We are a few days removed from the 2025 Oscars, and if you haven’t seen the films from the highly-contested race for Best Picture, don’t worry, you’re in good company. I only just finished watching them last night, myself. There were ten nominees in this year’s race, including a winning mix of both upcoming and veteran actor performances in a wide variety of films. There is two musicals, a third one, if you count A Complete Unknown, and storylines ranging from singing witches in the fantastical Land of Oz to choosing the next pope to glamorous body horror.
As a self-proclaimed movie addict, I know that even if you’re an avid movie watcher, it can be difficult to keep up with all the Best Picture nominees as they come out. Luckily in the age of streaming, we can all catch up on these films together. Provided you have a subscription to streaming services, or interest in renting these films, you’ll be able to watch most of these movies, including Best Picture winner, Anora.
Below I have a list of the eight films I strongly recommend from this year’s Best Picture nominees with links to how you can watch them now.
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1. Nickel Boys
Nickel Boys is a historical drama film based on Colson Whitehead’s 2019 novel of the same name. Directed by RaMell Ross, it is shot from a first-person point of view. James Fray directed the cinematography for Nickel Boys which saw a limited theatrical release back in December.
Nickel Boys received nominations for two awards at the 2025 Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.4/10
Nickel Boys is available for streaming on MGM+ here and can be rented or purchased through Prime Video here.
2. The Substance
The Substance showcases a career defining performance from Demi Moore as a fading actress who injects herself with a mysterious serum that promises a younger, better version of herself, but as one might expect, things go horribly wrong.
The Substance received nominations for: Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Actress, Best Writing, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. And took home the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.6/10
The Substance is available for streaming on Mubi here, and can be rented or purchased through Prime Video here.
3. Conclave
Conclave just may be one of the more timely entries among the nominees, as the current real-life pope is now going through a medical crisis. Ralph Fiennes, who was nominated for a Best Actor for his performance as Cardinal Lawrence, serves as one of the close confidantes of the late Pope, and is the facilitator of the conclave, which gathers the world’s cardinals to choose the next figurehead of Catholicism. But the vote for the next pope is a highly contested one, and even the godliest of men find themselves embroiled in intrigue and sabotage in this especially gripping political thriller.
Conclave was nominated for eight awards, and took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.7/10
Conclave is available for streaming on Peacock, and can be rented or purchased through Prime Video here.
4. A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown, the music drama produced by Fred Berger, James Mangold, and Alex Heineman, tells the biographical story of the young Bob Dylan as he navigates his 1960’s breakout in the American music industry. The fantastically talented Timothee Chalamet plays the singer who became one of the most iconic musical artists of his time.
Though A Complete Unknown took home no hardware on Sunday night, it was rightfully nominated for eight awards.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.8/10
A Complete Unknown is now available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video here.
Dylan Goes Electric!: is THE INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, nominated for 8 Oscars, including Best Picture Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Timothee Chalamet.
5. The Brutalist
The Brutalist is a period drama that really brings the talents of Adrien Brody to life. He portrays Laszlo Toth, a visionary architect who has escaped postwar Europe. There is a sense of realism to this film, but I must point out that the movie is not based on a real life person. The film explores the pull of money, talent, and ambition while following Laszlo to a new unfamiliar land, Pennsylvania.
The Brutalist was nominated for ten awards, and took home the Oscar in three categories: Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score), and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.9/10
The Brutalist is now available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video here.
6. Wicked
It’s understandable that the film Wicked needs little to no introduction, after all it’s been a Broadway mainstay for years. The film is based on that same musical, which itself is based on a 1995 novel that brought a reimagined Oz to the public eye. So, the story is an iteration of an iteration, which showcases the longevity of The Wizard of Oz world originally conceived by Frank L. Baum. In the big screen adaptation Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star as Galinda and Elphaba, two witches who meet at college and embark on divergent paths due to societal pressures and perceptions.
Wicked was nominated for ten awards, and took home two Oscars for: Best Achievement in Costume Design and Best Achievement in Production Design.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 7.9/10
Wicked is now available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video here.
Oz, the Complete Hardcover Collection (Boxed Set): The definitive Oz experience: Immerse yourself in the wonder of Oz in this keepsake collection of fifteen titles from L. Frank Baum’s cherished American fairy tale series. Available here.
7. Anora
Allow me to go ahead and put the disclaimer out there now. So everyone will know what to expect, Anora, though a wonderful film, is not for everybody. It is Rated R for strong sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and drug use. If those things are not your cup of tea, it is okay.
Moving forward for those still with me, Anora, directed by Sean Baker, narrates the story of a young stripper named Anora Mikheeva, who gets married to the son of a wealthy Russian businessman. All is well in this Pretty Woman-Cinderella story until the news reaches Russia, and her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
Anora went on to win five major awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 8.0/10
Anora is available for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video here.
8. Dune: Part Two
From what I understand, Dune: Part Two was never the front runner in the Best Picture race. That being said, it’s my favorite of the lot. Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up to the critically-acclaimed sci-fi adaptation Dune is even more intense than its predecessor. Timothee Chalamet stars as Paul Atreides, who must balance the responsibilities of his noble heritage along with his obligations as leader of the Fremen. Even if you declare yourself as not a sci-fi fan, the movie is worth watching for the eye-catching visuals and intense drama at any rate.
Dune: Part Two was nominated for five awards, and took home two Oscars for: Best Sound and Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
A Cute Film Addictive Rating: 8.8/10
Dune: Part Two is available for streaming on Netflix and Max here. It is also available for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video (which includes the availability of a Bonus X-Ray edition) here.
Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga 6-Book Boxed Set: Perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike—a beautiful trade paperback boxed set of the first six novels in Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga. Includes Books 1 – 6: DUNE • DUNE MESSIAH • CHILDREN OF DUNE • GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE • HERETICS OF DUNE • CHAPTERHOUSE: DUNE Now Available here.
The Final Word: “I don’t have Instagram. I’m an adult, man.”
What was your favorite Best Picture nominee? Leave your comments below, and get more A Cute Film Addict delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing below.
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2 responses to “How to Watch the Oscar Best Picture Nominees”
I thought the movie “I Am Still Here” was also nominated for best film and in won an Oscar for Best Foreign movie, yet it is not mentioned in your list.
That is a good point, and correct. So, I didn’t include “I am Still Here” in this list, as the one thing I have stated, I will not give a negative opinion on my site. I heard about how all the negative reviews for the movie Eternals a couple years back put Kumal Nanjiani in to a depressive state that apparently almost destroyed him.
That being said, I can’t recommend the film, personally. That is not to say you will not enjoy it, I just didn’t. My list includes the eight films that I found enjoyable to watch, thus can recommend for others.
In regard to I’m Still Here. This one is tough for me. I actually watched it twice, because it became the late front-runner to win overall Best Picture (though, it ultimately didn’t). I think in regard to story and balance of emotions, it delivered. And it definitely shined a light on a piece of Brazil history I was unaware of, and yet somehow it failed to interest me.
I don’t know why, I really wanted to like it, but ultimately I didn’t.
All that to be said, it may absolutely capture your attention. Quite honestly, I’m currently in the minority on it.
Sorry for the long explanation. Wanted to be detailed, but not give anything away in case you do decide to watch.
And if you do, I would love to hear your thoughts.