Netflix, Amazon, and more have the upper hand.
Despite this past year being generally pretty terrible for theatergoing as an experience, it’s actually been a pretty good time for movies in general. Thanks to the ubiquity of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, many big box movies that would’ve languished in theaters emptied out by the pandemic have instead found their audiences in the comfort of many a home. As a result of this ubiquity, streaming films are beginning to encroach heavily on the territory formerly owned by theatrical releases, especially if the new Oscar nominations are any indication.
On the list of nominations for the 93rd Oscar Awards, streaming films secured an overwhelming majority over theatrical releases, with Netflix alone scoring 35 different nominations for films including Pieces of a Woman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. One of Netflix’s big hitters is Mank, a dramatic retelling of the process behind the legendary film Citizen Kane. Mank has secured 10 different nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor for Gary Oldman, Best Supporting Actress for Amanda Seyfried, and Best Director for David Fincher. The late Chadwick Boseman has also been nominated for a posthumous Best Actor award for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
#OscarNoms: Best Picture
“The Father”
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“Mank”
“Minari”
“Nomadland”
“Promising Young Woman”
“Sound of Metal”
“The Trial of the Chicago 7”https://t.co/2qHiMR2qQ8— Variety (@Variety) March 15, 2021
Amazon secured a respectable 12 nominations for its various films, including Sound of Metal, One Night in Miami, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and Time. “This past year we were incredibly lucky to work with an extremely diverse and talented group of filmmakers, actors and crews, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. Each of the four nominated films are brilliantly executed, weaving together poignant stories and artistry that have resonated with audiences everywhere,” said Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke.
It’ll be interesting to see whether or not this streaming domination will pursue into next year once everyone is vaccinated, but for the time being, the Oscars belong to the digital realm.
