James Cameron said that Netflix movies shouldn't qualify for the Oscars

The Canadian director James Cameron, responsible for some of the most successful films in history, maintained that the productions made for Netflix should not qualify for the Oscars. His statements came during an interview on the podcast The Town With Matthew Belloni, amid the debate over the streaming platform's intention to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, an announcement that has generated reactions throughout the industry. Cameron, whose upcoming film *Avatar: Fire And Ash* will be released in December, was consulted by Matthew Belloni about Netflix's progress in negotiations with media giants like Comcast and Paramount to buy Warner Bros. Regarding this, the filmmaker expressed that he remains hopeful that Paramount can remain an independent studio, but warned that the possible purchase by Netflix would be, in his words, "a disaster".

Criticism of the limited release strategy and its link to the Oscars

Last week, various media outlets specializing in the film industry reported that Netflix committed to continue releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters, as part of its offer to acquire the corporation. However, Cameron dismissed this promise, calling it "bait for the naive." According to the director, offering a brief theatrical window is not enough to be considered part of the traditional model. "The film will be released for a week or ten days. We will be considered for the Oscar. You see, I think that's fundamentally terrible," he expressed, remarking that the film business should be based on projecting feature films designed for the in-theater experience, and not on short releases used solely to meet award requirements.

Should streaming movies compete in awards season?

When specifically asked if the films produced by Netflix should be eligible for Oscar nominations, Cameron assured that they should not, unless the release strategy is completely modified. In his opinion, a film should only participate in the awards if it is released in at least 2,000 theaters for a full month, a rule that historically marked the difference between studio releases and independent releases. In recent years, several Netflix productions have managed to enter into competition within the Best Picture category, marking a significant change in the landscape. The first was Roma in 2019, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, followed by titles such as The Irishman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Power of the Dog and Emilia Pérez. However, despite their nominations, none have managed to win the Academy's main prize. Yes, they have obtained important awards in other categories: Alfonso Cuarón and Jane Campion won in the Best Director category for Roma and The Power of the Dog, respectively, which demonstrated that streaming films can be recognized in key sections, although not in the most coveted one. The films Frankenstein and Train Dreams had a limited theatrical release before seeking nominations at the AP Academy Awards.

Netflix maintains aspirations for 2025 despite the controversy

In view of the upcoming awards season, titles such as Frankenstein, Train Dreams, and Jay Kelly are among the Netflix productions that could enter the competition. All of them had limited theatrical releases, with brief screenings before their launch on the platform, a strategy reiterated every year. Meanwhile, Cameron himself continues to be an influential figure in Oscar history. The director has won three Academy Awards, all for Titanic in 1998. His film Avatar received nine nominations and competed for three awards in 2010, while its sequel The Way of Water was nominated again in 2023. However, his vision seems unchangeable in the face of the industry's transformation: for Cameron, the essence of cinema lies in the dark room, the giant screen, and the collective experience, a tradition he considers at risk from the expansion of digital platforms and the redefinition of the concept of release.