When it comes to securing an Academy Award nomination for documentary films, the competition has always been fierce. For years, winning documentaries needed more than just compelling storytelling and a talented director — they required substantial backing, including hefty awards-season campaign budgets. However, in recent years, the landscape of Oscar-worthy documentaries has evolved.
At the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024, all five of the nominated feature documentaries were international films that focused on geopolitical issues, many of which did not come with the extensive distribution deals or large budgets that typically accompany high-profile Oscar contenders.
Now, as we head into the 2025 awards season, the question arises: Can celebrity-driven documentaries, such as those about Christopher Reeve, Elton John, and Celine Dion, make it past the gatekeepers and earn an Oscar nomination?
Let’s dive into why politically charged documentaries have dominated recent Oscar races, while celebrity stories might struggle, even with the backing of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+.
The Changing Landscape of Documentary Filmmaking
For the longest time, documentaries about high-profile celebrities were often seen as the safe bets for distributors, with major streaming platforms throwing millions into awards campaigns. But last season’s results suggest that the Oscar race might be moving in a different direction. Instead of celebrity biopics, the Academy seems more inclined to reward films that focus on political and social issues.
- In 2024, “20 Days in Mariupol”, a documentary about the Ukraine war, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, signalling that politically charged films are gaining significant traction among voters.
- The other nominees, including “To Kill a Tiger” and “The Elephant Whisperers”, didn’t have major distribution deals until late in the process but managed to garner critical acclaim and secure spots on the Oscar shortlist.
This shift may have spurred politically motivated documentaries to grab more attention, leaving celebrity docs struggling to catch up. It’s not that these films aren’t well-crafted or compelling — but in a year dominated by politically driven narratives, can they compete?
Celebrity Docs at the Oscars: Struggling for Relevance
Celebrity-driven documentaries often focus on the fascinating lives of famous individuals. This year, the documentary feature race includes high-profile films about figures like Christopher Reeve, Elton John, and Celine Dion, all of which are backed by major streaming companies. But despite the star power and celebrity appeal, they may not have the legs to make it past the Oscar nomination stage. Here’s why:
The Trend Towards Geopolitical & Political Documentaries
Films that focus on social or political issues often resonate deeply with Academy voters, especially in today’s climate. In 2024, documentaries on the Ukraine conflict, immigration, and human rights dominated the category. There’s a palpable desire to see films that reflect the state of the world — and this can sometimes overshadow documentaries about individuals, even those as beloved as Christopher Reeve or Elton John.
The Battle of the Budget: Can Celebrity Docs Compete?
While documentaries on famous figures like Celine Dion and Elton John tend to attract big streaming budgets, these films can still struggle without extensive distribution and marketing. A documentary about Michael J. Fox, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, was a strong contender in 2024 but ultimately did not get nominated. Why? Its focus on a beloved celebrity didn’t quite offer the cultural relevance and political weight that other contenders provided.
The major streamers like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+ typically favour films that can be marketed across wide demographics. However, this focus can be a double-edged sword. Celebrities may not bring the same weight to the Oscar race as films that address urgent political topics like immigration or environmental disasters.
Upcoming Celebrity Docs: Can They Break Through?
Despite the Oscar snub of celebrity-driven docs last season, several films about high-profile figures are in the race this year. These include:
- “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (Warner Bros.) — A look at the life and legacy of the iconic actor, who brought Superman to life on the big screen.
- “Never Too Late: The Elton John Story” (Disney+) — A deep dive into the life of the legendary musician, touching on his struggles, triumphs, and legendary career.
- “I Am Celine Dion” (Amazon) — A documentary exploring the rise to fame of the Celine Dion, who became a global musical icon.
- “Will & Harper” (Netflix) — A story about the close relationship between famous duo Will Smith and his daughter, Willow Smith.
While these films have generated buzz and attracted A-list backing, they still face several challenges in earning Oscar nominations:
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Lack of Political Weight: These films are more about celebrating individual lives rather than confronting larger social issues, which could make them less compelling to Academy voters who have shown a preference for politically engaged documentaries.
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Smaller Campaign Budgets: While Netflix and Amazon are backing these projects, their awards campaigns are still likely smaller compared to the big-budget political films vying for recognition.
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Niche Audiences: Celebrity documentaries often cater to niche audiences — those who are fans of the celebrity in question. While they can win critical praise, they may not have the broad appeal needed for an Oscar nod.
The Future of Political Documentaries vs. Celebrity Docs
The rise of politically charged documentary films in recent years, especially those tackling human rights, political injustice, and global conflicts, shows a clear trend toward substance over celebrity in the Oscar race. As the Academy becomes more focused on films that reflect societal issues, the lack of political impact in celebrity docs may leave them struggling to gain traction in a competitive field.
Still, celebrity docs are far from dead. While they may face an uphill battle, their high-profile subjects and massive fanbases ensure that they won’t be easily dismissed. The key will be finding a balance — a way to tell stories about famous people that also resonate on a larger, more culturally relevant level.
If celebrity documentaries want to break through the Oscar barriers, they will need to do more than show us the lives of stars — they will need to tackle issues that speak to the current political climate and cultural shifts. Whether or not this shift will occur remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the documentary race at the Academy Awards has never been more exciting, unpredictable, and filled with possibilities.
