Festival favorites — when audiences will get to see award contenders
Film festival season returned with fury this fall, with in-person events hosting some of the most anticipated movies of the year.
Big city critics have been writing for weeks about titles screening at the Telluride, Venice, Toronto and New York Film Festivals. Most of these movies, however, won’t be available to regular moviegoers for a while.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a handy release guide for all these Oscar contenders. Keep in mind that COVID might create some scheduling changes as the fall progresses. We’ve also tried to list the theatrical dates as well as when you might expect to see them on premium video on demand (VOD) at home.
Belfast
Writer/director Kenneth Branagh’s acclaimed coming-of-age drama inspired by some of his childhood experiences has generated serious Oscar heat since premiering at the Telluride Film Festival last month. It will be released in theaters on Nov. 12. As a Universal/Focus title, you can expect to see the film on premium VOD about 17 days after its theatrical debut.
Last Night in Soho
Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”) mashes genres together better than most, and his time-bending horror flick featuring Anya Taylor-Joy aims to be a hit with critics and audiences. Theatrical release date: Oct. 29, then about three weeks later on premium VOD (another Universal title).
The Power of the Dog
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this intense-looking Western with major “There Will Be Blood” vibes from Jane Campion (“The Piano”). Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons co-star. Lots of excellent word of mouth on this one out of the festivals too. Expect a limited release in theaters on Nov. 17 before streaming on Netflix on Dec. 1.
Dune
Anticipation for Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic was enormous a year ago when COVID bumped the title into fall 2021. Critics seemed enamored after it finally appeared on the festival circuit. It goes day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 22. It certainly seems like a big screen movie, but the choice will be there to watch it at home too.
King Richard
Another big hit at Telluride, “King Richard” looks like Will Smith’s best chance yet for an Oscar, playing the father of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams. Day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max on Nov. 19.
The Tragedy of MacBeth
Joel Coen (one half of the Coen Brothers) directs this Shakespeare adaptation with two Oscar heavy-hitters — Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Critics raved after its debut at the New York Film Festival last week. In theaters in limited release on Dec. 25, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ on Jan. 14, 2022.
Spencer
Kristen Stewart took Best Actress Oscar frontrunner status with the festival debut of this film about a particularly stressful period in the life of Princess Diana. From “Jackie” filmmaker Pablo Larrain. The film will open in limited release on Nov. 5. It’s from Neon, which hasn’t honed a predictable pandemic-era scheduling strategy, but expect the title to eventually land on Hulu.
The French Dispatch
Solid reviews abound for Wes Anderson’s latest (and long-delayed) exercise in cinematic whimsy. Maybe not a significant Oscar player, but half of Hollywood is involved in this one, so it’s still probably worth a look. In theaters on Oct. 22. It’s a Searchlight title (now technically Disney), but the studio notably didn’t mention it as one of their 45-day theatrical exclusive offerings. Could that mean it shows up on VOD or Hulu sooner? Or maybe later?
Sight unseen titles:
A few other big titles this holiday season haven’t debuted at a film festival, but considering the talent involved, one can expect to see these in the awards conversation as well:
• West Side Story: Steven Spielberg has gone and tried to remake one of the greatest musicals of all time. Good luck, buddy. In theaters Dec. 10 (45-day exclusive theatrical window).
• Don’t Look Up: Apocalyptic satire with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep, from “The Big Short” director Adam McKay. In limited release on Dec. 10, then on Netflix on Dec. 24.
• Licorice Pizza: The latest from “There Will Be Blood” director Paul Thomas Anderson. Limited release in theaters in late November followed by a wide theatrical release on Dec. 25.
• House of Gucci: Fashion and crime converge in this highly anticipated film from Ridley Scott (his second film this year after October’s “The Last Duel” with Matt Damon). Lady Gaga and Adam Driver star here. In theaters on Nov. 24 before showing up eventually on Paramount Plus (though they’ve already seemed to ditch their 45-day commitment with a few of their summer titles).
• Nightmare Alley: Guillermo del Toro’s stylish take on the 1946 novel stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and more. In theaters Dec. 17 from Searchlight, but like “The French Dispatch,” it wasn’t announced as part of Disney’s 45-day theatrical window slate.
• • •
Tyler Wilson has been writing about movies for Inland Northwest publications since 2000, including a regular column in The Press since 2006. He can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.
