For a while, the biggest movie story of 2020 was what movies do not bad coming out as the pandemic shut down cinemas and dropped release dates for some of the biggest possible blockbusters of the year (see you later, Black Widow and No Time to Die, hopefully) and the most beloved bait awards (or is there another reason why Spielberg directed a remake Western story?). But no more, because it looks like a lot of good movies were released last year – and many of them have just been nominated for an Oscar.
Yes, the annual celebration of mutual admiration in Hollywood is still happening, even if things are a little different this year. Prizes will not be awarded until April 25, at the last point of the year for a 1932 Oscar ceremony. Some films that have not been released until 2021 will still be eligible as Academy modified the eligibility window and removed restrictions that require a theater release.
But the biggest difference between this year’s Oscar and any other is that you can easily (if not necessarily cheap) see most of the nominees right now, without leaving your home. Don’t wait for the launch of that art house to head to the bigger city near you, or for your favorite director’s next masterpiece to hit HBO – thanks to COVID, close everything for an award this year is airing somewhere right now. Heck, the most honored film of the year, Mank (10 nominations) even in Premiere on Netflix.
Here is where to submit nominations for the major categories at the 2021 Academy Awards.