There are more Oscar nominated movies on Netflix and streaming than ever before!
The past twelve months have been an odd year for cinema. The COVID-19 pandemic caused movies theaters across the United States to shut down. Also many studios delayed their productions. This caused a dramatic dip at the box office that will take quite a while to recover from.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has adapted to the situation in several ways. For starters, the Academy pushed back the ceremony to April from February. They also extended the eligible period for nominated films to include movies released in the first part of 2021.
One of the biggest changes, though, is that for the first time the Academy allows movies that were released on streaming services as nominees. Some in the film industry might not be happy about this change. But for audiences, it means we can watch more of this year's Oscar nominated films on Netflix or other streaming services than ever before.
Here is a list of the this year's Oscar nominated movies on Netflix and other streaming platforms (this list isn't exhaustive, but includes most major categories).
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Mank
What's it about? A profile of Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he rushes to finish “Citizen Kane” in the 1930s
What's it nominated for? A whopping TEN Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (David Fincher), Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried)
Where to watch? It's available on Netflix, free to subscribers
Trial of the Chicago 7
What's it about? Portrays the famous trial of seven protestors who were charged with conspiracy to start a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
What's it nominated for? Six awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Sacha Baron Cohen), and Best Original Screenplay
Where to watch? Watch it for free on Netflix, if you are a subscriber
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
What's it about? A drama film about a jazz singer and her band in 1920's Chicago.
What's it nominated for? Five awards including Best Actor for the late Chadwick Boseman and Best Actress for Viola Davis.
Where to watch? Available to watch for free for Netflix subscribers.
Nomadland
What's it about? A woman loses everything in the Great Recession and then embarks on a journey through the United States in a van, meeting wandering nomads along the way.
What's it nominated for? A total of six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao), Best Actress (Frances McDormand), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Director Chloé Zhao could make history as the first Asian woman to win the award.
Where to watch? It's available to watch with a regular Hulu subscription.
Sound of Metal
What's it about? A heavy metal drummer's life is turned upside down when he begins to lose his hearing.
What's it nominated for? Six awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Riz Ahmed), Best Supporting Actor (Paul Raci)
Where to watch? Amazon Prime Video, free to members.
Borat Subsequent Movie Film
What's it about? Borat returns to America with his 15-year old daughter in an attempt to bribe the United States government.
What's it nominated for? Two awards including Best Supporting Actress (Maria Bakalova) and Best Adapted Screenplay
Where to watch? Available for free to Amazon Prime members
One Night in Miami…
What's it about? Fictional account of a meeting between Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Muhammed Ali, and Jim Brown where they discuss the responsibility of being accomplished black men during the Civil Rights Movement.
What's it nominated for? Three awards including Best Supporting Actor (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Best Adapted Screenplay
Where to watch? Free to watch for Amazon Prime subscribers
Soul
What's it about? A middle school band teacher and wannabe jazz musician explores what it means to really have soul when he enters a heavenly realm.
What's it nominated for? Three awards including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score
Where to watch? This Pixar movie is free to watch for Disney Plus subscribers
Judas and the Black Messiah
What's it about? Portrayal of the real-life events when a black man conspired with the FBI to get information on Black Panther leader Fred Hampton as party of a plea deal.
What's it nominated for? Six awards including Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actor for both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield
Where to watch? It WAS on HBO Max as part of their same-day releases of theatrical films, but unfortunately its 30-day window has passed. For now, you can rent it on premium video on-demand services (PVOD).
Rent it on Redbox on Demand here
Promising Young Woman
What's it about? A stylish thriller about a woman on a quest to set right the wrongs of the past.
What's it nominated for? Five awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Emerald Fennell), and Best Actress (Carey Mulligan)
Where to watch? Currently it's only available for rent on premium on-demand services for $5.99.
Rent it on Redbox on Demand here
Minari
What's it about? A Korean-American moves to Arkansas in search of the American Dream.
What's it nominated for? Six awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Lee Isaac Chung), Best Actor (Steven Yeun), and Best Supporting Actress ( Youn Yuh-jung)
Where to watch? You can rent it on premium on-demand services.
Rent it from Redbox on Demand here
Rent it from Fandango NOW here
The Father
What's it about? A drama about a woman who struggles to help her aging father as he suffers from dementia.
What's it nominated for? Six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Supporting Actress (Olivia Coleman, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Where to watch? Not currently available on streaming services but you can pay to rent it on Premium On-Demand (PVOD).
Rent it on Redbox on Demand here
News of the World
What's it about? Set ten years after the Civil War, this Western follows a man who attempts to transport a young girl to her family across the rugged plains of Texas.
What's it nominated for? Four awards including Best Original Score and Best Production Design
Where to watch? You can rent it on premium on-demand services for $5.99
Rent it on Redbox on Demand here
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