Welcome back to one of the biggest events in the yearly entertainment calendar. There will be lots of movie gossip and celebrity fashion inspiration this weekend as we gear up for awards, speeches played through the music, and timely memes of all of the people who go home empty handed. If you have not had a chance to watch any Oscar nominated films this year, we’ve got you covered with a list of the 5 movies to watch before Sunday that will be the topic of conversation this weekend.
1. A Star is Born
This musical romantic drama film is the fourth remake of the original 1937 film of the same name. It follows a successful musician with an alcohol addiction who discovers and falls in love with a young singer. It stars Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, and Sam Elliot. The film is Bradley Cooper’s directional debut and has grossed over $423 million worldwide upon its release and received critical acclaim. The film has 8 Oscar nominations, including: Best Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress (Lady Gaga), Best Supporting Actor (Sam Elliot), and Best Original Song (“Shallow”). It was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Mixing. To stream the film online, visit:
2. Black Panther
This superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and follows the character T’Challa’s rise to king of Wakanda following his father’s abrupt death and how his sovereignty is challenged by an adversary who plans to abandon the country’s isolationist policies and begin a global revolution. It has a superstar cast, including: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, and Angela Bassett among others. The film broke many records and became the 9th highest grossing film of all time with over $1.35 billion worldwide and received critical acclaim. The film has 7 Oscar nominations, including: Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (“All the Stars”), Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The film is available to stream on Netflix.
3. BlacKkKlansman
This biographical crime comedy-drama film is based on the 2014 memoir of the same name by Ron Stallworth. Set in 1970s Colorado Springs, the film follows the first African-American detective in the city’s police department as he sets out to infiltrate and take down the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. It stars John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, and Topher Grace among others. The film has grossed $90.6 million on a limited release and received critical acclaim. The film also won the Grand Prix prize, which is the second most prestigious prize at the Cannes Film Festival where it premiered in May 2018. The film has 6 Oscar nominations, including: Best Picture, Best Director (Spike Lee), Best Supporting Actor (Adam Driver), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing. To stream the film online, visit:
4. The Favourite
This historical period black comedy drama film is set in early 18th century England and examines the relationship between two cousins who are vying to be court favourites of the Queen of England. It stars Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult, and Joe Alwyn. The film has grossed $77 million and received critical acclaim. The film has 9 Oscar nominations, including: Best Picture, Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Best Actress (Olivia Coleman), Best Supporting Actress (Emma Stone & Rachel Weisz), and Best Original Screenplay. It is also nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing. To stream the film online, visit:
5. Roma
This drama film is a semi-autobiographical take on director Alfonso Cuarón’s upbringing in the Colonia Roma neighbourhood of Mexico City. It follows the life of a live-in housekeeper of a middle class family. It stars Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira among others. The film received critical acclaim and was named one of the best films of the year. The film has 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), Best Actress (Yalitza Aparicio), Best Supporting Actress (Marina de Tavira), and Best Original Screenplay. It is also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. The film is available to stream on Netflix.
