By Andie Hagemann
Lights, camera… marathon! Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, binge-watch Academy Award®-nominated films from across The Walt Disney Company. With 22 total nominations, it’s difficult to narrow down this weekend’s itinerary, but here are four suggestions leading into Sunday’s festivities: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Turning Red, Fire of Love, and Le Pupille. Make sure your marathon concludes in time for The Oscars®, airing live Sunday night on ABC!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—Available to Stream on Disney+
The film is nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter), Best Original Song (“Lift Me Up” from Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Ryan Coogler), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Camille Friend and Joel Harlow), and Best Visual Effects (Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick).
In the sequel to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), Queen Ramonda (Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.
Turning Red—Available to Stream on Disney+
Growing up is a beast! Disney and Pixar’s feature film—nominated for Best Animated Feature Film (Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins)—introduces Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). She’s a confident yet dorky 13-year-old torn between being a perfect daughter and forging her own path. Her protective, if sometimes overbearing mother, Ming (voiced by Sandra Oh), is never far behind—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda!
Fire of Love—Available to Stream on Disney+
Katia and Maurice Krafft loved two things—each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the daring French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. Ultimately, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion, leaving a legacy that forever enriched our knowledge of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team celebrate the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, it tells a story of primordial creation and destruction, following two bold explorers as they venture into the unknown, all for the sake of love.
Le Pupille—Available to Stream on Disney+
From writer and director Alice Rohrwacher and Academy Award-winning producer Alfonso Cuarón, Le Pupilleis nominated for Best Live Action Short. It’s a tale of innocence, greed, and fantasy. Set at Christmastime, it follows young girls at a strict religious boarding school who are consumed with their thoughts of desire, freedom, and anarchy.
The Oscars—Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC
Grab the popcorn—it’s time to celebrate the year’s biggest films! Award-winning late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the 95th Academy Awards for the third time. Who will take home the coveted honor? Tune in to find out. Also, don’t miss live performances from Best Original Song nominees, appearances from your favorite stars, iconic fashion moments, and so much more!