The 2026 awards season is drawing to a close, with just the grand finale left, the 98th Academy Awards (aka the Oscars). Every year, I set myself the challenge of watching every single Oscar-nominated movie across the major categories (Picture, Directing, Acting, Screenplay, and the new category Casting). I'm happy to report that my goal has now been achieved.
After watching every Oscar 2026 movie, from curious choices like “F1” (it’s fine, but Oscar-worthy? Not for me), to the biggest contenders such as “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” I’m collecting what I believe to be the strongest players that you need to watch ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night. You might not have time (or the desire) to catch every single Oscar nominee, but these five films deserve to be on any watchlist, as they’re unmissable.
