Stream these Oscar-nominated films
- Featured Lifestyle
Ruhi Gilder- 27 minutes read
Ruhi Gilder
Ever gone through the Oscar nominations list and promise yourself that this will be the year you’ll watch them all? Here’s your chance to catch all these nominated films from the comfort of your home, with a little help from streaming services. Experience the excitement of the Oscars, as you root for your favourite film. Since the awards are set to take place on March 27, it’s time to get cracking!
Being the Ricardos
Nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor
An Amazon Original Movie, Being the Ricardos is written and directed by award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. This biographical film delves into the lives of hit TV series I Love Lucy’s stars, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Played by Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, the movie released in December 2021, and is set in 1952. It follows the personal and professional drama that comes with being a Hollywood power couple maintaining their career as well as relationship, apart from featuring on a much-loved TV show.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video
CODA
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor
The title of this coming-of-age dramedy stands for Child of Deaf Adults, and the movies follows the life of such a child. Named Ruby, she is the only hearing member of a deaf family and at age 17, she supports her family with their fishing business and juggles her schoolwork. The story then goes on to show Ruby joining her school choir where she grows close to her duet partner Miles. CODA premiered on January 28, 2021, at the Sundance Film Festival, where Apple acquired distribution rights to CODA for a festival-record US$25 million.
Stream on Apple TV+
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Actress
This biographical film is based on the 2000’s documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. ‘70s controversial televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband, Jim, are the protagonists of this film that showcases their rise from a humble background to the creation of their religious broadcasting network and Christian theme park.
Stream on Disney+ Hotstar
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Nominated for Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design
Denzel Washington’s Best Actor nomination in The Tragedy of Macbeth singles him out as the most nominated Black actor in Oscar History, boasting ten nominations and two wins. The film itself is written and directed by Oscar-winning director Joel Coen, his first directorial effort without his brother Ethan, based on Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Also starring Coen’s wife, Oscar-winner Frances McDormand, the film has been the subject to much critical acclaim for its performances, direction and cinematography.
Stream on Apple TV+
Encanto
Nominated for Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score and Best Original Song
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A rage amongst adults and children alike, Encanto tells the tale of The Madrigals, a family who lives hidden in the mountains of Colombia. The land has magic that blesses every child in the family with a unique gift, except our protagonist, Mirabel. But when the family starts losing its magic, Mirabel is the one who sets out to find out what went wrong. The musical score of this film has gone viral, touching #1 on the US Billboard 200.
Stream on Disney+ Hotstar
Luca
Nominated for Best Animated Feature
This Pixar production is another animated film available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar, set in the Italian Riviera. Luca spends a summer filled with gelato, pasta and scooter rides with his new best friend, but the idyllic fun is threatened by the fact that he is a sea monster from another world.
Stream on Disney+ Hotstar
The Power of the Dog
Nominated in 12 categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director
An American Western, directed by Jane Campion, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst. Based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name, it shows the life of rancher Phil Burbank who mocks and intimidates his brother’s new wife and her teen son, until the unexpected happens, and secrets are revealed.
Stream on Netflix
tick, tick…BOOM!
Nominated for Best Actor and Best Film Editing
Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens are part of the cast of this autobiographical musical based on the life of playwright Jonathan Larson, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It tracks his journey as an aspiring composer in New York City who navigates love and friendship amid the pressure to leave behind his legacy to remember.
Stream on Netflix
The Hand of God
Nominated for Best International Feature Film
An Italian film, the Hand of God follows the life of Fabietto in 1980s Naples. A family tragedy strikes, changing the lives of his family forever, prompting our protagonist to grow up in hurry, and eventually moulding his future as a filmmaker.
Stream on Netflix
The Lost Daughter
Nominated for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay
Released in December 2021 to much acclaim, the film is based on a book by author Elena Ferrante. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, the psychological thriller deep dives into the complexities of motherhood. The cast is one to watch out for with Olivia Colman at the helm, and starring Dakota Johnson, Paul Mescal and Ed Harris.
Stream on Netflix
Don’t Look Up
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing
An apocalyptic black comedy film, Don’t Look Up stars an ensemble cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Cate Blanchett, and Meryl Streep, amongst others. The plot revolves around two astronomers who go on a tour alerting humanity about a comet that will destroy human civilisation. It was ideated as a satire on the indifferent response of governments, celebrities, media, and humans themselves to the climate change crisis.
Stream on Netflix
Robin Robin
Nominated for Best Animated Short Film
A 30-minute stop motion musical short, Robin Robin features the voices of Bronte Carmichael, Adeel Akhtar, Gillian Anderson and Richard E. Grant. The storyline follows a robin whose egg rolls into a rubbish dump, leading her to be raised by a loving family of burglar mice. When she grows up, to prove she really belongs to the burglar mice clan, Robin sets off on a heist, but instead goes on to discover who she really is.
Stream on Netflix
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Nominated for Best Animated Feature
A computer-animated science fiction comedy film, this one released on Netflix a week after theatrical release in April 2021. The movie is about the dysfunctional Mitchell family, that sets off on a road trip, but ends up having to save Earth from a global robot takeover. The voices of Olivia Colman, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Blake Griffin, and Conan O’Brien make an appearance in the film. It received acclaim for its LGBTQ representation, animation and action scenes.
Stream on Netflix
Books
While not all Oscar nominees are available to stream on OTT platforms, why not read the books that these critically acclaimed films are based on?
Dune by Frank Herbert
The film based on this book is nominated for a whopping ten accolades, including Best Picture. Dune is all about a boy Paul Atreides, from a noble family on planet Arrakis. Clashes ensue as violent forces fight to control melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. While the film only covers the first half of the book, Dune is an eight-part series, so buckle up for an epic sci-fi binge.
The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden
The book that inspired the film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, is none other than Sara Forden’s 400-page novel. Depicting a story of murder, glamour, intrigue and greed, the book takes us through the Gucci family’s many controversies, starting from 1995. House of Gucci is nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham
Nightmare Alley, the 2021 Academy Award nominated film is adapted from the novel by the same name by William Lindsay Gresham. Set in 1940s New York, protagonist Stanton Carlisle uses his wits and charm to con himself a life as a mentalist, picking himself out of poverty. Swindling the wealthy, Carlisle comes up with a scheme to con a dangerous millionaire, with the help of a cast of eccentric characters. The 2021 film has Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Rooney Mara, as part of its cast, and four nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
