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Are winning movies only made for the award season or can they be released at any time of the year?

Polly McGivena

As a frequent moviegoer and avid observer of the film industry, I can attest to the fact that winning movies are not only released during the award season but can come out at any time of the year. While the award season, held typically in the early months of the year, does tend to be the peak season for the release of films with a high potential for critical acclaim, exceptional movies can come out at any point in the year.

It's important to note that the award season is not a strict marker of when a movie should be released for critical success. In fact, many incredible films that have won high-profile awards have come out outside of the traditional award season, such as Clint Eastwood's drama Gran Torino, which premiered at the end of December in 2008 but didn't gain Oscar buzz until a few months later. The fact is that movies that garner widespread acclaim and recognition, do so because they have excellent storytelling, skilled direction, and exceptional performances, regardless of when they are released.

Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that there are no specific times when movies should be released based solely on the Oscars or award shows. In the past, studios have attempted to capitalize on the awards season's momentum by releasing films with Oscar potential in October to December when reviewers are more likely to remember them. Still, there is no guarantee that a film released during this period will receive nominations or widespread critical success.

On the other hand, there have been instances where movies released outside of the award season became the favorite of both critics and audiences. In 2017, Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, was released in February and went on to receive four Oscar nominations and winning the award for Best Original Screenplay. Similarly, Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, released in July 2017, was nominated for eight Oscars and won three.

Ultimately, the release date of a successful movie is a matter of the content's quality, timing, and strategy. A movie with great content can release at any time of the year and still go on to receive critical acclaim and widespread recognition. The award season may offer an incentive for studios to release certain films during that time, but it is not a determinant of the quality of the material or compulsion to release a movie.

In conclusion, while the award season is undoubtedly important in the realm of the film industry, it's not the sole determinant for the release of winning films. Great movies can come out any time throughout the year, and when the quality of the content is exceptional, it's guaranteed to gain recognition and acclaim, regardless of when it was released.