After disrupting the TV industry and earning Emmy and Golden Globe wins along the way for its original programming, Netflix has now secured its first Academy Awards nomination with The Square. The 2014 Oscar nominees were announced Thursday morning.
The Square, which premieres on Netflix on Friday and details the revolution in Egypt from the 2011 overthrow of military leader Hosni Mubarak through the ousting of Mohammed Morsi in 2013, is vying for the Best Feature Documentary Oscar against The Act of Killing, Cutie and the Boxer, Dirty Wars and 20 Feet from Stardom.
See also: Netflix's 1 Golden Globe Is More Win Than You Think
This is the second year an online-only entity has made a major splash at the Academy Awards. Last year, a Kickstarter-funded film, Inocente, won the award for Best Documentary (Short Subject). In total, six Kickstarter-backed films have been nominated over past years.
Netflix acquired The Square in November after the film found critical success on the film festival circuit. It was one of two documentary acquisitions by Netflix; the other, The Short Game, was about young golfers on their way to the World Championships of Junior Golf. The acquisitions were viewed as bold statements to enter the Academy Awards race.
Produced and directed by Jehan Noujaim, The Square had received considerable critical acclaim before Netflix purchased the streaming rights to the film. It won the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award for a Documentary and the Audience Award for World Cinema in the documentary category at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
The nomination adds to the accolades that Netflix has slowly built up as it seeks to branch out from its roots of distributing outside content.
Just last week, Netflix won its first Golden Globe, as Robin Wright of House of Cards earned Best Actress in a TV Drama, beating Julianna Marguiles (The Good Wife), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black) and Kerry Washington (Scandal). House of Cards was also nominated for Best Drama, Best Actor (Kevin Spacey), Best Actress (Robin Wright) and Best Supporting Actor (Corey Stoll).
Netflix's Orange Is the New Black also earned one Golden Globe nod for Best Actress in Drama (Taylor Schilling), and Arrested Development got one nod for Best Actor in a Comedy (Jason Bateman).
In September, Netflix's original political thriller House of Cards became the first web-only show to win an award at any Primetime Emmys after winning Outstanding Directing for a Drama. Netflix was in the running in 14 Emmy categories for House of Cards, Arrested Development and supernatural thriller Hemlock Grove.
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BONUS: 14 Superlatives for Movies in 2013
It's probably safe to say no actual giraffes were harmed in the making of this movie, but it doesn't mean people who saw this scene won't shudder with the memory whenever they see the Toys 'R Us mascot.
Slash-fic writers could only be filled with more glee if Daniel Radcliffe made out with Tom Felton himself.
Also worthy of "Most Articulate Zombie," and "Zombie With Best Taste in Music."
Because what every film about teenage criminals needs is a little relaxing with early Britney Spears.
Watch, as Pepper Potts' hair flows majestically and seamlessly with the bits of broken house. Watch it for a while.
Insert magic-related pole dancing pun here.
None of these actors could find a better way to spend their time? Maybe take up woodworking or making ships in a bottle?
Quidditch can't be held within a single franchise.
Secure your child's mask after your own, then in engage in some yoga breathing and hope both sides of your plane stay attatched.
Get it?
This scene in the trailer was the deciding factor for many people on the fence about whether the film was worth their money.
Between Thor's golden locks and Loki's mullet of evil, this wasn't even a contest.
They're a few dwarfs down, but the 1D boys get extra points for enthusiasm.
A tough year for the category, Sharnado barely beat Shark Avalanche.
Image: Netflix