Could Netflix Have Its Best Oscars Night Ever? Here’s Where The Race Is At

Last year at the Academy Awards, host Conan O’Brien celebrated Netflix’s success. “Netflix leads all studios with an impressive 18 – count ‘em – 18 price increases!” he said. “Yes, and I think they can beat that next year!” The studio did actually score 18 nominations last year, including two wins for Emilia Pérez – despite numerous controversies – and Best Documentary Short Film for The Only Girl in the Orchestra. For the upcoming ceremony, Netflix once again nabbed 18 nominations. 

The studio has yet to win a Best Picture, but this year might be one of the streaming giant’s best Oscar nights to date, despite seemingly being out of that particular race. 

It all starts with KPop Demon Hunters. There’s no stopping this film, now nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Golden”). Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ global phenomenon is nominated for the top animated picture alongside Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2. All bets are on KPop Demon Hunters, which would net Netflix its second win in this category following Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio in 2023.

The movie is too powerful of a reminder of the joy of movies. Few films, maybe one or two a year at best, have KPop Demon Hunters’ cultural footprint. It’s a new level of success for Netflix, in which audiences around the world are united in their love of a film, its characters, and, of course, pure earworm tunes. “Golden” has a good chance of Best Original Song as well, but Sinners has got “I Lied To You,” so that category is a toss-up.

Unless an asteroid crashes the ceremony, after KPop Demon Hunters’ inevitable Best Animated Film win, does Netflix have a chance in the late-in-the-game, “major” categories, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, and acting categories?

One Battle After Another and Sinners are the favorites in the race for the final category. Both are great pieces of art and entertainment. While Warner Bros. likely is winning Best Picture, Netflix has two more than well-deserving films nominated: Frankenstein and Train Dreams, the latter of which is an aching, life-affirming experience from writer/director Clint Bentley. Bentley’s film, however, is not as big and showy as most Best Picture winners tend to be. 

As for Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein, a part of its award success? It played in theaters. During its awards-quality theatrical run, del Toro’s film filled the big screen with undeniable beauty and horror, and the theaters with tears. At showings for the film in LA, many tears were shed by moviegoers and awards voters – a collective experience that makes Mary Shelley’s story all the more powerful, and, in turn, an awards favorite.

Academy Award-winning Guillermo del Toro directs an audible and visual feast, per usual. When it comes to crafts, his loyal crew members will no doubt collect awards on behalf of the film. If Netflix wins outside Best Animated Feature, it’s for the handmade wonders of Frankenstein.

Costume designer Kate Hawley, production designer Tamara Deverell, and makeup artist Mike Hill, and composer Alexandre Desplat  – their work is universally acclaimed. The same goes for the nominated sound team. As they all more than likely give speeches Sunday night – here’s rooting for cinematographer extraordinaire Dan Laustsen. He’s del Toro’s go-to cinematographer these days, but has yet to win an Academy Award. Laustsen is a visual wizard, bringing immense depth, humanity, and style to del Toro’s work, and one of these days, perhaps this Sunday, deserves recognition. If there’s a favorite there, though, it’s Sinners’ Autumn Durald. 

Jacob Elordi is nominated for Best Supporting Actor as well for Frankenstein, but again, Sinners and/or One Battle After Another are the frontrunners. Based on critics’ groups and recent awards ceremonies, that’s where the wind is blowing. Nonetheless, Netflix and the artists they employed will not leave the ceremony empty-handed. Expect KPop Demon Hunters and Frankenstein – both genre works, no small feat – to bring home some gold for Netflix.