Angelina Jolie’s Path to Winning the 2025 Best Actress Oscar: Overcoming Netflix Challenges

Angelina Jolie is emerging as a leading candidate for Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars, largely due to her nuanced portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s critically acclaimed film, Maria, recently made available for streaming on Netflix. This innovative biopic has generated significant buzz within the awards circuit, positioning Jolie as a strong favorite for her third Oscar nomination.

The accessibility afforded by Netflix streaming is expected to enhance Jolie’s chances, allowing more viewers, especially Oscar voters, to engage with her compelling performance. In contrast, other contenders like Mikey Madison (Anora) and Nicole Kidman (Babygirl) might remain underappreciated due to limited viewing opportunities. Historically, Netflix has proven to be a formidable platform for Oscar nominations, particularly in the Best Actress category, suggesting a positive trajectory for Jolie’s candidacy. However, Netflix’s track record raises some concerns regarding its ability to convert nominations into wins.

Netflix’s Winless Streak in Best Actress

Angelina Jolie’s Challenge Ahead

Over the last six years, Netflix has cemented its reputation as a prominent player at the Oscars, especially with the success of Roma directed by Alfonso Cuarón. This film not only marked the streamer’s first Best Picture nomination but also garnered a total of ten nominations, winning three. Yalitza Aparicio’s nomination for Best Actress was a milestone for Netflix, yet it was not followed by a victory. Despite several nominations for performers like Scarlett Johansson, Viola Davis, and Carey Mulligan, Netflix has yet to claim the coveted Best Actress award.

Year	Netflix’s Best Actress Oscar Nominee	Who Won Best Actress
2019	Yalitza Aparicio (Rome)	Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
2020	Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story)	Renée Zellweger (Judy)
2021	Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)	Frances McDormand (Nomadland)
2021	Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman)	Frances McDormand (Nomadland)
2022	Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)	Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
2023	Anna de Armas (Blonde)	Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
2024	Annette Bening (Nyad)	Emma Stone (Poor Things)
2024	Carey Mulligan (Maestro)	Emma Stone (Poor Things)

The absence of a Best Actress win has been puzzling for Netflix, especially considering the talent and critical acclaim surrounding its nominees. Despite appearing to be front-runners in previous years, Netflix’s cumulative Oscar failures are striking – with 0 wins across multiple categories like Best Picture and Best Actor. Their accolades have mostly come from directing categories, which raises challenges for actresses like Jolie aiming to break the streak.

While Angelina Jolie has strong odds for securing a nomination based on her performance and Netflix’s history of recognitions, her pathway to clinching the Academy Award remains laden with obstacles. If she aspires to add a Best Actress Oscar to her achievements, she must not only showcase an unparalleled performance but also counteract the persistent biases against the streaming platform.

Analyzing Jolie’s 2025 Oscar Chances

The Power of Narrative and Performance

Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in the biopic, Maria.

The competition for the Best Actress Oscar in 2025 is fierce, yet Angelina Jolie’s chances of winning should not be dismissed. Her performance has garnered critical acclaim, underscoring her abilities and adding depth to her overall legacy. With her star power, historical narrative, and an acclaimed director who has successfully brought actresses to nominations before, Jolie stands at a significant threshold. Moreover, a strategic shift in Academy voters’ preferences towards recognizing a broader array of performances could position her favorably.

Ultimately, should the Academy voters choose to honor diverse films and performances during the upcoming awards, Jolie may find her opportunity to shine brightly at the 2025 Oscars, potentially defying the prevailing trends that have hindered Netflix’s actress nominees.

Source&Images