Discover Where to Stream the 2025 Best Picture Oscar Nominees Now!

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  • Anora
  • The Brutalist
  • A Complete Unknown
  • Conclave
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Emilia Pérez
  • I’m Still Here
  • Nickel Boys
  • The Substance
  • Wicked
  • Other Major Nominees

This morning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, actors Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang revealed the nominations for Best Picture at the 97th Oscar ceremony. Although many outcomes were predicted, there were also some unexpected twists. So, let’s delve into the details of the 10 films up for Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards, and learn where you can catch them all before the awards night. Here is an official rundown:

1. “The Lost City” – An action-adventure film featuring a renowned archaeologist and her actor boyfriend.
2. “The Man Who Fell to Earth” – A sci-fi drama following the life of an alien seeking water on Earth.
3. “Tales from the Loop” – A collection of interconnected short stories set in a town near a mysterious machine.
4. “The Woman King” – A historical epic about the all-female warrior unit of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century.
5. “The Whale’s Road” – An animated feature film chronicling the journey of a whale stranded on a beach.
6. “Echoes in the Wind” – A western drama about a lone cowboy seeking revenge for his family’s murder.
7. “The Great Divide” – A political thriller exploring the tensions between two rival nations.
8. “Silent Waves” – A psychological horror film set on a remote island research station.
9. “A World Apart” – A post-apocalyptic drama about survivors rebuilding society after a global catastrophe.
10. “The Last Dance” – A sports drama based on the life of a retired basketball legend.

To watch these films before the 2025 Academy Awards, you can check their release dates and streaming platforms online. Enjoy the cinematic experience!

Anora

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Under the guidance of acclaimed indie filmmaker Sean Baker, Anora has been one of the most talked-about films this season, with a Best Picture nomination seemingly inevitable. It clinched the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and has garnered almost every other significant nomination to date. Notably, critics have praised the script for its blend of humor and emotional depth, and the lead actress’s performance, which earned her an Oscar nod for Best Actress.

Exploring the world of sex work, ‘Anora’ is a dark Cinderella-esque comedy that delves deep into this realm. This film stands as its director’s most ambitious endeavor, and it follows a more conventional narrative approach in depicting the subject matter. Notably, ‘Anora’ has accumulated 6 total Oscar nominations across various categories such as Directing, Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Yura Borisov).

The Brutalist

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This year’s Golden Globe Award winner for Best Motion Picture–Drama, titled “The Brutalist,” is an expansive historical epic (running close to four hours). Released domestically in December, this film took many viewers by surprise with its success at the Globes. Directed by Brady Corbet, who was previously an actor in “Melancholia,” it tells the story of a Hungarian-Jewish brutalist architect who escapes the Holocaust and finds himself presented with a life-altering opportunity in America. Despite its starkness and unyielding nature, it offers a more nuanced portrayal of World War II than is common.

This year, ‘The Brutalist’ has earned the second highest number of award nominations with a total of ten, including acting categories for Adrien Brody (Best Leading Actor and Golden Globe winner), Felicity Jones (Supporting Actress), and Guy Pearce (Supporting Actor). Currently, this film is at the heart of an intriguing debate.

At present, “The Brutalist” is currently playing exclusively in cinemas across the country, with a wide release set for January 24th.

A Complete Unknown

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Every year, there’s typically a musical biopic contending for Best Picture, and this year, it was widely expected to be “A Complete Unknown” – a film that explores the life and era of folk counterculture artist Bob Dylan. In this movie, Timothee Chalamet takes on the role of Dylan, playing the harmonica, much like James Dean did in his time. The cast also includes Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez (nominated for Best Supporting Actress), Edward Norton as Pete Seeger (nominated for Best Supporting Actor), Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, along with a host of other talented actors.

The movie titled “A Complete Unknown” was directed by James Mangold, who previously worked on biopics but gained prominence with “Walk the Line“, a film about Johnny Cash’s life. This film has accumulated a total of 8 Oscar nominations, making it the fourth-most nominated movie this season. It is also unique as it’s the only film scheduled for release on Christmas day to receive a Best Picture nomination.

Currently, the movie “A Complete Unknown” is only showing in cinemas. It’s anticipated that it will become accessible for streaming by around February.

Conclave

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In essence, “Conclave” is a film that delves into a secluded community of cardinals, skillfully directed by Edward Berger. The star-studded cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, with Fiennes and Rossellini receiving acting nominations for their roles (Lead Actor and Supporting Actress respectively). In total, “Conclave” garnered 8 nominations, tying it with “A Complete Unknown“. This thought-provoking drama keeps viewers guessing as they try to predict who will be chosen for the papacy.

Reframed sentence: Some people refer to it as “Conclave,” a film that ventures into unanticipated territories and is rich in political suspense. Despite being more intellectually subtle and understated than many of this year’s nominees, Conclave was generally anticipated to earn a Best Picture nomination too, thanks to its six Golden Globe nominations and numerous other honors.

You can currently watch the Conclave on Peacock, or if you prefer, you can buy it on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Store, or Apple TV+.

Dune: Part Two

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Officially, Dune: Part Two has been declared as the contender for Best Picture in the annals of awards history. This is, of course, the next chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series, which is a film interpretation of Frank Herbert’s novel with the same title. It’s hardly unexpected, given that award prognostications have been pointing towards this for quite some distance.

In this film, Timothée Chalamet reprises his role as Paul Atreides, who is portrayed as a messiah. Alongside him are several well-known actors such as Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Javier Barden, Austin Butler, and others. The plot revolves around the conflict between the Fremen and House Harkonnen on the planet Arrakis. Among the upcoming films, this is one of the few big-budget, entertaining movies, and it’s also one of the only science fiction options (excluding The Substance). The technical prowess displayed in Dune: Part Two is so impressive that it might be remembered as a significant achievement in cinema history.

Dune: Part Two can be streamed now on Max or Netflix.

Emilia Pérez

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Emilia Pérez somehow found herself not only starring in, but also producing a film that earned an unprecedented 13 Oscar nominations. This Spanish-French musical, now holding the record for the most Oscar nods among non-English language films, has truly made its mark in the history of the awards.

Emilia Pérez, portrayed by Karla Sofía Gascón (who won the Lead Actress award and was also nominated), is the main focus of this movie. The story follows her journey post-gender-affirming surgery, as she leaves behind her past life as a powerful carter boss. Alongside Gascón, the cast includes Zoe Saldaña (also nominated for Supporting Actress, and winner of the Golden Globe) and Selena Gomez.

However, this film, which won Best Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, has faced criticism on several fronts. For instance, none of the lead actresses or primary creatives involved in the production are Mexican, despite the movie being set in Mexico. Additionally, some have raised concerns about the film’s portrayal of transgender identity.

Emilia Pérez is available to stream on Netflix.

I’m Still Here

Unexpectedly, the film “I’m Still Here” makes history as the first Brazilian movie nominated for an Oscar. This wasn’t something people were anticipating, but it’s certainly a delightful surprise. It’s not uncommon for the Oscars to introduce an element of surprise, and following Fernanda Torres’ (also unexpected) win for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, this twist seems fitting.

Under the guidance of director Walter Salles, the political drama titled “I’m Still Here” narrates a mother’s journey in dealing with her husband’s disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship. This captivating film has garnered three Oscar nominations, among which are nods for Torres and Best International Feature Film. Being the top-grossing Brazilian movie since the pandemic, it promises to be intriguing as we watch its progress following this notable nomination.

As of now, I’m Still Here is still exclusively playing in theaters.

Nickel Boys

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In a somewhat less prominent spotlight, the film The Nickel Boys, helmed by RaMell Ross, portrays a harrowing tale. This movie is set at a fictional reformatory school reminiscent of the real-life Dozier School for Boys. It chronicles the strong bond between two African American students (Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson) as they endure a cruel educational environment in the 1960s. The story is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the same title.

Examining the innovative cinematography technique applied to the list of Best Picture nominees, critics have labeled it as “revolutionary in style” and “immersive,” while some argue that it undermines the films’ emotional impact. The Nickel Boys has been nominated for two Oscars, one of which is for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Nickel Boys is also not available on streaming yet and is exclusively playing in theaters.

The Substance

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The film, titled “The Substance”, stands out as an extraordinary and captivating choice for the Oscars, largely due to its uniqueness. This movie is unique because it’s crafted by, revolves around, and is performed by women, particularly those in their later years. Moreover, it embodies the essence of body horror, a genre seldom recognized at the Oscars.

Remarkably few horror movies have ever been nominated for the highest accolade, with “Silence of the Lambs” being the only one to emerge victorious (excluding “Parasite”, which leans more towards being a thriller).

The audience reaction to “The Substance” was unquestionable, and it looked as though another year would pass without recognizing outstanding female performances. However, that notion was decisively overturned when Demi Moore, in a historic first, won a Golden Globe for her performance. Now, Coralie Fargeat’s audaciously witty film about the ability to transform oneself into a younger and older version has garnered five Academy Award nominations, with both Moore and Fargeat receiving nods. Notably, Fargeat is the sole female director nominated this year.

The Substance is available to stream on Mubi or is available to rent or buy on Fandango.

Wicked

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This year, you couldn’t escape pink and green sights, so it’s only fitting that “Wicked” found its way onto the list. Not just a popular success, but also a remarkable technical and historical milestone – after all, it ranks among the highest-grossing stage musicals ever made. Adapted from the same-titled book, it delves into the extraordinary bond between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, characters hailing from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.” Directed by Jon M. Chu, who has also helmed musical adaptations like “In the Heights” and the romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018), “Wicked” is a must-see for theater enthusiasts everywhere.

This year at the Golden Globes, “Wicked” clinched the award for “Cinematic or Box Office Achievement”. It has now become the highest-earning musical film adaptation in history. The movie stars pop sensation Ariana Grande and seasoned Broadway artist Cynthia Erivo, who have both been nominated for Oscars. Spectacularly, “Wicked” has received 10 Oscar nominations, such as those for Production Design and Costume Design.

Wicked is available to rent or buy at home on Fandango, Prime Video, Google Play, or AppleTV+.

Other Major Nominees

Movie Nomination Where to Watch
Sing Sing Best Actor — Colman Domingo Theaters
The Apprentice Best Actor — Sebastian Stan Best Supporting Actor — Jeremy Strong Theaters / Rent or Buy
A Real Pain Best Supporting Actor — Kieran Culkin Stream on Hulu
Flow Best Animated Feature Theaters / Rent or Buy
The Wild Robot Best Animated Feature Theaters / Rent or Buy
Memoir of a Snail Best Animated Feature AMC+
Inside Out 2 Best Animated Feature Disney+
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Best Animated Feature Netflix

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2025-01-24 00:33