Where to Watch 2025’s Top Award-Winning Films: A Streaming and Theater Guide
The 2025 awards season is in full swing, and keeping track of where to watch the biggest contenders can be overwhelming. Some films are available for streaming, while others remain exclusive to theaters. Whether you’re searching for Oscar favorites, Golden Globe winners, or SAG-nominated performances, here’s your guide to watching this year’s most acclaimed films.
Streaming and Theatrical Releases for the Top Contenders
"Emilia Pérez" (13 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on Netflix
Jacques Audiard’s daring musical crime thriller follows a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender-affirming surgery. Dominating the awards circuit with 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and wins at the Golden Globes for Best Musical/Comedy, Best Original Song ("El Mal"), and Best Picture Not in the English Language.
"The Brutalist" (10 Oscar Nominations) - In Theaters
Brady Corbet’s 215-minute postwar saga features Adrien Brody as a Holocaust survivor-turned-architect facing a life-altering commission. A major awards player, the film secured Golden Globe wins for Best Director, Best Drama, and Best Actor, alongside Oscar nods for Best Picture and Felicity Jones’ performance.
"Wicked" (10 Oscar Nominations) - Available on VOD
Jon M. Chu’s vibrant adaptation of the beloved musical has earned nods for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Best Picture. It also landed a SAG nomination for Best Ensemble and individual recognition for Erivo, Grande, and Jonathan Bailey.
"A Complete Unknown" (8 Oscar Nominations) - In Theaters
James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic was a major Oscar morning success, scoring nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Supporting Actress (Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez), and Supporting Actor (Edward Norton as Pete Seeger).
"Conclave" (8 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on Peacock
This smart thriller about the selection of a new pope earned director Edward Berger a DGA nomination and secured a SAG nod for Ralph Fiennes. It also won Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes.
"Anora" (6 Oscar Nominations) - Available on VOD
Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning drama about a New York stripper caught in a whirlwind romance with a Russian oligarch’s son boasts SAG and Oscar nominations for leads Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov.
"Dune: Part Two" (5 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on Max
Despite strong acclaim, Denis Villeneuve was once again snubbed for a Best Director nod. Nevertheless, the film earned five Oscar nominations and remains a favorite among sci-fi fans.
"The Substance" (5 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on MUBI & Limited Theatrical Release
Demi Moore’s chilling performance in Coralie Fargeat’s body horror film has already won her a Golden Globe and a SAG nomination, along with an Oscar nod. The film also scored a Best Picture nomination.
"Nosferatu" (4 Oscar Nominations) - In Theaters
Robert Eggers’ eerie remake of the 1922 silent vampire classic, starring Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, and Bill Skarsgård, was honored with multiple nominations, including cinematography.
"I’m Still Here" (3 Oscar Nominations) - In Limited Theaters
Walter Salles’ Brazilian drama stars Golden Globe-winner Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva, the wife of a leftist congressman taken during Brazil’s military dictatorship. It received nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best International Feature.
"Sing Sing" (3 Oscar Nominations) - In Theaters
Colman Domingo stars as an incarcerated man leading a prison theater program, earning a SAG nomination and Oscar recognition for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
"The Wild Robot" (3 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on Peacock (Jan. 30)
Chris Sanders’ animated adaptation of Peter Brown’s novel tells the heartwarming story of a stranded robot caring for a gosling. A strong contender in the animation category.
"The Apprentice" (2 Oscar Nominations) - Available on VOD
Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong portray Donald Trump and Roy Cohn in this political drama, securing Oscar nods for both actors.
"Flow" (2 Oscar Nominations) - VOD & Limited Theatrical Release
This Latvian animated feature about a cat navigating a great flood won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film and earned Oscar nominations for Animated and International Feature.
"Nickel Boys" (2 Oscar Nominations) - In Limited Theaters
RaMell Ross’ first-person POV adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about an abusive reform school received a DGA nomination for Best First Feature.
"A Real Pain" (2 Oscar Nominations) - Streaming on Hulu
Kieran Culkin shines in Jesse Eisenberg’s tragicomic road film about two cousins on a Holocaust tour in Poland. After a Globes win, an Oscar nomination, and a SAG nod, Culkin is a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor.
"A Different Man" (1 Oscar Nomination) - Streaming on Max
Sebastian Stan won a Golden Globe for his role as an aspiring actor undergoing a drastic transformation. The film was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
"Gladiator II" (1 Oscar Nomination) - Streaming on Paramount+
While Denzel Washington missed out on an acting nomination, the film’s costume design earned an Oscar nod.
"Inside Out 2" (1 Oscar Nomination) - Streaming on Disney+
Now the highest-grossing animated film of all time (adjusting for inflation), this Pixar sequel remains a fan favorite.
"The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (1 Oscar Nomination) - In Limited Theaters
Germany’s Oscar submission is a political thriller and domestic drama that explores Iran’s authoritarian regime.
"September 5" (1 Oscar Nomination) - In Theaters
A gripping retelling of the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, earning an original screenplay nomination.
"Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" (1 Oscar Nomination) - Streaming on Netflix
The beloved stop-motion duo returns in this animated feature, only the second full-length Wallace & Gromit film.
Other Notable Films Shut Out of the Oscars
"The Last Showgirl" (SAG nomination for Pamela Anderson) - In Theaters
"The Piano Lesson" (SAG nomination for Danielle Deadwyler) - Streaming on Netflix
"Queer" (SAG nomination for Daniel Craig) - Available on VOD
With so many incredible films this season, there’s something for everyone—whether in theaters or streaming from home. Happy watching!