COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As the 97th Academy Awards approach, movie fans in Columbus have multiple opportunities to experience this year’s Best Picture nominees and short films on the big screen.
Several theater chains are hosting special screenings and festival events leading up to the Oscars. Here is a breakdown of where audiences can catch these prestigious films:
2025 Best Picture Events in Columbus
AMC Theatres Best Picture Showcase
AMC Theatres is hosting a “Best Picture Showcase,” giving movie lovers two ways to watch nine of the 2025 Oscar-nominated films:
• Location: AMC Easton Town Center 30, 275 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio 43219
• Two-day event details: Feb. 22 and March 1, featuring nine Best Picture nominees split across two days, ticket prices vary per day.
• Tickets and showtimes: AMC Easton Town Center 30
Day One:
• I’m Still Here
• Conclave
• Nickel Boys
• Anora
• The Substance
Day Two:
• Wicked
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Dune: Part TwoThe Brutalist
Cinemark’s Nationwide Oscar Movie Week Festival
Cinemark is bringing back its annual Oscar Movie Week Festival, allowing moviegoers to see the Best Picture nominees and Live Action and Animated Short Film nominees in an immersive theater experience.
• Location: Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD, 1071 Gemini Pl., Columbus, Ohio 43240
• Movie week festival details: Feb. 24 to March 2, $40 for a pass that includes all participating films, single tickets are also available at standard pricing.
• Short Film Package: Feb. 28 to March 2, $10 for all Live Action and Animated Short Film nominees.
• Tickets and showtimes: Cinemark.com/movieweek.
• Special Offer: 50% off any size popcorn for festival attendees.
The Best Picture films include:
• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Perez
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked
Gateway Film Center 2025 Oscar-nominated short films
The Film Center presents the 2025 Oscar-nominated short films, in all three categories: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action.
• Location: 1550 North High St., Columbus, Ohio 43201
• Details: Feb. 14 and 15, ticket prices vary.
• Tickets and showtimes: Festival perspectives.
Live Action Short Films:
• A Lien
• Anuja
• I’m Not a Robot
• The Last Ranger
• The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Animated Short Films:
• Beautiful Men
• In the Shadow of the Cypress
• Magic Candies
• Wander to Wonder
• Yuck!
Documentary Short Films:
• Death by Numbers
• I Am Ready, Warden
• Incident
• Instruments of a Beating Heart
• The Only Girl in the Orchestra
Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern Best Picture Showcase
Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern are celebrating the 2025 Best Picture and Short Film nominees with multiple viewing options for most of the Best Picture nominees with both animated and live-action shorts.
• Locations: Crosswoods Cinema, 200 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43235,
Pickerington Cinema, 1776 Hill Road North, Pickerington, Ohio 43147
• Best Picture passport details: Feb. 19 to March 2, $70 for an all-access passport that grants access to every film in the showcase, not valid for the Best Picture marathon showings.
• Pick 4 Passport: $28, choose any four films.
• Best Picture marathons: Feb. 22 and March 1, $35 per marathon day, featuring five films per day. Includes a 20% concession discount and collectible lanyard.
• Magical Movie Rewards Members: 20% off concessions during screenings.
• Tickets and showtimes: Passports, Best Picture Marathons
Best Picture passport films:
• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked
• Live Action Shorts
• Animated Shorts
Feb. 22 marathon movies:
• I’m Still Here
• A Complete Unknown
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Dune: Part Two
March 1 marathon movies:
• Animated Shorts
• Anora
• Conclave
• Wicked
• The Brutalist