Once upon a time, the Oscar nominations were filled with titles unfamiliar to the regular Joe. Not unknown, necessarily, but at least not widely seen. But today, thanks to all kinds of home video platforms and theatrical distribution for even the short film nominees, it’s not always so impossible to see everything before the big night. To help those of you wishing to be completists, I’ve listed all of this year’s recently announced Oscar nominees and noted how and where you can see them, whether presently or soon enough.
It may not be entirely doable, as some foreign films haven’t officially been released here, including one that doesn’t even yet have a date, and some titles are in the middle of their theatrical to DVD window. But there are a bunch that can be streamed right this moment on your computer via Amazon, Google, YouTube and other outlets, each of which I’ve marked accordingly courtesy of GoWatchIt. Only three are through Netflix Watch Instant, by the way (How to Survive a Plague, The Invisible War and Mirror Mirror). And one short has been embedded in the post.
5 Broken Cameras
Best Documentary Feature
Now streaming on Hulu Plus and available for download through Alive Mind Cinema. Hits DVD on January 15 and Amazon Instant Video on January 21.
Adam and Dog
Best Animated Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated animated shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Amour
Best Picture – Best Director – Best Actress – Best Foreign Language Film – Best Original Screenplay
Currently playing theatrically in limited release. This weekend, Sony Pictures Classics added screens in San Francisco, Chicago, Scottsdale, Washington, D.C., and other cities. And it’s still playing in NYC and Los Angeles. With expansion continuing through next month, just check the film’s website for the list of upcoming dates to see when it’s playing near you.
Anna Karenina
Best Cinematography – Best Costume Design – Best Original Score – Best Production Design
Currently playing theatrically in limited release. Hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 19.
Argo
Best Picture – Best Supporting Actor – Best Editing – Best Original Score – Best Sound Design – Best Sound Mixing – Best Adapted Screenplay
Currently back in wide theatrical release with more than 300 screens added this weekend (for a total of 621), so it should be playing in a local theater. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 19.
Asad
Best Live Action Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated live action shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
The Avengers
Best Visual Effects
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Best Picture – Best Director – Best Actress – Best Adapted Screenplay
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu. It’s also playing in a few theaters around the country, according to the listings on the film’s official website.
Brave
Best Animated Feature
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Buzkashi Boys
Best Live Action Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated live action shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Chasing Ice
Best Original Song
Currently playing theatrically in limited release. For a list of present and many upcoming screenings, check the film’s website. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is April.
Curfew
Best Live Action Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated live action shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw)
Best Live Action Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated live action shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Django Unchained
Best Picture – Best Supporting Actor – Best Cinematography – Best Sound Editing – Best Original Screenplay
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is April.
Flight
Best Actor – Best Original Screenplay
Currently in dwindling theatrical release with 150 screens showing the film nationwide. Hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 5.
Frankenweenie
Best Animated Feature
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from itunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu. Also still playing on a limited amount of screens around the country.
Fresh Guacamole
Best Animated Short
Watch it on YouTube below. Will also likely play theatrically with other nominated animated shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
The Gatekeepers
Best Documentary Feature
Sony Pictures Classics will release the film theatrically on February 1.
Head Over Heels
Best Animated Shorts
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated animated shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Henry
Best Live Action Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated live action shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Hitchcock
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Currently playing theatrically in limited release. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is March.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Best Production Design – Best Visual Effects
Currently playing theatrically in wide release in multiple formats, including High Frame Rate. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is April.
How to Survive a Plague
Best Documentary Feature
Now available digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Netflix, Amazon, Google Play and YouTube. Also currently playing in NYC and a few other theaters around the country, which you can find details for on its website. Hits DVD on February 26.
The Impossible
Best Actress
Currently in wide theatrical release, albeit on the lighter side, and playing nationwide. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is April.
Inocente
Best Documentary Short
Currently on the festival circuit, screening this weekend at the Irvine International Film Festival. See the film’s website for more. Will likely play theatrically with other nominated documentary shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
The Invisible War
Best Documentary Feature
Now available on DVD and digitally from iTunes. Streaming on Netflix, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube and Vudu.
Kings Point
Best Documentary Short
Currently on the festival circuit, screening this weekend at the Irvine International Film Festival. See the film’s website for more. Will likely play theatrically with other nominated documentary shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Kon-Tiki
Best Foreign Language Film
Currently this film has no release date. For now, just watch the incredible original Oscar-winning documentary from 1951, which is available from iTunes and streaming on Amazon.
Les Misérables
Best Picture – Best Actor – Best Supporting Actress – Best Costume Design – Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Best Original Song – Best Production Design – Best Sound Mixing
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is April.
Life of Pi
Best Picture – Best Director – Best Cinematography – Best Editing – Best Original Score – Best Original Song – Best Production Design – Best Sound Editing – Best Sound Mixing – Best Visual Effects – Best Adapted Screenplay
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on March 5.
Lincoln
Best Picture – Best Director – Best Actor – Best Supporting Actor – Best Supporting Actress – Best Cinematography – Best Costume Design – Best Editing – Best Original Score – Best Production Design – Best Sound Mixing – Best Adapted Screenplay
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on March 26.
Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare”
Best Animated Short
You can easily find a bootlegged version on YouTube (for now) if you search for it. Will also likely play theatrically with other nominated animated shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
The Master
Best Actor – Best Supporting Actor – Best Supporting Actress
Currently in dwindling theatrical release with locations strewn around the country. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 26.
Mirror Mirror
Best Costume Design
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes. Streaming on Netflix, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Mondays at Racine
Best Documentary Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated documentary shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Moonrise Kingdom
Best Original Screenplay
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
No
Best Foreign Language Film
Sony Pictures Classics will release this film on February 15.
Open Heart
Best Documentary Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated documentary shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
Paperman
Best Animated Short
You can easily find a bootlegged version on YouTube (for now) if you search for it. Will also likely play theatrically with other nominated animated shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
ParaNorman
Best Animated Feature
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu. Also still playing in very limited release on a few screens around the country.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Best Animated Feature
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Prometheus
Best Visual Effects
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Redemption
Best Documentary Short
Will likely play theatrically with other nominated documentary shorts in the usual ShortsHD program next month.
A Royal Affair
Best Foreign Language Film
Currently playing theatrically in limited release. For a list of present and upcoming locations, see the list of play dates on the Magnolia Pictures website. Hits DVD and Blu-ray on March 26.
Searching for Sugar Man
Best Documentary Feature
Currently playing theatrical in limited release. For present and future locations, check the film’s screening calendar on its website. Also available digitally from iTunes and streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu. Hits DVD and Blu-ray on January 22.
The Sessions
Best Supporting Actress
Currently in dwindling limited theatrical release with locations around the country. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 12.
Silver Linings Playbook
Best Picture – Best Director – Best Actor – Best Actress – Best Supporting Actor – Best Supporting Actress – Best Editing – Best Adapted Screenplay
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is March.
Skyfall
Best Cinematography – Best Original Score – Best Original Song – Best Sound Editing – Best Sound Mixing
Currently in wide theatrical release and playing nationwide. Hits DVD and Blu-ray on February 18.
Snow White and the Huntsman
Best Costume Design – Best Visual Effects
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Ted
Best Original Song
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally from iTunes and on demand. Streaming on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
War Witch
Best Foreign Language Film
Tribeca Film will open the film theatrically on March 1.
Wreck-It-Ralph
Best Animated Feature
Currently in dwindling limited theatrical release with less than 500 screens nationwide. The movie hits DVD and Blu-ray on March 5.
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Picture – Best Actress – Best Editing – Best Sound Editing – Best Original Screenplay
Expanded theatrically to wide release this weekend and is now playing nationwide. There is presently no official release date for home video, but the estimated month is March.
