Last year felt like a shock in every possible sense. Too many things happened all at once, and cinema, of course, did not escape the tremor. A chain of unfortunate events shook the industry to its core: the conversation against the mainstream opened up like never before, boycotts emerged against Israeli institutions tied to the film industry, Jacob Elordi stole hearts and received historic standing ovations at Cannes, and Hollywood—along with major studios—found itself increasingly pressured by the dominance of streaming platforms. In short… an intense year.

But heeey! Awards season is finally here, and as a nostalgic generation with a deep love for the classics, we’re once again celebrating the oldest, most rigorous, and endlessly debated academy of them all: the Oscars. So here’s a quick list of this year’s contenders for Best Picture, so you can watch them, form your own opinion, and decide which one truly deserves to take home the statuette.

Below, a closer look at the films, their directors, and where to watch them:

BUGONIA

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the Greek filmmaker behind The Favourite and The Lobster, known for his surreal style and unsettling narratives. He returns to the race alongside his now-iconic muse, Emma Stone. Still playing in select theaters—if you’re lucky—and available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Original Score

• Best Film Editing

F1

The surprise entry—at least for me—within this category. A deep dive into the world of Formula 1 that reaffirms the Academy’s growing interest in high-budget sports cinema. And, well… Brad Pitt. All good. Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Sound Mixing

• Best Film Editing

• Best Visual Effects

FRANKENSTEIN

Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Amid monsters and existential dilemmas, the Oscar-winning director of The Shape of Water returns to the spotlight with a visually and emotionally ambitious proposal—just as many of us expected. Available on Netflix.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Original Score

• Best Cinematography

• Best Makeup and Hairstyling

• Best Costume Design

• Best Production Design

• Best Visual Effects

• Best Sound

HAMNET

Directed by Chloé Zhao, Oscar winner for Nomadland, and true to her intimate, naturalistic, and deeply emotional style. Premiering in Mexican theaters this weekend, the film arrives with a strong presence across multiple categories.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Actress

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Original Score

• Best Casting

• Best Cinematography

• Best Costume Design

MARTY SUPREME

Directed by Josh Safdie, co-creator with his brother of Uncut Gems and Good Time. Kings of contemporary chaos, their cinema is defined by raw, frenetic energy—I’ll admit it, I’m a fan. Currently playing in theaters.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Actor

• Best Original Screenplay

• Best Cinematography

• Best Costume Design

• Best Production Design

• Best Film Editing

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

Paul Thomas Anderson—yes, the director behind There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, and Inherent Vice—returns to captivate us once again. Widely considered one of the night’s frontrunners; I wouldn’t bet everything on it, but it sits high on my personal list. Available on HBO and Amazon.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Actor

• Best Supporting Actress

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Original Score

• Best Sound Mixing

• Best Cinematography

• Best Production Design

• Best Film Editing

THE SECRET AGENT

Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. A politically charged international thriller that has managed to break into major categories. Available on MUBI.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Actor

• Best International Feature Film

SENTIMENTAL VALUE

Directed by Joachim Trier, the Norwegian filmmaker behind The Worst Person in the World. A delicate exploration of relationships, emotions, and silence. Available on MUBI.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Actress

• Best Supporting Actress

• Best Director

• Best Original Screenplay

• Best Film Editing

• Best Casting

• Best Cinematography

SINNERS

Directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed). The undisputed beast of the year: a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing classics like Titanic and La La Land. Available on Amazon Prime Video and HBO.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Actor

• Best Supporting Actor

• Best Supporting Actress

• Best Original Screenplay

• Best Casting

• Best Original Song

• Best Original Score

• Best Production Design

• Best Cinematography

• Best Costume Design

• Best Film Editing

• Best Makeup and Hairstyling

• Best Sound

• Best Visual Effects

TRAIN DREAMS

Based on the novel by Denis Johnson, with Joel Edgerton involved in the direction, the film leans into an intimate narrative and a deeply lyrical visual language. Available on Netflix.

Nominations:

• Best Picture

• Best Adapted Screenplay

• Best Original Score (“Train Dreams”)

• Best Cinematography