The Academy Awards celebrate the very best in global cinema — honoring bold storytelling, visionary direction, and unforgettable performances. Each nominee represents months (sometimes years) of craft, collaboration, and creative risk-taking, making awards season the perfect time to catch up on the year’s most talked-about films.

From epic blockbusters to intimate indies and groundbreaking documentaries, this year’s Oscar-nominated lineup spans genres and platforms. Whether one prefers streaming at home or heading to theaters, here’s where one can watch every major 2026 contender.

  Sinners is a morally complex drama following a charismatic community leader whose past mistakes resurface, forcing him to confront loyalty, justice, and redemption. As tensions escalate, the story examines how power can both uplift and corrupt.

Stream on: HBO Max (also via Hulu add-on)    

  This layered character study traces several intertwined lives navigating ambition, love, and betrayal in a rapidly shifting world. The film slowly builds toward an emotional reckoning shaped by personal and political conflict.

Stream on: HBO Max  

  By day, a chart-topping girl group dominates the global music scene, by night, they secretly battle supernatural forces threatening humanity. The animated adventure blends pop spectacle with high-stakes fantasy action.

Stream on: Netflix  

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  A visionary scientist pushes ethical boundaries in his quest to conquer death, creating life with devastating consequences. This haunting retelling explores isolation, ambition, and the cost of playing God.

Stream on: Netflix    

A quiet suburban neighborhood is shaken when suspicion falls on a seemingly friendly neighbor. As paranoia grows, buried secrets and moral gray areas come to light.

Stream on: Netflix

  Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America, the story follows a solitary laborer building railroads while wrestling with loneliness and fleeting connections. It’s a meditative tale about memory, loss, and survival.

Stream on: Netflix  

  This intimate short captures a person moving through spaces filled with memories of a lost relationship. Through silence and subtle detail, it portrays grief in its quietest form.

Stream on: Netflix  

  A tender drama about two former lovers reunited under unexpected circumstances. As unresolved emotions surface, they must decide whether to revisit the past or finally let go.

Stream on: Netflix  

  A veteran Formula 1 driver returns to the track to mentor a rising star, reigniting old rivalries and personal demons. The high-speed drama explores ambition, legacy, and sacrifice.

Stream on: Apple TV+  

  This emotional documentary follows individuals facing life-altering diagnoses while holding onto humor and hope. It’s a powerful reflection on love, resilience, and the human spirit.

Stream on: Apple TV+  

  A real-life survival story centered on a catastrophic event that tests courage and quick thinking. The film pieces together firsthand accounts to reveal how lives were saved against the odds.

Stream on: Apple TV+  

  A darkly comedic sci-fi tale in which conspiracy theories spiral into unexpected reality. As paranoia grows, the film blurs the line between delusion and truth. Stream on: Peacock  

Dinosaurs once again roam alongside humanity, forcing scientists and leaders to confront the consequences of genetic power. Spectacle and survival collide in this action-packed sequel.

Stream on: Peacock  

A reimagined fairy tale told from the perspective of the overlooked stepsister, revealing jealousy, ambition, and vulnerability. The film challenges traditional notions of villainy and beauty.

Stream on: Hulu and AMC+

Inspired by true events, the story follows a struggling musician who finds unexpected fame performing tribute songs. It’s a heartfelt exploration of dreams, love, and second chances.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms

The beloved animal metropolis faces a new mystery that tests friendships and uncovers hidden corners of the city. Humor and heart drive this family-friendly sequel.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms

  A family gathering reignites unresolved tensions and long-buried secrets. Through intimate conversations, the film examines memory and emotional inheritance.

Stream on: Digital rental and specialty platforms  

Set in a politically turbulent landscape, the film follows a young protagonist seeking freedom and identity. Striking visuals underscore its coming-of-age journey.

Stream on: Rental and specialty platforms

  A couple’s carefully mapped-out retirement takes an unexpected turn, forcing them to redefine purpose and partnership. Humor blends with heartfelt reflection.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms  

This unconventional short explores intimacy and vulnerability through a single, symbolic encounter. Minimalist storytelling gives emotional weight to fleeting connection.

Stream on: Select streaming outlets and rental services

A lyrical animated tale about a young girl whose tears transform into precious pearls, drawing both wonder and danger. The story weaves folklore with emotional depth.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms  

  A romantic period piece inspired by Austen-esque wit and societal pressures. Love, class, and reputation intertwine in this elegant costume drama.

Stream on: Rental platforms    

  A young boy unexpectedly finds himself chosen as Earth’s ambassador to an alien civilization. The adventure unfolds into a heartfelt story about belonging and courage.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms    

This documentary chronicles the life and career of a legendary songwriter whose persistence shaped decades of pop music. Behind-the-scenes moments reveal her creative drive.

Stream on: Digital rental platforms  

A visually striking theatrical exclusive centered on a mysterious journey that blends realism with dreamlike storytelling. Its narrative unfolds through layered symbolism and emotional intensity.

Stream on: Theaters only  

From explosive blockbusters to quiet emotional journeys, this year’s Oscar nominees showcase storytelling at its finest. With most titles available on major streaming platforms and others in theaters, building your ultimate awards-season watchlist has never been easier.

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Start streaming now and decide for yourself which film deserves to take home Oscar gold. Let us know in the comments which film will you watch first?