It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic shook up the theatrical model in a big way back in 2020 when theaters across the globe were forced to shut their doors. Amidst the situation, studios’ focus on streaming content significantly increased, and with that, the potential for at-home releases to become Best Picture winners was created... well no more. The Oscars just changed its Best Picture-qualifying rules, and it’s going to affect streaming movies.
After hints that the Academy was looking to change its rules back in March, the Academy’s Board of Governors have just approved new requirements for movies to be considered Best Picture-worthy. Per Variety, if a movie wants to have the opportunity to be named the highest award of Hollywood, it must not only have a one-week run in theaters in one of six U.S. markets, it also will have to have an expanded theatrical run of at least seven days as well, “in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024.”
