Last year at this time, I might’ve predicted we’d have a much clearer picture of the future state of the movie industry by now. COVID has dramatically accelerated decades-long trends toward shorter theatrical windows and, in some cases, completely smashed them, as films dropped on streaming simultaneously or skipped movie theaters altogether. But judging by this year’s nominees, the film world still measures success via theatrical release—only two streaming-only releases are vying for Best Picture—even as it grows increasingly clear that those theatrical screenings aren’t the only way, nor even the best way, to make money. So maybe next year we’ll have a better handle on all of it?
The upshot is that recent movies continue to be available for home viewing far more readily than ever. Gone are the days would-be Oscar contenders wouldn’t arrive on video for months after the ceremony. Almost all of the major contenders in 2022 are already available for home viewing in some form or another—either free to subscribers of a particular streaming service, or as a digital rentals. Right now, we’re only missing options for five of them, and that number will undoubtedly shrink before the Oscar broadcast.
Returning to the Dolby Theatre after last year’s trip to the train station, the 94th Academy Awards ceremony will air on Sunday, March 27. For the first time since 2017, the show is expected to have a single main host, but there’s no word yet on who that will be. Regardless, you have plenty of time—and opportunity—to become an informed viewer before then.