SCRANTON — Oscar season is a busy time at movie theaters, but University of Scranton student Nate Bates enjoys it.

“In terms of Oscars, it’s probably the one thing I look forward to the most after the New Year," said Bates, part-time assistant manager at Regal Dickson City. "It always has a great way to show all the great work that was done in the past year and highlight some of the talent that made it happen. Ninety eight years of honoring films and they just continue to one-up themselves each year."

The 98th Academy Awards happen Sunday. There are 10 Best Picture nominees. A junior film major at Temple University, Ethan Symuleski of Archbald, has seen every nominee.

Symuleski studied under Doug Clayborne, producer of “Apocalypse Now,” who worked closely with Francis Ford Coppola and is eligible to vote in the academy. Symuleski’s class watched the five short film nominees for 2025.

“He said whatever we, as a class, decide, whatever we come to a consensus on, that is what I'm going to vote for in the Academy, which was crazy. We all voted for "A Lie." … It did not win, and I was very upset. That was the only award last year that I was upset about,” Symuleski said.

Here are the Best Picture nominees:

“Bugonia” stars Emma Stone and is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film is about two men who kidnap the CEO of a company. The men are conspiracy theorists who believe the CEO is an alien who wants to destroy Earth. On Letterboxd, the movie is rated 3.9 out of five stars.

“F1,” directed by Joseph Kosinski, follows the story of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt. Hayes is a retired race car driver who wants one more chance at glory. He is recruited into a Formula 1 team to mentor a driver. “F1” is rated 3.7 out of five stars on Letterboxd.

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” stars Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. This is the classic story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein bringing his monster to life and how he overcomes the aftermath of the experiment. Users on Letterboxd rated “Frankenstein” 3.8 out of five stars.

“Hamnet” is inspired by Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The film stars Jessie Buckley, who won the 2026 BAFTA Award for Best Actress, and Paul Mescal. “Hamnet” has a 4.2 out of five-star rating on Letterboxd

Timothee Chalamet stars in “Marty Supreme,” directed by Josh Safdie. On the surface, the film may seem like a ping pong movie, but it follows Marty Mauser on his pursuit of greatness and the depths he is willing to go to be great. The film’s rating on Letterboxd is 4.1 out of five stars.

When an enemy reappears after 16 years, a group of former revolutionaries must join forces to save one of their daughters in “One Battle After Another.” Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this Paul Thomas Anderson film. “One Battle After Another” is rated 4.2 out of five stars on Letterboxd.

“The Secret Agent” is a lesser-known Best Picture nominee and is rated 3.8 out of five stars on Letterboxd. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s film features Wagner Moura and takes place in 1977 Brazil, where a specialist is fleeing his past and searching for peace.

Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” follows the story of two sisters who are reunited with their father, who was a film director trying to make a comeback. The film features Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. Letterboxd users rated the film 4.2 out of five stars.

Michael B. Jordan stars in “Sinners” as twin brothers. As the brothers try to leave their past behind them, they run into new, evil creatures waiting for them. Ryan Coogler’s film is rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on Letterboxd.

“Train Dreams” is directed by Clint Bently and stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones. The film shows moments of change, love and loss in 20th century America. “Train Dreams” Letterboxd rating is 4.1 out of 5 stars.

“I have some predictions, but what's really exciting about this year, similarly to last year, is that there are many categories where it really is a toss-up,” Symuleski said.

Winner predictions change every day, but no one will know the winners until the Academy Awards take place on March 15 at 7 p.m.

Scranton has ties to the Academy Awards throughout history.

In 2011, the movie “Blue Valentine,” featuring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, was released and had Oscar nominations. “Blue Valentine” was shot in Scranton and other parts of Lackawanna County.

Another notable Oscar nomination moment for Scranton is Jason Miller. Miller lived in Scranton the majority of his life. He was an Academy Award nominee in 1973 for Actor in a Supporting Role in “The Exorcist.”

Charles MacArthur was a Scranton native who had three Oscar nominations, including one winner in 1936. MacArthur was nominated for Best Writing, Original Story in 1934 for “Rasputin and the Empress,” and in 1936 for “The Scoundrel.”

MacArthur’s third nomination was Best Writing, Screenplay, in 1940 for “Wuthering Heights.” (Not to be confused with Emerald Fennell’s adaptation that was released before Valentine’s Day.)