If “Shallow” just topped your Spotify “Top 100 Songs of 2018” edit, then you are among friends here. We’ve stanned this fourth remake of A Star Is Born ever since we laid eyes on actor-turned-singer Bradley Cooper (in his directorial debut) as fallen-from-grace rock star Jackson Maine, and singer-turned-actress Lady Gaga as rising star Ally. Oscar murmurs and rightly so, for this deeply moving musical-romance.

This summer marked a monumental shift for representation as Crazy Rich Asians became the first majority Asian cast Hollywood film in 25 years since 1993’s Joy Luck Club. Adapted from the global bestselling book, the sumptuous big screen version follows a woman who discovers her boyfriend is one of Singapore’s wealthiest bachelors. Expect tons of flash, cash and the most next-level wedding you’ve ever seen.

In Feb, Greta Gerwig made history as the fifth woman to ever be nominated for best director at the Oscars. And even though her charming coming-of-age film didn’t swipe any awards, Saoirse Ronan’s ballsy character, Christine McPherson aka Lady Bird, will live on forever in our hearts. With a deliciously 00s soundtrack (JT’s “SexyBack” and Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash Into Me”), we stan ditching your cool prom date (aka prime fuckboi Timothée Chalamet) to take couples snaps with your BFF.

There’s no ignoring the tremendous fanfare that surrounded Marvel’s superhero big-hitter Black Panther upon it’s release in early 2018. And for good reason obviously. Boasting a substantial cast of Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman and more, Ryan Coogler’s box smash hit is set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda and sports surprising real-life depth and social commentary. Wakanda forever.

The frenzy of which the Insta-world has risen up to meet Netflix rom-com, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, can be summarised in all the endless hysterical fan-fiction and couple memes it has produced. And it’s no wonder with the on-screen chemistry of Rollacoaster cover babe Lana Condor and heartthrob Noah Centineo, who front as a fake high-school couple after Condor’s secret love letters are leaked. Popularity proof? The sequel has already been confirmed, thank lorttt.

Wonderbabe Amandla Stenberg is a superstar, granted (notably with her breakout role in The Hunger Games). But the actress put in the performance of her life in this year’s powerful drama The Hate U Give, as a teen reeling after the unjust shooting of her best friend. A thought-provoking commentary on love, hatred and society.

There’s no escaping the hype of breakout star and A24 fave Lucas Hedges, and this year’s gay conversion therapy drama, Boy Erased, brought in the big guns, with co-stars Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Faith, identity and sexuality are explored to heart-rending effect in this possible Oscars contender.