Last year was full of record-breaking movies that everyone was talking and posting about. It was a year when I started going to the actual movie theater more often instead of staying home to stream something. I fell in love with movies again—even the ones that were over three hours long. If you’re like me, you might get a thrill out of watching all the movies that are in the running for prestigious awards and then devouring the awards ceremonies, analyzing every second. I love the red carpet moments, the speeches, and the inevitable memes that come out of it all. The original Meryl Streep shouting meme from the Oscars is one that I will always treasure.
This year, awards season has felt even more alive and exciting. With women dominating the Grammys and so many first-time nominees and winners making history, I cannot wait for the culminating event, that is the Oscars. If you want to make sure you’re in the know for the upcoming ceremony on March 10, here are some of the must-see movies across the Academy Award categories that will prepare you: