(NEXSTAR) — The 97th Academy Awards are just over a month away but there’s still plenty of time to catch up with this year’s 10 Best Picture nominees. This year’s roster features three musicals, three historical dramas, a sci-fi epic, a hard-to-categorize “Pretty Woman” inversion, a Vatican thriller, and a body horror comedy.
A few of the following nominees also made our “best films of 2024” list, so check it out for more recommendations you might not see here.
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Here are this year’s Best Picture nominees and where you can watch them.
“Anora”
This fun and moving peek into the life of New York City stripper-turned-escort Anora, a.k.a. “Ani,” (Mikey Madison) follows what happens after Ani’s chance encounter with the son of a billionaire Russian oligarch who quickly becomes her husband.
Unfortunately for Ani, this isn’t a Cinderella story and the tense, “Uncut Gems”-style powder keg of a movie that follows is among the most stressful stretches of film you’ll see in this bunch — and it’s also really, really funny.
In addition to Best Picture, “Anora” earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Actress (Madison) and Best Original Screenplay. Additionally, Russian actor Yura Borisov, who gives perhaps the most surprising performance of the film, received a much-deserved Best Supporting Actor nod.
“Anora” is still in theaters in some areas. It’s also available to purchase on Prime Video or Apple TV.
Mark Eydelshteyn and Mikey Madison star in Sean Baker’s “Anora.” (Courtesy of Neon)
“The Brutalist”
This three-and-a-half-hour epic follows fictional Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth (Adrien Brody), who survives the Holocaust and relocates to America in hopes of starting over and achieving the American dream.
After László is commissioned by an American industrialist (Guy Pearce) to build a grand community center in his honor, a power struggle between artistic vision and capitalism begins.
AI controversy hits Oscars talk: ‘The Brutalist’ under fire
Recently, “The Brutalist” came under fire after revelations about the use of artificial intelligence in the film came to light. Though the filmmakers assert the technology was only used to “enhance” accents and age drawings, it’s unclear whether the industry (and the Academy) will be turned off by these implements.
“The Brutalist” is currently only in theaters.
Adrien Brody in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” (Credit: A24 Films)
“A Complete Unknown”
This autobiographical musical drama follows singer-songwriter Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) as he arrives in New York City to become a folk singer. Directed by James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari”), “A Complete Unknown” dramatizes Dylan’s rise to fame and influence, culminating with his controversial performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when famously, Dylan “went electric.”
The film received eight nominations from the Academy, including Best Director and Best Actor for Chalamet. Whether or not Chalamet takes home the award (though he is among the top contenders), his nomination came with one hard-to-achieve distinction. As of his “A Complete Unknown” nomination, Chalamet has dethroned screen icon James Dean to become the current youngest actor to ever be nominated twice.
“A Complete Unknown” is currently only in theaters.
Timothée Chalamet in James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown” (Credit: Macall Polay/Searchlight)
“Conclave”
Based on the 2016 novel of the same name, this surprisingly fun and watchable film focuses on the aftermath of a reigning pope’s death as a mass of cardinals travel to the Vatican for a lockdown election process — called a “conclave” — to determine the next Holy Father. What follows is a thrilling and masterfully crafted story about politics, about the Catholic church, and about character.
“Conclave” is very much the kind of movie you’ll want to talk about with friends, so it’s best watched in a group — and the fact that we’re saying that about a Vatican drama tells you how good this one is.
“Conclave” is available to stream on Peacock. It can also be rented or purchased across most major streaming platforms.
This image released by Focus Features shows Ralph Fiennes in a scene from “Conclave.” (Focus Features via AP)
“Dune: Part Two”
“Dune: Part Two” takes us further into the desert planet Arrakis and of other worlds in the “Dune” universe and in this way, the second part feels like it ups the ante from the first film in every way. The film focuses on Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) in the aftermath of betrayal and destruction of his family’s dynasty. As Paul learns the ways of the desert-dwelling Fremen in preparation to lead them into coming war, we learn secrets of the Bene Gesserit organization and are also presented with multiple potential visions for how this whole story shakes out.
Plus: sandworms!
“Dune: Part Two” (and “Dune”) are available to stream on Max and Netflix. It’s also available to rent or purchase across most major streaming platforms.
Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” (Courtesy of Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros Pictures)
“Emilia Pérez”
This controversial musical comedy was only one Academy Award nomination short of becoming one of the most-nominated films in Oscars history — alongside other 14-award nominated films like “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” But the 13 nominations “Emilia Pérez” received is nothing to scoff at.
The film has proved to be one of the most polarizing of the season, including among LGBTQ+ critics, viewers, and organizations. GLAAD previously released comments on its trans representation, calling it “offensive and even dangerous.”
Nevertheless, the film also gave star Karla Sofía Gascón the distinction of being the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for Best Actress.
“Emilia Pérez” is available to stream on Netflix.
Karla Sofía Gascón in Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez.” (Shanna Besson / Pathé)
“I’m Still Here”
This Brazilian political drama, based on true events, follows activist and mother Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), after the enforced disappearance of her husband, Rubens Paiva, a politician who opposed the country’s military state in the 1960s-70s.
In addition to its Best Picture nomination, “I’m Still Here” racked up a Best Actress nomination for Torres and a Best International Feature, where it will face off against fellow Best Picture nominee “Emilia Pérez.”
“I’m Still Here” is currently only in select theaters nationwide. It will be available to stream on Apple TV+ sometime soon.
Fernanda Torres in Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here.” (Credit: Alile Onawale/Sony Pictures Classics)
“Nickel Boys”
This hypnotically beautiful and heart-wrenching historical drama, based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, chronicles the lives of two Black boys sent to an abusive reform school in the 1960s.
“Nickel Boys” is shot entirely in first person POV, so that you never see the character whose viewpoint we’re seeing until the POV shifts between the boys. It’s a unique and immersive directorial choice by RaMell Ross and has proven polarizing among critics. Nevertheless, “Nickel Boys” features some truly breathtaking cinematography by Jomo Fray and brings to life the people who lived (or didn’t) through a dark chapter in American history.
“Nickel Boys” is currently only in theaters.
This image released by Amazon/MGM shows Ethan Herisse, left, and Brandon Wilson in a promotional photo for the film “Nickel Boys.” (Orion Pictures/Amazon/MGM via AP)
“The Substance”
No 2024 movie stirred, shocked, disgusted, and fascinated us quite like Coralie Fargeat’s beautifully grotesque indictment of beauty standards, ageism, and the entertainment industry.
The film marks a triumphant return to the big screen for Demi Moore, who stars as faded Hollywood star Elisabeth Sparkle, who is pushed out of her once-beloved TV aerobics show because of her age. But after learning about The Substance — a black market serum program that promises to create a “younger, more beautiful, more perfect” version of the user — Elisabeth hopes to recapture some of her magic. Unfortunately, things go very, very awry.
“The Substance” is currently available to stream on MUBI. The film can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Demi Moore in Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” (MUBI)
“Wicked”
This big cinematic spectacle, based on Stephen Schwartz’s iconic stage musical, wowed audiences all the way to a $711 million box office and 10 Academy Award nominations. This reimagined story in the Land of Oz tells the “true” story of the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) and her origins as a student alongside the future Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande).
In addition to Best Picture, “Wicked” garnered nominations for stars Erivo and Grande, in addition to nods for Costume Design and Best Visual Effects.
Of all the films on this list, this is the perfect one to “hold space” with the whole family, as there’s a little something for every kind of movie fan.
“Wicked” is still playing in many theaters nationwide. It’s also available to purchase on most streaming platforms.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)
The 97th Academy Awards will be held Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. For the first time ever, the ceremony will be streamable on Hulu.
Happy movie-watching!
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