After the confetti settles and the last of the champagne is drunk from New Year’s Eve, it’s time to turn your sights to the best night of the year: The Oscars. The longtime award show is not without its problems. But regardless (or perhaps, because) of the artifice and fish-eyed lens of the Academy Awards, the legend of the Oscars still glimmers in the public consciousness.

If you want a jump-start on the nominees, consider the following list. All of these movies are on the official list for consideration, and all of them are generating buzz for one reason or another. From family films to gothic thrillers, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste.

My preferred method of watching is at my local landmark theatre (either Chez Artiste on Colorado Boulevard or The Mayan on Broadway in Denver) but many of these films are available on streaming services.

Where to Watch Full-Length Films with Multiple 2024 Oscar Nominations

Oppenheimer

Based on the biography of inventor of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), this tour de force from acclaimed director Christopher Nolan has by far the most Oscar noms - and has been sweeping up awards elsewhere. Presenting an intimate portrait of a complicated man, this movie is an absolute must-see (and will likely clean up at the Oscars).

Where to watch: Peacock

Poor Things

Based on the 1992 book by Alasdair Grey, Poor Things follows a young woman named Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) who has the brain of an infant contained in the body of a mature adult. Centered on Bella’s rapid cognitive progression and subsequent exploration of the world, this whimsical, artistic movie nevertheless asks some tough questions about agency, scientific ethics, sexual exploitation, and growing up. Willem Dafoe gives the performance of a lifetime under some seriously gnarly prosthetics, and the creative, whimsical production design of this movie will be inspiring many generations to come.

Where to watch: Hulu

Killers of the Flower Moon

Based on the non-fiction work of the same name, Killers chronicles the systematic murder and disenfranchisement of the Osage nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s. Scorcese, DiCaprio, and de Niro are all present, but it’s Lily Gladstone’s quiet determination that steals the show in this 3.5 hour film, making her the favorite to win Best Actress.

Where to watch: AppleTV+

Barbie

Everyone’s favorite 9-inch doll gets the Hollywood treatment in this delightful film by Greta Gerwig. Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken and Barbie, with America Ferrera as a normal mom doing her best, this movie dutifully explores how far feminism has taken us, and how far we still have to go.

Where to watch: Max

Maestro

Bradley Cooper pushed himself to the limits in this biopic of the acclaimed composer and director Leonard Bernstein. As the writer, director, and star of this film, Cooper has upped his chances of winning an Oscar, though Oppenheimer is a tough opponent. As a music lover (and big fan of Bernstein’s) I’m pushing past Cooper’s cringier moments in the press tour to watch this film, because I believe this man’s musical legacy deserves to be remembered.

Where to watch: Netflix

American Fiction

Fed up with his stalling career and bruised ego, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) decides to give the world what it wants - a trauma porn blacksploitation novel. Soon he becomes caught up in the novel’s mythos, and his own family’s unraveling, in a sort of late-in-life bildungsroman that explores the role of blackness in “acceptable” art. Plus, it’s genuinely, laugh-out-loud funny.

5 Nominations: Best Picture | Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright) | Best Supporting Actor (Sterling K. Brown) | Best Adapted Screenplay | Best Original Score

Where to watch: AppleTV/Vudu for $19.99

Anatomy of a Fall

When a lover’s spat goes terribly wrong, a husband ends up dead and his wife ends up in court. After the confrontation, the movie (and the trial) hinges on a seemingly simple question: did she push him or did he fall? Starring Sandra Hüller (who’s also in nominee The Zone of Interest), this movie may hit a little close to home for many married couples.

5 Nominations: Best Picture | Best Director | Best Actress (Sandra Hüller) | Best Original Screenplay | Best Film Editing

Where to watch: Amazon Prime ($5.99)

The Holdovers

Cranky, curmudgeonly teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is stuck with the least desirable task from his employer, an all-boys prep school - care for the “holdovers,” the kids who aren’t going home for Christmas. Eventually it’s only Paul, student Angus Tully (played by Dominic Sessa) and head cook Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). This movie is unique in that it was shot using 100% practical sets - no sound stages, and no fake snow. While it’s fairly predictable, the movie has a lot of heart, and Randolph shines as the complicated, loving Mary.

5 Nominations: Best Picture | Best Actor (Paul Giamatti) | Best Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) | Best Original Screenplay | Best Film Editing

Where to watch: Peacock

The Zone of Interest

When commandant Rudolph Höss (Christian Friedel) is charged with running Auschwitz, his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) sets about making their gruesome environment more beautiful. Absolutely disturbing in its portrayal of mundanity, the film takes a hard whack at the soft narratives that have emerged over time about the Nazis and their families (I’m looking at you, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and reminds us how seemingly “normal” people can be complicit in violence and suffering.

5 Nominations: Best Picture | Best Director | Best International Feature | Best Adapted Screenplay | Best Sound

Where to watch: AppleTV/Vudu for $19.99

Napoleon

Here we reach the part of the list where I recommend movies with reservations. Director Ridley Scott once again shows his versatility with this sweeping biopic of one of the most infamous characters in French history, Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite it’s long runtime, critics and audiences agreed that the movie had a hard time figuring out where it landed on this powerful, fascinating, enigmatic man. Still, if you want to spend a somewhat confusing, but overall fine, 3 hours, Napoleon will do it.

3 Nominations: Best Costume Design | Best Production Design | Best Visual Effects

Where to watch: AppleTV/Vudu/Prime for $19.99

The Creator

In a post-apocalyptic future, humans are at war with artificial intelligence beings. Joshua (John David Washington) has been tasked with finding and destroying a weapon meant to annihilate humankind, only to find out the weapon is a half robot/half human child, Alphie (Madeline Yuna Voyles). The plot is pretty predictable, but not quite as emotionally impactful as some of the more predictable movies listed above. Still, even a quick glance at the trailer will tell you the visual effects (especially on Yuna Voyles) are ushering in a new amazing era of filmmaking.

2 Nominations: Best Sound | Best Visual Effects

Where to watch: Hulu

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Pt. 1

As my husband said, this is widely agreed to be one of the worst Mission Impossible movies to date. Did that stop him from seeing it in theaters? Of course not. Look, I could summarize it, but just know it’s mostly Tom Cruise doing Tom Cruise stuff with the iconic score in 5/4. It won Best Stunt Ensemble at the SAG awards, so at the very least, you know it’s entertaining.

2 Nominations: Best Sound | Best Visual Effects

Where to watch: Paramount+

Past Lives

This movie is likely to be overshadowed by bigger heavy hitters, but if you take the time to watch a lesser-known film on this list, I hope it’s this one. A sort of an anti-romance, the film follows Nora (Greta Lee) as she reconnects with her childhood love Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) many years later. A deep exploration of the many what-ifs we often must confront in our own lives, it’s a really beautiful film.

2 Nominations: Best Picture | Best Original Screenplay

Where to watch: Showtime, Hoopla, Fubo

Nyad

The 4th biopic on this list (damn, the Academy really loves a biography), Nyad follows the true story of Diane Nyad (Annette Bening), a woman who decided to swim from Florida to Cuba at age 60. Helped along by her best friend and coach (played by Jodie Foster), the film follows Diane’s journey to meeting her goal. Despite its bleak branding, the film has a pretty uplifting tone (AKA, it’s great to watch with your mom), and outstanding performances from Foster and Bening.

2 Nominations: Best Actress (Annette Bening) | Best Supporting Actress (Jodie Foster)

Where to watch: Netflix

La sociedad de la nieve (Society of the Snow)

Based on a true story, La sociedad de la nieve tells the often-revisited tale of a rugby team whose plane crashes in the Andes in 1972. The team must find a way to survive in the harsh, unforgiving environment, and the media environment that condemned them upon their return home. While the story has been covered many times, critics seem to think this is the best portrayal of the incident so far.

2 Nominations: Best International Feature (in Spanish) | Best Makeup & Hairstyling

Where to watch: Netflix

Where to Watch Full-Length Films with One 2024 Oscar Nomination

Kimitachi wa dô ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron)

After losing his mother, a young boy named Mahito Maki (Soma Santoki) stumbles into a strange world between death and life. Animated with the fantastical, occasionally grotesque, and overall whimsy that has become a hallmark of Studio Ghibli, the latest Hayao Miyazaki film is as poignant and entertaining as the others. Despite being up against a Pixar film, Disney’s listless offerings last year mean this film is the favorite to win Best Animated Feature (though I think it should also be up for Best International Feature).

What it’s nominated for: Best Animated Feature

Where to watch: Netflix

The Color Purple

Based on the classic novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple tells a rangey story about the power of friendship in the face of hardship in the American South. Despite the rich source material, the critical acclaim, and the absolutely stacked cast, the film has, head-scratchingly, only garnered a single nom. I encourage you to watch this film, though you’ll want to keep a box of tissues near by.

What it’s nominated for: Best Supporting Actress (Danielle Brooks)

Where to watch: Max

El Conde (The Count)

It’s rare that the Academy goes for comedies, so two comedies in one year is an absolute delight. Interestingly, it’s also the second foreign film on this list to not be nominated for Best International Feature. In this fantasy/comedy, 250-year-old vampire Augusto Pinochet has had enough; he’s ready to die. Only, the “vultures” around him aren’t quite ready to let him go. More irreverent than ha-ha funny, you’ll still walk away having enjoyed yourself immensely.

What it’s nominated for: Best Cinematography

Where to watch: Netflix

Elemental

Zootopia meets Inside Out in the newest offering from Disney/Pixar. Ember (Leah Lewis) is a fire element who befriends Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a water element and confronts the boundaries of acceptance. The whole thing feels a little tired and slapped together - from the animation, to the story, to the promotion. If you have kids I’m sure they’ll love it (and you’ll like it just fine) but I don’t know that I’ll watch this one.

What it’s nominated for: Best Animated Feature

Where to watch: Disney+

Flamin’ Hot

And for the fifth biopic on the list (though far and away the most silly), we have the true story of how Flamin’ Hot Cheetoes came to be - seriously. While working as a janitor for Frito Lay, Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) had an interesting thought - what if Cheetoes were…spicy? The resulting snack is now a much beloved staple and despite the movie being relatively staid, the story itself is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we encourage diversity. While it’s unlikely this is the one to finally garner Diane Warren her first Oscar, enjoy the movie anyway.

What it’s nominated for: Best Original Song

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+

Gojira -1.0 (Godzilla Minus One)

Set in postwar Japan, this movie is the origin story for the famous giant lizard we’ve all come to know and love. Affected by the radiation from the atomic bomb post WWII, a giant reptilian monster emerges from the sea to terrorize an already-devastated Japan. While I’m not an action movie girlie, this one has a 98% audience score AND a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, so I think I’ll be into it.

What it’s nominated for: Best Visual Effects

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+

Golda

Now we’ve come to biopic number six. Hellen Mirren plays Golda Meir, the “Iron Lady of Israel” who led the country through the Yom Kippur war in 1973. The audience score is wildly disparate from the critical score on this one, so you’ll have to decide for yourself whether it’s good.

What it’s nominated for: Best Makeup & Hairstyling

Where to watch: Paramount +

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Idk if anyone else has major Marvel fatigue at this point, but I certainly do. I can’t even bring myself to write a coherent summary, so here’s the one from IMDb: “Still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Karen Gillian), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.”

What it’s nominated for: Best Visual Effects

Where to watch: Disney+

Indiana Jones & the Dial of Destiny

In yet another installment of, “Dear God, please come up with some original IP; please put this franchise out of its misery, I’m begging you” we have the latest Indiana Jones film. In this one, a geriatric Indy
(I’m not being mean, Harrison Ford is literally an octogenarian) pulls yet another midcentury Robert Langdon with whips and hats. At least this one has Phoebe Waller-Bridge? Anyway, I’m pretty sure the only reason it’s nominated is that the Academy has some sort of blood oath with John Williams.

What it’s nominated for: Best Original Score

Where to watch: Disney+

Io Capitano (I’m the Captain)

It’s always a treat when the Academy elevates films from countries with less robust film industries, and Io Capitano more than deserves the honor. The film follows two young men, Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall) as they make the dangerous journey from Senegal across the Sahara and Mediterranean to realize their dreams of becoming musicians in Europe. Sarr won the prestigious Marcello Mastroianni Award for emerging actors at the Venice Film Festival, and his performance will leave you rivited.

What it’s nominated for: Best International Feature

Where to watch: Looks like it’s not currently available anywhere in the U.S. 😭 Check your local theaters!

May December

Based loosely on the story of Vili Fualaau and Mary Kay Letourneau, May December follows an actress, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) as she digs into the life and relationship of Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe Yoo (Charles Melton). In digging up their scandalous past, Elizabeth unwittingly uproots a whole lot of worms. Though it didn’t receive any acting noms, rest assured that all three of the main cast perform their tasks exceptionally well.

What it’s nominated for: Best Original Screenplay

Where to watch: Netflix

Nimona

Disgraced Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) has been falsely accused of murdering his wife, and the only person who can help him in the cyberpunk future is his sworn nemesis Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz). The animation is an odd mixture of 2D and 3D that frankly made me a bit queasy, but the story is very cute and both Moretz and Ahmed put some real charm into their voice acting.

What it’s nominated for: Best Animated Feature

Where to watch: Netflix

Komorebi (Perfect Days)

Literally translating to something close to “the way the light filters through the leaves,” Komorebi is a simple movie with a tender, touching execution. Kôji Yakusho plays Hirayama, a janitor whose greatest pleasure in life is the rock music he listens to between jobs. With his endearingly optimistic attitude, and the film’s killer soundtrack, it’s easy to see how the film got an Oscar nod (and how Yakusho won Best Actor at Cannes last year).

What it’s nominated for: Best International Feature

Where to watch: Vudu ($14.99)

Robot Dreams

In 1980s New York, a bored anthropomorphic dog wants a friend. So, he buys a robot. Every year, there’s always one really unique, under-the-radar selection for Best Animated Feature (my personal favorite is The Secret of Kells) and Robot Dreams is it this year! This movie is unique for one BIG reason - it has absolutely no dialogue. Originally released in Spanish and French speaking countries, U.S. audiences should still delight in this weird, quirky little movie.

What it’s nominated for: Best Animated Feature

Where to watch: Vudu ($14.99)

Rustin

When a biopic (number 7!) receives only one nomination for its star, occasionally the movie is quite bad even if the principal actor is quite good. Not so with Rustin. Colman Domingo plays Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin. Despite his enormous contributions to planning the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin’s role in the movement was enormously diminished because of his homosexuality. Now, Rustin’s story is being told by a capable, pitch-perfect, gay black man.

What it’s nominated for: Best Actor (Colman Domingo)

Where to watch: Netflix

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

I know we’ve seen a lot of biopics, but this movie marks a unique milestone: it’s the third movie on this list that includes actress Issa Rae in the cast. The follow-up to the acclaimed 2018 hit Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, this sequel has the same trademark animation and humor as the first one. If you have a kid older than 5 and younger than 12… you’ve probably already seen this one.

What it’s nominated for: Best Animated Feature

Where to watch: Netflix

Das Lehrerzimmer (The Teachers’ Lounge)

Carla Nowak (Leonie Benesch) becomes increasingly more unhinged when one of her preteen students is suspected of theft. Following Carla’s slow unraveling, this film is like a German version of Big Little Lies, only this time the narrative focus is on the teacher, not the parents.

What it’s nominated for: Best International Feature

Where to watch: Vudu ($14.99)

Where to Watch 2024 Oscar Nominated Documentaries and Shorts

Pro tip: look for screenings of shorts being shown together at your local movie theater, as this is often the easiest way to watch. They often do this at Landmark Theaters, especially.

Best Animated Short

מכתב לחזיר (Letter to a Pig)(Look for it in theaters)
Ninety-five Senses (Documentary+)
Our Uniform (Look for it in theaters)
Pachyderme (Vimeo for $5.99)
War is Over! (Amazon Prime)

Best Live Action Short

The After (Netflix)
Invincible (Look for it in theaters)
Red, White and Blue (YouTube)
Ridder Lykke (Knight of Fortune) (Look for it in theaters)
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Netflix)

Best Documentary Short

The ABCs of Book Banning (Paramount+)
The Barber of Little Rock (Look for it in theaters)
Island in Between (Look for it in theaters)
The Last Repair Shop (Hulu)
Năi Nai & Wài Pó (Hulu, Disney+)

Best Documentary Feature

20 Days in Mariupol (Google/Vudu/Amazon for $2.99)
American Symphony (Netflix; though technically this one is nominated for Best Original Song)
Bobi Wine: the People’s President (Disney+)
La memoria infinita (The Eternal Memory) (Paramount+)
Les filles d'Olfa (The Daughters of Olfa, released as Four Daughters) (AppleTV/Google/Vudu for $4.99)
To Kill a Tiger (Vudu for $3.99)

Have you seen any of these movies? What did you think?

Where to Watch the 2024 Oscar Nominated Movies

Where to Watch Full-Length Films with Multiple 2024 Oscar Nominations

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Killers of the Flower Moon

Barbie

Maestro

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

The Zone of Interest

Napoleon

The Creator

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Pt. 1

Past Lives

Nyad

La sociedad de la nieve (Society of the Snow)

Where to Watch Full-Length Films with One 2024 Oscar Nomination

Kimitachi wa dô ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron)

The Color Purple

El Conde (The Count)

Elemental

Flamin’ Hot

Gojira -1.0 (Godzilla Minus One)

Golda

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Indiana Jones & the Dial of Destiny

Io Capitano (I’m the Captain)

May December

Nimona

Komorebi (Perfect Days)

Robot Dreams

Rustin

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Das Lehrerzimmer (The Teachers’ Lounge)

Where to Watch 2024 Oscar Nominated Documentaries and Shorts

Best Animated Short

Best Live Action Short

Best Documentary Short

Best Documentary Feature

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