We’re only days away from this year’s Oscars®, and all of the races are heating up. And as usual for this time of year, there are a handful of nominees in the four acting categories that are hoping that come Oscar® night, their golden moment will finally arrive.
So, of course, while making your best guess as to who will go home with any of those particular trophies, you’re going to want to watch the skills of these consummate professionals. And you’re in luck, as a good number of those nominated performances are available to watch in the comfort of your own home!
Check out these Academy Award®-nominated films, featuring some of the best performances from 2019, on AMC Theatres On Demand!
Best Actor
Antonio Banderas — Pain and Glory
A nominee for Best International Film, director Pedro Almodóvar’s PAIN AND GLORY has also netted Antonio Banderas a potential honor for Best Actor. His performance as film director Salvador Mallo shows the actor at the height of his talents, and is a dark horse in the acting race this year.
Leonardo DiCaprio — Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood
In his second pairing with director Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio brought his usual brand of bombast and bravado to ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD. A love letter to 1969 LA and the golden age of cinema, the film centers on DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton, a struggling actor and the story's protagonist, who's captivating and sympathetic even when he’s swearing up a storm at some hippies.
Joaquin Phoenix — Joker
If there was ever a front-runner in the Best Actor race, it surely has to be Joaquin Phoenix in the role of Arthur Fleck in director Todd Phillips’ comic book-adjacent drama, JOKER. Already taking home the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, Phoenix is the star to beat for his performance, depending on who you talk to.
Best Actress
Cynthia Erivo — Harriet
Moving on to the Best Actress competition, Cynthia Erivo’s had some fantastic momentum with her portrayal of civil rights pioneer Harriet Tubman in the dramatic biopic HARRIET. Also nominated for Best Original Song — which Erivo performs — HARRIET makes the star one of the double threats in this year’s competition.
Renée Zellweger — Judy
For her spot-on portrayal of Judy Garland in the biopic JUDY, Renée Zellweger has garnered quite a bit of attention leading up to the Academy Awards®. Combined with a Golden Globe win, and Zellweger feels like the surefire winner for her nuanced performance of the Hollywood legend in her twilight.
Best Supporting Actor
Tom Hanks — A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
For the first time in almost 20 years, Tom Hanks is back at the Oscars with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. It couldn’t have happened with a better performance either, as A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD uses Hanks’ preeminent charm and skill to give the world a portrait of Mr. Rogers that almost feels as if the man himself is with us once again.
Brad Pitt — Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood
Brad Pitt feels like the one to beat in the Best Supporting Actor race, which will be especially exciting to watch, as Pitt's co-star, DiCaprio, is nominated for Best Actor for the same movie. Part action hero, part wistful dreamer, Pitt's Cliff Booth is the best friend a person could have.
Best Supporting Actress
Scarlett Johansson — Jojo Rabbit
We close our acting showcase with another double nominee, as Scarlett Johansson has found herself with the first two nominations of her career in 2020. One of those comes in the form of a Best Supporting Actress nod for JOJO RABBIT, where she plays Rosie, the mother of the young protagonist we follow through the film. Warmth and humor radiate from her character, as she plays a crucial part in the development of young Jojo's worldview.
Anything can happen on Oscar night, so while we may have some folks pegged with the best odds in town, an upset is always in the cards. It's a good thing to remember when betting on your Oscar pools, and seeing the movies for yourself is the best way to get the full awards season picture. So, enjoy the films we've listed above, and don't forget the popcorn!
