Last Updated: April 21, 2021
The 2021 Oscar nominations have been announced, and here's how cinephiles can watch all of the Best Picture nominees. This past year was certainly one of the more unprecedented and unusual in recent memory, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic greatly disrupting the entertainment industry. A number of 2020's most anticipated films were delayed, throwing the entire release calendar into a state of flux. As a result, streaming became more prevalent than ever, and several "smaller" titles gained traction with audiences looking for new films. Many of these went on to become 2021's top awards contenders.
An obvious benefit of streaming is movies are readily available to watch at home, giving films such as Nomadland, Sound of Metal, and others greater exposure. The flip side is with so many participants in the streaming wars, it can be difficult for even the most dedicated viewer to keep track of what's on what platform. As audiences look to catch up on the Oscar nominees prior to April's ceremony, we're using this space to run down the eight Best Picture nominees and let people know how they can watch them.
This post will be updated weekly until the 93rd Academy Awards with new theater counts, streaming dates, and Blu-ray release dates.
The Father
Other Nominations: Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Supporting Actress (Olivia Colman), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design
Directed by Florian Zeller, The Father follows Anthony an elderly man battling dementia who continuously rejects assistance from his daughter, Anne. The film earned widespread praise for its performances and direction, with critics painting it as a devastating and emotional story. It hasn't picked up many wins on the awards circuit thus far, but The Father is definitely a favorite of the voting bodies, so it will be interesting to see if it can pull off a surprise upset in any of its categories.
The Father is playing in 689 theaters. It is also available on VOD.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Other Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), Best Supporting Actor (Lakeith Stanfield), Best Original Song, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography
One of the latest entries into the race (the film was only released to the public in February), Judas and the Black Messiah is based on the true story of Bill O'Neal, an FBI informant who infiltrates the Black Panther party at the behest of Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover. O'Neal is tasked with helping to bring down Fred Hampton, a rising leader among the Black Panthers, but he finds his assignment increasingly difficult as he gets closer to Hampton and his associates. Kaluuya has emerged as the favorite for Best Supporting Actor for his riveting performance as Hampton.
Judas and the Black Messiah is playing in 783 theaters. It will be available on digital April 27 and Blu-ray May 4. It was one of WB's films playing on HBO Max, but its availability on the streaming service expired shortly before the Oscar nominations.
Mank
Other Nominations: Best Actor (Gary Oldman), Best Director (David Fincher), Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried), Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography
The leader of the pack with 10 nominations, Mank is Fincher's love letter to classic Hollywood. It chronicles Herman Mankiewicz's process of writing the iconic film Citizen Kane, alternating between sequences of "Mank" penning the script and key incidents from his life that allegedly influenced Citizen Kane. It isn't surprising to see a film about the entertainment industry earned nominations across the board, so it will be interesting to see if Mank can pull through. Netflix is eager to get a Best Picture winner, and this represents one of their best chances.
Mank is now streaming on Netflix.
Minari
Other Nominations: Best Actor (Steven Yeun), Best Director (Lee Isaac Chung), Best Supporting Actress (Youn Yuh-jung), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score
After controversially being deemed ineligible for Best Picture at the Golden Globes, Minari found itself among the nominees at the Oscars. Set in the 1980s, the film follows a Korean family that moves to Arkansas to start a farm. Critics have praised it for telling an affecting and universal story thanks to its powerful themes and terrific performances.
Minari is available to watch on digital to rent.
Nomadland
Other Nominations: Best Actress (Frances McDormand), Best Director (Chloé Zhao), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography
Zhao is making a splash well before Marvel's Eternals with Nomadland. Due to it winning Best Picture - Drama at the 2021 Golden Globes, the film is viewed as the frontrunner to take home the top prize at the Oscars. Nomadland follows Fern, who decides to live life going through the West as a nomad, after she loses everything in the recession. The film's earned much praise for being a moving and beautifully shot character study, cementing Zhao as a director to watch moving forward.
Nomadland is streaming on Hulu.
Promising Young Woman
Other Nominations: Best Actress (Carey Mulligan), Best Director (Emerald Fennell), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing
Premiering way back at Sundance 2020, just a couple months before the pandemic, Promising Young Woman was on many viewers' radar due to its stylish and provocative take on the revenge thriller. Earning praise for Fennell's vision and Mulligan's captivating performance as Cassandra, Promising Young Woman generated many conversations in wake of its public release - particularly debates about the ending. Given the subject matter Promising Young Woman tackles, it was bound to be a polarizing title, but it found plenty of support with the Academy.
Promising Young Woman is available to buy on digital and can be rented starting March 16. It hits Blu-ray on March 16. It's also playing in 636 theaters.
Sound of Metal
Other Nominations: Best Actor (Riz Ahmed), Best Supporting Actor (Paul Raci), Best Sound, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing
Many have noted Sound of Metal's parallels to the current state of the world with the pandemic. The drama is about rock drummer Ruben, who loses his hearing and struggles to adjust to his new reality. Ruben desperately attempts to to reestablish his "normal" life while simultaneously trying to learn how to live with deafness. Sound of Metal has earned raves for its performances and direction, with Ahmed anchoring the film in a heartbreaking and powerful turn.
Sound of Metal is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Other Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Sacha Baron Cohen), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Song
Aaron Sorkin is best known as a screenwriter, but he's starting to emerge as a talented helmsman. His directorial debut Molly's Game earned some accolades, and Trial of the Chicago 7 proved to be an even bigger awards contender. The film is based on its titular historical event, which saw seven individuals face trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Despite being a period piece, Trial of the Chicago 7 was noteworthy for being a timely and relevant piece of filmmaking that tapped into the current political climate. It also works as pure entertainment, with the talented ensemble bringing Sorkin's snappy script to life.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is now streaming on Netflix.