Top Oscar-Nominated Films You Can Watch Streaming for Free
As awards season heats up, everyone is looking for the next great film to watch. With a plethora of nominations flying around, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to catch, where to watch them, and whether to splurge for a premium streaming service. But fear not — many high-quality, Oscar-nominated movies are available to stream for free on various platforms. Here are some of the top contenders you should definitely check out.
Miracle or Monster? The Substance
What: An aging movie star trades her body for a younger specimen — with dire consequences.
Award nominations: 5
Directed by: Coralie Fargeat
Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Where to watch: Stan
Likely to make you feel: Nauseous
Would you willingly take a drug that guaranteed eternal youth? What if it came with grotesque side effects? The Substance explores this dark concept, with Demi Moore playing a star who finds her younger self. The film, directed by Coralie Fargeat, won five Oscar nominations and has receivedcritical acclaim for its boldness.
Sue (Margaret Qualley) quickly usurps her counterpart’s life. (Supplied: Madman)
Dune: Part Two: The Epic Continues
What: A story that picks up where Dune: Part One left off, featuring an epic battle for control of Arrakis.
Award nominations: 5
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac
Where to watch: Disney+
The highly anticipated Dune: Part Two continues the saga of power, politics, and cosmic destiny. Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, along with Zendaya and Oscar Isaac. With five Oscar nominations, this film is a must-watch for fans of science fiction and visually stunning epics.
Back to the Gnomes: Wallace & Gromit: The Gnomes and the Piano
What: Wallace & Gromit’s tale of financial distress and a stolen ancient piano.
Award nominations: 1
Directed by: Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham
Starring: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay
Where to watch: Netflix
Likely to make you feel: Utterly delighted
Wallace & Gromit are back with a hilarious new adventure! In The Gnomes and the Piano, Wallace invents a robot gnome named Norbot, but things get complicated when a villain named Feathers McGraw takes over. This claymation adventure is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and perfect for a Friday night treat.
A Heartbeating Documentary: No Other Land
What: A documentary exploring the lives of residents facing eviction in the West Bank.
Award nominations: 1
Directed by: A collective of Palestinian and Israeli journalists
Starring: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal
Where to watch: Docplay from February 24
No Other Land is a powerful documentary directed by fellow journalists Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham. It follows the lives of residents in Masafer Yatta, where evictions have occurred over decades. The film won several awards and is a poignant reminder of the importance of humanitarian stories.
Basel Adra first picked up a camera as a teenager to record demolitions in a neighboring village. (Supplied: Hi Gloss Entertainment)
Robots and Goslings: The Wild Robot
What: A heartwarming tale of a robot left stranded on an island who cares for a baby gosling.
Award nominations: 3
Directed by: Chris Sanders
Starring the voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy
Where to watch: Binge
Likely to make you feel: In need of a good hug
The Wild Robot follows the story of Roz, an android stranded on an island who finds a baby gosling to care for. The film is visually stunning, with expressive CGI and a touching story that explores themes of adaptation and coexistence. It’s nominated for three Oscars, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.
Writer-director Chris Sanders was inspired by classic Disney animated and Studio Ghibli movies. (Supplied: Universal)
Generational Reconciliation: A Real Pain
What: A journey of two cousins on a Polish Holocaust tour to honor their grandmother.
Award nominations: 2
Directed by: Jesse Eisenberg
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieren Culkin, Jennifer Grey
Where to watch: Disney+ from February 26
Likely to make you feel: Confused but delighted
Jesse Eisenberg stars as David, who embarks on a Holocaust tour with his cousin Benji to honor their grandmother. This unique comedy intertwines slapstick humor with deep emotional themes. Kieren Culkin’s performance has earned him accolades, including Best Supporting Actor at the Critics Choice Awards.
Facial Transformation Drama: A Different Man
What: An actor undergoes experimental facial surgery with life-changing results.
Award nominations: 1
Directed by: Aaron Schimberg
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson
Where to watch: Binge/Foxtel
Likely to make you feel: Compelled
In A Different Man, Sebastian Stan plays Edward, an actor with neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disorder. He undergoes a radical transformation to live a new life. The film explores themes of identity and resilience, and its makeup and hairstyling received an Oscar nomination.
An estimated one in 3,000 people in Australia have Neurofibromatosis, according to the Royal Children’s Hospital, but the large benign tumors seen here are very rare. (Supplied: Kismet)
Apes Take Over: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
What: A new leader in the Planet of the Apes series seeks to annihilate human remnants.
Award nominations: 1
Directed by: Wes Ball
Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Duran
Where to watch: Disney+
Likely to make you feel:
