Entertainment
With the Oscars fast approaching, it's time to get serious about your movie watching. Consider this your to-do list, because these are the 23 movies you have to see before the Oscars. The big awards show, which many consider the Super Bowl of Hollywood, airs March 4, so you have plenty of time to catch up on the key films. Most of these movies were nominated for awards, and the others still deserve your attention even if they were unjustly snubbed by the Academy.
One of the most notable Oscar snubs was Tiffany Haddish, which led to an outcry by the Girls Trip star's fans. The comedy was a huge success, earning over $140 million in box office sales over the summer, and Haddish's performance garnered the actor rave reviews. Tons of critics deemed her a breakout star, and it would have been incredibly exciting to see her receive the nomination she deserves. If you haven't seen Girls Trip, you definitely should before the Oscars, because it will most likely be discussed further around the award show's airing.
Not all nominations for the 2018 Oscars are disappointing, fortunately. This year's nods set a few exciting records and even made history with its improved diversity. Check out all of the movies you need to see in order to be totally caught up before the big night.
1
'The Shape Of Water'
In a recent interview, Donatella Versace called Guillermo Del Toro's new movie "the best film ever made," so that pretty much makes it a big winner already. The Shape of Water (executive producer: Liz Sayre) is nominated for Best Picture, and Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer are nominated for their lead and supporting roles, respectively.
2
'Get Out'
Not only was Get Out (executive producer: Jeanette Volturno) nominated for Best Picture, but Jordan Peele was nominated for writing and directing awards as well. He's the first black person ever to receive all three nominations in one year.
3
'Call Me By Your Name'
This movie (costume designer: Giulia Piersanti) ended up being the romance of the winter and it made everyone fall head over heels for Timothée Chalamet, who's nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
4
'Lady Bird'
One of the most exciting nominations has to be this one. That's because Greta Gerwig became the fifth woman ever to be nominated for Best Director for it.
5
'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri'
Watching Frances McDormand unabashedly express her rage in this movie is so satisfying. Three Billboards (executive producer: Rose Garnet) is nominated for Best Picture and McDormand for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
6
'The Post'
You don't want to miss the movie that earned Meryl Streep her 20th Oscar nomination. The movie itself (producer: Amy Pascal) is nominated for Best Picture, too, so it will definitely be mentioned a lot leading up to March 4.
7
'The Big Sick'
Everything about The Big Sick (writer: Emily V. Gordon) is great, which should be reason enough to see it. It's also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, but it was snubbed for Best Picture.
8
'I, Tonya'
You lived through the events of I, Tonya (film editor: Tatiana S. Riegel), but there's still a lot you probably don't know about Tonya Harding. The movie is fun and heartbreaking all at once, and it's nominated for a few Oscars, so don't miss it.
9
'Phantom Thread'
Daniel Day Lewis has said this is his last film he will act in, and it earned him a Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar nomination. Phantom Thread (producer: Megan Ellison) has a few other noms, and it's just a great watch.
10
'Coco'
The latest Pixar movie (producer: Darla K. Anderson) celebrates a young boy's Mexican heritage and the Día de los Muertos traditions. It is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, but even if it weren't you would still need to watch it.
11
'Mudbound'
This Netflix film (director: Dee Rees) is nominated for a few awards, but the most exciting is its nomination for Best Cinematographer, as its cinematographer, Rachel Morrison, is the first female ever to be nominated for that award.
12
'The Florida Project'
Seven year-old Brooklynn Prince stars in this film (production design: Stephonik Youth) about what goes on in Orlando, Florida beyond Disney Land. Some would say it was snubbed for a Best Picture nomination, but at least Willem Dafoe snagged a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in The Florida Project.
13
'Dunkirk'
Dunkirk (producer: Emma Thomas) was nominated for Best Picture, but you might know it better as "the movie Harry Styles is in."
14
'Roman J. Israel, Esq.'
Denzel Washington is nominated for his leading role in this crime drama (executive producer: Betsy Danbury).
15
'Darkest Hour'
For anyone who loved The Crown, you have to see this Best Picture-nominated film (producer: Lisa Bruce) about Winston Churchill.
16
'The Disaster Artist'
This hilarious movie (editor: Stacey Schroeder) showed the backstory to the making of The Room, aka "the worst film ever made." It's nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
17
'Victoria And Abdul'
Dame Judi Dench stars as Queen Victoria in this picturesque film about an unlikely friendship (costume designer: Consolata Boyle). It was nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup & Hairstyling, so you know it's a fun watch.
18
'The Boss Baby'
Not only was The Boss Baby (associate producer: Rebecca Huntley) nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, it's also on Netflix. You have no excuse to not watch this super silly movie.
19
'Blade Runner 2049'
It was one of the most highly-anticipated films of 2017, and it was nominated for a few Oscars like Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. Even if Ryan Gosling wasn't nominated for his role in it, you can still enjoy his futuristic performance in this movie (producer: Cynthia Sikes Yorkin).
20
'Strong Island'
Yance Ford became the first transgender filmmaker nominated for an Oscar with Strong Island (producer: Joslyn Barnes). The movie is close to home for Ford, as it tells a heartbreaking story of the murder of his brother, William Ford Jr.
21
'Girls Trip'
As mentioned before, Girls Trip (writer: Tracy Olive) was totally snubbed, along with its breakout star Haddish. It's such a great movie and you must watch it, regardless of its lack of Oscar nominations.
22
'All The Money In The World'
Not only did Christopher Plummer fill in for a fired Kevin Spacey after the latter had finished filming all his parts for this movie (editor: Claire Simpson), but Plummer also got an Oscar nomination for his last-minute role. Michelle Williams also stars in this crazy-but-true story.
23
'Wonder Woman'
It's not nominated for any Academy Awards, but it should be. And Wonder Woman (director: Patty Jenkins) should also be watched while reviewing the best films from the past year.
Now that you have a list of all the films you need to watch in less than a month, you'd better get to it. Just remember not to get too angry while watching Wonder Woman and Girls Trip because of their Oscar snubs. The most important thing is that you enjoy them.
