The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced on February 8th and many cinephiles are scrambling to watch everything before the winners are announced. But anyone who has already seen the 10 Best Picture nominees will need something new to watch.
Luckily, there are many films that are similar in style and theme to the Best Picture nominees. For every Dune, there’s a futuristic film waiting to be watched and for every Licorice Pizza, there’s great another coming-of-age film to enjoy.
Licorice Pizza (2021) = Almost Famous (2000) Stream On Paramount+
Licorice Pizza is a coming-of-age film by Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Phantom Thread), starring Cooper Hoffman as a teenager with sky-high aspirations and a crush on an older woman played by Alana Haim. Licorice Pizza features some intelligent characters, including these two leads.
A similar coming-of-age story is the now-classic movie, Almost Famous. The ultimate coming-of-age story, Almost Famous will make for a great watch for anyone who wants to recall those big dreams they had as a teen and the big romances that almost happened.
Belfast (2021) = Brooklyn (2015) Stream On Amazon Prime
Belfast is a film about a working-class family during The Troubles of Northern Ireland. The film stars Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill, Ciarán Hinds, and Judi Dench as the family, and it is arguably one of Kenneth Branagh’s best movies.
A similar film about Irish heritage and pride is Brooklyn, a romantic drama set in the 1950s that focuses on a young woman having to choose between her new life and the Ireland she left behind, which are similar themes to those found in Belfast.
CODA (2021) = Sound Of Metal (2019) Stream On Amazon Prime
Anyone who fell in love with CODA may also love Sound of Metal. CODA stars Emilia Jones as the only hearing child in a deaf family. She’s forced to choose between her family and her dreams after joining her school’s choir.
Sound of Metal also deals with the choice between pursuing dreams and accepting reality. Riz Ahmed stars as a band drummer who begins to experience hearing loss and must confront his new future with a new family of people who experience what he’s experiencing.
The Power of the Dog (2021) = Brokeback Mountain (2005) Stream On Peacock
Anyone who appreciated The Power of the Dog should check out Brokeback Mountain. The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a domineering rancher who makes life trying for his brother, his new sister-in-law, and her son when they’re moved to their family ranch in the 1920s. These characters make up just some of the standout characters in The Power of the Dog.
There are LGBTQ+ themes throughout The Power of the Dog as well as allusions to the fact that Cumberbatch’s character is a closeted gay man in a rancher environment. Brokeback Mountain also deals with two ranchers and their forbidden love story.
Dune (2021) = Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Stream On HBO Max
Those who liked Dune will likely enjoy Mad Max: Fury Road. Dune is a sprawling epic starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a brilliant man with a giant destiny before him in the far-away future.
Mad Max: Fury Road also deals in the far-away future, although a post-apocalyptic one. Themes of government control hang heavy in both films that look towards a hero to save the world. What both movies have in common also is their staggering Oscar nomination haul for impressive technical prowess. In fact, Dune very well might sweep the Oscars because of its technical achievements.
West Side Story (2021) = West Side Story (1961) Stream On Hulu
Those who have seen the newly-released West Side Story of 2021 should make sure they have also seen the West Side Story of 1961. West Side Story focuses on star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, amid tense race relations in New York City. In this remake, Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler star as the lovers.
To fully appreciate the beauty of West Side Story’s large production numbers, one must watch the original to see how they were first filmed. One can appreciate the new style Spielberg brings to West Side Story by seeing the musical that cemented movie musicals as classic films during Hollywood’s heyday.
Nightmare Alley (2021) = Nightmare Alley (1947) Stream On Criterion Channel
Anyone who loved the Nightmare Alley of 2021 should watch the Nightmare Alley of 1947. Nightmare Alley is a noir film about a carnival worker who gets caught up with a femme fatale as they work to con people by pretending to be mediums.
The new release is a neo-noir take on the original by focusing on the more explicit outcomes that transpire because of the character’s actions. The 1947 noir is much more subdued and a true testament to the genre. Anyone who cares about the noir genre and where films like last year’s Nightmare Alley came from must watch the original.
Don’t Look Up (2021) = Idiocracy (2006) Stream On Amazon Prime
Don’t Look Up is a satire directed by Adam McKay (The Big Short, Vice) and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep in an ensemble cast. Don’t Look Up is all about the end of the world and how society today would respond to total annihilation.
For something a little more post-apocalyptic based on society’s response to the end of civilization, look no further than Idiocracy. This satire looks at a futuristic world where only the dumb have survived. This film is worth a watch for anyone looking for more biting social commentary.
Drive My Car (2021) = Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Stream On Tubi
With similar themes surrounding the relationship between a chauffeur and their passengers, fans of Drive My Car might enjoy Driving Miss Daisy. Drive My Car is about a theater director who is required a chauffeur to put on a stage production. Over the course of several months, the relationship between the man and his chauffeur moves from a relationship of mutual respect if somewhat distant to a truly transformative friendship.
Driving Miss Daisy has the same concept with race relations playing in that challenges the relationship between chauffeur and passenger. Although the relationship between Daisy and Hoke starts off rocky, their friendship blossoms as they start to get to know one another.
King Richard (2021) – Venus and Serena (2012); Stream On HBO Max
King Richard fans who want to learn more about the Williams sisters should watch the documentary, Venus and Serena. King Richard tells the story of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams. Through his unyielding support of his daughters, it tracks the sisters’ rise as tennis champions.
A biographical film is always going to provide dramatic intrigue, but for the real story, viewers will want to watch the documentary that follows the sisters as they battle on and off the courts. It’s always important to watch the real story that the films come from and Venus and Serena is one that can’t be missed for portraying the same high tension.
