2024 granted movie enthusiasts multiple Black-led films to enjoy, but on Sunday, January 19, only a handful will be named among 97th Academy Awards nominations. Last year, films like “Shirley,” “The Fire Inside” and “Exhibiting Forgiveness” weren’t just on our watchlist, but made themselves known as critically-acclaimed features belonging in the Oscars conversation.

Below, we revisit some exceptional 2024 movies that we hope are announced as nominees ahead of the 2025 Academy Awards, hosted Conan O’Brien on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. E.T on ABC, also streaming on Hulu.

“Rob Peace”

Academic Rob Peace (Jay Will) seeks a life out of the shadow of his incarcerated father, Skeet (Chiwetel Ejiofor), through higher education at Yale University. But the more Peace tries to avoid his upbringing, the closer it gets when he’s faced with helping Skeet get out of the system years after he’s accused of murder.

“Shirley”

Academy Award winner Regina King is well overdue for another Oscar after her charismatic portrayal of politician Shirley Chisholm. Impassioned in her depiction of the first Black woman to run for United States president, King gives a fearless and memorable performance worthy of Best Actress.

“Exhibiting Forgiveness”

Without notice, protagonist Terell (André Holland) comes face-to-face with his past upon a chance reconnection with his estranged father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks). “Exhibiting Forgiveness” questions audiences on what it means to examine, and ultimately, let go of a heavy past.

“The Fire Inside”

Ryan Destiny embodies sheer courage as two-time Olympic gold medalist boxing champion, Claressa “T-Rex” Shields. At 29 years old, Shields’ story continues to unfold, but Destiny delivers a knockout take on Destiny’s young adulthood, while the film documents Shields’ near-fatherly coaching by her mentor, Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry).

“Nickel Boys”

Sure to be in the Oscar conversation for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography is “Nickel Boys,” the first theatrical film by director RaMell Ross. Based on Colson Whitehead’s historical fiction novel “The Nickel Boys,” the experimental drama vulnerably depicts characters Elwood Curtis (Ethan Herisse) and Jack Turner (Brandon Wilson) fighting to survive at segregated reform school, Nickel Academy,

“The Piano Lesson”

Based on the August Wilson play of the same name, “The Piano Lesson” explores the struggle between siblings Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) and Boy Willie Charles (John David Washington) over their inherited carved wooden piano. Along with preserving the Charles family’s history of enslavement, the piano also harbors trauma that Boy Willie and Berniece must confront in order to overcome. We're hoping that Deadwyler sees a Best Actress nomination along with the film getting a Best Adapted Screenplay nod.

“The Supremes All-You-Can-Eat”

Based on the Edward Kelsey Moore novel of the same name, “The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat” recounts the challenges of sisterhood between best friend trio Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan) and Clarice (Uzo Aduba). The friendship nearly reaches a breaking point when one of ‘The Supremes’ is diagnosed with a terminal illness, that is, until the women remember why they originally crossed each other’s paths. If not for her appearances in "Nickel Boys" or "Exhibiting Forgiveness," Ellis-Taylor deserves nods for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress.

“Sing Sing”

As the institutionalized John “Divine G” Whitfield, Emmy-winner and Best Actor hopeful Colman Domingo finds purpose in “Sing Sing,” amongst a prison theater ensemble. What especially makes the prison drama unique is its involvement of real-life formerly incarcerated actors, bringing “Sing Sing” full-circle.

“Hard Truths”

Although set in London, drama “Hard Truths” relates to Black women from all walks of life, as it centers Pansy Deacon (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), who’s forced to come to grips with her depression and how it impacts those around her, mainly, her understanding sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin). While Jean-Baptiste should have a Best Actress nomination, "Hard Truths" should also be up for Best International Feature.