The 2025 Academy Awards are just around the corner and Hollywood is going…mild? Yeah, that sounds about right. In fairness to this year’s batch of nominees, living up to 2024’s class was always going to be tough. However, there aren’t still plenty of films up for the industry’s most prestigious award worth celebrating, including a whole lot of movies right in our pop culture loving wheelhouse. And if you want to see them before the Oscars airs on March 2, here’s where you can watch 2025’s nerdy Academy Award nominees.
Wicked – Buy or Rent on Digital Platforms (Or See It In Theaters)
Haven’t seen Wicked yet even though you really want to? You’re in a small group. The smash box office hit turned into a digital bonanza when it arrived at video on demand platforms. Now it’s an Oscars darling with 10 nominations including Best Picture and acting nods for its two iconic witches. You can find out why if you buy or rent it from your favorite digital platform. But if you’d rather see Elphaba and Glinda on the big screen Wicked is still in theaters, too.
Dune: Part Two – Stream on Max, Netflix
Fear is the mind killer, but you have nothing to fear if you want to see Dune: Part Two and pay for either Max or Netflix. The spicy five-time nominee from (wrongly snubbed) director Denis Villeneuve is available at both streaming services.
A Complete Unknown – Watch in Theaters
Speaking of Paul Atreides, Timothée Chalamet’s other big 2024 film is up for a whole lot of gold statues. A Complete Unknown is in the running in eight categories, including Best Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. But while you can listen to Bob Dylan’s music at home, you’ll have to get moving like a rolling stone to theaters if you want to see his biopic before the Oscars.
The Substance – Stream on Mubi
Want to be uncomfortable in your own home? Want to feel like you need to take a week long shower to get clean? Mubi has you covered. Sign up for a free seven-day trial via Prime Video and you can watch The Substance for free. The body horror film is up for five awards, including Best Picture and a Leading Actress nom for Demi Moore.
Inside Out 2 – Stream on Disney+
Inside Out 2 made a whooooole lot of money for Disney at the box office, but now you can find the Best Animated Feature Film nominee at the Mouse House’s streaming service. The story of what happens when Joy meets Anxiety can be found at Disney+.
The Wild Robot – Stream on Peacock
We bet Disney’s biggest competition for Best Animated Feature is DreamWorks The Wild Robot, a beautiful film in every way. You can find out why we loved this tale of love, family, and community so much at Peacock where it’s available to stream.
Nosferatu – Watch In Theaters (On Digital Now, on Disc February 18)
Roberts Eggers’ stylish (and, let’s be honest, horny) re-imagining of the iconic vampire movie is still in theaters. But the four-time Oscar nominee will be available to buy and rent at video on demand platforms starting February 18. That’s also when Nosferatu arrives on disc for those brave enough to invite him into their home. Also, listen to our interview with Robert Eggers on Laser Focus!
Alien: Romulus – Stream on Hulu
In space no one can hear you scream, but your neighbors definitely will when you stream Alien: Romulus at home on Hulu. Director Fede Alvarez returned the franchise to its roots with his entry in the franchise, which earned a Best Achievement in Visual Effects nomination.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – Stream on Hulu
As usual, the Best Achievement in Visual Effects category turned into a hot spot for genre films. In addition to Xenomorphs it’s also where the Academy found a way to celebrate advanced primates. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is up for the VFX Oscar and also up at Hulu.
Gladiator II – Stream on Paramount+ and Roku
Somehow Denzel Washington did not get a Supporting Actor nomination for chewing scenery in Gladiator II, but Ridley Scott’s big budget sequel grabbed a spot in the Best Achievement in Costume Design category. You can see why when you watch the film at Paramount+ or Roku.
The Apprentice – Buy or Rent on Digital Platforms (Or See It In Theaters)
Last year an Avenger took home an Academy Award when Oppenheimer‘s Robert Downey Jr. won for Supporting Actor. This year another MCU star is up for a big award. The Winter Soldier himself nabbed a Lead Actor nomination, as Sebastian Stan earned a nomination for playing a real estate figure from New York City in The Apprentice. (The movie, not the reality tv show, though there are some connections between the two.) Succession‘s Jeremy Strong also grabbed a Supporting Actor nomination for the film.