Netflix movies have had a significant impact on the film industry across various genres, with some achieving a new status and gaining recognition through nominations and awards at the Oscars.
As expected, the streaming giant boasts several original productions that will compete in some of the most important categories at this year’s ceremony, such as Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Original Screenplay.
The 2024 edition will take place on Sunday, March 10, starting at 6:30 PM EDT | 3:30 PM PDT. It can be watched on ABC, both through streaming and live broadcast, so here, check out what you should see before the big day.
Netflix has 9 Oscar-nominated films this year
Every year, Netflix tends to have several nominations at the Academy Awards. In the 2024 edition, it managed to compete in multiple categories with nine films: Maestro, Society of the Snow, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, May December, Nyad, American Symphony, The After, Nimona, Rustin and El Conde.
Here, check out the nominations for each one, what they are about, their cast, and everything you need to know about each of the movies:
Maestro
Maestro follows the complex love story of Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre; from the moment they met in 1946 at a party, through two engagements, a 25-year marriage, and three children.
Bradley Cooper directed and starred in the film, as well as co-wrote the screenplay with Josh Singer. In total, it received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Sound, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Original Screenplay, and two recognitions for the lead actors.
Carey Mulligan accompanied the actor as Felicia, while Matt Bomer portrayed David Oppenheim, and Vincenzo Amato was Bruno Zirato. Of course, the cast is quite extensive, but these were the most prominent stars.
Society of the Snow
Society of the Snow is the outstanding Spanish film that has captivated Netflix users worldwide, not only for its emotional survival story but also because it is based on real events and serves as a semi-biography.
The story follows the flight of a rugby team that crashes on a glacier in the Andes. The few passengers who survive the accident find themselves in one of the most challenging environments in the world to survive.
J.A. Bayona directed the film, while Jaime Marques and Nicolás Casariego adapted the screenplay, which is based on the book written by Pablo Vierci. The cast is filled with great talents, such as Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt and Agustín Pardella.
The drama managed to be nominated for two Academy Awards: Best International Feature Film, representing Spain, and Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is the short film that features top-notch stars in its cast. Benedict Cumberbatch brings the main character, Henry, to life. Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley and Jarvis Cocker accompanied him.
It was directed by Wes Anderson, who also adapted the screenplay for the screen based on a story written by Roald Dahl. This follows Henry Sugar, who can see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he has stolen.
The title was nominated in one of the most significant categories at the Academy Awards: Best Live Action Short Film. If successful, the iconic statuette will be awarded to the director himself and Steven Rales.
May December
May December not only stars two great actresses but is also inspired by one of the most controversial romances of recent years. Todd Haynes directed the film, while Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik wrote the screenplay.
“Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance seized the nation, a married couple faces pressure when an actress arrives to research for a movie about their past”, describes the official synopsis.
Julianne Moore brings Gracie to life, while Natalie Portman portrays Elizabeth. Both were accompanied by Charles Melton, who had a significant role as Joe Yoo. Chris Tenzis, Gabriel Chung and Elizabeth Yu were also present.
The drama will be competing in the Best Original Screenplay category at the 2024 Oscars, where it could emerge victorious and beat out contenders like Anatomy of the Fall, Past Lives, The Holdovers or Maestro.
Nyad
Nyad is a biopic that premiered in October 2023, portraying the extraordinary true story of athlete Diana Nyad, who, at the age of 60, with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her lifelong dream: swimming 110 miles in open water from Cuba to Florida.
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi directed the film, which was scripted by Julia Cox and, of course, Diana Nyad herself. Jodie Foster brought Bonnie Stoll to life, while Annette Bening portrayed the athlete.
The emotionally charged project was so acclaimed that it is currently competing in two categories at the 2024 Academy Awards. The two lead stars, Foster and Bening, earned nominations in Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, respectively.
American Symphony
American Symphony is one of Netflix’s original documentaries that has not only been a huge success on the platform and among users but has also become one of the best-executed biographies on the streaming giant. It explores a year in the life of musician Jon Batiste.
Matthew Heineman directed the film, and the cast was filled with industry greats, including Jon Batiste himself, Lindsey Byrnes, Jonathan Dinklage, Louis Cato, Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz and more. Many of them have been featured through archival footage.
Batiste will be performing on the Oscars stage, where his biopic is also competing in the category of Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) for “It Never Went Away”. That same melody will be performed by him along with a large band.
The After
The After is the drama directed by Misan Harriman that managed to garner recognition at the 2024 Academy Awards, being nominated in the category of Best Live Action Short Film. If victorious, Nicky Bentham and the director himself will receive the statuette.
The story follows Dayo’s life, which undergoes a radical change after a personal tragedy, and after some time, he is confronted with his pain. David Oyelowo brings the main character to life, accompanied by Jessica Plummer, Sule Rimi, Dominique Tipper and other stars.
John Julius Schwabach adapted the screenplay, based on an original story by the filmmaker himself, who has also been responsible for other titles for the streaming platform, such as the documentary Harry & Meghan.
Nimona
Nimona is an animated film that has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane. The story follows Nimona, the only person who can help Knight Ballister Boldheart prove his innocence as he is accused of a crime he did not commit.
Chloë Grace Moretz lends her voice to the main character, while Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, RuPaul, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, Indya Moore accompanied her in significant roles.
Nate Stevenson created the graphic novel on which it is based, and Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor adapted the screenplay for the screen. They were not the only ones, as the list is extensive, but they were the main contributors.
Rustin
Rustin is one of the many biographical films that has seen widespread success on Netflix. However, it has a special touch as it narrates the life of activist Bayard Rustin, who confronts racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of civil rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.
George C. Wolfe directed the film, with the screenplay written by Dustin Lance Black and Julian Breece, the author of the novel on which it is based. Colman Domingo brings the activist to life, accompanied by a star-studded cast including:
- Glynn Turman
- Gus Halper
- Chris Rock
- Aml Ameen
- Johnny Ramey
- CCH Pounder
- Michael Potts
- Jeffrey Wright
- Audra McDonald
- Lilli Kay
Colman, who has proven to be one of the most talented in the industry, has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. Therefore, he will be competing with Cillian Murphy, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Cooper, and his co-star Jeffrey Wright.
El Conde
El Conde is the Chilean film directed by Pablo Larraín that will be one of the main contenders at the Oscars, as it has been nominated in the category of Best Achievement in Cinematography (the award is directed to Edward Lachman).
The story revolves around Augusto Pinochet, who is not dead but an aged vampire. After living 250 years in this world, he has decided to die once and for all. The filmmaker himself co-wrote the screenplay with Guillermo Calderón.
Jaime Vadell portrays the main character, while Gloria Münchmeyer is Lucia, Paula Luchsinger is Carmencita, and Alfredo Castro is Fyodor. The cast is quite extensive and includes names like Stella Gonet, Catalina Guerra, and more.