Netflix Reigns Supreme in Oscar Shortlists: What This Means for the Competition

In a fascinating twist of events, the recently announced Oscar shortlists have brought to light the shifting landscape of this year's awards season. These long lists, which detail contenders across ten different categories, will set the stage for the final nominees and reveal just how influential various studios and films will be in the race for gold.

Released on Tuesday, these shortlists highlight the competing films in key areas such as animated, documentary, and live-action shorts, along with technical crafts including Hair & Makeup, Sound, and Visual Effects (VFX). As Oscar voters prepare for upcoming 'bake-offs' — presentations aimed at showcasing the nominated works — the excitement in Hollywood is palpable.

Dominating this year’s shortlists is none other than Netflix, securing a remarkable 15 mentions across nine of its titles. Among these, three standout documentaries — "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin," "Daughters," and "Will & Harper" — have earned spots on the shortlist, with "Will & Harper" also receiving a nod for Best Original Song. The streaming giant is pulling out all the stops for the French film "Emilia Pérez," which has been touted for top honors, including Best Picture and Best International Feature.

The competition isn't solely focused on Netflix, however. Other notable performances come from Universal’s musical blockbuster "Wicked," which earned four nominations, including VFX and Score. Apple's "Blitz," directed by Steve McQueen, despite mixed reviews, garnered attention with three nominations and may receive unexpected support from the BAFTAs.

Two sequels also secured three nods each: "Dune: Part Two" and "Gladiator II," while feminist horror film "The Substance" continues to make waves, likely to earn a spot in the Best Hair & Makeup category come Oscar nomination day.

The shortlist for Best International Feature mirrors expectations, with standout films like Mati Diop’s "Dahomey" and Iran’s "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" gaining traction. Yet, the absence of Mexico's "Sujo" has raised eyebrows. From Palestine, the entry "From Ground Zero" made headlines and adds to the diversity represented this year.

In a surprising twist for India, its entry "Lost Ladies" fell short, leading critics to suggest that Payal Kapadia’s acclaimed "All We Imagine as Light" should have been the chosen contender. Notably, the UK submitted another Indian film, "Santosh," which made the shortlist.

On the documentary front, the late-breaking contender "The Bibi Files" reveals serious corruption issues within Israel, while Will Ferrell’s road trip film, with a heartfelt trans storyline, also received recognition in a category often dominated by more serious fare. Ironically, the emotionally charged documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" failed to garner a nomination this year.

As we look ahead, last year’s pattern saw all five documentary nominees come from international films, raising the question: will this trend continue in 2025? The race is far from over, and as the Oscar campaigns heat up, attention shifts to which films will ultimately take the final nominations. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling awards season – stay tuned!