As the curtains of 2018 are drawn, speculations for the Academy Awards are on the way. The year 2018 has seen a diversity of films being released, and some that will, with utmost certainty, etch a mark in film history.

From 'Black Panther' and 'Crazy Rich Asians' to 'A Quiet Place' and 'Hot Summer Nights' — films this year have truly attempted to bring back both old school filmmaking, and break the boundaries of Hollywood prejudice. However, although these films, which reigned supreme in the summer box office, are great for a night out with friends; this award season packs a punch with films that will make you cry, hold onto your seats, and go through self-reflection like no other.

Perhaps the season's most hyped up film 'A Star is Born', starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper like you have never seen before. The film is a remake cubed, but 4-time Academy Award nominated Bradley Cooper succeeds in giving the audience not only a story of a person's rise to fame, but also a story of profound love and the pain inflicted on one's soul when that love departs. Having gained much critical acclaim since its release, this not-so-cliché, cliché film with an incredible soundtrack is most definitely a front runner in the Oscar race.

For the next contender in the Oscar race Ryan Gosling is back, this time, to tell the tale of man's first landing on the moon as the one and only Neil Armstrong in Damien Chazelle's 'First Man.'

The dynamic Oscar duo returns this year to give the audience a story, not of scientific success, but rather that of a man who overcomes the insurmountable to become the first man on the moon. Chazelle departs from his indie comfort zone for this movie, and instead, allows the camera to harmoniously guide him through, resulting in a picture that is quite stellar.

With an extraordinary supporting cast consisting of Claire Foy, Corey Stoll and Kyle Chandler, this is a movie you cannot miss, regardless of whether you are a science nerd or not.

In continuation of this biopic season – 'Beautiful Boy,' starring Academy Award nominated Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carrell, and 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' starring Emmy Award-winner Rami Malek  both leave the audience with rattled emotions.

Chalamet once again graces the screen this Oscar season with yet another raw, real, and captivating performance, playing a 9-year sober Nicolas Sheff who got addicted to methamphetamine as a teenager. Besides Chalamet, Carrell serves no lesser than a strikingly heart-rending performance as Nic's father David Sheff.

The film chronicles the horror of meth addiction and recovery through the eyes of a father watching his son struggle. But more than anything, disproving to be another cliché film which glorifies teenage drug abuse, this film is able to tackle and display the issue with utmost care and honesty — making it a painful yet powerful story you will not mind watching more than once.

Contrary to the life-struggles of an anxious, yet successful teenager, is the story of the rise to fame of a musical superstar in 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'

This film almost perfectly encapsulates the meteoric rise of the band with their eclectic sound, and the persona of Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers of his time.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' can claim to be one of those films where one enters the theatre with excitement and leaves the theatre with plans to see it again.

This foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their ever-green music, and Mercury, is undoubtedly a winner, whether it gets nominated for Best Film or not.

Finally, diverging from biopic award buzz, and wrapping up the must-see list this year is 'Widows' — a nefariously captivating heist film from director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), and an impeccable ensemble cast, starring Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya, and Robert Duvall.

A story of four armed robbers who are killed in a failed heist attempt, only to have their widows step up to finish the job, with Davis excelling as the lead character, is a thriller that gives 'A Quiet Place' a run for its money. Meticulously directed with great performances, this film is undeniably one to be reckoned with this award season.

Photo courtesy: Shayeza Nawar Walid