F1 Was An Oscars Surprise, But After The Voters’ Responses, I’m Thinking Perhaps It Shouldn’t Have Been

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I was a little surprised when people started talking about F1: The Movie as a potential Oscar contender. While critics generally liked it, I didn’t immediately see it as a strong awards contender. However, the more I’ve considered what Academy voters are saying, the more I understand why it’s being nominated. Despite being a fast-paced, visually impressive racing film directed by Joseph Kosinski, it’s proving to be more than just entertainment.

A recent analysis by Variety of anonymous Oscar ballots and conversations with voters reveals that F1 is surprisingly popular with Academy members. Voters consistently call it “great” and “classic entertainment.” While that might not sound like high praise, it’s actually a strong sign considering who the Academy voters are.

F1 is the type of movie that will likely appeal to long-time Academy voters. These voters came up in a time when a film’s popularity with general audiences was more important than sparking conversations or getting a lot of online buzz. It’s a polished, well-made film with a classic structure – similar to Ford v Ferrari, and not as experimental as Everything Everywhere All at Once.

One voter was very direct, enthusiastically saying they loved the movie. While this isn’t a statement that encourages agreement, it feels like a vote based on simple enjoyment. These kinds of ‘comfort votes’ can be risky when voters rank their choices, particularly this year with so many films competing for attention and a large number of best picture contenders.

When it comes to Best Picture, voters often choose the film that most people generally like, rather than the one they passionately love. And F1 appears to be in that perfect position: it’s been seen by a lot of people, is generally enjoyed, and rarely disliked. Compared to other contenders – international films, challenging art films, or movies that require a lot of thought and feeling – F1 simply asks voters to have fun.

Many voters are busy and don’t have time to watch all the films. Because of this, well-made, mainstream movies with famous actors like Brad Pitt, and strong technical aspects, really stand out. If a film starts winning awards for things like editing, sound, or visual effects, it significantly increases its chances of winning Best Picture, and could lead to a surprising victory at the Oscars.

I’ll admit, I initially questioned why F1 even entered the Oscar conversation. It felt like a bit of a stretch. But my perspective has completely changed. Now, I see it as a perfectly reasonable contender. The Academy loves a reliably well-made, emotionally resonant film – something that isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but is undeniably good. F1 fits right into that category, and I think it’s earned its place in the conversation.

Look, I don’t think F1 is a guaranteed Best Picture winner, or even a shoo-in to win any of its nominations. But this year feels different – so many strong films are splitting the vote, and we’re seeing a lot more international contenders. Honestly, being the movie that everyone generally agrees is just really good might actually be the best place to be right now.

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It was definitely unexpected to see F1 being discussed for an Oscar, and even more surprising that it received a Best Picture nomination. However, after hearing what voters are saying, it seems like it might actually be a frontrunner. We’ll find out for sure when the Oscars air on March 15th as part of the 2026 TV season. If you haven’t seen F1: The Movie yet, you can stream it with an Apple TV subscription.

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2026-01-28 20:46