Netflix's Oscar Nominee Streaming Free on YouTube - Act Fast

Netflix has made a strategic move to boost the visibility of its animated feature film contender, "Nimona," by offering the full movie for free on YouTube ahead of the Oscars. This promotional event is a rare opportunity for animation fans and moviegoers who may not have a Netflix subscription, providing a brief window until February 26 to watch the film at no cost. "Nimona," based on the popular graphic novel, had faced production challenges after its original studio, Blue Sky Studios, was closed down post-Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Nevertheless, the film found a new home with Annapurna Pictures and Netflix, leading to its completion and release in 2023. Now nominated for an Oscar, "Nimona" tells an engaging story set in a futuristic medieval world, featuring the adventures of a wrongfully accused knight and a shapeshifting girl named Nimona, with strong LGBTQ themes. The competition for the Best Animated Feature Film category is stiff, with "Nimona" up against titles like "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" and Studio Ghibli's "The Boy and the Heron." The upcoming Academy Awards on March 10 will reveal who takes home the coveted award.

After its free YouTube availability ends on February 26, "Nimona" will continue to be accessible to viewers on Netflix, provided they have a subscription to the streaming service.

"Nimona" is an animated film adaptation of the graphic novel by Noelle Stevenson, which gained critical acclaim for its inventive spin on the traditional hero-and-villain dynamic, as well as for its representation and exploration of complex themes such as identity and morality. Although the project experienced setbacks due to studio closures, it serves as an example of how digital platforms like Netflix can rescue and deliver content with a unique voice and narrative to a wide audience, adding to the diversification of storytelling in animated films.