Has Hollywood Gone Soft on Netflix?

Since «La Bola Negra» is being released in cinemas for a 47-day run, the Spanish Oscar contender is not only nominated for Best International Feature, but is also the first film from a streamer to be nominated for Best Picture.

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The 2018 Mexican film Auto Black and White received nine Best Picture nominations, ultimately earning three nominations, including Best International Film, and two for its director and cinematographer Alfonso Cuarón. Nearly a decade ago, streamer Netflix was poised to receive its first Best Picture Oscar.

There was a sense of relief at Governor Ball after the Oscars.

Year after year, Netflix's Crack Awards team has garnered multiple nominations, but failed in the Best Picture category. Since 2019, nine films have lost the golden statuette, including Martin Scorsese's The Irishman, Jane Campion's Power of the Dog and Jacques Audiard's Scandal-derailed Emilia Perez. Netflix's two best picture awards last year went to the periodicals Dream Train and Frankenstein, which was defeated by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another from Warner Bros.

For a while, many Hollywood players were negative about Netflix, mostly because of the public belief that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was out to kill movie theaters. Over time, he has tried to express his love for cinema, along with his preference for the streaming model over theater.

This year, after Netflix lost its pursuit of a Warner Bros. merger, the mood in the industry changed. Given Saranos's learning experience looking at Warners' numbers, he's made a decisive U-turn to embrace theatrical performances -- mostly for potential Oscar contenders.

why There is money to be made, filmmakers are encouraged. and win an Oscar.

This weekend marks the beginning of that pivot, as Cannes Best Director winner Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrosi's (Les Javis) $17 million gay epic "La Bola Negra" hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 16.

This isn't a "Knives Out" theater stunt or a post-Netflix "KPop Demon Hunters." It's the first time Netflix has not only reported box office numbers in full, but has been released from a traditional platform along the way - such as A24 or Sony Pictures Classics - in four cinemas, moving to six to ten and then 30 in its third week.

By November 6, the film will be released in over 75 markets. Of course, streaming will determine how widespread it is by the time it hits Netflix on December 2nd. If theaters still want to play it, they can.

With warm receptions at fall festivals, including the prophetic People's Choice Award in Toronto, "La Bola Negra" gained momentum. It will be at the top of the pile of voter screener awards. Not only is it the frontrunner in international competition, but it also has Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Soundtrack, Song, Actor in a Supporting Role, and Actor, as well as craft nominations. Could have landed 9 or 10 headers. (Now that Oscar rules allow two nominations for a performer in the same category, Penelope Cruz could be nominated for both The Invite and La Bola Negra.)

The film is breaking box office records in Spain and climbing week after week.

Netflix has other fish to fry this year. Korea's Oscar, Venice Silver Bear winner Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" were also present at the fall festivals, and in international competition, film and best actress for Jeon Do-yeon. Year-end review groups will probably love it.

Two Netflix titles will compete in the international category with Neon Palme d'Or winners Ford and Suddenly, and MUBI's Fatherland and Minotaur. The shortlist of 15 is the first station announced on December 15.

Where David Fincher's sequel to Quentin Tarantino's The Further Mis-Aventures of Cliff Booth, starring Brad Pitt, ends with Oscar voters. While Fincher has been busy in the editing room, Netflix has confirmed an exclusive IMAX run for two weeks starting on November 25, 2026, ahead of its December 23rd release date.

We'll see if Netflix does a little better with an Oscar win this year. It seems the tide may have turned.