Time is running out to watch the 2021 Oscar nominees before the April 25 ceremony. There are 41 feature films nominated across twenty categories, plus the shorts. To see the nominees by category, visit www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2021, or download a ballot here.
The burning question is: How can we view the nominees? Some are only available through streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, while others are available on DVD and/or Blu-Ray; some can be streamed PVOD (premium video on demand), and some are currently in theatres. See the table below for notes on where to find the feature films that are nominated.
| Feature Film | Nominations | Availability |
| Another Round | International Feature Film Directing (Thomas Vinterberg) |
DVD 3/30 |
| Better Days | International Feature Film | DVD |
| Borat Subsequent Moviefilm | Actress in a Supporting Role (Maria Bakalova) Adapted Screenplay |
Amazon Prime |
| Collective | Documentary Feature International Feature Film |
DVD |
| Crip Camp | Documentary Feature | Netflix |
| Da Five Bloods | Original Score | Netflix |
| Emma | Makeup & Hairstyling Costume Design |
DVD |
| Eurovision Song Contest | Original Song (Husavik) | Netflix |
| Father, The | Best Picture Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Hopkins) Actress in a Supporting Role (Olivia Colman) Adapted Screenplay Production Design Film Editing |
In Theatres DVD on order PVOD 3/26 |
| Greyhound | Sound | Apple TV+ |
| Hillbilly Elegy | Actress in a Supporting Role (Glenn Close) Makeup & Hairstyling |
Netflix |
| Judas and the Black Messiah | Best Picture Actor in a Supporting Role (Daniel Kaluuya) Actor in a Supporting Role (LaKeith Stanfield) Original Screenplay Original Song “Fight for You” Cinematography |
In Theatres DVD & Blu Ray 5/4 PVOD 4/2 |
| Love and Monsters | Visual Effects | DVD |
| Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom | Actor in a Leading Role (Chadwick Boseman) Actress in a Leading Role (Viola Davis) Makeup & Hairstyling Costume Design Production Design |
Netflix
|
| Man Who Sold His Skin, The | International Feature Film | N/A |
| Mank | Best Picture Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Oldman) Actress in a Supporting Role (Amanda Seyfried) Directing (David Fincher) Original Score Sound Makeup & Hairstyling Costume Design Cinematography Production Design |
Netflix |
| Midnight Sky, The | Visual Effects | Netflix |
| Minari | Best Picture Directing (Lee Isaac Chung) Actor in a Leading Role (Steven Yeun) Actress in a Supporting Role (Yuh-Jung Youn) Original Screenplay Original Score |
In Theatres PVOD 2/26 DVD on order |
| Mole Agent, The | Documentary Feature | DVD |
| Mulan | Costume Design Visual Effects |
DVD & Blu Ray |
| My Octopus Teacher | Documentary Feature | Netflix |
| News of the World | Original Score Sound Cinematography Production Design |
DVD & Blu Ray 3/23 |
| Nomadland | Best Picture Actress in a Leading Role (Frances McDormand) Directing (Chloé Zhao) Adapted Screenplay Cinematography Film Editing |
Hulu In Theatres Blu Ray 4/27 DVD N/A |
| One and Only Ivan, The | Visual Effects | Disney+ |
| One Night in Miami | Actor in a Supporting Role (Leslie Odom Jr) Adapted Screenplay Original Song “Speak Now” |
Amazon Prime |
| Onward | Animated Feature | DVD & Blu Ray Disney+ |
| Over the Moon | Animated Feature | Netflix |
| Pieces of a Woman | Actress in a Leading Role (Vanessa Kirby) | Netflix |
| Pinocchio | Makeup & Hairstyling Costume Design |
DVD 3/16 |
| Promising Young Woman | Best Picture Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan) Directing (Emerald Fennell) Original Screenplay (Emerald Fennell) Film Editing |
DVD & Blu-Ray |
| Quo Vadis, Aida | International Feature Film | VOD or Digital purchase |
| Shaun the Sheep Movie, A: Farmageddon | Animated Feature | Netflix |
| Soul | Animated Feature Original Score Sound |
DVD Disney+ |
| Sound of Metal | Best Picture Actor in a Leading Role (Riz Ahmed) Actor in a Supporting Role (Paul Raci) Original Screenplay Sound Film Editing |
Amazon Prime |
| Tenet | Production Design Visual Effects |
DVD & Blu-Ray |
| The Life Ahead | Original Song “Io Si (Seen)” | Netflix |
| Time | Documentary Feature | Amazon Prime |
| Trial of the Chicago 7, The | Best Picture Actor in a Supporting Role (Sacha Baron Cohen) Original Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) Original Song “Hear My Voice” Cinematography Film Editing |
Netflix |
| United States vs Billie Holliday, The | Actress in a Leading Role (Andra Day) | Hulu |
| White Tiger, The | Adapted Screenplay | Netflix |
| Wolfwalkers | Animated Feature | Apple TV+ |
You may notice that of the Best Picture nominees, two are available only on Netflix (The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Mank), and another, The Sound of Metal, is available only on Amazon Prime. Don’t expect these to be released on DVD or Blu Ray until long after the ceremony. Nomadland, on the other hand, is available for streaming on Hulu, but it’s still in theatres, and reportedly will be released on Blu-Ray two days after the ceremony. For a review of the Best Pic nominees, along with a description and where to watch, The Today Show list is a good resource.
Of course, the library has or will acquire copies of the nominated films on DVD and/or Blu Ray as they become available. Currently, the only Best Picture nominee available on DVD/Blu Ray is Promising Young Woman, although there are nominees in other categories available in those formats.
If a film availability is “DVD on order,” it means the library has preordered copies, and the release date is not yet known. Availability is as of the publication date of this post, and is subject to change.