But Covid-19 changed that.
With most theaters closed due to the pandemic, streaming became the way to enjoy many of the latest movies.
The 93rd Academy Awards take place on Sunday and here’s how to check out this year’s films nominated for Film of the Year:
Kaluuya and Stanfield are now both nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for their roles as Black 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 making of “Citizen Kane” as told by its screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman who has been nominated for best actor) is a Netflix original and can still be streamed there.
Amanda Seyfried (nominated for Best Supporting Actress) and Charles Dance star in the David Fincher (Best Director) directed film.
“Threatening”
This story of a Korean-American family moving to Arkansas to pursue the American dream feels both current and timeless.
Steven Yeun stars as the patriarch of the family and is the first Asian-American to ever be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.
His costar Yuh-Jung Youn is the first Korean actress to be nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category.
“Minari” is available for rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
“Nomadland”
Frances McDormand is often the beauty of the Oscars ball and it remains to be seen if that happens again this year.
In “Nomadland,” the esteemed actress plays a woman who joins a community of van residents who travel across the country to perform.
Director Chloé Zhao has also been nominated.
The movie is available for streaming on Hulu and rental on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and YouTube.
“Promising young woman”
Carey Mulligan plays a woman who lives a secret double life and wants to get even for a crime.
Like McDormand, she has been nominated for Best Actress and the film director, Emerald Fennell, has also been nominated – marking 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 portrayal of a heavy metal drummer losing his hearing has made him the first Muslim to be nominated in the best actor category.
It is an Amazon original production and can be streamed on Amazon Prime.
“The father”
At 83 years young, 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 as he slips into dementia and Olivia Colman portrays his daughter. Colman is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
“The Father” can be rented on Amazon Prime
“The Trial of the Chicago 7”
A proposed 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 charged with conspiring to provoke uproar.
Their process became the basis for this film, which garnered six nominations, including an Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Sacha Baron Cohen.
The movie will be streamed on Netflix.