Films That Could’ve Been Oscar Contenders If They Opened in

There’s numerous uncertainty on this yr’s Oscar race, with the ceremony pushed again till late April and an eligibility interval that doesn’t conform to a calendar yr (the top date has been prolonged to Feb. 28, 2021). And but the studio launch slate for a few of its largest 2020 titles have shuffled so many occasions that many have puzzled if there’ll even be sufficient viable Oscar contenders. We guarantee you there can be, but it surely will not be the movies listed right here, which faraway from 2020’s field workplace and will have an opportunity for 2022’s awards. And there’s nonetheless a number of extra motion pictures opening late this yr and in early 2021 (“News of the World,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) that if, if moved, might shake up the race even additional.

“West Side Story”
Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” figured to be an enormous Oscar contender, contemplating that the unique managed to win 10 Oscars again in 1961. But Disney moved its launch again a full yr to December 10, 2021 the place it might nonetheless be an instantaneous entrance runner.

“Dune”
Hopes had been excessive that “Dune” may very well be an Oscar contender not simply within the technical classes however in a number of the main classes as effectively. Denis Villeneuve’s final movie “Blade Runner 2049” gained two Oscars, together with for Visual Effects and Cinematography by Roger Deakins, and he was nominated for Best Director for “Arrival.” “Dune” although now opens October 1, 2021.

“In the Heights”
Jon M. Chu’s musical tackle Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” was a summer season launch and never essentially an instantaneous Oscar favourite early on within the yr, however you work the Golden Globes might throw it some love on the very least, however the movie’s launch was additionally pushed again a full yr until June 18, 2021.

“Respect”
Jennifer Hudson doubtless would’ve been one of many Oscar contenders within the Best Actress race for her flip as Aretha Franklin in Liesl Tommy’s biopic “Respect,” however it can now open in August 2021 after first having a main Christmas Day slot in 2020.

“Raya and the Last Dragon”
The excellent news for Disney is {that a} film like Pixar’s “Soul” can nonetheless be eligible for Oscars despite the fact that it is going straight to Disney+ this Christmas, however this movie starring Awkwafina and Kelly Marie Tran was pushed again till March 12 and is not anticipated to open in time to be eligible.

“Last Night in Soho”
While removed from a positive factor, Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho,” the director’s first flip to drama, might’ve been acknowledged by awards, whether or not within the screenplay class or in a number of the technical classes after “Baby Driver” wound up with three nominations. It was pushed again from a launch this fall from Focus Features however will now open April 23, 2021.

“Earwig and The Witch”
The animation distributor GKIDS at all times manages…