This is a great time of year. The air is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to fall (in Colorado, at least), and it’s the perfect season to curl up for a nice movie – or ten.
Now that most of the major film festivals have concluded, we’re starting to gain a little clarity around which films might make their way to Oscar nominations come January.
Below, I’m breaking down the must-watch films that are generating early Oscar buzz, along with the key categories they could dominate.
Dune: Part II
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Release Date: Earlier this year, now streaming on MAX
IMDB Summary: Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Why it’s on the list: The first film was a major success, both at the box office and critically, winning six Oscars: cinematography, editing, score, visual effects, production design, and sound. Dune: Part II pushes the visual and cinematic boundaries even further and gives Denis Villeneuve another shot at Best Director.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Denis Villeneuve), Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, Visual Effects, and Original Score
Sing Sing
Distributor: A24
Release Date: Earlier this year, available to purchase soon
IMDB Summary: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.
Director: Greg Kwedar
Why it’s on the list: Sing Sing actually debuted at Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but wasn’t released until this past summer. There seems to be widespread critical support for this film, and the acting and storytelling really makes it a strong contender.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Actor (Colman Domingo), Supporting Actor (Clarence Maclin), Adapted Screenplay
The Outrun
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: Currently in theaters
IMDB Summary: After living life on the edge in London, Rona attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. Hoping to heal, she returns to the wild beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands where she grew up.
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
Why it’s on the list: Really, this film is on this list for one reason – Saoirse Ronan. She’s incredible in this film, and it could finally be her year to win gold. Nothing’s a sure thing at this point – predictions are all over the map as to whether she even gets nominated (she also has a good shot at getting a Supporting Actress nod for Blitz), but she would likely be the sole nomination for this film.
Nominations to watch for: Best Actress (Saoirse Ronan)
Saturday Night
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Release Date: Currently in theaters
IMDB Summary: At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.
Director: Jason Reitman
Why it’s on the list: Reitman’s made movies that have gone on to get Best Picture nominations (Juno, Up in the Air), but has gone through a dry spell since then. Saturday Night seems like just the type of nostalgic showbiz-focused film that could bring him back to the Oscar conversation.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling
The Wild Robot
Distributor: DreamWorks Animation
Release Date: Currently in theaters
IMDB Summary: After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
Director: Chris Sanders
Why it’s on the list: DreamWorks has a history of delivering strong contenders in animated features. Based on the popular children’s book by Peter Brown, this film’s emotional depth and beautiful animation make it ripe for critical acclaim. And the powerful score is a perfect partner to the heartfelt storyline.
Nominations to watch for: Best Animated Feature, Original Score
Anora
Distributor: NEON
Release Date: October 18 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
Director: Sean Baker
Why it’s on the list: Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Red Rocket) has a solid history of making culturally-resonant flicks that get awards attention. Add to that the fact that Anora was the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes and also made waves at Telluride, and you’ve got a serious contender on your hands. Mikey Madison’s performance is said to be phenomenal, so look for her to be part of the conversation for Best Actress.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Sean Baker), Actress (Mikey Madison), Original Screenplay, Film Editing
A Real Pain
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: October 18 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Why it’s on the list: Debuting at Sundance earlier this year, A Real Pain has been getting solid reviews for both the acting and the writing. Emmy winner Kieren Culkin very well could be on his way to getting a Oscar nod for Supporting Actor (and might have a good shot at winning!), while Jesse Eisenberg is really showing his powerhouse artistic chops through not only acting in the film, but also writing and directing it.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin), Original Screenplay (Jesse Eisenberg)
Conclave
Distributor: Focus Features
Release Date: October 25 (Wide Release)
IMDB Summary: When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.
Director: Edward Berger
Why it’s on the list: Fresh off the success of his last outing (All Quiet on the Western Front, which won four Oscars), Edward Berger is back with another film that could be quite the awards contender. A well-written thrilling mystery, a top-notch cast anchored by–what some are calling–a career-best Ralph Fiennes, and a proven director hitting his stride all make this a must-see for the season.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Edward Berger), Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Supporting Actor (Stanley Tucci), Adapted Screenplay
Blitz
Distributor: Apple Original Films
Release Date: November 1 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: Follow the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the British capital bombing in World War II.
Director: Steve McQueen
Why it’s on the list: Steve McQueen’s track record (12 Years a Slave, Shame) and the subject matter of WWII could be a strong combination for success. Also, look for a possible nomination for Saoirse Ronan here (could she be nominated twice this year for both this and “The Outrun”?)
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Production Design, Sound, Visual Effects
The Piano Lesson
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date: November 8 (Theaters), November 22 (Netflix)
IMDB Summary: Follows the lives of the Charles family as they deal with themes of family legacy and more, in deciding what to do with an heirloom, the family piano.
Director: Malcolm Washington
Why it’s on the list: August Wilson adaptations (Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) have done a good job garnering Oscar support in the past. Many see Deadwyler’s lack of a nomination for Till in 2022 as a huge snub, and so–with this standout performance–the Academy could be looking to rectify that.
Nominations to watch for: Supporting Actress (Danielle Deadwyler), Supporting Actor (Ray Fisher), Adapted Screenplay
Emilia Pérez
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date: November 13
IMDB Summary: In Mexico, a lawyer receives an unexpected offer to help a feared cartel boss retire from his business and disappear forever by becoming the woman he’s always dreamed of being.
Director: Jacques Audiard
Why it’s on the list: Jacques Audiard’s films are known for their artistic complexity, and this musical/thriller/comedy hybrid could stand out as a daring and innovative contender. It won the jury prize at Cannes, as well as the Best Actress award, shared by Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Officially submitted by France, it’s an early favorite to win International Feature.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Jacques Audiard), Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón), Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña), Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, Film Editing, Original Song, International Feature
Gladiator II
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 22 (Wide Release)
IMDB Summary: After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Director: Ridley Scott
Why it’s on the list: The original Gladiator was a massive awards success, and Ridley Scott’s return to this world could replicate that, especially if the visuals and performances are as powerful as the first.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Ridley Scott), Actor (Paul Mescal), Supporting Actor (Denzel Washington), Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Sound, Visual Effects, Original Score
Wicked
Distributor: Universal
Release Date: November 22 (Wide Release)
IMDB Summary: After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Why it’s on the list: Likely to be one of the more “popular” films nominated (pun definitely intended), look for this one to be competitive in the Costume Design and Makeup and Hairstyling categories. Buzz has also been circulating around Ariana Grande’s infectious portrayal of Glinda. Another reason to watch: Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is practically guaranteed to spark a major gay awakening for theater nerds everywhere—grab the popcorn and prepare for some serious heartthrob moments.
Nominations to watch for: Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande), Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling
Nickel Boys
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Release Date: December 13 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young African American men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.
Director: RaMell Ross
Why it’s on the list: The source material is both critically acclaimed and socially relevant, making it a prime candidate for Academy attention. RaMell Ross is a previous Oscar nominee (for Best Documentary Feature), and the movie created a lot of buzz at the Telluride Film Festival.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Supporting Actress (Aunjanue Ellis Taylor), Adapted Screenplay
The Brutalist
Distributor: A24
Release Date: December 20 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: When visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern America, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious and wealthy client.
Director: Brady Corbet
Why it’s on the list: Corbet won the Silver Lion at Venice and it made big impressions at Toronto and NYFF, making this 3.5 hour juggernaut a potential favorite in the Oscar lineup. It’s an ambitious film with serious contenders in multiple categories, including a return to the Best Actor conversation for Adrien Brody.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Director (Brady Corbet), Actor (Adrien Brody), Supporting Actor (Guy Pearce), Supporting Actress (Felicity Jones), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Film Editing, Original Score
No trailer yet, but I’ll add it when it’s released!
The Room Next Door
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: December 20 (Limited Release)
IMDB Summary: Ingrid and Martha were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation.
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Why it’s on the list: This is Almodóvar’s–the most acclaimed Spanish filmmaker of our time–first English-language full-length feature (and he already has two Oscars!). It won best film at the Venice Film Festival and stars two Oscar winners: Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Actress (Tilda Swinton), Supporting Actor (John Turturro), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
A Complete Unknown
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: December 25 (Wide Release)
IMDB Summary: At the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a young Bob Dylan shakes up his act on the folk music scene by going electric and siring rock as the voice of a generation – defining one of the most transformative moments in 20th century music.
Director: James Mangold
Why it’s on the list: Biopics about iconic figures, especially with strong lead performances, tend to attract Academy attention. With Mangold directing, this one has serious potential.
Nominations to watch for: Best Picture, Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Supporting Actress (Monica Barbaro), Sound
Other Films to Have on Your Radar
Babygirl – Actress (Nicole Kidman)
Inside Out 2 – Animated Feature, Adapted Screenplay
Juror #2 – Best Picture, Supporting Actress (Toni Collette)
Maria – Actress (Angelina Jolie)
Nightbitch – Actress (Amy Adams)
Queer – Actor (Daniel Craig)
The Seed of a Sacred Fig – Original Screenplay, International Feature
September 5 – Best Picture, Supporting Actor (John Magaro), Original Screenplay
Important Awards Season Dates
January 5 – Golden Globes
January 17 – Oscar Nominations Announced
February 8 – Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards
February 8 – Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards
February 15 – Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards
February 16 – British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards
February 23 – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards
March 2 – 97th Academy Awards (Oscars)