oscar-nominated films of the decade, from major winners to underrated contenders, to determine which movie truly stands above the rest.
We compare award winners, surprise nominees, and fan-favorite films while discussing cultural impact, performances, directing, and what defines the best movie of the 2020s so far.
If you’re looking for the best movies of the 2020s, Oscar nominees ranked, or a full breakdown of Academy Award contenders, this bracket delivers some of the most fun and heated movie debates we’ve had.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Best Picture Bracket Intro (2020s Oscar Movies)
00:33 - March Madness Style Bracket Explained
01:32 - Everything Everywhere All At Once vs Train Dreams
03:23 - Oppenheimer vs The Secret Agent
04:51 - Parasite vs Sinners
07:32 - CODA vs Marty Supreme
10:30 - Nomadland vs Hamnet
11:15 - Anora vs Frankenstein
12:06 - The Power of the Dog vs F1
13:30 - The Banshees of Inisherin vs Bugonia
16:08 - Top Gun: Maverick vs I’m Still Here
19:37 - Dune: Part Two vs Emilia Perez
19:52 - Dune vs Wicked
23:42 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood vs The Substance
24:10 - The Irishman vs Nickel Boys
24:43 - 1917 vs A Complete Unknown
25:09 - Joker vs Conclave
25:29 - Barbie vs The Brutalist
26:12 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs Maestro
26:27 - Poor Things vs American Fiction
27:14 - The Fabelmans vs Don’t Look Up
27:37 - TÁR vs King Richard
27:55 - All Quiet on the Western Front vs Nightmare Alley
28:39 - West Side Story vs Marriage Story
29:15 - Elvis vs Little Women
29:47 - The Holdovers vs Jojo Rabbit
30:16 - Past Lives vs Ford v Ferrari
30:25 - Anatomy of a Fall vs The Father
30:30 - The Zone of Interest vs Judas and the Black Messiah
31:03 - Triangle of Sadness vs Minari
31:22 - Women Talking vs Promising Young Woman
31:30 - Drive My Car vs Sound of Metal
31:39 - Licorice Pizza vs The Trial of the Chicago 7
32:13 - Mank vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Round 2 + Bracket Progression:
32:23 - EEAAO vs Oppenheimer (Debate)
34:45 - Sinners vs CODA
34:53 - Hamnet vs Anora
35:08 - F1 vs Banshees of Inisherin
35:35 - Top Gun: Maverick vs Dune: Part Two
35:42 - Dune vs The Substance
35:50 - Nickel Boys vs A Complete Unknown
35:59 - Conclave vs Barbie
36:11 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs Poor Things
37:22 - The Fabelmans vs TÁR
37:35 - Nightmare Alley vs Marriage Story
37:42 - Elvis vs The Holdovers
37:52 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Past Lives
38:32 - Judas and the Black Messiah vs Triangle of Sadness
38:39 - Promising Young Woman vs Sound of Metal
38:50 - Trial of the Chicago 7 vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Elite 8 / Final Rounds:
38:56 - Everything Everywhere All At Once vs Sinners
40:30 - Anora vs Banshees of Inisherin
40:55 - Nickel Boys vs Conclave
41:02 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs The Fabelmans
41:10 - Marriage Story vs The Holdovers
41:15 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Judas and the Black Messiah
41:20 - Sound of Metal vs Avatar: The Way of Water
41:28 - Sinners vs Banshees of Inisherin
42:10 - Dune: Part Two vs Conclave
42:16 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs The Holdovers
42:25 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Final Four + Championship:
42:52 - Sinners vs Dune: Part Two
43:55 - The Holdovers vs Anatomy of a Fall
44:10 - Championship: Dune: Part Two vs The Holdovers
47:13 - Final Game (F, Marry, Kill – 2020s Movies)
🎬 More from The Movie Knights:
All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_Knights
Be sure to like, subscribe, and stick around for more movie discussions.