The Academy Board of Governors met up to broaden the theatrical eligibility rules for the Best Picture category.
Before this meeting, the rules had stated that movies must open for a one-week theatrical run in one of six U.S. markets (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta).
After that, the movie has to expanded theatrically for a run of, at least, seven days, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets.
This is all about streamers. For example, Netflix booked “Glass Onion: a Knives Out Mystery,” for just one-week last year. It wouldn’t have qualified. Netflix has theaters in New York and Los Angeles, but they would have to branch out to more cities this time around.
The Academy is forcing the hand of Netflix to encourage theatrical availability. It’s definitely not a bad thing, Netflix has been taking advantage of the relaxed rules for years now.
However, it’s also a hit on small ultra-low budget indies like the Best Actress nominated “To Leslie.” That film only played in six theaters in 2022 and would have not qualified if these rules had already been enforced.
These new eligibility rules come into effect for the 97th Academy Awards to be held in 2025.