At the 90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, the Oscar for Best Picture was awarded to The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro. It triumphed over a diverse field of eight other nominees, including Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Get Out, Lady Bird, and Dunkirk, marking a historic night for genre filmmaking.
The 2018 Oscar race is frequently cited by film historians and critics as one of the most competitive and eclectic in the 21st century. Occurring during a period of significant cultural transition within the film industry—most notably the emergence of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements—the 90th Academy Awards reflected a shifting landscape in Hollywood. The nominees represented a wide array of genres, from traditional war epics and period dramas to social horror and indie coming-of-age stories.
To understand the full scope of this ceremony, it is essential to look at each nominee's contribution to the cinematic medium, the technical merits that earned them a spot on the ballot, and how these films have aged as we look back from the perspective of 2026.
The Winner: The Shape of Water
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water was the evening's most-nominated film, entering the ceremony with 13 nods. Its win for Best Picture was significant for several reasons. Primarily, it was a rare instance of a "fantasy" or "monster movie" taking the top prize—a category often overlooked by the Academy in favor of grounded dramas or historical biopics.
The film tells the story of Elisa Esposito, a mute custodian working at a high-security government laboratory in 1962. When she discovers a captured amphibious creature, an unlikely bond forms between them. Del Toro’s masterpiece was a technical marvel, blending exquisite production design, a haunting score by Alexandre Desplat, and a wordless, emotive performance by Sally Hawkins.
Why It Won
The Shape of Water acted as a bridge between the old-school romance of Golden Age Hollywood and contemporary technical sophistication. It appealed to the Academy’s diverse voting blocs: the "below-the-line" craft branches admired its visual and auditory precision, while the actors and directors responded to its heartfelt narrative about "the other." In a year marked by political division, its message of empathy and connection resonated deeply.
The Complete List of Best Picture Nominees
The 2018 field was limited to nine nominees, despite the Academy's rules allowing for up to ten. Each of these films brought a distinct perspective to the table, representing the pinnacle of filmmaking for the 2017 calendar year.
1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Directed by Martin McDonagh, this film was initially considered the frontrunner for Best Picture after winning the Golden Globe and the BAFTA. Starring Frances McDormand as a grieving mother who challenges local law enforcement to solve her daughter’s murder, the film was a powerhouse of acting.
The narrative was praised for its sharp, dark humor and visceral performances, specifically by McDormand and Sam Rockwell, both of whom won Oscars in their respective acting categories. However, the film faced some backlash regarding its handling of racial themes and the redemption arc of a controversial character, which some critics believe may have stalled its momentum for the top prize.
2. Get Out
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut was perhaps the most culturally significant nominee of the year. Get Out redefined the "social horror" genre, using the framework of a thriller to explore the nuances of systemic racism and the "sunken place."
Its nomination for Best Picture was a landmark moment for the Academy, which had historically ignored horror films. Peele won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and the film remains one of the most-discussed nominees of the decade, frequently cited for its tight pacing, layered symbolism, and technical efficiency on a modest budget.
3. Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk represented the height of technical filmmaking in 2018. A harrowing recreation of the World War II evacuation, the film utilized a non-linear structure, splitting the narrative into three timelines: land, sea, and air.
The film was a masterclass in tension, relying more on visual storytelling and Hans Zimmer’s ticking clock score than on dialogue. It was a massive box-office success and remains a gold standard for the "war movie" genre, though the Academy ultimately leaned toward the more character-driven The Shape of Water for the top honor.
4. Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, was a critical darling. A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in Sacramento, the film explored the turbulent relationship between a mother (Laurie Metcalf) and daughter (Saoirse Ronan).
Lady Bird was notable for its 100% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes for a record-breaking period. It brought a fresh, female-centric perspective to the Best Picture race, focusing on the mundane yet profound complexities of growing up and the concept of "home."
5. Call Me by Your Name
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this lush, atmospheric romance was based on the novel by André Aciman. It launched Timothée Chalamet into superstardom and was lauded for its sensory approach to storytelling.
The film's focus on first love and its devastating conclusion in a sun-drenched Italian villa made it a favorite among critics. James Ivory won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film, making him the oldest Oscar winner in history at the time (at age 89).
6. Phantom Thread
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread was a surprise late-entry into the race. Set in the 1950s London fashion world, it featured Daniel Day-Lewis in what he announced would be his final acting role.
The film is a meticulous study of an obsessive dressmaker and his muse. While it was more "niche" than some of its competitors, its inclusion in the Best Picture list was a testament to Anderson's status as one of the greatest living directors and the film's undeniable craft, particularly in costume design.
7. Darkest Hour
Directed by Joe Wright, Darkest Hour was a more traditional "Oscar-style" movie. It focused on Winston Churchill’s early days as Prime Minister during the looming threat of Nazi invasion.
While the film was a nominee for Best Picture, it was primarily a vehicle for Gary Oldman’s transformative performance. Oldman spent 200 hours in the makeup chair over the course of filming, and his win for Best Actor was considered one of the night's biggest certainties.
8. The Post
Steven Spielberg’s The Post arrived with a pedigree that almost guaranteed a nomination. Starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, the film chronicled the Washington Post’s decision to publish the Pentagon Papers.
The movie was produced, filmed, and edited in an incredibly short timeframe to capitalize on contemporary discussions regarding freedom of the press. While it was a solid, well-crafted drama, many felt it was overshadowed by the more innovative or emotionally resonant films in the 2018 lineup.
Comparative Overview of the 2018 Best Picture Nominees
The following table provides a breakdown of the nominees, their directors, and their final results at the 90th Academy Awards.
| Film Title | Director | Primary Genre | Result | Other Major Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Shape of Water | Guillermo del Toro | Fantasy/Romance | Winner | Director, Original Score, Production Design |
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Martin McDonagh | Crime Drama | Nominee | Actress (McDormand), Supporting Actor (Rockwell) |
| Get Out | Jordan Peele | Social Horror | Nominee | Original Screenplay |
| Dunkirk | Christopher Nolan | War/Action | Nominee | Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing |
| Lady Bird | Greta Gerwig | Coming-of-Age | Nominee | None |
| Call Me by Your Name | Luca Guadagnino | Romance | Nominee | Adapted Screenplay |
| Phantom Thread | Paul Thomas Anderson | Period Drama | Nominee | Costume Design |
| Darkest Hour | Joe Wright | Historical Biopic | Nominee | Actor (Oldman), Makeup and Hairstyling |
| The Post | Steven Spielberg | Journalism Drama | Nominee | None |
Historical Significance and the "Envelope" Context
The 2018 ceremony followed the infamous 2017 "Moonlight/La La Land" mix-up. Consequently, there was heightened scrutiny on the presenting process. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were invited back to present Best Picture for the second year in a row as a "redemption" moment. This time, the announcement of The Shape of Water went off without a hitch, cementing the film's place in history.
Furthermore, 2018 was a year of milestones:
- Rachel Morrison (Mudbound) became the first woman ever nominated for Best Cinematography (though Mudbound was not a Best Picture nominee).
- Jordan Peele became the first African American to win for Best Original Screenplay.
- Greta Gerwig was only the fifth woman ever nominated for Best Director.
Technical Merits and Industry Impact
From a technical standpoint, the 2018 nominees pushed several boundaries. Dunkirk’s use of IMAX cameras and practical effects was a reaction against the industry's reliance on CGI. In contrast, The Shape of Water used digital effects to enhance the creature's facial expressions, blending the physical performance of Doug Jones with subtle digital augmentation.
The sound design in 2018 was also particularly strong. Dunkirk won both sound categories, utilizing the "Shepard tone"—an auditory illusion that creates the feeling of a constantly rising pitch—to maintain a level of anxiety throughout the film’s duration.
The inclusion of The Post and Get Out also signaled the Academy's willingness to engage with films that held a direct mirror to contemporary American politics and social issues, a trend that has continued well into the mid-2020s.
Critical Reception and Long-Term Legacy
As of 2026, the 2018 Best Picture list is often revisited for its high "rewatchability." Unlike some years where the winner is forgotten or criticized in hindsight, The Shape of Water has maintained its reputation as a beautifully crafted fairy tale.
However, many cinephiles argue that Get Out has had the most significant lasting impact on the industry. It proved that "elevated horror" could be both a commercial juggernaut and a serious awards contender, paving the way for future films like Parasite (which won Best Picture two years later) to break genre and language barriers.
Lady Bird also remains a seminal text in the coming-of-age genre, often cited by younger filmmakers as a primary influence. The 2018 list is unique because it lacked a "weak" entry; every film on the list is still considered a high-quality production nearly a decade later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 2018 Academy Awards?
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 90th Academy Awards. It was his second consecutive year hosting the ceremony. He was praised for his ability to handle the "post-envelope-gate" atmosphere with humor and for addressing the serious industry changes regarding the #MeToo movement with a balanced tone.
Why were there only nine nominees for Best Picture in 2018?
Since 2011, the Academy has used a voting system that results in anywhere between five and ten nominees. For a film to be nominated, it must receive a certain percentage of first-place votes. In 2018, only nine films met the required threshold. The rules have since changed (as of 2022) to ensure a fixed number of ten nominees every year.
Did any film win more Oscars than The Shape of Water in 2018?
No. The Shape of Water was the most successful film of the night, winning four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design. Dunkirk followed with three wins, all in technical categories.
What was the biggest "snub" of the 2018 Best Picture list?
Many critics at the time felt that The Florida Project, directed by Sean Baker, was a major snub. Despite rave reviews and a Supporting Actor nomination for Willem Dafoe, the film failed to secure a Best Picture slot. Others felt Blade Runner 2049 deserved a spot for its technical achievement, though it did win for Cinematography and Visual Effects.
Was the 2018 Best Picture winner a box office success?
Yes, though it was considered a "mid-budget" success. The Shape of Water grossed approximately $195 million worldwide against a production budget of $20 million. While not a blockbuster on the scale of Dunkirk, it was highly profitable and proved that adult-oriented fantasy could find a wide audience.
Next Steps for Film Enthusiasts
If you are looking to revisit the 2018 nominees, most are currently available on major streaming platforms or through high-definition physical media collections. For those interested in the craft of filmmaking, watching the "Making of" documentaries for The Shape of Water and Dunkirk is highly recommended, as they offer deep insights into how these disparate visions were brought to life.
For a complete historical perspective, consider watching the 2018 nominees in the context of the 2017 and 2019 winners (Moonlight and Green Book, respectively) to see how the Academy's tastes evolved during this pivotal three-year window in cinematic history.
