'King Richard' to 'Dune': Which Oscars Best Picture nominees should you watch before Sunday?

The Academy Awards are finally upon us, and at long last, they seem to be coming back with some sense of normalcy. After three consecutive years without a host (the last host being Jimmy Kimmel in 2018) the 2022 Oscars have not one, not two but three hosts —Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes.

In addition, after two years of delayed productions in Hollywood, cinema itself seems to be back on track: There are plenty of great nominees for this year’s show, like “Don’t Look Up,” “West Side Story” and “Encanto,” just to name a few. With these Hollywood blockbusters on the ballot, there are sure to be plenty of stars on the red carpet and in the audience, which means that these Oscars are going to be quite the spectacle.

This year’s Oscars are especially momentous, but because for the first time since 2012, there are once again 10 nominees for Best Picture. Having watched all of these films, I can attest that they are all phenomenal and worthy of merit in their own right and definitely worth the watch.

But it’s unlikely that most people have watched even a few of the Best Picture nominees, let alone all 10. With mere days before the 94th Academy Awards premiere on March 27, it’s nearly impossible to completely catch up. But if you want to watch the award show and be invested in some nominees or simply appreciate the artistry of some fantastic filmmakers, there’s still time to watch one or two!

Still, the question remains: Which film (or films) should you watch?

Regardless of which one reigns victorious over the others and is cemented in cinema history, it's important to recognize that each of these films is incredibly different, and none of them are objectively “better” than any other. Which one you’ll enjoy the most entirely depends on personal preference.

So, to help you choose what to watch before this Sunday, I’ll break down each of the 10 2022 Best Picture nominees below with some easy-to-read, spoiler-free recommendations.

"Belfast"

“Belfast” is a black-and-white dramedy about a family in living Belfast, Ireland, during the late 1960s. The story is told from the point of view of 9-year-old Buddy, who's experiencing the wonders of his childhood while simultaneously observing the horrors of his family’s financial troubles amid the political upheavals in Ireland.

The story is loosely based on director Kenneth Branagh’s own experiences and truly feels like a personal, relatable story about youth, struggle and family. The balance of drama and comedy makes it a heart-wrenching yet comforting story that seems to almost invite the viewer into the narrative. “Belfast” is the perfect watch for anyone who wants to tap into their inner child.

"CODA"

“CODA” is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that follows Ruby, a 17-year-old girl who is the only hearing member of a deaf family. When Ruby discovers her passion for singing, she finds herself distanced from her family and their expectations for her.

The film explores in equal parts the struggles of Ruby (who is alienated both in and outside of her family) as well as the struggles of her family, who are alienated from their community due to communication barriers. It feels a bit like a John Hughes movie due to its pacing and its realistic portrayal of being a teenager.

“CODA” is the perfect movie for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, for anyone who loves music and for anyone who has experienced or is experiencing the trials and tribulations of growing up.

"Don’t Look Up"

“Don’t Look Up” is a satirical comedy that chronicles the story of two scientists, Kate Dibiasky and Randall Mindy, who discover an asteroid projected to hit Earth and extinguish all life from the planet.

Throughout the film, Kate and Randall try desperately to spread awareness of their discovery and to prevent it. They often find themselves in comically frustrating situations in which they're dismissed and not taken seriously.

The film is a jarring metaphor for climate change and the state of our politics in the information age. Not only that, but it's also an expertly crafted emotional rollercoaster well suited for fans of both comedy and drama. “Don’t Look Up” also features beautifully composed visuals and superb editing, which makes it a truly captivating film to watch.

"Drive My Car"

As the only foreign language film on the Best Picture lineup (which in and of itself is an issue that needs to be discussed), “Drive My Car” is well-deserving of its nomination.

Based on a short story of the same name by Haruki Murakami, "Drive My Car" tells the story of Yusuke Kafuku, a Japanese theater actor and director and Misaki Watari, the young woman who is assigned as his driver. Though at first hesitant to have a driver, Yusuke soon discovers that he and Misaki share similar experiences and bond over their grief.

“Drive My Car” is a masterful piece of story that tears open complex themes of death, love, grief, artistry and friendship. It deals with each of these concepts individually and intertwined together, creating a story that offers a unique takeaway for each viewer.

This film is a slow-paced, more intimate and character-driven story, so it's perfect for fans of introspective, less plot-driven cinema. It's also a wonderful embodiment of Murakami’s storytelling and is sure to enthrall anyone who enjoys his writing.

"Dune"

The second film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, “Dune” follows Paul Atreides, the heir to a galactic empire on his father’s side and a Bene Gesserit, or superhuman-like being, on his mother’s side.

When Paul’s father is assigned as the ruler of the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, Paul finds himself in a whirlwind of war, peril and adventure. He's very quickly faced with his own destiny and has to deal with the consequences of deep-rooted politics and conflict.

“Dune” is cinematic, political, sci-fi, action, a thriller and a coming-of-age story. In other words, it’s a mind-bending movie-watching experience. For anyone who enjoys sci-fi and adventure films (especially for fans of “Star Wars”) and for anyone who appreciates an in-depth story, “Dune” is a must-watch.

While the film is not quite as fast-paced as most action movies, the depth of its script combined with its stunning visuals makes it truly captivating for any viewer.

"King Richard"

“King Richard” is an autobiographical film that chronicles the story of Richard Williams. Richard is the father of international tennis stars, Serena and Venus Williams, as he spends his life planning for his daughters’ tennis careers and coaching them to become incredibly talented, successful players.

Through tireless grit and determination and his efforts to succeed no matter the cost, Richard Williams turns his daughters into some of the greatest athletes in living history. The film explores the ideas of hard work and the American dream, race and family. “King Richard” is a brilliantly composed sports film with layers, heart and truth — all of which shine through in this masterpiece of a film.

"Licorice Pizza"

“Licorice Pizza” is a coming-of-age romantic dramedy that takes place in the 1970s and follows the characters, Alana and Gary.

Alana is a 25-year-old photographer’s assistant, while Gary is a high school student and aspiring actor. After some reluctance on Alana’s part, the characters spark a friendship and embark on a series of hijinks and adventures through their home in Southern California and Hollywood, becoming closer the more they experience together.

The film is a wonderful story about friendships, love, youthfulness, artistry and growing up. “Licorice Pizza” is unabashedly nostalgic for the 70s, fully embracing fashions and 70s-inspired visuals, being shot on traditional film rather than a digital camera. For a wonderfully nostalgic, pure celebration of youth and life, “Licorice Pizza” is a must-see film.

"Nightmare Alley"

Guillermo Del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley” is a remake of the 1947 film of the same name. This drama-thriller follows Stanton Carlisle, a carnival worker who learns the art of mentalism. With his newfound clairvoyant-like abilities, Stanton finds himself swindling his way up the social ladder, accumulating renown and wealth along the way.

But as he digs himself deeper into a hole of lies, Stanton involves himself in ever more risky, dangerous situations. “Nightmare Alley” is a story about social mobility, wealth and deceit.

It’s a dark tale that features a complex cast of characters who you’ll love and hate at the same time and an incredibly immersive set design of 1940s New York. This film is truly a masterpiece of cinematic artistry and is the epitome of the modern noir genre.

"The Power of the Dog"

“The Power of the Dog” is based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name. The film takes place in Midwestern America in the 1920s and follows Phil Burbank, a wealthy and cynical rancher and his brother, George. When George elopes with a local innkeeper, Rose, Phil begins to psychologically torment Rose and her son, Peter.

The story is full of nuanced characters, in-depth dialogue and shocking plot twists. “The Power of the Dog” heavily explores themes of romance, sexuality, alcoholism, grief, psychopathy and so much more. It's a beautiful film about individual traumas and how human relationships are shaped and affected by those traumas.

Anyone who enjoys westerns, slow-paced stories or queer cinema will surely find something to love about this film.

"West Side Story"

Steven Spielberg’s remake of the classic "Romeo and Juliet" inspired musical, “West Side Story” is set in 1950s New York City and follows the budding romance of Maria, a young Puerto Rican-American girl and Tony, a white former gangster.

The two combat the obstacles of their star-crossed romance due to the conflict between Puerto Rican and low-income white populations of their shared neighborhood. Spielberg is well renowned for his jaw-dropping cinematic spectacles, and he certainly does not disappoint with “West Side Story.”

The songs and musical sequences alone are enough to keep viewers glued to the screen. This adaptation stays true to the story of the original while adding some new aspects, making the film feel simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing. If you enjoy the original “West Side Story,” any of Spielberg’s films or musicals in any capacity, then you’re sure to fall in love with the 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story.”

Just remember — whichever film you choose to watch and whichever ultimately wins the Academy Award for Best Picture, doesn’t take away from the quality of the rest nor does it take away from the quality of films that weren’t nominated at all.

Hopefully, this guide to the Best Picture nominees can help you choose your next watch, but even more so, I hope that it leads you to explore the small films, under-marketed films and international films that didn’t make it to this list. There are so many brilliant movies out there, just waiting to be watched — you just have to find them.