How to Stream This Year’s Award-Winning Movies
The 2020 awards season has come to an end, and even the biggest movie buffs struggle to make it to the theater before the winners are announced to catch all the award nominees. Now, in the post-award season, many of the winners and most talked about contenders are available on streaming platforms. Here’s a snapshot of this year’s most celebrated films, and how to watch them.
Parasite
Arguably the most talked about film from this awards season, Parasite is a commentary on class struggles in South Korea, highlighting the dichotomy between the wealthy Park family and the poor Kim family. The film swept some of the major Academy Awards categories, winning Best Picture, Best Director, International Feature Film, and Best Original Screenplay.
Rent or buy Parasite on Amazon Prime.
The Irishman
Mob hit man Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro, looks back on his life as a member of the Bufalino crime family and on his ties to Teamster Jimmy Hoffa. The film, after a limited run in theaters, has taken up residence on Netflix, where viewers can take in the 210-minute drama from the comfort of home.
The Irishman received numerous accolades during this awards season, including 10 Academy Award nominations, 5 Golden Globe nominations, and 4 Screen Actors Guild nominations for the work of Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and overall ensemble cast and stunt ensemble nominations.
Watch The Irishman on Netflix.
Joker
What has been viewed as an origin story for the character from the DC Comics universe, Joker was a favorite film of critics this award season, with Joaquin Phoenix winning an Academy Award for his role as the title character and the film receiving 11 nominations overall. Phoenix won several other awards for his portrayal, including Best Actor trophies from the British Academy Film Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the Tribute Actor Award from the Toronto International Film Festival.
Rent or buy Joker on Amazon Prime.
Marriage Story
Laura Dern won an Academy Award for her supporting role as the therapist in this film about a couple’s struggle through a bi-coastal divorce and its aftermath. Co-stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson also received Oscar nominations for their work, as did director Noah Baumbach for Best Original Screenplay.
Watch Marriage Story on Netflix.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Based on the true story of a friendship developed between a journalist and the children’s icon in a red cardigan, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood stars Tom Hanks as the beloved Fred Rogers in a film that earned Hanks several award nods, including Oscar, Critics’ Choice, Screen Actors Guild, and Golden Globe Award nominations.
Rent or buy A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood on Amazon Prime.
The Two Popes
Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce star in this drama that explores what happened behind Vatican walls as one pope steps down and another assumes the role. Both actors received several nominations during awards season, including Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations.
Watch The Two Popes on Netflix.
Harriet
A biographical film about abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Harriet stars Cynthia Erivo, who depicts Tubman’s escape from slavery and her subsequent mission to liberate others through the Underground Railroad. Erivo received an Academy Award nomination for her role and also performed the song “Stand Up”, which was also nominated for Best Original Song, at the awards ceremony.
Rent or buy Harriet on Amazon Prime.
The Lion King
The launch of Disney+ in late 2019 generated a ton of buzz in the streaming community. The latest edition to Disney’s arsenal of live-action film remakes has been a popular one, featuring voice-over performances from Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, and many more. The film was nominated for a range of awards, from Grammys and Academy Awards to the NAACP Image Awards, which actor James Earl Jones won an award for his voice-over performance as Mufasa.
Stream The Lion King on Disney+.
American Factory
The winner for the Best Documentary Academy Award centers around the issues that arise when a Chinese billionaire opens a factory in Ohio. The directors of the film, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, can also be found in conversation with former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in a special feature on Netflix. The Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, backed the development of the film.
Stream American Factory on Netflix.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Brad Pitt, in his Academy Award-winning role, plays a stunt double to Leonardo DiCaprio’s leading man striving for success during Hollywood’s so-called “Golden Age” in 1969. DiCaprio and director Quentin Tarantino also received Academy Award nominations for their work, and the film also won 3 Golden Globe Awards, including another Best Supporting Actor trophy for Pitt, as well as Best Director for Tarantino and Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Rent or Buy Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on Amazon Prime.
Whether you’re looking to catch up on all the award-winning films or only have a couple of movies you didn’t see in theaters, there are plenty of options for streaming this content from the couch instead.
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