The Oscars are only a couple of weeks away, which means it’s crunch time if you want to be familiar with the films most likely to be taking home the gold. Luckily, I’ve put together a “cheat sheet” of sorts of the movies you probably want to have seen before the Oscars ceremony on February 9th. Now this isn’t to say the other films nominated aren’t worthy of seeing—plenty of them are! But if you’re looking to be “in the know” in terms of what’s most likely to win, these are the movies that have the best shot at taking home the major awards.

So without further ado, let’s dig in.

1917

George Mackay as William Schofield with other soldiers in the trenches of '1917'
Image via Universal Pictures

Nominations: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Design, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects

Where to Watch: In theaters everywhere

This World War I film from Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (Skyfall) is designed to look like it’s all one shot, and the result is pretty darn stunning. 1917 has emerged as a frontrunner of sorts in recent weeks, winning the Producers Guild of America Award and taking Best Picture Drama and Best Director at the Golden Globes. It has a very serious shot at winning Best Picture, among other awards. And while it’s only available in theaters right now, that’s really a best case scenario—this one is absolutely best seen on a big screen in a genuine movie theater.

Parasite

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Image via NEON/CJ Entertainment

Nominations: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, International Feature Film, Production Design, Film Editing

Where to Watch: Available to purchase on Digital HD; Released on Blu-ray and DVD on January 28th

The South Korean masterpiece Parasite has the potential to surprise in the biggest categories of the night: Best Picture and Best Director. This original drama from filmmaker Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer) examines themes of class and wealth disparity through a wildly entertaining and dynamic lens. It is at turns hilarious, dramatic, terrifying, and heartbreaking, and it’s no wonder the groundswell of support hit a fever pitch recently, culminating in a Best Ensemble win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. If there’s a shocking Best Picture winner, this will be it, but aside from that it’s a shoo-in to win Best International Feature Film.

Joker

Nominations: Picture, Director, Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Original Score, Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Costume Design

Where to Watch: Available to purchase or rent on Digital HD; Available to purchase on Blu-ray or DVD

Warner Bros.' smash hit Joker is a bona fide Oscar heavyweight, earning the most nominations out of any film. So odds are this one is going to win at least a few awards come Oscar night, as Joaquin Phoenix basically has Best Actor in the bag. This gritty, realistic take on the titular DC Comics villain is a far cry from the colorful Marvel superheroes, and the craft of Todd Phillips’ filmmaking team was singled out in a variety of categories. Could it go all the way to Best Picture? Possibly!

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

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Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Nominations: Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Costume Design

Where to Watch: Available to rent or own on Digital HD; Available to purchase on Blu-ray or DVD

Once upon a time, Quentin Tarantino’s latest film was the one to beat in the Best Picture category. Time will tell if Tarantino’s 1969-set opus can get back into pole position, but Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a legitimate contender in multiple categories regardless, as well as the frontrunner to give Brad Pitt his first-ever acting Oscar. The film tells the story of an aging actor (Leonardo DiCaprio)and his trusty stuntman (Pitt) as told through three very specific days, with Margot Robbie lighting up the film as Sharon Tate. As Al Pacino’s character would say, what a picture.

The Irishman

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Image via Netflix

Nominations: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor x2, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Visual Effects

Where to Watch: Available to stream on Netflix

Martin Scorsese’s truly epic crime drama runs a lengthy three and a half hours, but the film truly breezes by as the legendary filmmaker crafts a thoughtful meditation on regret and death. The Irishman is indeed a gangster film, but Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci are able to play their characters over decades of time thanks to cutting edge visual effects that may or may not take home the Oscar. It’s possible Scorsese’s film gets shut out as the buzz has been overtaken by 1917 and Parasite, but it’s at least a serious contender for that Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.

Marriage Story

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Image via Netflix

Nominations: Picture, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Original Score

Where to Watch: Available to stream on Netflix

Noah Baumbach’s truly masterful drama about a couple going through a divorce is far more entertaining and enjoyable than it sounds. Don’t get me wrong, Marriage Story will absolutely wreck you, but the film never lets you forget the love that brought its central couple together in the first place, and in that way maintains humanity throughout. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver career-best performances layered with subtlety, but unfortunately the Oscars have never been one for subtlety. That said, Laura Dern is the frontrunner to take Best Supporting Actress, and while the film is getting overshadowed in Best Picture, it’s a threat to take that Best Original Screenplay Oscar.

Judy

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Image via Roadside Attractions

Nominations: Actress, Makeup and Hairstyling

Where to Watch: Available to rent or purchase on Digital HD; Available to purchase on Blu-ray or DVD

Every year there’s usually one film that’s just so-so or even outright bad that’s in the Oscar race purely for performance reasons. This year that movie is Judy, although the film is far better than you may be expecting. Renee Zellweger is a shoo-in to win the Best Actress Oscar for her transformative portrayal of Judy Garland during the actress’ later years. The film is a striking portrait of a star who was used and abused by the Hollywood system, and whose story still resonates deeply today.

Little Women

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Image via Sony Pictures

Nominations: Picture, Actress, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design

Where to Watch: In theaters everywhere now

Greta Gerwig’s masterful, radical adaptation of the classic Little Women will be remembered years from now as the masterpiece that it is. For now, it seems possibly destined to be overlooked unless it pulls off an upset in Best Adapted Screenplay, or unless Alexandre Desplat takes home another Best Original Score Oscar. It’s a genuinely great film, though, and one well worth seeking out in theaters before it’s too late.

Jojo Rabbit

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Image via Searchlight Pictures

Nominations: Picture, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design, Film Editing

Where to Watch: Available to purchase on Digital HD on February 4th

Taika Waititi's anti-hate satire Jojo Rabbit has been one of the more surprising "little engines that could" this season, and the sentiment remains that this one could possibly pull off an upset. Perhaps in Best Adapted Screenplay, or maybe even Best Picture?