BY: Amanda Jane Stern

The 93rd Academy Awards will take place on April 25th 2021. Since the ceremony was pushed back from its usual February slotting, it has extended the eligibility period for films coming out in the beginning of the new year. Films that came out between January 2020 and February 28, 2021 are eligible for Academy nominations. While a whole slate of buzzy awards films have already been released, January and February still have some surprises to come. Below are all the potential Oscar contenders that will be released over the next two months. 

 

JANUARY

Pieces of a Woman

This drama starring Vanessa Kirby as a woman whose world falls apart after a traumatic home birth has a limited theatrical release starting on December 30, 2020, but it will receive a wide release on Netflix on January 7, 2021.

 

The White Tiger

This movie, based on the bestselling, Man Booker Prize winning book of the same name and starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, about an Indian driver who uses his wits to escape poverty is coming to Netflix on January 22, 2021.

 

The Little Things

Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto star in this neo-noir crime thriller about a Deputy Sheriff and LAPD Detective who come to blows while hunting a serial killer will come out simultaneously in theaters and on HBOMax on January 29, 2021.

 

Supernova

This romantic drama starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as a couple who embark on a road trip when one is struck with early-onset dementia is set for a theatrical release on January 29, 2021.

 

FEBRUARY

Falling

Viggo Mortensen’s directorial debut about a gay man (Mortensen) who has to care for his homophobic father who is suffering from dementia (Lance Henriksen) will release in theaters and on VOD February 5, 2021.

 

Malcolm & Marie

This Zendaya and John David Washington romantic drama about a couple re-evaluating their relationship that was shot entirely during lockdown in summer 2020 will be popping up on Netflix on February 5, 2021.

 

French Exit

Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges star in this comedy, based on the bestselling novel of the same name,  about a widow and her son who move to Paris with their mystical cat (voiced by Tracey Letts). It is coming to theaters February 12, 2021.

 

Judas and the Black Messiah

Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya star in this powerful film about Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. It will open simultaneously in theaters and on HBOMax February 12, 2021.

 

Land

Robin Wright makes her directorial debut with this drama about a lawyer (Wright) who comes back from the brink of death. It will premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 31 before getting a theatrical release on February 12, 2021.

 

Minari

This Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner about a Korean-American family who start a farm in rural Arkansas is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 12, 2021, which is the Korean New Year.

 

Joe Bell

From the screenwriting duo of Brokeback Mountain comes this Mark Wahlberg-starring film about a man who walks from La Grande, Ore., to New York City to honor his gay son who committed suicide. It comes out theatrically on February 19, 2021.

 

The Mauritanian

This legal thriller/biopic about Guantánamo Bay stars Jodie Foster, Shailene Woodley, and Tahar Rahim as the detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi. It will come out in theaters on February 19, 2021.

 

Nomadland

Chloe Zhao’s Golden Lion-winning film about a woman in her sixties (Frances McDormand) who, after losing everything, travels across the American west in her van is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 19, 2021.

 

Cherry

The Russo Brothers direct Tom Holland in this non-Marvel movie about a bankrobber with PTSD. It opens theatrically February 26, 2021, and will be available for streaming via Apple TV+ on March 12, 2021.

 

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

From director Lee Daniels, and starring Andra Day as Billie Holiday, this biopic is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 26, 2021. The film was also just acquired by Hulu, but whether it will release on Hulu same day as in theaters is still unknown.