The Oscars have arrived! The 96th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 11, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where a host of critically acclaimed movies and performances will be celebrated. To gear up for the eventful night, here are eight of the highest-rated movies of 2024 nominated in the 'Best Picture' category.

The Holdovers (97 per cent)

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Payne, the movie tells the story of a grumpy instructor at a New England prep school who must stay on campus over Christmas break to look after the few students with nowhere else to go. As time passes, he forms an unexpected connection with one of the students - a troubled but intelligent troublemaker - as well as with the school's head cook, who is grieving the loss of her son in Vietnam.

Anatomy Of A Fall (96 per cent)

Over the past year, Sandra, her husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel have been living a secluded life in a remote town nestled in the French Alps. However, when Samuel is discovered dead in the snow below their chalet, authorities begin to question whether his demise is the result of foul play or a tragic act of self-harm. With suspicion cast upon her, Sandra finds herself at the centre of an investigation into Samuel's death, revealing not only the circumstances surrounding his passing but also delving into the intricate dynamics of their troubled relationship.

Past Lives (95 per cent)

Nora and Hae Sung, childhood friends with a deep connection, are separated when Nora's family immigrates from South Korea to America. Decades later, in this poignant modern romance, the two reunite in New York for a fateful week, where they grapple with ideas of destiny, love, and much much more in this deeply poignant tale.

Oppenheimer (93 per cent)

Amid World War II, Lieutenant General Leslie Groves Jr. selects physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to lead the clandestine Manhattan Project. Over several years, Oppenheimer and his team of scientists dedicate themselves to the arduous task of developing and engineering the atomic bomb. Finally, on July 16, 1945, their relentless efforts culminated in the momentous occasion of witnessing the world's inaugural nuclear explosion, marking a pivotal juncture that irrevocably altered the trajectory of human history.

Killers Of The Flower Moon (93 per cent)

Adapted from the highly acclaimed bestseller by David Grann, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is situated in 1920s Oklahoma, portraying the harrowing saga of serial murders targeting the affluent members of the Osage Nation, who had amassed considerable wealth from oil reserves. These vicious and calculated crimes, infamous as the Reign of Terror, unfold against the backdrop of a tumultuous era.

The Zone Of Interest (93 per cent)

At Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, the commandant, and his wife Hedwig endeavour to construct an idyllic life for their family, residing in a home with a garden adjacent to the camp. A haunting movie, that is a must-watch

Poor Things (92 per cent)

From the creative minds of filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone emerges this rather unique story of Bella Baxter (played by Stone), a young woman who undergoes a fantastical transformation under the guidance of the brilliant yet unconventional scientist Dr Godwin Baxter (portrayed by Willem Dafoe). Protected by Dr. Baxter, Bella's thirst for knowledge and worldly experiences propels her to embark on a spontaneous journey alongside Duncan Wedderburn (played by Mark Ruffalo), a charismatic yet morally ambiguous lawyer. 

Barbie (88 per cent)

"In Barbie Land, living means being a perfect being in a perfect place, unless you're experiencing a full-on existential crisis or happen to be a Ken," states the synopsis of the Greta Gerwig movie, which delves deeper than its pink hues and stunning visuals.