Every year, Netflix inches closer and closer to scooping the top prize at the Oscars. In 2019, it was with Alfonso Cuarón’s black-and-white heavyweight Roma; in 2020, with Martin Scorsese’s elegiac The Irishman and Noah Baumbach’s heartrending Marriage Story; and last time around, with David Fincher’s critical darling Mank and Aaron Sorkin’s zippy courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7. Nomadland was ultimately triumphant in 2021, but Netflix took home seven statuettes in total, the most of any single studio.
For 2022, the streaming giant has more aces up its sleeve. Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is a Best Picture frontrunner and Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God is firmly in the mix for Best International Feature. Meanwhile, in the acting categories, Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick… Boom!) and Ruth Negga (Passing) are all surging.
How many wins will the company rack up on Oscar night? And will it finally clinch the award that has so far eluded it? Ahead of the ceremony, we look back on 15 incredible Netflix films that caught the industry’s eye in previous years, were rightfully rewarded, and paved the way for these new contenders.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
In mining the life and legacy of Nina Simone, Liz Garbus uncovered a deliberately provocative and fiercely political musical genius and earned a Best Documentary Oscar nomination in the process. It’s impossible not to be swept away by the power of her songs and the strength of her character.
13th (2016)
Activist Angela Davis, author Jelani Cobb and civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander are just some of the luminaries that provide insight in Ava DuVernay’s alarming exposé on historic racism in the US criminal justice system. Expansive and meticulous, it was nominated for Best Documentary.