How To Stream Best Picture Nominee 'Lion'

OK, La La Land, I'm gonna let you finish — but the Oscar-nominated film Lion was the true standout of 2016 and I'm definitely hoping it'll pull a major upset and bring home the Academy Award for Best Picture on Feb. 26. Based on the memoir A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley, the film depicts Brierley's incredible journey to find his birth mother after he became separated from her at the tender age of five. Thanks to word of mouth, more and more people are clamoring to see this incredible movie — but is Lion available on Netflix? After all, nothing beats watching one of the year's best films from the comfort of our couches (popcorn in hand, of course).

Unfortunately, Lion isn't currently streaming on Netflix and it hasn't been confirmed whether or not the film will ever be available on the streaming service. But, don't let that deter you from watching one of the most compelling films of the year — it's still playing in select movie theaters across the country, and Lion will become available for digital rental and purchase on March 27 on both Amazon and iTunes.

If Lion isn't already on your "must-see" list, here's why it should be.

The Acting Is Incredible

Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman are nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, and it's easy to see why — Patel shines as the adult version of Saroo, who decides to return to India in search of his birth parents. Kidman plays Saroo's adoptive mother and her incredible performance proves that her Best Actress win for The Hours was no fluke. Patel, Kidman, and the rest of the cast (which includes Rooney Mara and David Wenham) play complex, empathetic characters who you'll quickly become attached to in less than two hours.

Lion Is A True Story — And That Makes It Even More Compelling

A five-year-old falls asleep on a train and wakes up miles away from home. He ends up in an orphanage before being adopted by an Australian couple and enjoys a happy upbringing with them. Then, 20 years later, he decides to seek out his hometown and birth parents. It certainly sounds like fiction, but Lion's real-life inspiration makes it even more compelling and inspiring.

The Theme Is Universal

Brierley's story is nothing short of astounding. But, at its core, Lion is first and foremost about family relationships and that's something we can all relate to. It's about our deep ties to our blood relatives, and the "strangers" who become family and change our lives — and Lion shows that each and every one of these relationships is unique, special, and life-changing. So, despite the dramatic premise, Lion has many relatable moments — just be sure to have your tissues handy.

If Lion isn't playing at your local movie theater, be sure to mark your calendar for March 27 — even though it won't be on Netflix, you won't regret spending a few bucks to watch one of the most inspiring films of the year.