For 2022, the Venn diagram of movies that made money and movies recognized during awards season is excitingly larger than usual. Of the 18 top-grossing movies, five are in the awards conversation, and three were nominated for Best Picture by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It certainly didn't hurt that the release dates of these buzzy movies were spread out over the course of the year in a way we don't normally see among those with awards chatter. ...
The early release dates allowed each to grow in popularity, and most importantly, gave them a chance to get eyeballs on them for months. Getting these films into circulation at the library without a glut of competition was certainly an exciting change of pace. This spread also gives the casual movie viewer the ability to look at the nominations the morning they are announced and actually see titles they recognize. Revolutionary!