Diverse Themes in 57 Academy Award Nominees from 2016
57 titles
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Cartel LandMovie · 2015 · 100m · Drama, DocumentaryIn Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Jose Mireles, a respected local doctor known as "El Doctor," leads a popular movement against the Knights Templar, a brutal drug cartel that has plagued the area for years. Simultaneously, in Arizona's Altar Valley – a 52-mile desert region called Cocaine Alley – Tim "Nailer" Foley, a veteran, commands Arizona Border Recon, a small paramilitary group dedicated to preventing the Mexican drug wars from spreading into the United States.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 2
A WarMovie · 2015 · 115m · Drama, WarIn Helmand, Afghanistan, company commander Claus Michael Pedersen and his unit face constant danger. Back home in Denmark, Claus' wife Maria struggles to raise their three children while he's at war. During a routine mission, the soldiers are ambushed by intense Taliban fire. To protect his men, Claus makes a choice that leads to his return to Denmark and accusations of a war crime.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 3
AmyMovie · 2015 · 128m · Documentary, MusicThis documentary chronicles the life of Amy Winehouse, a supremely gifted singer whose career was tragically cut short. It follows her journey from adolescence, where her vocal talent was evident, through her rise to fame and subsequent struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.6 - 4
The MartianMovie · 2015 · 141m · Science Fiction, Drama, AdventureOn a Mars mission, astronaut Mark Watney is mistakenly believed dead and abandoned by his crew after a severe storm. However, Watney has survived and is now stranded alone on the dangerous planet. With limited resources, he must use his resourcefulness, humor, and determination to survive and find a way to signal Earth that he's still alive.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.7 - 5
Inside OutMovie · 2015 · 95m · Animation, Family, AdventureWhen 11-year-old Riley relocates to a new city, her core emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness – work as a team to guide her. However, when Joy and Sadness get lost on their way back to headquarters, they embark on an unexpected adventure through the unfamiliar landscape of Riley's mind.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 6
Sanjay's Super TeamMovie · 2015 · 7m · Animation, Family, FantasySANJAY'S SUPER TEAM centers on a young Indian boy who finds his father's religious meditations dull. He begins to imagine a team of powerful gods, akin to "The Avengers," who act as superheroes.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.4 - 7
LynleyMovie · 2015 · 124m · Drama, ComedyThis film tells the story of a Long Island single mother who overcame hardship to become a highly successful entrepreneur.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 8
Mad Max: Fury RoadMovie · 2015 · 121m · Action, Adventure, Science FictionIn a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, humanity has fractured, and survival is a brutal struggle. Amidst this harsh landscape, two rebels on the run hold the potential to bring order back to a broken society.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.6 - 9
SpectreMovie · 2015 · 148m · Action, Adventure, ThrillerA mysterious message from his past leads Bond to a dangerous organization. As M fights to protect MI6, Bond uncovers a dark truth about SPECTRE, layer by layer.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 10
Star Wars: The Force AwakensMovie · 2015 · 136m · Adventure, Action, Science FictionThirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his companions confront a new danger: the malevolent Kylo Ren and his Stormtrooper forces.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.3 - 11
YouthMovie · 2015 · 125m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceTwo friends, who have known each other their whole lives, reconnect on a relaxing vacation at a luxurious lodge in the Swiss Alps as they consider retirement. Fred isn't considering returning to his music, despite his daughter Lena's wishes. Mick, however, is determined to finish the screenplay for what could be his final significant film, dedicated to his muse Brenda. And their younger friend Jimmy, an actor searching for meaning in his upcoming role, wonders where inspiration will take him.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 12
SicarioMovie · 2015 · 122m · Action, Crime, ThrillerA young, idealistic FBI agent joins a government task force working to combat the growing drug conflict along the U.S.-Mexico border.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 13
Everything Will Be OkayMovie · 2015 · 30mA divorced father picks up his eight-year-old daughter, Lea, for what seems like a typical weekend. But Lea soon senses something is amiss, and their routine visit turns into an unexpected and significant journey.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 14
What Happened, Miss Simone?Movie · 2015 · 101m · Music, DocumentaryThis film follows Nina Simone's life, from her early talent as a child pianist to becoming a celebrated musician and a powerful voice for social change. It's presented through her own recollections.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 15
The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and DisappearedMovie · 2013 · 115m · Adventure, Comedy, DramaAllan Karlsson, after a long and eventful life, is now residing in a nursing home. On his 100th birthday, he escapes by jumping out a window and embarks on an unforeseen adventure.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 16
The Hateful EightMovie · 2015 · 188m · Drama, Mystery, WesternA group of bounty hunters seeking refuge from a severe blizzard find themselves embroiled in a scheme of betrayal and deceit.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.8 - 17
The RevenantMovie · 2015 · 157m · Western, Drama, AdventureIn the 1820s, frontiersman Hugh Glass is mauled by a bear and left for dead by his companions. He then embarks on a journey of revenge against those who abandoned him.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.5 - 18
We Can't Live Without CosmosMovie · 2014 · 16m · Animation, DramaTwo cosmonauts and friends dedicate themselves to rigorous training, striving to achieve their shared ambition. However, this is a story about more than just pursuing a dream.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 19
The Hunting GroundMovie · 2015 · 104m · DocumentaryThis film reveals the shocking reality of rape on American college campuses, exposing how institutions often conceal these crimes and the profound impact on students and their families. The story follows several undergraduate survivors as they fight to continue their studies and seek justice, facing significant obstacles including resistance, harassment, and the lasting effects of trauma.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 20
PrologueMovie · 2015 · 6m · Action, AnimationThe opening scene shows Spartan and Athenian soldiers engaged in a brutal, life-or-death fight.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4 - 21
The Big ShortMovie · 2015 · 131m · Comedy, DramaThis is the story of the individuals who profited immensely from a worldwide financial crisis.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.4 - 22
TrumboMovie · 2015 · 124m · DramaIn the late 1940s, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's career is destroyed when he refuses to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and is subsequently blacklisted.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 23
The Danish GirlMovie · 2015 · 119m · DramaGerda Wegener asks her husband Einar to pose for her portrait, and in the process, Einar discovers the person Gerda envisioned for her. He begins living as a woman named Lili Elbe. With Gerda's love and encouragement, Lili starts a pioneering journey as a transgender woman.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.6 - 24
Body Team 12Movie · 2015 · 13mIn the midst of a devastating Ebola outbreak, Body Team 12 performs the grim duty of collecting the deceased. They face arguably the world's most dangerous and harrowing job. The film explores their unique perspective and resilience, revealing how they become heroes despite the immense pressure.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 25
TheebMovie · 2014 · 100m · Adventure, Thriller, DramaIn 1916, deep in the Arabian Desert, young Theeb and his brother Hussein leave their tribe for a dangerous journey as the Great Revolt begins. To survive, Theeb must quickly discover the harsh realities of adulthood, the importance of trust, and the sting of betrayal.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 26
When Marnie Was ThereMovie · 2014 · 103m · Animation, Drama, FamilyTo recover from an illness, a withdrawn teenage girl is sent to live with relatives in the countryside. She becomes increasingly fixated on a nearby abandoned mansion and develops an intense fascination with a girl who lives there – a girl whose existence remains uncertain.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.9 - 27
FriendMovie · 2015 · 21mTwo boys' friendship is pushed to the breaking point as they struggle to survive amidst the chaos of the Kosovo war.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.3 - 28
CreedMovie · 2015 · 133m · Drama, ActionRocky Balboa, the retired World Heavyweight Champion, becomes a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson. Adonis is Apollo Creed's son.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 29
BrooklynMovie · 2015 · 111m · Romance, Drama, HistorySet in the 1950s, the story follows young Eilis Lacey as she faces a difficult decision between two men and the contrasting worlds of Ireland and New York.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 30
Bridge of SpiesMovie · 2015 · 141m · Thriller, DramaDuring the Cold War, the Soviet Union shoots down U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers' U-2 spy plane and captures him. Powers is sentenced to 10 years in prison, and his only chance for freedom lies with New York lawyer James Donovan. A CIA operative recruits Donovan to negotiate Powers' release. Donovan travels to Berlin, aiming to secure Powers' freedom through a prisoner exchange. The plan involves the Soviets receiving Rudolf Abel, a convicted spy whom Donovan previously defended.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.2 - 31
CinderellaMovie · 2015 · 105m · Romance, Fantasy, FamilyFollowing her father's sudden death, Ella is forced into servitude by her stepmother and stepsisters. Despite her difficult circumstances, Ella holds onto hope, and her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a charming stranger in the forest.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 32
MustangMovie · 2015 · 97m · DramaIn a Turkish village, five orphaned sisters live under strict control as their family arranges their marriages.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.7 - 33
Steve JobsMovie · 2015 · 122m · Drama, HistoryBehind the scenes of three major product launches, culminating in the 1998 iMac reveal, Steve Jobs offers a personal look at the man who drove the digital revolution.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 34
Embrace of the SerpentMovie · 2015 · 125m · Drama, AdventureThis is the sweeping tale of first contact, betrayal, and an unlikely friendship. Karamakate, the sole survivor of his Amazonian tribe, meets two scientists who embark on a 40-year journey through the rainforest searching for a sacred plant with healing properties. The story is inspired by the journals of early explorers of the Colombian Amazon, Theodor Koch-Grunberg and Richard Evans Schultes.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 35
CarolMovie · 2015 · 118m · Romance, DramaIn 1950s New York City, a department store clerk yearning for a more fulfilling existence develops a romantic relationship with an older woman who is already married.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.5 - 36
Day OneMovie · 2015 · 25mArriving in Afghanistan for her first assignment, a US Army interpreter is compelled to transport the child of an enemy bomb-maker.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.6 - 37
Son of SaulMovie · 2015 · 107m · War, Drama, ThrillerIn 1944, at the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, a prisoner tasked with cremating the bodies of fellow inmates struggles with his conscience. He attempts to secretly give a young boy, whom he sees as his own son, a proper Jewish burial by saving his body from the flames.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 38
RoomMovie · 2015 · 118m · Drama, ThrillerAfter seven years imprisoned in a confined space, a woman and her young son are released and experience the outside world together for the first time.IMDb 8.1TMDB 8.0 - 39
Shaun the Sheep MovieMovie · 2015 · 85m · Family, Animation, ComedyShaun takes a day off for fun, but finds himself in unexpected trouble. A mix-up with a farmer, a caravan, and a steep hill sends them all to the city. Now, Shaun and the flock must work together to safely guide everyone back home.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 40
AnomalisaMovie · 2015 · 91m · Animation, Drama, RomanceA motivational speaker's life takes a turn when he encounters an energetic woman who disrupts his predictable routine.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 41
Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for FreedomMovie · 2015 · 98m · DocumentaryIn Ukraine, what began as peaceful student protests escalated into a violent revolution and a widespread movement for civil rights over a period of 93 days.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.9 - 42
Fifty Shades of GreyMovie · 2015 · 125m · Drama, Romance, ThrillerWhile covering for her ill roommate, college student Anastasia Steele interviews Christian Grey, a wealthy and influential businessman. Grey is intrigued by Ana, and she is equally drawn to him. Despite her lack of experience, Ana becomes involved with Grey, discovering his unconventional approach to intimacy, which explores intense sensations.IMDb 4.2TMDB 5.9 - 43
Chau, Beyond the LinesMovie · 2015 · 34mDespite being disabled by Agent Orange, a man holds onto hope and dreams for the future.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.1 - 44
Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the ShoahMovie · 2015 · 40mThis film chronicles the painstaking creation of *Shoah*, a monumental documentary. It details the director's meticulous approach to gathering testimonies from survivors and witnesses. The film explores the challenges of assembling vast archival footage and piecing together a comprehensive narrative of the Holocaust. It follows the arduous process of editing these materials into a cohesive and impactful whole, revealing the dedication required to bring this historical account to life.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 45
A Girl in the River: The Price of ForgivenessMovie · 2015 · 40m · DocumentaryIn Pakistan, a woman faces a death sentence for a crime of love, becoming an unlikely survivor within the country's strict legal system.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.1 - 46
Ex MachinaMovie · 2015 · 108m · Drama, Science FictionCaleb, a coder for the biggest internet company, wins a contest for a week-long stay at the secluded mountain retreat owned by Nathan, the company's secretive CEO. Upon arrival, Caleb discovers he's part of an unusual experiment: he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence, living inside the body of a strikingly beautiful robot girl.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.6 - 47
Last Day of FreedomMovie · 2015 · 32mBill Babbitt struggles with the difficult choice of whether to report to the police when he discovers his brother Manny has committed a crime.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 48
The Look of SilenceMovie · 2014 · 100m · History, DocumentaryA man who works as an optician confronts the brutal Indonesian mass killings of 1965-1966, a period that saw the death of his own brother.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.8 - 49
Boy & the WorldMovie · 2014 · 80m · Animation, Fantasy, AdventureFeeling lost after his father moves to the city, a young boy leaves his village and finds himself in a fantastical world filled with insect-powered machines and peculiar creatures. The film uses a unique blend of animation styles to explore contemporary issues from a child's perspective.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 50
StuttererMovie · 2015 · 13m · DramaA solitary typographer, burdened by a severe speech impediment yet possessing a rich inner world of articulate thought, must confront his deepest fear.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 51
Straight Outta ComptonMovie · 2015 · 147m · Drama, Music, HistoryIn 1987, five young men channeled their frustration and anger about life in a dangerous part of America into powerful music. *Straight Outta Compton* tells the true story of these cultural rebels who, armed with lyrics, confidence, and talent, challenged the authorities and formed the influential group N.W.A. By speaking truths previously unheard and exposing life in the inner city, they sparked a social revolution that continues to resonate.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.8 - 52
Ave MariaMovie · 2015 · 15mThe peaceful lives of five nuns in a remote West Bank convent are disrupted when an Israeli settler family's vehicle breaks down right outside the convent as the Sabbath begins.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.8 - 53
Bear StoryMovie · 2016 · 11m · Animation, DramaEach day, an aging bear visits a bustling street corner. He performs for passersby using a homemade tin marionette theater, sharing his life story with anyone who will listen.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 54
Racing ExtinctionMovie · 2015 · 90m · Adventure, DocumentaryA group of diverse activists and inventive people form an ambitious plan to protect animals at risk of extinction.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.8 - 55
45 YearsMovie · 2015 · 95m · Drama, RomanceKate Mercer is preparing for her 45th wedding anniversary party, and everything is proceeding smoothly. However, a letter arrives for her husband revealing that the body of his first love has been found – frozen and preserved in the Swiss Alps. By the time the party arrives, five days later, their marriage may be on the verge of collapse.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6 - 56
SpotlightMovie · 2015 · 129m · Drama, HistoryThis is the true story of the Boston Globe's investigation into widespread child molestation and a subsequent cover-up within the city's Catholic Archdiocese. The reporting sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.8 - 57
World of TomorrowMovie · 2015 · 17m · Animation, Drama, Science FictionA young girl experiences a disorienting journey to a far-off future.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.8
