Must-See Oscar Nominated Films to Watch Ahead of the Big Night

Good Morning America
Good Morning AmericaMar 14, 2026

Why It Matters

Understanding which nominated films are resonating with critics and insiders helps audiences prioritize viewing and can sway Oscar momentum, impacting box‑office returns and future award campaigns.

Key Takeaways

  • Stream "One Battle After Another" for Oscar best‑picture buzz.
  • Hamnet highlighted as likely best‑actress winner for Jesse Buckley.
  • "Frankenstein" praised for theatrical impact and emerging talent Jacob Lordy.
  • "Sinners" touted as original IP contender for best picture.
  • Underrated "The Secret Agent" noted for surprise acting nomination potential.

Summary

The segment is a rapid‑fire guide to Oscar‑nominated films ahead of the ceremony, featuring co‑hosts in New York and Los Angeles who riff on their top streaming and theatrical picks. They spotlight high‑profile contenders such as "One Battle After Another" – a car‑chase thriller with Leonardo DiCaprio and supporting buzz around Shawn Penn and Tayiana Taylor – and argue that "Hamnet" will deliver best‑actress honors to Jesse Buckley.

The hosts also champion "Frankenstein" on Netflix for its theatrical energy and breakout star Jacob Lordy, while "Sinners" is praised as a fresh intellectual‑property masterpiece that could upset the best‑picture race. Lesser‑known titles like "The Secret Agent" receive a nod for potential surprise acting nominations, especially for Michael B. Jordan’s rival Vagner.

Behind‑the‑scenes drama is referenced through Timothy Shalomé’s recent comments, adding a layer of industry intrigue, and the conversation includes nostalgic callbacks to "Bridesmaids" and the upcoming reunion of its cast to honor Rose Burn’s performance.

For viewers, the rundown offers a curated watchlist that balances streaming convenience with theatrical experiences, while the predictions shape audience expectations and may influence final voting trends as the Academy converges on the big night.

Original Description

ABC News' Will Ganss and Entertainment Contributor Kelley Carter are here with a special edition of "Binge This" on must-see Oscar nominated films.
SIGN UP to get the daily GMA Wake-Up Newsletter:
To read the full story and others, visit http://www.goodmorningamerica.com
FOLLOW:
Watch full episodes of GMA: https://abcnews.link/8SAXtIX
Watch full episodes of GMA3: https://abcnews.link/8aZfnmd
Watch full episodes of GMA First Look: https://abcnews.link/LxV2S7H

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...