The Oscars stand as the biggest night for film enthusiasts, and following the ceremony last night, there is no better time to dive into this selection of award-winning films.
Explore Prime Video's array of Oscar-winning films, ranging from compelling biopics like Oppenheimer to gripping thrillers such as Anatomy of a Fall.
Wins: Best Picture, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr), Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Smith, Oppenheimer skilfully immerses us in the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the visionary physicist and architect of the atomic bomb who grappled with the devastating consequences of his creation. Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) journey unfolds from his days as a student in Europe to a professor in California and ultimately to New Mexico, where he spearheaded the Manhattan Project – the top-secret US programme to build the atomic bomb during World War II. Told in a non-linear style between multiple time periods, brace yourself for a showdown with Oppenheimer’s nemesis Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr) which unfolds through tense government hearings to revoke Oppenheimer’s security clearance and tarnish his public image. Clocking in at just over three hours long and featuring a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, and Emily Blunt, it's no surprise this biopic was a big winner this year's Academy Awards.Barbie
Wins: Best Original Song ("What was I Made For" by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell
This blockbuster musical comedy directed by Greta Gerwig is not just a visual delight but a smart and funny exploration of self-discovery, feminism, and the patriarchy through the world of Barbies. Margot Robbie shines as Stereotypical Barbie, living in the perfect Barbieland until she is plagued by thoughts of death, leading her on a hilarious adventure with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to uplift the spirits of the girl playing with her real-world doll counterpart. Get ready for delightful gags, disco dance parties, beach battles, and unforgettable musical moments—prepare to have "I'm Just Ken" on repeat in your mind.
Wins: Best Adapted Screenplay (Cord Jefferson)
American Fiction is a comedy drama based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett. It stars Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a writer and professor who is frustrated with the publishing industry promoting books that rely on tired and offensive tropes. When his latest manuscript gets rejected for not being “Black enough”, Monk decides to write an outlandish satirical “Black” book of his own that surprisingly gets acclaim from both critics and audiences.
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut also stars Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Sterling K. Brown, Leslie Uggams, Issa Rae, and Adam Brody.
American Fiction is available to watch for free on Prime Video.Anatomy of a Fall
Wins: Best Original Screenplay (Justine Triet, Arthur Harari)
In this gripping legal thriller, a celebrated writer Sandra (Sandra Hüller) finds herself on trial when her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis) an aspiring author, tragically plummets to his death from the attic window of their secluded chalet in France. The narrative unfolds into a suspenseful courtroom drama, exploring Sandra's life, her marriage with Samuel, and the testimony of their son, who is compelled to speak in open court. The film raises the pivotal question: is Sandra innocent or guilty?
Wins: Best Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph)
Transport yourself back to 1970 with The Holdovers, a heart-warming and hilarious Christmas story set in a New England prep school. Paul Giamatti shines as Paul Hunham, a grumpy professor tasked with overseeing a handful of students left behind during the Christmas break. Among them is Angus Tully, played by the talented newcomer Dominic Sessa, a bright student with a penchant for mischief. Joining the unlikely trio is Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the school’s head cook who is grappling with the loss of her son in Vietnam. Prepare for a journey filled with laughter and poignant moments as these three companions navigate the holiday break together, forging unexpected bonds along the way.Poor Things
Wins: Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design
Poor Things is a darkly comedic drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, based on the novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. Set in Victorian London, the film follows the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) as he discovers a drowned woman, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), and brings her back to life using unconventional surgical techniques. Bella awakens with the mind of an infant but gradually develops a curiosity about the world, sparking a journey of self-discovery and independence. With a stellar cast including Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, and Christopher Abbott, Poor Things offers a unique blend of satire, surrealism, and social commentary that will keep viewers transfixed.
Wins: Best Sound, Best International Film Feature
Loosely based on the 2014 novel of the same name, The Zone of Interest is a chilling historical drama that takes a unique perspective on the horrors of the Holocaust and the complicity that allowed it to occur. The film follows the lives of Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) and their five children as they build their dream life in a house and garden next to the camp.
