Fact Finder - Movies

For decades, horror was seen as 'pulp' and ignored by the Academy. That changed in 1974 when William Friedkin’s 'The Exorcist' became the first horror film ever nominated for Best Picture. It was a cultural phenomenon that caused audiences to faint in theaters, but its technical mastery was undeniable. The film received 10 nominations in total, winning two (Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound). While it lost Best Picture to 'The Sting,' its inclusion opened the door for other 'prestige horror' films like 'Jaws,' 'The Silence of the Lambs,' and 'Get Out.' The nomination was a watershed moment that proved horror could be artful, sophisticated, and worthy of the industry's highest recognition.