The 90th Annual Academy Awards air on March 4, 2018, at the most popular American Broadcasting Company (ABC) at 8 pm Eastern Time (6:30 am IST). The envelopes are yet to be opened but few have already chosen their winners while others are patiently waiting for the broadcast. Oscars 2018 will be awarded this Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, United States. To say that the Oscars 2018 Best Director race is tight would be an understatement. Every single director in the nominee slate is considered to be a strong contender. Each one has something different to offer and has already won hearts on the big screen.

If you haven’t had the chance to catch all the five contenders, then look no further as we bring you the nominees for Best Director at the 90th Annual Academy Awards.

1. Christopher Nolan For Dunkirk

Dunkirk Director Christopher Nolan (Photo Credit: Facebook)

The film Dunkirk is a movie based on the second world war and depicts the struggle between British and allied forces against the German army. Including the nomination this year for DUNKIRK, this is the fifth time that Christopher Nolan has been nominated for an Oscar (including best original writing and picture).

2. Jordon Peele For Get Out 

Director Jordon Peele Made The Acclaimed Film 'Get Out'. (Photo Credit: Facebook)

Jordan Peele's Get Out is an unsettling horror film revolving around Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a black man, who goes to meet the family of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams). And it is not just any horror movie. It is a gripping thriller from beginning to end and the greater achievement is its comment on racism in modern American society that earned enormous applauds. Including his nominations this year for Best Picture and Original Screenplay for GET OUT, this is the third Academy Award nomination for Jordan Peele.

3. Greta Gerwig For Lady Bird 

'Ladybird' Film Director Greta Gerwig. (Photo Credit: Academy Award Website)

Greta Gerwig’s feature debut as a writer-director is a gloriously funny and wistfully autobiographical coming-of-age comedy. Saoirse Ronan portrays the role of McPherson in Lady Bird an about going to school, fighting with your mum and trying to figure out who you are, what you’re about and what it is you want to do with your life. Including her nomination this year for Original Screenplay for LADY BIRD, this is the second Academy Award nomination for Greta Gerwig.

4. Paul Thomas Anderson For Phantom Thread

Paul Thomas Anderson (second from right) With The Lead Cast Of The Film Phantom Thread. Actress Vicky Krieps to his Right and Daniel Day Lewis to His Left. (Photo Credit:Twitter@PT_Anderson)

Counted among modern masters of cinema, Paul Thomas Anderson known as PTA has created a delicate and yet an intriguing close world of a genius dressmaker who thrives on his obsessive/compulsive tendencies and holds them dear. His relationship to women and especially Alma (Vicky Krieps), set the tone for this wonderfully crafted film. Including his nomination this year for Best Picture for PHANTOM THREAD, this is the eighth Academy Award nomination for Paul Thomas Anderson.

5. Guillermo del Toro For The Shape Of Water

Guillermo del Toro With The Cast of Film 'The Shape Of Water'. (Photo Credit: Twitter/Guillermo del Toro)

Continuing with his gothic horror and supernatural genre films with an outer planet creature trying to settle himself in a human environment and sharing complicated and dynamic relations with human, The Shape of Water is considered by many to be the film of the year. Including his nominations this year for Best Picture and Original Screenplay for THE SHAPE OF WATER, this is the fourth Academy Award nomination for Guillermo del Toro.

The biggest award show for excellence in movies is just a few hours away now. With such accomplished names, it would be interesting to see who wins the Oscar for directing. Over to the show now.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2018 02:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).