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 23 total nominations, it’s difficult to narrow down this weekend’s itinerary, but here are four suggestions leading into Sunday’s festivities: Mature audiences can start their marathon with a viewing of Searchlight Pictures’ Nightmare Alley, then watch Disney and Pixar’s Luca; Walt Disney Studios’ Cruella; and Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Make sure your marathon concludes in time for The Oscars®, airing live Sunday night!
Nightmare Alley—Available on Hulu
This thriller—intended for mature audiences—from director Guillermo del Toro and Searchlight Pictures is nominated for four Academy Awards—Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design. Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) is a down-on-his-luck carnival worker who fancies himself a psychic medium in an attempt to swindle society’s elite. Stanton hatches a plan to con a mogul with help from a psychologist (Cate Blanchett), but she’s determined to expose him.
Luca—Available on Disney+
“Silenzio, Bruno!” and watch this coming-of-age story from Disney and Pixar, nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) is having the summer of a lifetime living in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera. He’s eating endless bowls of pasta and tons of gelato, and he’s embarking on exciting adventures with his new pal Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer). However, Luca’s true identity as a sea monster threatens all that fun—as well as his newfound friendship.
Cruella—Available on Disney+
Discover the origin story behind notorious Disney villain Cruella de Vil in this fashionable live-action film, which is nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Emma Stone stars as Estella, a young grifter determined to leave her mark on the fashion world. After years of terrorizing London with her thieving pals Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser), Estella eyes a bigger target—revenge.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings—Available on Disney+
In this Marvel Studios hit, nominated for Best Visual Effects, martial arts master Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he thought he left behind—including his father’s involvement in the notorious Ten Rings organization.
The Oscars®—Sunday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, on ABC
Grab the popcorn—it’s time to celebrate the year’s best films during Hollywood’s biggest night! The hilarious trio of Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes will share hosting duties for the 94th Academy Awards, which is themed “Movie Lovers Unite”… Don’t miss live performances from four of the five Best Original Song nominees; appearances from your favorite stars; iconic fashion moments; and so much more!
