Can Netflix movies win Oscars?

If you subscribe to Netflix, then chances are you’ve either watched or come across one of their many original films. After all, there are more than a hundred of them.

You might not think about it much, but Netflix really changed the way we consume media. Instead of having to rent movies at a physical store (RIP Blockbuster), you have a wealth of entertainment at your fingertips at all times.

You no longer have to buy the DVDs of your favorite movies and television shows; you just have to wait for them to arrive on one of many streaming platforms.

The process of awarding films has changed, too. Before streaming, awards season was pretty cut and dry. A movie would premiere in theaters and if it drew notice from the right people, it would be nominated for any number of entertainment awards.

For example, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards are just a few of the honors celebrating films and all of the categories therein.

If you’re wondering whether or not Netflix original movies can be nominated for Oscars, then we’re here to satiate your curiosity.

Can Netflix movies win Academy Awards?

The answer is yes, Netflix movies can indeed be nominated for and win Academy Awards. However, in order to qualify, the film in question must have a minimum seven-day theatrical release in a Los Angeles theater.

Here is what The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President John Bailey said about the process in a statement from 2019:

"We support the theatrical experience as integral to the art of motion pictures, and this weighed heavily in our discussions. Our rules currently require theatrical exhibition, and also allow for a broad selection of films to be submitted for Oscars consideration. We plan to further study the profound changes occurring in our industry and continue discussions with our members about these issues."

Various Netflix films have won at the Academy Awards, including Icarus for Best Documentary Feature, Roma for Best Cinematography, and Laura Dern for Best Supporting Actress in Marriage Story, among others.