Another year of movies has come and gone, and2023 gave us some truly incredible films. Chances are that most of us have seenBarbieandOppenheimerafter the movie-going phenomenon that was Barbenheimer. Emerald Fennell’sSaltburnalso caused quite a stir among audiences, and Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moonhas received a lot of buzz as well.
These movies have been the subject of the awards season for months now. When certain movies generate massive amounts of hype or controversy, they are understandably the focal point of awards season conversation.
Nevertheless, many entertaining and captivating films that were just as fantastic are nominated during the season, but otherwise overlooked by audiences. Now is the time to try to fit in as many films as you can that will be contenders for awards this year. Here is a list of 10 films to play catch-up with, to prepare you for this season’s award shows.
Based on the true story of Diana Nyad, the film follows the titular character as she decides to pursue her lifelong dream at 60 years old. With the help of her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (Jodie Foster), Dianna (Annette Bening) prepares herself to swim across 110 miles of open ocean from Cuba to Florida.
Related:The Best Movie Performances of 2023, Ranked
Why You Should Watch It for Awards Season
Biopics and true stories are typically Hollywood’s bread and butter, so it was inevitable thatNyadwould receive nods come awards season. The nominations and wins for the film have primarily been for the acting performances of Foster and Bening, specifically Foster. For the performances alone, the movie is worth a watch.
Stream Nyad on Netflix
9Anatomy of a Fall (2023)
Read Our Review
In the second collaboration between writer/director Justine Triet and Sandra Huller,Anatomy of a Falltakes place after Sandra’s (Huller) husband is found dead in the snow outside the chalet where he lived with her and their partially blind son. When the incident is ruled a “suspicious death,” Sandra is indicted and forced to go on trial as their marriage is picked apart, and their son is caught in the middle.
This scintillating courtroom drama has been nominated for a whopping 127 awards and took home the Golden Globes for Best Screenplay and Best Picture,Non-English Language. It is certain to garner even more attention in the acting, screenplay, and best picture categories by the time the Academy Awards roll around. Courtroom dramas can be a hit or miss, but this film is gripping from start to finish.
Rent Anatomy of a Fall on Prime Video
8The Zone of Interest (2023)
Set during World War II in Nazi Germany, the commandant of Auschwitz,Rudolph Hoss (Christian Friedel), and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Huller), set out to build their dream life together. They do so in a house with a garden situated right next to the camp.
Why You Should Watch It for Award Season
Written and directed byUnder the Skinwriter and director Jonathan Glazer,The Zone of Interestis a chilling war drama that never explicitly exposes audiences to the horrors of the time. We all know of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust, but it is still unfathomable to many.
Glazer never dares to show the audience the unimaginable evil happening right next door, but we know it’s there. The film was nominated for three Golden Globes, won four Cannes Film Festival awards, and will undoubtedly receive attention at the remaining award shows and festivals this year.
Not currently available to stream or rent
7All of Us Strangers (2023)
All of Us Strangersfollows Adam (Andrew Scott) after having a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal) in contemporary London. The encounter alters the rhythm of Adam’s everyday life as a relationship develops between the two. He is preoccupied with memories of his childhood and finds himself drawn back to his hometown where it appears his parent are living just as they were before their death, 30 years prior.
Both Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal have been nominated for their stellar acting across multiple film festivals and awards leading up to the awards season. Scott was even nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama at the Golden Globes.
This moving, quietly devastating yet hopeful film will more than likely continue to rack up nominations and wins before the season is over. It’s also not quite what one would expect from a film like this, considering there is a bit of a fantasy element to it.
6Past Lives (2023)
Spanning over 20 years, Celine Song’sPast Livesfollows childhood sweethearts Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) after Nora’s family immigrated to the United States from South Korea. They drift apart and reconnect on multiple occasions until one fateful week in New York, where they must confront the notions of love and destiny.
It is an incredible feat that thisemotional, moving filmis the directorial debut of Celine Song. It is masterfully directed and expertly written. The film has garnered much attention in the film industry, and has received multiple nominations and wins in the acting, directing, screenplay, and best picture categories at film festivals and award shows. It is certainly one of the best films of 2023.
Rent Past Lives on Prime Video
5Maestro (2023)
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper,Maestrochronicles the life of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and the complex love story between him and his wife, actress Felicia Montealegre (Cary Mulligan). Their story spanned over 30 years and included two engagements, a 25-year marriage, and three children.
Cooper’s second directorial effort has received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences. It has also received a lot of awards attention for the acting and directing. Mulligan’s performance in particular has been highly praised among those in the industry and moviegoers. This is another film that will undoubtedly continue to receive accolades as awards season comes to an end.
Stream Maestro on Netflix
4Priscilla (2023)
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola,Priscillafollows Priscilla Presley when she was still Priscilla Beaulieu (played by Cailee Spaeny). As a teenager, she met Elvis Presley, who at that point was already a tremendous rock ‘n roll superstar. In private moments, he becomes something else entirely; a thrilling crush and a vulnerable best friend.
We all know at least something about Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise to fame and tragic end, but most people likely don’t know much about his wife. Coppola tells their tumultuous story through Priscilla’s eyes and paints a picture of the unseen side of the King. It’s a detailed depiction of love and fame, and Spaeny’s performance has been regarded highly.
Rent Priscilla on Prime Video
3May December (2023)
Todd Haynes’May Decembertakes place 20 years after a notorious and illegal tabloid romance swept the nation. After legal battles and a prison stint, Gracie (Julianne Moore) is married to her former victim and raising children with him. When an actress named Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) arrives in town to study Gracie to portray her in an upcoming movie, Gracie’s marriage buckles under pressure.
Both Portman and Moore give absolutely spectacular performances in this film. Moore nails the seemingly harmless but truthfully manipulative role of Gracie, while Portman skillfully portrays a conniving actress pretending to be interested in the truth.
Still, it’s Charles Melton who is the standout, as a victim who was robbed of his childhood far too young. All three leading actors have received stellar praise for their roles, and there’s no doubt they will continue to do so as awards season keeps moving forward.
Stream May December on Netflix
2Fallen Leaves (2023)
Set in modern-day Helsinki,Fallen Leavesfollows two strangers in search of love who meet by chance at a karaoke bar. However, their love story faces a series of obstacles that test their relationship. From lost phone numbers to mistake addresses, and even a lovable stray dog, the two attempt to overcome these obstacles.
Rom-coms are most often a hit or miss, and they usually miss more than they hit. Sometimes, we are granted a feel-good, well-written rom-com that makes us understand why the genre exists.
Fallen Leavesis one of those, and it will undoubtedly leave you feeling hopeful and maybe even a bit giddy. It is a strong contender for Best Non-English Language Picture and Best Actress at the remaining award shows.
1Poor Things (2023)
From the fantastically strange mind of director Yorgos Lanthimos,Poor Thingsfollows the whimsical and incredible evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the unorthodox yet brilliant Dr. Goodwin Baxter.
Eager to learn about the world, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a charming but debauched lawyer. Together they sail across the continents as Bella grows steadfast in her desire for equality and liberation.
Related:The 20 Best Dramatic Films of 2023
Why You Should Watch it for Awards Season
Just like her character in the film,Emma Stone has had an incredible career evolutionsince herSuperbaddays. She is one of the most talented actresses working today, and she has proved herself to be an immensely skillful artist. Lanthimos is also one of the most interesting directors in the film industry, and the combination of the two together is a sight to see on screen.
Stone has already received a Golden Globe for her performance, and the film itself has stacked up an astounding 296 nominations so far, and it will definitely rack up more in the acting, directing, best picture, and production design categories.
