Before we jump into the 2026 nominations, lets take a stroll through last year's winners that you can watch with your library membership. I've broken this list down into the well-known flicks and the lesser talked about gems that may become your new favorite works!
The following movies made waves last year and are household classics in their own right. Cultural conversations took place that provided so much FOMO that people clamored to check these movies out so that they could have an informed opinion. If you missed the boat, or want to review them again you are in luck!
"Demi Moore gives the career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister fired from her fitness TV show by studio head Harvey. She is drawn to The Substance. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn as the gorgeous Sue."-from catalog description
"...[T]he mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee" --Container. -from catalog description
Anora, a young woman from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents head to New York to get the marriage annulled.-from catalog description
"Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads, and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West." -from catalog description
These winners got their moment in the sun but that light was all too brief. Even with recognition from the academy, the lack of water-cooler buzz on the following films means they didn't get the reach they deserve. Check these out and add a surprise new favorite to your next conversation with a movie buff.
"A thrilling tale of friendship and survival that took indie animation to ecstatic new heights of ambition and imagination, this Academy Award-winning international sensation follows a courageous cat after its home is devastated by a great flood. As the cat teams up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, the crew must rely on trust, courage, and their wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet." -from catalog description
"While Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship, Eunice Paiva, a mother of five, is forced to reinvent herself and her family, resisting the oppression that hangs over the country. From the acclaimed director of Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles and based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir, this story portrays an important part of Brazil's hidden history." -from catalog description
"After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara becomes obsessed with a disturbing question: could she be a robot?" -from catalog description
"Escaping post-war Europe, a visionary architect arrives in America to rebuild his life. On his own in a strange new country, a wealthy industrialist recognizes his talent. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost." -from catalog description
"Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history." -from catalog description
Good luck to all the nominees for this year's Oscars and happy watching!
