Why three of 2019's Best Picture nominees will be on Netflix, not theater screens

This month, Netflix is releasing three films in theaters followed with a streaming release only days, not months, later. Here’s the real headline — all three are front runners for the Best Picture Oscar. And yes, you’ll be able to watch all three at home before Christmas week.

It was just one year ago that Netflix caused an uproar with theater chains by releasing Roma for its service just days after a theater run. Most theater chains would not show it and stuck to the 72-90 day window before a movie they showed could be available to rent, buy or watch on a service.

And many watched to see whether Roma would gather Oscar nominations or get treated as television, more fitting of an Emmy prize. Well, the debate ended swiftly. It tied The Favourite for most nominations — a total of ten — including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Foreign Film.

I’ve seen Netflix's The Irishman and Marriage Story and each is rivaled only by Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood for the Best Picture honor. The third one, The Two Popes, just won the audience award at the Middleburg Film Festival in Washington D.C. Past winners of this award include recent Best Picture winners Spotlight and Green Book.

Here’s all you need to know about the three new, noteworthy Netflix films:

The Irishman

What: Martin Scorsese’s three+ hour, slow-paced film features a greatest hits of mafia actors, the Jimmy Hoffa story, and a heart-tugging final act. The chemistry between De Niro and Pacino is GOAT cinema.

When/Where: In theaters now including The Magnolia in Dallas. On Netflix November 27, 2019.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks. See it in a theater.

Marriage Story

What: Stage director Charlie (Adam Driver) and actor Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) are at dramatic odds in a coast-to-coast divorce. The theater I saw it in passed out complimentary kleenex at the door, but there are a few laughs too.

When/Where: In theaters starting Friday, including The Magnolia in Dallas. On Netflix December 6, 2019.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks. See it in a theater.

The Two Popes

What: Conservative Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and liberal future Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) look for common ground in a timely film for 2019.

When/Where: In theaters beginning November 27, 2019. On Netflix December 20, 2019.

The Ten Buck Review: Stay tuned.