But Covid-19 changed that.
Since most theaters were closed due to the pandemic, streaming has become the way to enjoy many of the latest movies.
The 93rd Academy Awards take place on Sunday and here’s how you can watch this year’s films nominated for Movie of the Year:
Kaluuya and Stanfield have now both been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for their roles as Fred Panther leader Fred Hampton and the man the government used to help infiltrate Hampton’s organization, William O’Neal, respectively.
It is currently available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Lack”
This black-and-white drama about the production of ‘Citizen Kane’ as told by its screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman nominated for Best Actor) is a Netflix original and can still be found there.
Amanda Seyfried (nominated for Best Supporting Actress) and Charles Dance co-star in David Fincher (Best Director).
“Minari”
This story of a Korean-American family who moved to Arkansas to pursue the American dream feels timely and timeless.
Steven Yeun stars as the family patriarch, and he is the first Asian-American to ever be nominated for Best Actor Oscar.
His costar Yuh-Jung Youn is the first Korean actress to be nominated in the category of best supporting actress.
‘Minari’ is available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Nomadland”
Frances McDormand is often the bell of the Oscars ball and it remains to be seen if that happens again this year.
‘Nomadland’ portrays the esteemed actress as a woman who joins a community of order guards performing nationwide.
Director Chloé Zhao is also nominated.
The film is available for streaming on Hulu and for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Promising young woman”
Carey Mulligan plays a woman in a secret double life and wants revenge for a crime.
Like McDormand, she was nominated for Best Actress and is also nominated for the director of films, Emerald Fennell, which is the first time that two women have been nominated in the directing category.
‘Promising Young Woman’ is available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Sound of Metal”
Riz Ahmed’s rendition of a heavy metal drummer who lost his audience made him the first Muslim to be nominated in the category of best actor.
This is an original production from Amazon and available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
“The father”
At 83 years old, the star of this film, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is the oldest nominee for best actor in the history of the awards.
Hopkins stars as a man struggling with dementia and portraying Olivia Colman as his daughter. Colman is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
‘The Father’ can be rented on Amazon Prime
“The trial of Chicago 7”
A planned peaceful protest during the Democratic National Convention in 1968 turned violent and led to the organizers, including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale, being charged with conspiracy to incite a riot.
Their trial becomes the basis for this film, which contains six nominations, including the original screenplay and best supporting role for Sacha Baron Cohen.
The movie is streaming on Netflix.