But Covid-19 changed that.
With most theaters closed due to the pandemic, streaming has become the way to enjoy many of the latest movies.
The 93rd edition of the Academy Awards takes place on Sunday and here is how you can watch this year’s films nominated for the film of the year:
Kaluuya and Stanfield are now nominated for Best Supporting Actor for their roles as Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and the man the government used to help infiltrate the Hampton organization, William O’Neal.
It is currently available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Lack”
This black-and-white drama about directing “Citizen Kane,” as told by screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman, who is nominated for Best Actor), is an original on Netflix and can be found streaming there.
Amanda Seyfried (who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress) and Charles Dance co-star in the film directed by David Fincher (Best Director).
“Threat”
This story of a Korean-American family moving to Arkansas to pursue the American dream feels both temporal and timeless.
Steven Yeun plays the patriarch of the family and is the first Asian-American to be ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.
Her boyfriend Yuh-Jung Youn is the first Korean actress to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
“Minari” is available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Nomadland”
Frances McDormand is often the beauty of the Oscar ball and it remains to be seen if it will happen again this year.
“Nomadland” is played by the esteemed actress as a woman who joins a community of residents who go all over the country, doing concerts.
Director Chloé Zhao is also nominated.
The film is available for streaming on Hulu and rental on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Promising young woman”
Carey Mulligan stars a woman who lives a double secret life and wants revenge for a crime.
Like McDormand, she is nominated for Best Actress, and film director Emerald Fennell is also nominated – marking the first time two women have been nominated for the director category.
“Promising Young Woman” is available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“The sound of metal”
Riz Ahmed’s portrayal of a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing made him the first Muslim nominated for Best Actor.
It is an original Amazon production and available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
“Father”
At 83, the star of this film, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is the oldest nominee for best actor in the history of the awards.
Hopkins plays a man who fights as he sneaks into dementia and Olivia Colman portrays her daughter. Colman is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
“Father” can be rented on Amazon Prime
“The Chicago Trial 7”
A deliberate peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned violent and resulted in organizers, including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale, being accused of conspiracy to incite a riot.
Their trial became the basis of this film, which included six nominations, including the original screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Sacha Baron Cohen.
The movie is streamed on Netflix.