Netflix is currently streaming two standout films featuring exceptional performances by Ethan Hawke, including one role that earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 2026 Oscars. These Ethan Hawke Netflix films showcase his versatility and highlight his significant contributions to both drama and horror genres.
The Oscars-Contending Blue Moon and Chilling The Black Phone Now Available on Netflix
Blue Moon, recently added to Netflix ahead of the March 2026 Academy Awards, stars Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart, the legendary lyricist from the songwriting duo Rodgers and Hart. Directed by Richard Linklater, the film captures an intense evening at a bar on the opening night of the musical Oklahoma!, authored by Rodgers in collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II.
The film’s cast includes not only Hawke but also Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott. Blue Moon has been nominated for two Oscars—Best Actor for Hawke and Best Original Screenplay—reaffirming the successful partnership between Linklater and Hawke, who previously collaborated on the Before trilogy and Boyhood.
Complementing Blue Moon on Netflix is 2022’s horror thriller The Black Phone, which features Hawke in a terrifying role as The Grabber, a serial killer who abducts children and confines them in his basement before murdering them. The story centers on his latest captive, Finney, who discovers a disconnected phone in the basement that allows him to communicate with The Grabber’s previous victims.
Directed by Scott Derrickson, The Black Phone was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, achieving an 81% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing over $161 million worldwide. Hawke reprised his role in 2025’s Black Phone 2, which also saw strong box office returns, earning more than $132 million globally.
How These Two Films Highlight Ethan Hawke’s Wide Acting Range
Watching Blue Moon and The Black Phone together offers a striking contrast that illustrates Ethan Hawke’s breadth as an actor. In Blue Moon, Hawke brings to life Lorenz Hart as a fiercely intelligent and passionate man, deeply dedicated to his craft and the arts. Despite his outward confidence, Hart wrestles with anxiety over the creator partnership between Rodgers and Hammerstein and his own professional future, gradually unraveling throughout the film. Hawke’s portrayal adeptly reveals the vulnerability beneath a seemingly unshakeable exterior.
On the other hand, The Black Phone presents Hawke’s most chilling performance as The Grabber, a sadistic and unhinged serial killer who torments his victims psychologically before killing them. Hawke embodies the character’s brutality and madness with unsettling precision, creating a memorable villain within the horror genre.
These two roles—one of a complex, struggling songwriter and the other of a ruthless serial killer—reflect the extraordinary versatility Hawke offers his audiences. Blue Moon is essential viewing before the 2026 Oscars, and pairing it with The Black Phone provides a broader perspective on his capabilities as an actor.
Supporting Cast and Creative Teams Behind the Films
Blue Moon’s ensemble includes Margaret Qualley as Elizabeth Weiland and Bobby Cannavale among others, supported by a talented behind-the-scenes crew. The screenplay was written by Robert Kaplow, with production led by John Sloss and Mike Blizzard and executive producers including Aaron J. Wiederspahn, John Keville, Donna Eperon, Steven Farneth, and Lisa Crnic.
The Black Phone features a cast led by Mason Thames as Finney and Madeleine McGraw as Gwen. The film’s creative team includes directors and writers Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, producers Jason Blum, C. Robert Cargill, and Derrickson, along with executive producers Joe Hill, Ryan Turek, and Christopher H. Warner.
Legacy of Ethan Hawke’s Oscar Nominations and Career Highlights
Before his 2026 Best Actor nomination for Blue Moon, Ethan Hawke had previously earned Academy Award nods for Best Supporting Actor in Training Day (2001) and Boyhood (2014). Additionally, he received recognition as a screenwriter with nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for the Before Sunset and Before Midnight films. His career spans multiple genres, featuring roles in horror like Sinister, drama exemplified by Dead Poets Society, and thrillers such as The Northman.
Hawke’s ability to navigate such diverse characters—from a tortured lyricist to a terrifying serial killer—demonstrates why his performances continue to resonate deeply with audiences and critics alike. His presence in both Blue Moon and The Black Phone on Netflix offers viewers an opportunity to appreciate his sustained artistic evolution.
What Viewing These Films Means for the Future
As the 2026 Oscars approach, Blue Moon serves as a critical touchstone for Ethan Hawke’s enduring talent and his collaboration with Richard Linklater. The film’s inclusion on Netflix alongside The Black Phone also introduces audiences to Hawke’s dynamic range in genres that demand distinct emotional intensities. These two films not only enhance Hawke’s legacy as a performer but also emphasize Netflix’s growing role as a platform for high-profile, award-quality projects.
This double feature stands as a compelling prelude to the Oscars season, inviting viewers to engage with the depth and versatility of one of Hollywood’s most skilled actors.
