With this week's nominations for the 90th Academy Awards locked and loaded, it's time for the Academy's voters to review the nine films they've deemed the best pictures of 2017. But this is also the time when the movie-going public tries to catch up with the nominees they're particularly interested in, or in some cases the whole entire smash.
Since the line-up is so diverse, with release dates ranging from the beginning of last year to just recently, you're going to want to know what your options are to be in the know before the big show, which is where this guide really comes in handy. So break out your calendars, send this article to your movie friends text chain, and let's look at how you can see the best and brightest of 2017 today.
Theatrical Marathon Events
For a little over a decade, there has been a slowly building trend of theatrical chains bringing back the best picture nominees in time for Oscar season, and one of the oldest and best established is the AMC Best Picture Showcase. Shown over the two Saturdays before the Oscars, the line-up will set you back $30 for 2/24's session, and $40 for 3/3. Though if you're daring enough to try, some locations will be doing a 24 hour marathon on 3/3 for $65. If you're an AMC Stubs member, you'll receive a $5 credit on your account for each day of the showcase, so that's an additional $10 value added to your ticket. Though if you're looking to only pick up some individual screenings of certain best picture nominees, AMC will be showing all nine Best Picture nominees at select locations, starting January 29th. Be sure to check AMC's official listings for further details, as well as more accurate pricing.
Also returning to the table is Regal's Best Picture Film Festival, which is more affordable, albeit with an interesting scheduling method of its own. This marathon clocks in at $35, but is only available through the Regal Theaters app. Unlike AMC's Best Picture Showcase, Regal's program gives you access to all BP noms between 2/23 & 3/4, with a tiered scheduling system that spreads out the line-up across that span of time. All films are shown at various times each day, so you'll need to check Regal's schedule, found here, for specifics.
New to the race is Cinemark's Oscar Week, which will also set you back $35, and gives you access to not only all of the best picture nominees, but also all of this year's Oscar Nominated Best Short Films. It's programmed similar to Regal's offering, with certain films at certain times each day. That schedule, as well as further details on Oscar Week, can be found here. But say you're not really looking to head out to a theater, or just want to watch one or two of these movies in the comfort of your own home? Well, if that's the case, let's see what each film's home video options entail at this moment.
The Shape of Water
Synopsis: Eliza (Sally Hawkins) is a mute cleaning lady for a government facility, with a pretty average day to day life. All of that changes once she falls for a specimen brought to her lab (Doug Jones). With the help of her friends (Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer), she'll try to grant this creature his freedom. Although it seems that there are forces with unknown (Michael Stuhlbarg) or opposing agendas (Michael Shannon) in mind.
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes. The Shape of Water's wide release started at the end of December, so there should be a good amount of theaters still running the film.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: 2/27 (Digital HD) / 3/13 (Home Video)
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu & FandangoNOW.
Darkest Hour
Synopsis: After his sudden, unexpected rise to the position of Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) finds himself inheriting the post at one of the bleakest periods in British history. With the Nazi war machine gaining steam, and the evacuation of Dunkirk staring him in the face, Churchill will have to prove to his detractors that he can do the job, while finding a way to provide the morale boost that the nation could use.
Is It Still In Theaters: Some theaters are still showing Darkest Hour, so you'll have to check your local listings.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: 2/6 (Digital HD) / 2/27 (Home Video)
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu & FandangoNOW.
Dunkirk
Synopsis: In 1940, the evacuation of Dunkirk was one of the most harrowing events in the history of World War II. Christopher Nolan's action drama focuses on three stories, all taking place during various time spans, on the fateful day of the evacuation.
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes, but check your local listings, as Dunkirk is about to make a return to theaters in the wake of its nomination. Screening options may be limited.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: Currently available on Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD.
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu & FandangoNOW.
Phantom Thread
Synopsis: Thanks to a chance encounter, designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day Lewis) has found a new muse / lover in a young waitress (Vicky Krieps). Through the course of Phantom Thread, we see the push and pull of their relationship, and all of the darkly comic side effects that happen at each turn.
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes. Phantom Thread's wide release started on 1/19, so it should be pretty easy to seek this one out. Though if you're looking for the 70mm option, you're going to run into a much more limited range of options.
*When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: *TBD (Digital HD) / 4/10 (Home Video)
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu & FandangoNOW.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Synopsis: After the investigation into the rape and murder of her daughter has yielded no tangible results, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) decides to call out the local police chief (Woody Harrelson) through a series of three incendiary billboards. Through a series of escalating events, Mildred will find herself clashing with strangers, the chief himself, and even his loyal deputy (Sam Rockwell).
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes, but Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri may be harder to find as it's been running since November.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: 2/13 (Digital HD) / 2/27 (Home Video).
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu, & FandangoNOW.
Get Out
Synopsis: On a weekend getaway to meet his girlfriend's family, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) begins to suspect something is amiss. With an atmosphere of creeping dread, and racial tension, Get Out puts its protagonist through the ringer, with each step he takes towards the horrifying truth.
Is It Still In Theaters: Much like Dunkirk, Get Out is making a return to the big screen, in honor of its Oscar campaign.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: Get Out is currently available on Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD.
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNOW & HBO GO
The Post
Synopsis: In the midst of the controversial Vietnam War, a study is leaked to the press that provides a damning account of how the conflict was managed throughout its inception. With the New York Times gaining the first scoop, but being barred from printing any further items, it's up to Kathryn Graham (Meryl Streep) and Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) to fight the battle to publish at the Washington Post. The only things standing in their way are nervous board members, the possible jeopardy of a recent acquisition, and President Nixon himself.
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes. The Post completed its wide release roll out on 1/12.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: No release dates are currently set, though a "Spring 2018" window has been mentioned.
Possible Streaming Options: Unknown, as The Post is currently in its theatrical window, though most digital retailers are already offering a pre-order to own.
Call Me By Your Name
Synopsis: In 1983 Italy, a young man (Timothee Chalamet) is discovering himself in the summer sun. During that discovery, he meets a young student (Armie Hammer) who plays an important part in that process, as he's the first man he's fallen in love with.
Is It Still In Theaters: Yes. Call Me By Your Name went into wide release on 1/19, after a slow indie roll-out.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: 2/27 (Digital HD) / 3/13 (Home Video).
Possible Streaming Options: iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu & FandangoNOW.
Lady Bird
Synopsis: Don't call Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) by her birth name. Call her Lady Bird, the name she's given to herself. Through the tumultuous days of her senior year in a Sacramento Catholic school, she'll contemplate college, hang out with her best friend (Beanie Feldstein) and try to survive living with her mother (Laurie Metcalf) in those final days before she goes off to the school of her choosing. Or rather, the schools that dare to choose her.
Is It Still In Theaters: The screening options for Lady Bird are probably limited, but some theaters may still have it in their rotation.
When Will It Be Available On Digital HD/Home Video: 2/13 (Digital HD) / 3/6 (Home Video)
Possible Streaming Options: Unknown, as Lady Bird is currently in its theatrical window, though most digital retailers are already offering a pre-order to own.
