This weekend, you can fill your watch list with Oscar-winning films, spanning different eras of Hollywood and genres that give you a good mix of tropes. Netflix has a solid mix of these award-winning titles, including originals and licensed films that may be available only for a limited run.
What’s better, you don’t have to scour the platform’s extensive Oscar library to refresh your list, because we have handpicked a few for you. Here are five Oscar-winning films you can stream only on Netflix in the U.S.
Amy
A tender portrait of one of the greatest singers of all time
Amy is an autobiographical documentary that holds a special place in pop culture history. This emotional documentary paints a portrait of British singer Amy Winehouse, tracing her rise from a talented young jazz singer to a global superstar with several achievements under her belt.
Using archival footage, personal videos, and unseen recordings, the film reveals her extraordinary musical talent and career while outlining her personal struggles with fame, media scrutiny, toxic relationships, and substance abuse. Amy also touches on the singer’s death and how it impacted those closest to her. The movie shines a light on the human elements of Winehouse, focusing on her tender nature and love for music.
The documentary won Best Documentary Feature at the 88th Academy Awards.
Amy
- Release Date
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July 3, 2015
- Runtime
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90 minutes
- Director
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Asif Kapadia
The Last Days
A gripping story of survival and hope
A haunting yet compelling documentary that is worth your time is The Last Days. This powerful 1998 doc follows five Hungarian Jewish Holocaust survivors as they recount their experiences during the final months of World War II. Through their personal testimonies, the film details the rapid deportation of Jews to the Auschwitz concentration camp and the horrors they survived.
It also documents their return to their hometowns decades later, coming face to face with memories of another life. The Last Days balances the depiction of the horrors of the camps while showing the optimistic sentiments of the survivors.
The Last Days won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 71st Academy Awards. The remastered version of the film is available to stream on Netflix in the United States.
The Last Days
- Release Date
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October 23, 1998
- Runtime
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87 minutes
- Director
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James Moll
Ray
The song of a soul musician who pioneered a genre
Another autobiography to add to your Oscar-studded watch list this weekend is Ray. This award-winning film chronicles the life of the legendary soul musician, Ray Charles. The film traces his journey from a poor childhood in the segregated South, where he lost his sight at a young age, to his rise as a trailblazing artist who blended gospel, blues, and jazz into his unique sound. The film also explores his personal struggles with addiction and inner demons.
At the 77th Academy Awards, Ray won two awards: Best Actor (Jamie Foxx) and Best Sound Mixing. It also won a string of other awards, including Grammys, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes.
Ray
- Release Date
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October 29, 2004
- Runtime
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152 minutes
- Director
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Taylor Hackford
Boyhood
A young boy’s experience with the passage of time
Boyhood holds a special place in the Hollywood Hall of Fame, and for good reason. This coming-of-age drama follows the young Mason Evans Jr. from ages six to eighteen as he grows up in Texas with divorced parents and an older sister. The film chronicles Mason’s changing life and environment, as well as his journey through adolescence and blossoming adulthood.
What makes Boyhood stand out is that it was filmed with the same actors across the span of time depicted in the film (2002-2014), therefore following the real growth of Mason’s actor (Ellar Coltrane). The film earned six nominations at the 87th Academy Awards, with Patricia Arquette winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mason’s mother, Olivia.
Boyhood
- Release Date
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June 5, 2014
- Runtime
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163minutes
- Director
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Richard Linklater
Glory
A stunning portrayal of the reality of war
For your weekly dose of a classic war film, try Edward Zwick’s Glory. This historical war drama tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black infantry units in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), the soldiers—played by Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman—face not only the brutality of war but also deep racial prejudice from enemies and allies alike. Together, the regiment heads to battle, setting off a chain of events that paved the way for the Union Army to later accept thousands of Black men for combat.
Glory was nominated for five Academy Awards and won three, with Washington winning Best Supporting Actor. Other awards won include Best Cinematography and Best Sound.
Glory
- Release Date
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December 15, 1989
- Runtime
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122 minutes
- Director
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Edward Zwick
If you’re in the mood to keep the streak going, Netflix U.S. has an entire Oscars section worth digging into, under its “Oscar Spotlight” collection. You can also explore Netflix’s new releases for April, a roster that includes fresh titles and nostalgic films that may have a limited run.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
Stream licensed and original programming with a monthly Netflix subscription.
