The 97th Academy Awards are just around the corner, but there's still time to get caught up on the best picture contenders. From "Anora" to "Wicked," we'll show you where to watch every 2025 best picture nominee.
The 2025 best picture lineup is a true mix of both indies and major blockbusters. Low-budget films such as "Anora" have found success alongside major studio productions like "Dune: Part Two" and "Wicked," which were two of the highest-grossing films of 2024. There's no one clear best picture frontrunner this year, with "Anora," "A Complete Unknown," "The Brutalist," "Conclave," and "Emilia Pérez" all taking home top prizes at several major precursors to the Academy Awards.
Max, Hulu, Peacock, and Netflix come out on top when it comes to offering streaming options for the nominees. Some nominated films are only available to buy or rent right now, and others require slightly more niche streaming service subscriptions.
We've broken down everything you need to know to watch all of the best picture nominees ahead of Sunday night's ceremony (which airs on ABC and live streams on Hulu at 7 p.m. ET in the US). We've also noted where a few films will most likely end up streaming in the future if you don't mind waiting a little while.
Anora
"Anora" follows a young woman from Brooklyn (Mikey Madison) who becomes entangled with Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch who she meets while working at a strip club. Chaos ensues when the two impulsively get married. The film, from Sean Baker, amassed six Academy Award nominations, including a best actress nod for Madison, who just won the category at the BAFTAs for her titular role. "Anora" also won big at the recent Independent Spirit Awards.
Streaming on Hulu starting March 17. Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The Brutalist
"The Brutalist" tracks a Holocaust survivor and talented architect (Adrien Brody) who leaves Europe after World War II and arrives in the US. There, he starts to rebuild his life and comes into contact with a wealthy industrialist (Guy Pearce). The film, which nabbed 10 Academy Award nominations, including best actor recognition for Brody, will likely find an eventual streaming home on Max due to the streaming service's agreement with A24.
Available to buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
A Complete Unknown
"A Complete Unknown" is the first of the two Timothée Chalamet-led films to nab a best picture nod this year. The biopic follows Bob Dylan (Chalamet) as his career begins to take off, highlighting his entanglements with Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), and other notable figures. "A Complete Unknown" earned eight Academy Award nominations, including a best actor nod for Chalamet, who took home the SAG Award. The film will most likely land on Hulu for streaming, as is the case for most recent Searchlight Pictures productions.
Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Conclave
Set after the sudden death of the pope, "Conclave" follows the College of Cardinals as they attempt to elect a new pope from four drastically different candidates. Ralph Fiennes, nominated for best actor for his role, stars as the dean of the group, who must eventually investigate the potential new popes. Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini round out the cast. The film is up for eight Academy Awards.
Streaming on Peacock. Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Dune: Part Two
Chalamet also starred in "Dune: Part Two," one of the largest box office successes of 2024. The film is the sequel to 2021's "Dune," Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic. The sequel continues Paul Atreides' (Chalamet) story as he attempts to battle House Harkonnen following the death of his father and the destruction of House Atreides. The film — which also stars Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler — earned five nominations, including visual effects, production, and cinematography to go along with best picture.
Streaming on Max and Netflix. Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Emilia Pérez
"Emilia Pérez" is a strong blend of genres, at once a crime story and musical. The movie follows a Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón) hoping to undergo a gender-affirming surgery and start a new life as a woman with the help of a lawyer (Zoe Saldaña). The film amassed a whopping 13 Oscar nominations, one nod shy of the record for most nominations by a single film. Although controversy has recently plagued "Emilia Pérez," Saldaña has emerged as a frontrunner in the best supporting actress category.
Streaming on Netflix.
I'm Still Here
Set under military dictatorship in 1970s Brazil, "I'm Still Here" follows Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) as she attempts to raise her family while investigating her husband's sudden disappearance after the military takes him away. The film is based on a true story inspired by Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir of the same name, which chronicled his father's disappearance and his mother's quest for justice. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including best actress and best international feature film.
Available to pre-order on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Nickel Boys
Based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, "Nickel Boys" follows two boys who are sent to Nickel Academy, a harrowing and racially segregated 1960s reform school. The film flits between timelines, also tracking one of the boys as a successful adult (Daveed Diggs) in New York City, who's forced to contend with his past when unmarked graves are discovered on the former campus. "Nickel Boys" earned two Oscar nods, including Best Adapted Screenplay.
Streaming on MGM+ (or Prime Video's MGM+ add-on) starting February 28. Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The Substance
Demi Moore's best actress bid comes in the form of one of the year's more surprising hits, the body horror film "The Substance." The movie tracks an aging celebrity (Moore) who takes an illicit substance in a desperate attempt to hang onto her youth, creating a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley) who emerges from her body. The film is up for five Academy Award nominations, and Moore earned best actress awards at this year's Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and SAG Awards.
Streaming on Mubi (or Prime Video's Mubi add-on). Available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Wicked
"Wicked" is the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical of the same name, which is, in turn, an adaptation of Gregory Maguire's "Wicked" novel, which is a retelling of the events of "The Wizard of Oz" (which is, you guessed it, an adaptation of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" novel). The movie musical, which will be followed by the already-filmed sequel later this year, breaks down the early college years friendship between G(a)linda the Good (Ariana Grande) and the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). The film was a smash success at the box office and nabbed 10 Oscar nominations this year.
Streaming on Peacock starting March 21. Available to buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Looking for more content to watch on TV today? Then don't miss out on our guides to the best streaming services or the latest streaming deals.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
