At the Gotham Awards on Monday night, Joel Edgerton publicly challenged James Cameron’s recent views on film eligibility for the Oscars, bringing the James Cameron Oscars streaming debate into sharp focus. This clash comes as filmmakers split over whether movies lacking theatrical runs should qualify for Hollywood’s highest honor.
James Cameron has asserted that streaming-only titles should be excluded from Oscar contention, igniting debate among key industry figures, including Edgerton, Stellan Skarsgård, and Park Chan-Wook, about the evolving nature of cinema, audience habits, and what the Academy’s rules should reflect.
Joel Edgerton Responds to James Cameron’s Theatrical Mandate
At the heart of the recent controversy is James Cameron’s firm belief that the Oscars are inextricably tied to theater experiences. Cameron declared,
“A movie should be made as a movie for theatrical,”
and went on to say,
“The Academy Awards to me mean nothing if they don’t mean theatrical.”
He argued that streaming platforms like Netflix undermine the traditional moviegoing model, calling their awards approach “fundamentally rotten at the core” and suggesting that only films with substantial theatrical exposure—such as a monthlong run in at least 2,000 theaters—should be eligible.
Joel Edgerton, whose acclaimed film “Train Dreams” found its home on Netflix, offered a pointed rebuttal, recognizing the changing dynamics of film distribution.
“None of us should be squabbling with each other over what has a right to be seen or awarded or part of a conversation — because there are some people that only get their chance because of streamers,”
Edgerton, Actor, stated. Refusing to accept that a film’s value is determined solely by its screening platform, he added,
“I don’t necessarily think something should be seen as lesser than,”
Edgerton, Actor.
Expanding on his perspective, Edgerton stressed the importance of inclusivity in cinema recognition:
“I think the point that James is making is there should be more of a robust fight for the survival of cinema, but at the cost of saying that people whose only chance is to get their movies made on a streamer shouldn’t have a chance to also be seen and heard,”
Edgerton, Actor, explained. Despite admiring Cameron’s contributions to filmmaking, he noted,
“Some people who have had a long history, where it makes it a bit easier for them, they’re willing to fight harder. And I really respect that. James is one of the greats. He’s making movies on a big canvas. He’s always been a pioneer,”
Edgerton, Actor.
How Academy Award Rules and Industry Shifts Shape the Debate
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is adapting its requirements for Oscar eligibility. Starting in 2025, movies seeking a Best Picture nomination must have at least a one-week run, followed by a seven-day expansion in at least ten of the top fifty U.S. markets within 45 days of release. This change is partly a reaction to how streaming services like Netflix have secured numerous nominations—ten since “Roma” in 2019—despite employing limited theatrical runs that fall short of traditional wide releases.
There is concern that tightening these requirements may disproportionately impact lower-budget productions, which may lack the resources to afford broad theatrical exposure and marketing. This potential disadvantage was a key criticism raised by Edgerton and others, who fear diminishing the diversity of voices and stories at the Oscars.
The growing prevalence of streaming is reshaping not only awards contention but also how audiences consume new films. Survey data from AP-NORC shows that about three-quarters of U.S. adults watched a new movie through streaming rather than in theaters at least once during the past year, with nearly a third choosing this option monthly. These patterns suggest that for many, the big screen is no longer the default for discovering new cinema.
Other Industry Figures Share Their Views
Not all industry voices agree with Edgerton’s pushback. Stellan Skarsgård, star of “Sentimental Value,” argued for preserving the theater’s role in film culture and awards consideration.
“That’s the only way to make the theater survive,”
Skarsgård, Actor, explained,
“That’s the only way to make cinema survive. And without cinema, you don’t have any Netflix,”
Skarsgård, Actor.
On the other hand, director Park Chan-Wook of “No Other Choice” acknowledged the sentiment behind Cameron’s stance but questioned its relevance.
“I understand the sentiment behind why [Cameron] would say that,”
Park Chan-Wook, Director, remarked.
“But because of the increasing number of great films that have been made for streaming, I just don’t think that fits in with the reality that we’re living in right now,”
Park Chan-Wook, Director.
Edgerton also reflected on his own experiences, describing his passion for cinema and acknowledging the influence of home viewing. Recalling his favorites, he shared,
“A friend of mine once said to me, ‘How many of your favorite films did you ever actually watch at the cinema?’ Most of my favorite movies were made in the 70s… I didn’t get a chance to watch him until I was watching them on a VHS cassette on a shitty TV. And they’re still my favorite films.”
Balancing his passion for traditional cinema with realism, Edgerton concluded,
“I would still semi-die on a hill for cinema. But I’m also a pragmatist,”
Edgerton, Actor.
What the Streaming Debate Means for Oscar’s Future
As the James Cameron Oscars streaming debate intensifies, it underscores a turbulent and unresolved moment for the film industry. Names like James Cameron, Joel Edgerton, and Park Chan-Wook are shaping a conversation that goes beyond eligibility, touching on the very meaning of cinema in a rapidly evolving landscape.
How the Academy adapts its criteria will determine whether streaming-powered films continue to make their mark or see their Oscar chances limited by old boundaries. As audience habits shift and filmmakers from all backgrounds seek recognition, the industry faces the challenge of honoring both tradition and innovation at the Oscars.
#TrainDreams star Joel Edgerton on James Cameron saying Netflix films that don’t play in theaters shouldn’t qualify for the Oscars:
“None of us should be really squabbling with each other over what has a right to be seen or awarded,” Edgerton said on Monday night at the… pic.twitter.com/PUtvlp0DnC
— Variety (@Variety) December 2, 2025
