A dominant presence in the streaming service industry is consistently Netflix, with the streaming service releasing countless successful original series and movies every year. But it wasn't until 2014 that Netflix received its first Oscar nomination for The Square in the Best Documentary Feature category, which marked the first time a streaming service was nominated for a major category at the Academy Awards.
Since then, Netflix has snagged many accolades and may even win its first Best Picture at this year's Oscars ceremony with The Power of the Dog, which is in the lead with 12 nominations across the categories. However, despite some not receiving awards recognition, there have been many popular Netflix original films over the years.
Marriage Story Deals With Difficult Relationship Issues
Marriage Story is a 2019 drama written and directed by Noah Baumbach that stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Alan Alda and Ray Liotta. It focuses on the tumultuous relationship between Driver's character, a theater director named Charlie, and Johansson's character, an actress named Nicole. Driver and Johansson's explosive energy, especially during arguments over the custody of their son Henry and Charlie's extramarital affair, makes this film a must-watch.
Roma Was the First Mexican Film to Win Best Director
Roma is a 2018 film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who is also known for directing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The film focuses on the life of Cleo Gutiérrez, a maid for a middle-class family in the Colonia Roma region of Mexico City that is dealing with the difficulties of life. Yalitza Aparicio's heart-breaking performance as Cleo and the appealing black-and-white style draws viewers into this acclaimed film, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations and was the first Mexican film to win Best Foreign Language Film and take home a statue for Best Director.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Was Chadwick Boseman's Last Film Appearance
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a 2020 biographical drama film based on the eponymous 1982 play by August Wilson. The film follows the real-life story of a critically acclaimed blues musician named Gertrude "Ma" Rainey and takes place in 1920s Chicago. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom received five Oscar nominations but will be remembered most as Chadwick Boseman's final film appearance before he passed away.
The Dig Is One of Netflix's Best Dramas
The Dig is a 2021 British drama based on John Preston's 2007 novel with the same title about the real-life excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1939, shortly before World War II. Ralph Fiennes stars as Basil Brown, an excavator who takes on the task of unearthing burial mounds in rural Suffolk from a landowner named Edith Pretty, played by Carey Mulligan. People tend to love a good drama, and The Dig is one of Netflix's best for its dramatizations and focus on historical events.
Mank Has Multiple Oscar-Worthy Performances
Mank is a 2020 black-and-white biography about acclaimed screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his experiences working on the classic 1941 film, Citizen Kane. Mank was initially planned to be released in the 1990s, but the original writer, Jack Fincher, died in 2003, and his son, David, took over. Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman's performances make this film worthy of a watch, and the Academy agrees because Mank earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Seyfried's role as Marion Davies.
The Power Of The Dog Could Win Netflix's First Best Picture Oscar
The Power of the Dog is a 2021 Western drama written and directed by Jane Campion and the latest Netflix original nominated for Best Picture. Set in 1920s Montana, Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the lead role as Phil Burbank, a rich rancher who disapproves of his brother's relationship with a widow named Rose. The film could sweep the Oscars and deserves acclaim because Cumberbatch's performance in a role he is typically unfamiliar with will leave viewers wanting more.
Don't Look Up Was An Instant Hit
Don't Look Up is a 2021 apocalyptic comedy written, directed and produced by Adam McKay, who started his film career as a head writer for Saturday Night Live. The film focuses on two astronomers, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, who attempt to warn society about the impending doom of a comet, only for no one to listen. Don't Look Up earned four Academy Award nominations this year, including Best Picture, and became the second most-watched movie on Netflix 28 days after its release. Some believe Don't Look Up quickly became popular because of its topical nature, but the comedy has a lot more to offer.
Tick, Tick, BOOM! Is A Stellar Film About Jonathan Larson's Life
tick, tick, ... BOOM! is a 2021 musical with biographical aspects based on Jonathan Larson's eponymous musical. Larson wrote the popular musical Rent before he died of Marfan Syndrome complications prior to its premiere on Broadway, and Andrew Garfield portrays him brilliantly in the film. It may have only received two Oscar nominations, but Tick, Tick...BOOM! will stand the test of time for its powerful message.
Find out which of these Netflix original films will make history at the 94th Academy Awards, airing on March 27.