48% of Americans haven't seen any of the Oscar-nominated films

In 2024, more than 500 movies were released — but the average American has only seen three, according to new research.

Gen Z and millennials each average four different movies, but that number drops as respondents get older. According to the results, baby boomers have only seen two new movies last year and 43% admit they’ve seen none.

With the Oscars quickly approaching and many feature films eyeing the Academy Award for Best Picture, our survey of 2,000 U.S. adults explored how familiar Americans are with the nominated films.

Out of the 569 new films last year, only 10 were nominated for the coveted award: “Wicked” (31%) and “Dune: Part two” (21%) were the most popular. Still, 48% of those polled haven’t seen any of them.

Of those who have, “Wicked” (41%) was the clear favorite to win, followed by “Dune: Part Two” (21%), though 12% even indicated that none of the nominated films were worthy of scoring the award for Best Picture.

“Wicked” reigned victorious with millennials (43% vs 29%) and baby boomers (36% vs 15%) but with Gen X specifically the nostalgia factor is heavy and it comes down to less than a less than 10% difference (“Wicked,” 33% vs “Dune: Part Two,” 24%).

Popularity overall wanes when it comes to “The Substance” (6%), “I’m Still Here” (5%) and “Emilia Pérez” (3%).

But that doesn’t mean Americans have completely written off giving these films a chance. More than half (54%) are more likely to watch a movie after it’s nominated for or wins an Oscar.

This year, a little more than one in five (22%) will tune in to the awards show as they always do, whereas another 12% will turn on the ceremony for the first time in recent years. Ten percent will watch for the first time ever.

Gen Z and millennials are the most loyal, as a quarter of each will stick with tradition and plan to watch as usual. Millennials are especially obsessed as only 18% admit they won’t be watching and never have before.

Another one in five (19%) of all Americans polled are taking a break and won’t watch this year despite usually doing so, and 23% won’t watch as they always have.

WHICH FILM SHOULD WIN BEST PICTURE IN 2025?

“Wicked” – 41%
“Dune: Part Two” – 21%
None of the nominated films – 12%
“The Substance” – 6%
“A Complete Unknown” – 6%
“Conclave” – 6%
“I’m Still Here” – 5%
“Nickel Boys” – 4%
“Emilia Pérez” – 3%
“The Brutalist” – 3%
“Anora” – 3%

Survey methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Feb. 22 and Feb. 26, 2025.