An Awards Junkie's Guide to Seeking Out This Year's Potential Oscar Nominees (The Films of 2025)
hello all!
happy 2026! I have a big catch-up post coming soon with some fun bits and bobs, including Golden Globes Thoughts, TV Thoughts, and a mini-review of the Paddington Musical now playing in London's West End.
BUT BEFORE ALL THAT!
with Oscar Nominations around the corner (officially being announce the morning of Thursday 1/22), this is the time of year where I often hear from friends that they've (a) never heard of many of the films that are nominated, and/or (b) don't know where to find these films.
never fear, fellow nerds! for below, I've provided you with an alphabetical on where to find the movies that are most likely to be getting noms next week.
i've tried to be as comprehensive as I can, with the caveat that I'm only doing this for the Chicagoland area, so do with that what you will. if your local theater isn't listed below, go to that cinema's website and see what's up, or check on Fandango and see if it's playing closer to you!
i'll likely provide updated versions of this list in the future, especially once the nominations have officially been announced, and hopefully more screenings are added around the city. but that's that on that for now.
happy watching!
*note: "rent digitally at home" usually refers to places like Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV. Fandango at Home is my preferred rental destination of choice, but you do you.
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Arco
opening the weekend of 1/30 at Music Box Theatre, AMC River East, Regal City North, Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville, and AMC Village Crossing.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
now playing at pretty much every AMC and Regal theater in the city of Chicago, as well as Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville, and Landmark at the Glen.
Blue Moon
available to rent digitally at home.
Bugonia
now streaming on Peacock.
F1
now streaming on Apple TV.
Frankenstein
now streaming on Netflix, or you can catch it this week at Landmark at the Glen in Glenview.
Hamnet
now playing at AMC Newcity, the Regal Webster, AMC Village Crossing, Landmark at the Glen, and the Davis Theater. currently only listed through Thursday 1/15, but may extend (the Davis already has dates going into next week listed).
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
available to rent digitally at home.
Is This Thing On?
now playing at most major AMC theaters, the Regal Webster, and the Davis Theater. currently only listed through Thursday 1/15, but will likely extend at most locations (the Davis already has dates going into next week listed).
It Was Just an Accident
available to rent digitally at home.
Jay Kelly
now streaming on Netflix.
KPOP Demon Hunters
now streaming on Netflix, but you already knew that.
Marty Supreme
now playing at pretty much every AMC and Regal theater in the city of Chicago, as well as the Davis Theater and Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville. currently only listed through Thursday 1/15, but will likely extend at most locations (the Davis already has dates going into next week listed).
My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 - Last Air in Moscow
playing 2/7 and 2/8 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. this film is over 5 hours long, which is practically bait for me.
No Other Choice
now playing at Music Box Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville, Regal City North, Landmark Century Centre Cinemas, and AMC River East (currently through Thursday 1/15, may extend).
One Battle After Another.
now streaming on HBO Max.
The Secret Agent
now playing select showtimes at AMC River East (currently through Thursday 1/15, may extend). playing 9:15pm showtimes at the Davis Theater starting Friday 1/16.
Sentimental Value
available to rent digitally at home.
Sinners
now streaming on HBO Max.
Sirat
has yet to officially open in Chicago. will likely arrive the weekend of 2/13.
The Smashing Machine
available to rent digitally at home.
Song Sung Blue
playing at a slew of suburban AMC theaters (Evanston, Village Crossing, Niles), as well as Landmark at the Glen and also the Regal Webster in Chicago.
Sound of Falling
opening at the Music Box Theatre on 1/23.
The Testament of Ann Lee
opens at Music Box Theater (on 70mm!) this Friday, 1/16. expands to AMC Newcity, AMC Evanston, and AMC Village Crossing starting Thursday 1/22.
Train Dreams
now streaming on Netflix, or you can catch it this week at Landmark at the Glen in Glenview (this is definitely a film to see on the big screen)!
The Voice of Hind Rajab
now playing at the Gene Siskel Film Center (with dates through 1/29 as of this writing). playing at Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville the weekend of 1/23.
Weapons
now streaming on HBO Max.
Wicked: For Good
still playing at most major AMC theaters through Thursday 1/15 at the very least, but also available to rent digitally at home.
Zootopia 2
now playing at pretty much every AMC and Regal theater in the city of Chicago.
