In a season where many of Hollywood’s most anticipated films have fizzled at the box office, one historical drama has defied the odds and emerged as a quiet powerhouse. Russell Crowe’s ‘Nuremberg’ has become the underdog story of the year, quietly raking in $46 million globally—a figure that’s not just impressive but downright surprising in a crowded awards season. But here’s where it gets controversial: while bigger names like Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ have struggled to break $21.1 million, and high-profile releases like ‘Bugonia’ and ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ barely crossed $40 million, ‘Nuremberg’ has outpaced them all without the same level of hype. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the film’s ability to resonate globally, with international grosses already doubling its domestic earnings. Take Italy, for instance, where it’s pulled in over $8 million, surpassing last year’s awards darling ‘Conclave.’ Even more striking? Major markets like France and Germany haven’t even opened yet, leaving room for its global total to soar even higher.
Directed by James Vanderbilt, ‘Nuremberg’ dives into the gripping story of U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (played by Rami Malek), who examines Hermann Göring (Crowe) and other high-ranking Nazis during the historic war crimes trials. Crowe’s performance, hailed by Variety as one of ‘consummate command,’ is a masterclass in acting, with the actor delivering his lines in German to embody Hitler’s narcissistic second-in-command. But here’s the bold question: does a film’s box office success guarantee awards glory? Despite earning six BAFTA longlist spots and two Academy Award shortlist nods, ‘Nuremberg’ has been largely overlooked in the awards conversation—a fact that’s sparked debate among critics and audiences alike.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and hitting theaters in November, the two-and-a-half-hour drama has maintained a stellar 95% to 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It even ranked as the second most popular movie on Amazon and Apple TV after its December 23 premium video-on-demand release. With France and Germany set to open in January and April, respectively, ‘Nuremberg’ is poised to keep climbing the box office ladder. But will its financial success translate into Oscar nominations? That remains to be seen—and it’s a question that’s sure to divide opinions. What do you think? Does ‘Nuremberg’ deserve more awards recognition, or is its box office triumph enough? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
