Now that the 2022 Oscar nominations are live and giving us something to talk about, it's probably the time for you to brush up on what you've seen this year. It can be hard to catch everything during a regular year, let alone during a pandemic where half of the films are accessible at home and the other half are in theaters only.
Thankfully, a few of the year's brightest lights — and biggest surprises — are available to rent and/or stream so you can be as well-prepared for the Academy Awards ceremony on March 27. So check out this list and make sure you see as much as you can. After all, it can only make your Oscars bracket that much more likely (and if you're betting? Even better).
Don't Look Up
Where to Stream: Netflix
The topical comedy follows a pair of dedicated scientists who try to convince the world that a major meteor is coming directly toward Earth and will kill us all — but no one seems to care. Sound familiar? The Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle is a Netflix original film, so you can find it on the streamer should you decide to give it a watch.
The Power Of The Dog
Where to Stream: Netflix
The emotional and gripping Western drama follows a hard rancher who finds the meaning of love when his brother brings home a new wife and baby. The film — which birthed several incredible performances, including one from Supporting Actress-nominated Kirsten Dunst — is a Netflix original, so you can head there to give it a watch. Definitely make it a high priority, folks!
Dune
Where to Rent: iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Redbox, DIRECTV and Spectrum On Demand.
Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" follows a man who must travel to the universe's most dangerous planet to ensure the survival of his people. It's a sci-fi epic that must be seen to be believed — and sadly, it was once available for free on HBO Max, but left the platform 30 days after its release. Now, it is available for rent on various digital platforms.
Nightmare Alley
Where to Stream: HBO Max and Hulu
Gulliermo del Toro's reimagining of a 1947 noir classic follows an ambitious carnie who hijacks the skills needed to create a convincing mentalist act — but he forms an alliance with a beautiful psychiatrist who shakes up his high-flying con. The film is exciting and entertaining, but be prepared to feel a little nihilistic after the whole thing is over. In fact, the movie's tone makes its Best Picture nomination all the more surprising. The thrilling remake is now available to stream on Hulu, HBO Max, HBO, and DIRECTV.
King Richard
Where to Rent: iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Redbox, and Spectrum On Demand.
Will Smith's latest star vehicle tells the story of Richard Williams, father and coach of legendary tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. The film is currently available to rent on various digital platforms.
Tick, Tick … BOOM!
Where to Stream: Netflix
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical film tells a snapshot story in the life of "Rent" composer Jonathan Larson in the lead-up to his 30th birthday. The bubbly and bouncing film — that is not without an existential crisis, mind you — is a Netflix original, so you can give it a watch on the platform. It (and Andrew Garfield's Best Actor-nominated performance) will definitely make you smile.
Cruella
Where to Stream: Disney+
The Disney+ original is the origin story of Miss De Vil herself, and it garnered a nod for costume design this year. Considering it's a Disney property, you can stream the Emma Stone vehicle — which, in my opinion, is a bit insufferable — via Disney+.
The Eyes Of Tammy Faye
Where to Stream/Rent: HBO Max, HBO, DIRECTV, and Spectrum On Demand
This Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield drama tells the story of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, a husband and wife duo who from humble beginnings created the world's largest religious broadcasting network. The movie has a killer leading performance in Chastain, and is now available to watch on HBO Max, HBO, DIRECTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
House Of Gucci
Where to Rent: Spectrum on Demand
Ridley Scott's latest tells the story of Patrizia Reggiani, who married into the Gucci family and let her raw ambition unravel the family legacy — which led to an infamous murder. The Lady Gaga star vehicle definitely got snubbed in several categories this year, but you can rent it on Spectrum on Demand to see for yourself if it really deserved the accolades.
The Tragedy Of Macbeth
Where to Rent: Apple TV+
Joel Coen's imagining on the Shakespeare classic is a Brechtian, black-and-white nightmare that highlights how all powerful men come from humble beginnings, a time before ambition takes hold. The exciting film ended up snagging a few nominations, and rightfully so. You can check out the Apple original film for yourself on Apple TV+.
Spencer
Where to Rent: iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Redbox, DIRECTV, Spectrum On Demand
Pablo Larrain's latest is a fictionalized imagining of Princess Diana's last Christmas at the royal Sandringham estate, where she decides to leave husband Prince Charles. Kristen Stewart's tour-de-force performance has been toyed with a bit this nomination season, but it was great to see her come out with a Best Actress nod. If you haven't immersed yourself in this pulsing thrill-ride of drama, rent it on iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Redbox, DIRECTV, or Spectrum On Demand to see why Stewart deserved her first nomination for this film.
Belfast
Where to Rent: iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Redbox, Spectrum On Demand, and Alamo on Demand.
Writer-director Kenneth Branagh's film follows a young boy growing up in Ireland at the beginning of "The Troubles," an ethno-nationalist conflict in the country that lasted from 1968 to 1998. The film — which lauded actor Branagh describes as his "most personal" — is available to rent on various digital platforms.
CODA
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
This powerful drama follows Ruby, a child of deaf adults who is the only hearing person in her family. When her family's business is threatened, she has to assess her priorities and take a hard look at what it means to grow up, especially as a CODA. The movie garnered a lot of unexpected attention in the nominations list, but it is certainly a welcomed decision. The powerful picture is an Apple original film, so you can stream it on Apple TV+.
Being The Ricardos
Where to Stream: Prime Video
This Aaron Sorkin biopic tells the story of Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, as they hit roadblocks that threaten their careers and marriage. The Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem-led picture has been a divisive one this year, garnering both praise and criticism. However, Bardem did manage to snag a Best Actor nomination — and you can see if he deserved the accolade by streaming the film on Amazon Prime Video.
The Lost Daughter
Where to Stream: Netflix
Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut follows a woman whose seaside vacation gives way to an obsession with a young mother that forces her to confront her dark past. The praised picture is a Netflix original, so you can head to the streamer to give it a watch. It's one of the dramas you don't want to miss this year.
Encanto
Where to Stream: Disney+
The new and already-beloved Disney film tells the story of the Madrigal family, a magical group who get their powers from Encanto, where they live. When the magic of the town is threatened, they turn to their only ordinary member, young Mirabel, for help. The movie is getting a lot of praise for its big heart and incredible score, so you're going to want to make this watch a priority. You can stream "Encanto" on Disney+.
Flee
Where to Stream: Hulu
This animated documentary tells the true story of a man who, on the eve of getting married, reveals his hidden past for the very first time: his experience as a refugee. The film has gotten nearly unanimous acclaim, so it's great that it is available to stream on Hulu — it's an important movie to see, not only this season, but in general.
Luca
Where to Stream: Disney+
This animated entry tells the tale of Luca and his pal Alberto, with whom he spends an incredible summer on the Italian Riviera — however, it turns out they are actually deep sea monsters, which complicates things. The adorable film is available to stream on Disney+.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines
Where to Stream: Netflix
This quirky animated picture follows the Mitchells, a family that somehow gets roped up into the robot apocalypse, and, of course, becomes humanity's last chance for survival. It has gotten a lot of praise this past year, and its unique animation style and fun script are sure to make you smile. You can stream the film on Netflix.
Raya And The Last Dragon
Where to Stream: Disney+
This Disney movie follows Raya, a lone warrior who is tasked with tracking down the legendary last dragon to restore her land and its people to its former harmony, when humans and dragons lived as one. You can stream the animated feature on Disney+.
The Hand Of God
Where to Stream: Netflix
Italian director Paolo Sorrentino's drama tells the story of a young teen boy who experiences many new emotional crests in 1980s Napoli after being saved from a freak accident by soccer player Diego Maradona. It's an interesting and unique concept, and the film's sweeping visuals are a must-see. The movie is a Netflix original, so it is available via the streamer.
Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom
Where to Rent: Spectrum on Demand
This drama tells the story of an uninspired teacher, who moves to the most remote school on Earth to regain the importance of his work. It is available to rent on Spectrum on Demand.
Free Guy
Where to Rent: iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Redbox, and Spectrum On Demand.
This Ryan Reynolds comedy follows a bank teller who comes to the realization that he is a background character in a video game that will soon go offline for good. It was a smash hit at the box office this year, and honestly, the concept is smart enough for you to give it your time. The film is available to rent on multiple digital platforms.
Four Good Days
Where to Stream: Hulu and Kanopy
This Glenn Close and Mila Kunis picture follows a mother helping her daughter work through the first four and most crucial days of substance abuse recovery. It is streaming on Hulu and Kanopy.
Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Where to Stream: Disney+
This Marvel entry follows Shang-Chi, who is lured into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization and, as a result, must confront a past he intended to keep in the past. You can stream the film on Disney+.
Coming 2 America
Where to Stream: Prime Video
This follow-up to "Coming to America" tells the story of a prince (Eddie Murphy) who discovers he had a son he never knew about in Queens, New York. He sets off to meet his offspring and honor his father's dying wish: to crown his son as the new prince. You can stream the film via Amazon Prime Video.
Ascension
Where to Stream: Paramount+
This beautifully cinematic documentary inquires about the concept of the "Chinese Dream," and how the culture is drawn to innovate and produce, sometimes to the detriment of its people. You can stream the movie on Paramount+.
Attica
Where to Stream/Rent: Amazon Prime, Showtime, fuboTV, DIRECTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
This powerful documentary features interviews with inmates, witnesses, journalists, and more following the largest prison uprising in United States history. You can stream it on Amazon Prime, Showtime, and fuboTV, or rent it on DIRECTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
Summer Of Soul (… Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Where to Stream: Hulu and Disney+
This exciting musical documentary pieces together lost footage of the Harlem Culture Festival, which occurred during the same summer as Woodstock 1969. The footage sat unused for almost 50 years before it was unearthed and lovingly assembled by the prolific Questlove. A feast for the eyes and ears, you can stream this picture on Hulu and Disney+.
Currently Unavailable To Stream Or Rent
Sadly, a few of this year's Oscar noms have yet to arrive on streaming or for rent. It looks as though we'll have to wait a little while longer for "West Side Story," "The Worst Person in the World," "Drive My Car," "Licorice Pizza," "Parallel Mothers," "Cyrano," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," and "Writing With Fire" to become accessible — but we will be here when they do, ready with the popcorn for a marathon.
The 94th annual Academy Award ceremony airs on ABC on March 27, 2022.
Read this next: The Best Movies Of 2021
The post Where to Rent or Stream Every 2022 Oscar Nominee appeared first on /Film.