The Best Animated Feature category for the 2024 Academy Awards is expected to be a fierce battle between "The Boy and the Hare" and "Spider-Man: Crossing Spider-Verse" for the top prize. However, a Netflix film is also nominated, and the streaming company is hoping to get as many people as possible to see this engaging sci-fi adventure.

Netflix has uploaded "Nimona" to its YouTube channel. Yes, the entire movie. This is not a trailer, not a long clip, not an opening segment, but the entire 98-minute movie for free; you don't need a Netflix account, just go to YouTube (or click the embedded link below) and start watching right now.

Not surprisingly, Netflix is not in the habit of offering free access to its best movies, so this unexpected free delivery is a welcome surprise. The streaming distributor has not explained the reason for this unusual move, but it is likely intended to promote "Nimona" to a wider audience and generate buzz for the film ahead of the 96th Academy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, March 10. The strategy seems to be working, as the film has been viewed nearly half a million times in less than 24 hours.

The road to Nimona's release was somewhat rocky. Originally in development at Blue Sky Studios, the film was effectively canceled in April 2021 following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox (Blue Sky's parent company). However, Annapurna Pictures stepped in to save the film, and Netflix eventually bought the distribution rights to bring it to audiences around the world.

It's a good thing "Nimona" wasn't canceled, as it takes place in a fantasy world that blends elements of science fiction and medieval times and begins with knight Barrister Boldhart (voiced by Riz Ahmed) being accused of innocence. He sets out on a journey to prove his innocence, but the only one who can help him is Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz), a shape-shifting teenager.

There is just the slight problem that the barrister has been training Nimona to destroy her all along. But as the two unlikely allies grow closer and embark on a chaotic adventure across the kingdom, the lines between hero and monster begin to blur and the two begin to develop a true bond of friendship.

Debuting on Netflix last June, "Nimona" was an immediate critical success. The critics' consensus was that it was a "deeply endearing animated adventure" and praised it as "a brilliantly animated and thoughtful fable." Audiences were also impressed, giving the film a 91% rating from over 2,500 total reviews.

"Nimona" was worth watching in the days when streaming required a Netflix account, but now that the entire film is available for free on YouTube, there is no excuse not to give this delightful, high-energy adventure a chance. It's also worth watching, if only to send a signal to Netflix that the streaming service should release more of its content for free on YouTube in the future.