33 of the Biggest Award-Winning Films (and Where to Watch Them)
Awards aren’t everything, true, but keeping an eye on the year’s big film awards can open our eyes to films we may have missed – as we debate which big box office blockbusters really deserve to win. awards. This year’s Gotham Independent Film Awards were held in late November and are generally seen as the start of awards season, which ends with the big finale – the Academy Awards, which will take place on March 10, 2020. 2024.
If you’re the kind of movie fan who likes to see as many Oscar nominees as possible by the time the ceremony starts (don’t worry: you’re among friends here), consider this list an early set of predictions. If you’re just looking for reminders of some of the best, or at least most interesting, films of the year, look no further.
Barbie
Greta Gerwig’s incredible cultural phenomenon has already won big: It’s the highest-grossing film of the year, grossing nearly $1.5 billion (so far). The film’s soundtrack dominated the Grammy nominations, and it would be a little shocking if the film didn’t receive nominations for Best Picture and Best Director during the Oscars, as well as winning Margot Robbie for Best Actress and Ryan Gosling for Second Actor. plan. . It’s still Barbie’s world.
Where to watch: digital rental
Past Lives
This low-key romantic drama feels a little out of place in a year full of so many heavyweight actors, but the beautiful, touching story of relationships across decades is brilliantly acted and directed, both timely and timeless. It won the Gotham Awards for Best Feature Film and was nominated for director Celine Song and also for lead role Greta Lee. I’d be very surprised if the film didn’t gain momentum for further nominations.
Where to watch: digital rental
Oppenheimer
This summer, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer went toe-to-toe with Barbie at the box office and somehow both came out on top. That’s less likely during awards season, when these two could very well go head-to-head for several major awards. Technical awards nominations are all but certain here, and Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director are a distinct possibility. Cillian Murphy has a good shot at getting a Best Actor nomination, while Robert Downey Jr. could be in the running for a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Where to watch: digital rental
Elemental
Although reviews were fairly good, the film was a box office failure, at least compared to previous Disney/Pixar productions. However, the film had a strong position and brought Disney+ the best streaming premieres of the year . Of course, none of this should matter when it comes to awards, but the film that seemed to be out of the conversation has come roaring back. This is almost a guarantee of an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, to say the least.
Where to watch: Disney+.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Doom
While it’s a lot of fun and a fitting farewell to Harrison Ford’s Indy, Dial probably won’t get much love come awards season, aside from the score from legendary composer John Williams. The composer, who will be 92 at the time of the Oscars, has dozens of nominations under his belt but has not taken home an Oscar since 1994.
Where to watch: Disney+.
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American Symphony
Directed by Matthew Heineman, the film follows a year in the life of writer Souleika Jaouad and her husband, musician Jon Batiste, as she deals with a relapse of a rare form of leukemia while he composes his first symphony. It’s a moving film that goes beyond the obvious and proves that there are things that only music can say. A good bet for best documentary.
Where to watch: Netflix
Bo is afraid
One of the wildest and most polarizing films of the year (see also: Saltburn ) comes from Ari Aster, director of Hereditary and Midsommar . The film’s production design is a highlight, as are the performances of lead character Joaquin Phoenix and especially potential supporting actress Patti LuPone, who stands out here. The controversy surrounding the film (is it brilliant, is it completely boring, or is it both?) can hurt, but it can also help—it will at least be part of the conversation.
Where to watch: digital rental
May December
Todd Haynes directs this insightful and touching, yet deliberately campy story about an actress visiting the woman she will play in the film. Screenplay nominations are up for grabs, as are awards for Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. Likewise, Charles Melton (fresh from Riverdale ) beat out stars like Juliette Binoche, Jamie Foxx, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams to win the Gotham Awards for Outstanding Supporting Performance, so consider him a strong contender for further nominations.
Where to watch: Netflix
Little Richard: I am everything
A documentary about the iconoclastic music legend takes a deep dive into the very strange, very black origins of rock ‘n’ roll. It could very well win some major documentary awards.
Where to watch: Max
Air
Ben Affleck directs a surprisingly gripping and emotional drama about the birth of Air Jordans. Affleck also stars opposite Matt Damon, with multiple Oscars under their belt, and Viola Davis has a small but pivotal role that could lead her to some supporting actor awards.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
Kokomo City
D. Smith’s impressively optimistic portrait of a group of transgender, black sex workers gained traction after winning a pair of NEXT prizes at Sundance and probably deserves to win even more. An Oscar nomination for Best Documentary is certainly a possibility.
Where to watch: digital rental
One thousand and one
Teyana Taylor plays Ines, who kidnaps her own son from a New York foster home and fights over time to build him a better life than he found it. A radically humane and empathetic film, it deserves major awards love if it’s being paid attention to. Of course, Taylor could see a Best Actress nomination.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
Asteroid city
Wes Anderson’s latest is about the same as Wes Anderson, featuring an all-star ensemble in the meta-story of the 1955 stargazer convention, staged as a play whose creation we are also witnessing. Awards for production design and costumes are very likely, with slightly better chances for nominations for the film and director (Wes Anderson will probably go, after all).
Where to watch: Peacock.
Cassandro
This is probably a bit of a long shot since I’m not sure anyone has heard of it, but Gael García Bernal plays the title character based on a real-life weirdo luchador, and he’s received nothing but praise for his performance.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorsese’s latest film is a top contender for several top prizes during the Oscars: likely best picture and best director, as well as possible nominations for lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio and supporting actors Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro.
Where to watch: digital rental
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
It’s one of the few bright spots in Marvel’s recent work (it’s really good!) and will likely get a few technical nominations.
Where to watch: Disney+.
Dumb money
Short, but GameStop takes place in the midst of the Covid pandemic. A few years ago, director Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya did pretty damn well at the Oscars. Definitely could have gotten a few screenplay nominations, if not more.
Where to watch: digital rental
Murderer
David Fincher’s latest film didn’t seem to generate as much buzz as, say, Mank , but Fincher has received Oscar nominations for every film he’s directed since 2008. At least a screenplay nomination isn’t unlikely.
Where to watch: Netflix
Nyad
Annette Benning plays the real-life Diana Nyad, who in her 60s sailed from Florida to Cuba. The actress doesn’t have a single Oscar to her name, and it seems like now is the right time to fix that. I’m guessing we’ll see her get a Best Actress nomination, and there’s a good chance Jodie Foster could very well do enough to get a Best Supporting Actress nomination. It seems the film has created a lot of buzz, so new nominations are out of the question.
Where to watch: Netflix
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The sequel to one of the best superhero movies is also very good! An Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature is all but guaranteed, and there are several options for Best Original Song.
Where to watch: Netflix
Rustin
Colman Domingo brilliantly plays Bayard Rustin, the gay civil rights leader who planned the March on Washington. He’s a very strong candidate for Best Actor.
Where to watch: Netflix
Movie “Super Mario Brothers”
Reviews were pretty good, but the Chris Pratt-led film fell just behind Barbie at the box office this year. This could very well be enough to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Where to watch: Netflix
Nimona
The charming and funny adaptation of N.D. Stevenson’s graphic novel has a good chance of earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Where to watch: Netflix
80 for Brady
The song from the film “Gonna Be You” is performed by Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry. If Academy voters don’t nominate this and allow this live performance to happen, I will picket, I swear to God.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+.
Saltburn
This completely crazy horror film has become one of the most controversial and interesting films of the year. Oscar voters will either love it or hate it, just like the general public. He could very well get a nomination for his screenplay, but who knows? This could be a fun wild card.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Anatomy of a fall
The French thriller combines family drama with elements of a very smart police procedural, is brilliantly directed and features a standout lead performance from Sandra Hüller as a woman trying to prove her innocence in her husband’s death. This year he won the top prize at Cannes (as well as the Palm Dog, awarded for the best performing dog – really!); it also won the Gotham Awards for Best Screenplay and Best International Feature. The film was not France’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar (perhaps because director Justine Trieu used her Cannes speech to criticize the French president), but other awards are on the table, including a likely Oscar nomination for Best Actress Hüller.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Maestro
Maestro , Bradley Cooper’s directorial follow-up to the multi-nominated A Star Is Born , sounded like a no-brainer for awards season, but much of the early discussion was dominated by the pros and cons of Cooper’s prosthetic nose during his role. composer Leonard Bernstein. Reviews were good, but not as good as A Star Is Born , and audience reaction was lukewarm. However, there is a good chance that Cooper will receive several acting nominations, just like his co-star Carey Mulligan. Other major rewards are also possible, although not guaranteed.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Priscilla
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla Presley biopic didn’t generate much buzz overall, but Cailee Spaeny’s performance in the lead role received universal acclaim. It seems like director Coppola should be nominated for another Best Director Oscar nomination (her first and last was for Lost in Translation 20 years ago), but that seems unlikely this year.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Boy and heron
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film (also called How Do You Live?) has barely opened wide release and has already won the New York Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature. The animator/director planned to retire after 2013’s The Wind Rises , but decided to return for a film that could be his swan song or represent a new beginning. In any case, he remains at the peak of his form. Despite all the acclaim, the last time one of his films got big love at the Oscars was 2003, although of course an Oscar isn’t everything.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Poor things
In a dark but truly humane tale, young Victorian Bella Baxter, played by Emma Stone, is resurrected after committing suicide – with mixed results. The film stars Willem Dafoe and is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who received a ton of nominations for The Favourite , but inexplicably lost the Best Picture Oscar to Green Book . It might be too weird for the Academy, but Emma Stone’s performance could at least get a nomination.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
We are all strangers
Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal and Claire Foy star in the latest film from Andrew Hay ( Weekend , Looking , Count on Pete ) about the growing relationship between neighbors as one of them revisits his past and a suburban town. which he left behind. The British film dominated the nominations at this year’s Gotham Awards, winning awards for the film’s three performers, screenplay and best international feature.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Area of interest
Jonathan Glazer is not a particularly prolific director, but three of his earlier films ( Sexy Beast (2000), Birth (2004), Under the Skin (2013)) received acclaim; more importantly, they are all interesting. Here he fearlessly explores the banality of evil, centering his Holocaust narrative on Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hesse (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) as they build a charmingly ordinary life in the shadow of the concentration camp. Hüller has also received awards season buzz for her work in Anatomy of a Fall , with the film already being pitched as a UK entry for a potential Best International Film nomination.
Where to watch: At the cinema.
Color Purple
The second film adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, the follow-up to Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version, is already gathering excitement, even if it won’t be released until Christmas. The Bizawule Blitz director was praised, as was Fantasia Barrino as Celie, a role that earned Whoopi Goldberg an Oscar nomination as well as Tonys for LaChanze and Cynthia Erivo in the Broadway versions. If the hype continues, The Color Purple could become an Oscar night favorite.
Where to watch: In theaters (coming soon)