The glitz and glamour of the 97th Academy Awards not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also significantly influenced viewers' streaming choices. Post-Oscars, audiences flocked to digital platforms to watch the newly crowned winners and nominees, leading to notable shifts in streaming trends across the United States.
Post-Oscars Streaming Surge:
Following the awards ceremony, several Oscar-nominated films experienced a remarkable increase in streaming activity. According to data from JustWatch, the most streamed Oscar-nominated movies in the U.S. post-Oscars were:
- The Substance – 1 award
- Conclave – 1 award
- A Real Pain – 1 award
- The Brutalist – 3 awards
- Wicked – 2 awards
- I'm Still Here – 1 award
- The Wild Robot – 0 awards
- Flow – 1 award
- A Complete Unknown – 0 awards
- Nosferatu – 0 awards
Note: “Anora” was not included in the ranking due to the lack of current streaming offers in the U.S., but it was the second most popular after “The Substance.”
Key Takeaways from the Post-Oscars Streaming Shift:
- Newcomers Enter the Rankings: Films like “The Brutalist,” “Wicked,” “I'm Still Here,” and “A Complete Unknown” emerged in the top ten after the Oscars, reflecting fresh audience interest.
- Shifts in Viewer Attention: Prior to the awards, titles such as “Dune: Part Two,” “Alien: Romulus,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Gladiator II” ranked highly. Post-Oscars, they were replaced by new titles, possibly due to shifting critical conversations and winner announcements.
- Sustained Success for “The Substance” & “Conclave”: These two films maintained their positions as the most streamed, proving their long-lasting appeal to audiences.
- Surging Interest in Indie and Arthouse Films: “Flow” and “Nosferatu” gained traction after the Oscars, suggesting a growing curiosity in artistic and unconventional storytelling.
Notable Oscar Winners and Their Impact:
- “Anora”: Directed by Sean Baker, “Anora” swept the top awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Despite its critical acclaim, the film's absence from streaming platforms has left audiences eagerly awaiting its digital release.
- “The Brutalist”: This film secured three Oscars, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody and Best Original Score for Daniel Blumberg. Its availability on streaming platforms has contributed to its post-Oscars popularity.
- “Wicked”: With two Oscar wins, including Best Costume Design, “Wicked” has seen a surge in streaming, allowing fans to enjoy the musical adaptation from the comfort of their homes.
The 2025 Academy Awards have undeniably influenced streaming behaviors in the U.S., with award-winning films experiencing heightened viewership. This trend underscores the Oscars' role in guiding audience choices and highlights the evolving landscape of film consumption in the digital age.
For more details on the latest streaming trends, visit Streaming Charts:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/streaming-charts
The Oscars continue to serve as a barometer for cinematic excellence, steering viewers toward noteworthy films. The post-award surge in streaming these films not only reflects audience eagerness to engage with acclaimed storytelling but also emphasizes the importance of digital platforms in making cinema accessible. However, the unavailability of certain award-winning films like “Anora” on streaming services highlights a gap that distributors might aim to bridge, ensuring that celebrated cinema reaches its eager audience promptly.
How do you decide which Oscar-nominated films to watch—do award wins influence your viewing choices, or do you rely on personal preferences and reviews?
