Nomadland: Chloe Zhao’s Oscar frontrunner to debut on Hulu this February

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

After seeing Chloe Zhao's Nomadland appear on so many "Best Films of 2020" lists over the past several weeks, I'm pleased to share that the acclaimed drama is coming to Hulu on February 19, 2021.

The film, starring Frances McDormand, tells the story of a woman who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. Even though Nomadland is making the trek to Hulu, it will still debut in select IMAX theaters on January 29, 2021, before opening in traditional theaters and drive-in locations on February 19, 2021.

Before the pandemic mucked with Nomadland's plans for a traditional theatrical release, it traveled the festival circuit in style and earned the top prizes at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival. The film was a favorite here with some of our JoBlo staff members as well, including Jimmy O, who said "There's no doubt that Frances McDormand is a ridiculously talented performer. However, her work in the intensely powerful Nomadland is unnervingly honest and heartfelt. Chloe Zhao has crafted a beautiful and unfiltered examination of homelessness without resorting to sentimentality and forced emotion. This is a wonderful film that feels especially relevant in these difficult times."

Also adding to the film's accolades was our own Matt Rooney, who said the following about Zhao's Nomadland: "Going back to the rural landscapes she brilliantly captured in The Rider, Chloe Zhao proves herself one of the best new directors around with Nomadland. Frances McDormand is incredible as Fern, one of many across America who have taken to vans and mobile homes to live on the road. Beautifully shot to capture the majesty of the often-overlooked American heartland, Zhao masterfully captures the heart of soul of the nomadic lifestyle, crafting an absorbing ode to the quest for true freedom."

Based on Jessica Bruder’s book of the same name, Zhao's Nomadland is bound to be recognized once Awards season comes around the bend. And now, with the film hitting Hulu in February, many more people will be able to experience it without risking their health and safety in local theaters.