Now that the fervor around the Oscar nominations has settled, it’s time to check out the nominees you may have missed before the winners are announced on March 27.
Films like West Side Story, Licorice Pizza, and Drive My Car are only in theaters. However, if you don’t feel comfortable going to the movies just yet, you’ve still got plenty of options to watch at home. The majority of nominees (including several front-runners) are available to stream or rent online.
Here’s where you can stream, rent, or purchase the 2022 Oscar nominees:
Ascension
Nominated for: Best Documentary Feature
Director Jessica Kingdon’s documentary explores cycles of production and the pursuit of wealth, using China and the “Chinese dream” as subjects. Don’t expect voiceovers or talking heads: Ascension is completely observational, its engrossing footage guiding you through factories, offices, and more.
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AtticaAttica
Nominated for: Best Documentary Feature
The subject of Stanley Nelson’s documentary Attica is the 1971 Attica prison riot, one of the largest in United States history. Attica examines the inhumane conditions and rampant racism within the prison, which led the inmates to rise up, take hostages, and attempt to negotiate with the outside world. Using footage from the events, as well as interviews with former inmates and relatives of corrections officers, Attica is a harrowing film that still feels all-too relevant.
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Being the Ricardos
Nominated for: Best Lead Actor (Javier Bardem), Best Lead Actress (Nicole Kidman), Best Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons)
Get an inside look at the lives of comedy legend Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and her husband and co-star Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) in Being the Ricardos. The film documents a turbulent week during the production of I Love Lucy, as Ball and Arnaz navigate personal conflict, public smear campaigns, and more.
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Belfast
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director (Kenneth Branagh), Best Supporting Actor (Ciarán Hinds), Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Original Song
Belfast is both a family drama and a coming-of-age story inspired by director Kenneth Branagh’s own childhood. Buddy (Jude Hill) is a young boy growing up in Belfast at the start of the Troubles. Through his eyes, we see how the Troubles — which aren’t always center stage — impact his youth and his family.
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CODA
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Troy Kotsur), Best Adapted Screenplay
Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of a deaf family. When she discovers a passion for singing, she struggles to balance her rehearsals, a new relationship, and her family’s expectations. CODA is full of tremendous, grounded performances, especially from Jones and the actors playing her family: Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant. If you’re looking for a guaranteed heartwarming film, this is it.
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Coming 2 America
Nominated for: Best Makeup and Hairstyling
In 1988, Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) came to America. In 2021, he returned to our screens in Coming 2 America. Murphy and Arsenio Hall are back. While the sequel doesn’t reach the same highs as the original, it’s still a fun time.
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Cruella
Nominated for: Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Brilliant, bad, and a little bit mad: That’s Cruella de Vil for you! Emma Stone dons the Disney villainess’s iconic fur coat in this origin story that’s got a few twists up its perfectly tailored sleeves. The real stars here are the costumes, designed by Jenny Beavan, including lavish dresses, punk-inspired jackets, and a show-stopping gown made of trash.
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Don’t Look Up
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing
In this bleak satire —written and directed by Adam McKay — the world is about to end, and no one cares. Two astronomers (Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio) discover a comet on a collision course with Earth and embark on a futile media tour to raise awareness. The film’s all-star cast also includes Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Timothée Chalamet, and Ariana Grande.
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Dune
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic is a treat for the eyes and ears, as well as an excellent adaptation of Frank Herbert’s tricky source material. Journey to the planet Arrakis with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), and get ready to meet desert warriors, scheming nobles, and the coolest creatures of all: sandworms.
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Encanto
Nominated for: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Original Song
We may not talk about Bruno, but we do talk about Encanto. Disney’s latest animated film introduces us to the magical Madrigal family, whose special gifts prove to be burdens as well as blessings. Get ready for gorgeous animation and catchy tunes courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda, including “Surface Pressure,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and the Oscar-nominated “Dos Oruguitas.”
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Flee
Nominated for: Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature Film, Best Animated Feature Film
In Flee, Amin Nawabi (a pseudonym) tells the story of how he left his home country of Afghanistan for Denmark as a refugee. The film is animated, which both protects Nawabi’s identity and allows the movie to dramatize events that may not have existing footage.
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This is an amazing list. 👏👏
Thank you Ross.