Here's How To Watch Oscar Nominated Documentaries

Now that award season is in full swing, it's time for the biggest show of all: The 2016 Oscars. On Thursday morning, the nominations were finally announced, and although many people have seen at least a couple of the movies nominated for Best Picture, it's a little different when it comes to the Best Documentary category, which is full of hidden gems that you may never have seen before. And if you want to make an informed decision about who to root for on Oscar night, you might want to watch all the nominees. Plus, isn't the show more fun to watch when you actually know what's going on? So in case you want to watch the Oscar nominated documentaries, here's an easy guide, all in one place.

Of the five films nominated, they all bring something else to the table — Amy is about the life and legacy of Amy Winehouse, while The Look of Silence is all about the Indonesian genocide in the 1960s. These documentaries are a pretty mixed bag this year, so no matter what you're interested in, you're bound to find something you like among them.

If you want to watch all of the nominated documentaries, you have plenty of time to catch up before the Feb. 22 ceremony, especially if you start now. Here's how:

Amy

This peek into the late musical legend's life includes personal home videos and voicemails from Amy to her friends and family as it takes viewers behind the scenes of what drove her to create her music. If you want to watch it, it's available on iTunes for $14.99. Unfortunately, you can't stream it yet, but physical copies of the DVD and Blu Ray can be purchased at Amazon.

Cartel Land

This documentary follows the dangerous Mexican drug cartels and two groups who are trying to fight against them. Although it was recently screening in select theaters, Cartel Land is now available to purchase on iTunes for $14.99, and it's also streaming on Amazon Prime as well as on Netflix.

The Look of Silence

The Look of Silence is a history lesson on the Indonesian genocide of the '60s, as well as focuses on the survivors as they live without the loved ones they have lost. The documentary can be purchased on iTunes for $12.99, streamed on Netflix, and it recently came out on Blu-Ray and DVD. It's also still screening in select theaters across the US if you'd rather catch it on the big screen.

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Following the life and career of Nina Simone, this documentary offers up never before seen or heard recordings and performances, as well as a look into her life as an activist. If you're a Netflix subscriber, this one is easy to find, since it's one of Netflix's original documentaries and is still streaming.

Winter On Fire: Ukraine's Fight For Freedom

Much like What Happened, Miss Simone?, Winter On Fire is also a Netflix original, so it's most easily found on the streaming service. This documentary follows the civil rights movement in Ukraine as the people of the country fight for their freedom.

While some of these films definitely aren't easy to watch, they're worth taking the time to check out, especially if you're a documentary fan. It will be interesting to see which of these takes home the prize on Oscar night. They all seem so deserving!

Image: Herb Snitzer/Netflix