Oscars: Film Academy Lengthens Minimum Theatrical Release Required for Best Picture Eligibility

Beginning in 2024, films will no longer become eligible for the best picture Oscar with just a one-week theatrical release in an approved city, but will require a lengthier stay in theaters, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday. It is a move seemingly intended to bolster movie theaters and emphasize the difference between works made for the big and small screens.

The Academy’s board of governors earlier this month approved the new requirements, which, again, will not impact the current season’s Oscar contenders.

Upon completion of an initial qualifying run — currently defined as a one-week theatrical release in one of the six U.S. qualifying cities — a film will have to meet the following additional theatrical standards for best picture eligibility…

(a) an expanded theatrical run of seven days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024

(b) for late-in-the-year films with expansions after Jan. 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans to the Academy for verification

(c) release plans for late-in-the-year films must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to be completed no later than Jan. 24, 2025

(d) non-U.S. territory releases can count towards two of the 10 markets

(e) qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film.

While virtually all releases from the traditional Hollywood studios would meet these requirements, they are more likely to impact the plans — and pocketbooks — of streamers, indies and overseas distributors, which typically do not keep films in theaters in major cities for quite as long. However, it is understood that stakeholders of all sorts were consulted in arriving at the new requirements.

“As we do every year, we have been reviewing and assessing our theatrical eligibility requirements for the Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. “In support of our mission to celebrate and honor the arts and sciences of moviemaking, it is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our artform in a theatrical setting. Based on many conversations with industry partners, we feel that this evolution benefits film artists and movie lovers alike.”

Michael O’Leary, NATO’s President & CEO, said in a statement: “On behalf of the men and women who operate movie theaters across this nation, NATO applauds the Academy’s decision to require nominees for Best Picture to have a more substantial theatrical footprint beginning in 2025. We specifically want to thank Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang for their leadership on this important initiative.”

The statement continued, “This decision recognizes that to be fully appreciated as the art form they truly are, motion pictures must be experienced as intended: in a theater full of people, on a big screen, with state-of-the-art projection, sound and lighting. The Oscars are recognized by moviegoers around the world as the pinnacle of artistic accomplishment in motion pictures, and this important step, taken by the Academy, affirms that theatrical exhibition is the keystone of the industry. Simply put, the best movies in the world are at their best on the big screen.”

June 21, 4:49 p.m. Updated with Michael O’Leary statement.