Some of this year's Academy Award best picture nominees are already available to stream
You’re going to be hearing a lot about the eight films nominated this year for the Academy Award for best picture. Luckily, you don’t have to drive to your local multiplex to see all of the nominees, as some are already available to stream on your iPhone/iPod touch, iPad, or Apple TV.
Neil Patrick Harris will host the 87th annual Academy Awards, which airs Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. EST on ABC.
As of Jan. 15, here’s where you can see each of the best picture nominees:
“American Sniper”
Based on Chris Kyle’s autobiography, “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History,” this film enters wide release in the United States on Friday, Jan. 16. The film stars best actor nominee Bradley Cooper. Past winner Clint Eastwood is up for the best director award.
“American Snipper” will remain in theaters throughout the awards season. It is available for preorder on iTunes.
“Birdman”
Officially called “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance),” this black comedy stars best actor nominee Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, and best supporting actress nominee Emma Stone. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu received a nomination for best director.
The film is likely to arrive on iTunes before the Oscars; it is currently available for preorder. (U.S. release date: Oct. 17, 2014)
“Boyhood”
This coming-of-age drama was filmed over 12 years with the same actors. The result is a heartfelt story that will make you smile and reminisce about your own life journey and those of your children.
“Boyhood” stars Ellar Coltrane in the title role, best supporting actor nominee Ethan Hawke, and best supporting actress nominee Patricia Arquette. Richard Linklater received an Oscar nomination for best director.
You can rent ($5.99) and buy ($14.99) “Boyhood” on iTunes. (U.S. release date: July 11, 2014)
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
This hilarious comedy stars Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, among many others. Wes Anderson is a best director nominee.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is available for purchase on iTunes for $14.99. (U.S. release date: March 11, 2014)
“The Imitation Game”
Best actor nominee Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this historical thriller about British computer scientist Alan Turing. It also stars best supporting actress nominee Keira Knightley. Morten Tyldum has been nominated for best director.
We don’t expect to see “The Imitation Game” arrive on iTunes before the Academy Awards air. The film is available to preorder for $19.99. (U.S. release date: Nov. 29, 2014)
“Selma”
Produced by Oprah Winfrey, “Selma” chronicles a tumultuous three-month period during the civil rights era. The film stars David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Selma” won’t make it to iTunes before Feb. 22. It is available for preorder for $19.99. (U.S. release date: Jan. 8, 2015)
“The Theory of Everything”
This film features best actor nominee Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking, and best actress nominee Felicity Jones as his former wife, Jane Wilde.
“The Theory of Everything” arrives on iTunes on Feb. 3. In the meantime, you can preorder it for $19.99. (U.S. release date: Nov. 21, 2014)
“Whiplash”
This sleeper hit stars best supporting actor nominee J.K. Simmons as a conservatory jazz musician who teaches a young drummer what it takes to succeed.
“Whiplash” is available for preorder on iTunes for $17.99. It will be released in theaters on Friday, Jan. 16.
