Oscar 2016: Predictions for Best Picture

As we get closer to the Academy Awards, a flurry of new films head to the theaters in hopes of becoming Oscar-nominated films. It’s a tough race and especially for the films that are vying for the big prize: Best Picture.

For audiences, it may seem difficult to keep up with all the new films coming out during the fall and winter, so we’ve narrowed down the ten movies you should be watching out for in the next couple months. From small indie films to big science-fiction movies, there’s a movie out there for everyone, so check out these Oscar contenders and look superior to your friends while making Oscar predictions.

1. Carol

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Set in 1950s New York City, Carol focuses on the romantic relationship between two women and how their relationship changes their entire lives. Along with two powerhouse performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, the film delves into the romanticism of lesbian relationships and captures the beauty of love.

2. The Revenant

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While The Revenant has not hit theaters yet, the movie is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who directed last year’s Big Picture winner, Birdman. If that didn’t already spark rumors of Oscar potential, the film will feature the performances of Leonardo DiCaprio (who is still for looking for his Best Actor win) and Tom Hardy. Based on the life of frontiersman Hugh Glass, The Revenant will tell a classic revenge story after Glass’s wife and child are killed and Glass is left for dead.

3. Joy

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Jennifer Lawrence and director David O. Russell have worked on various films together that have gotten a lot of acclaim from The Academy, including Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. Their third film together, Joy, tells the story of Joy Mangano who went from struggling single mom to founder of the “Miracle Mop” and her own business empire. While many will be talking about a Best Actress nomination for Lawrence, expect to see Joy in the running for Best Picture as well.

4. Room

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Adapting the novel of the same name, director Lenny Abrahamson tells an intimate story of a mother and son who have been captives for five years. Room tells the story of the survivors’ escape and their readjustment back into society. Powerful performances from the two leads, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, Room will move even the coldest of hearts.

5. Brooklyn

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Another film focusing on the 1950s era, Brooklyn tells an immigrant story about young Irish woman Eilis Lacey who navigates her new country. However, when Eilis moves to America, she finds herself torn between two worlds while falling in love with an American.

6. Bridge of Spies

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With the talents of director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks, this Cold War-era film centers on lawyer James B. Donovan as he’s thrown into negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union for the release of U.S. pilot, Francis Gary Powers.

7. The Big Short

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Based on the real life events of the burst of the housing market bubble and the financial collapse in 2007, The Big Short follows the lead up to the collapse and the events that follow. Director Adam McKay is generally known as a writer for comedies like Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers, but the director expertly blends drama and comedy in The Big Short.

8. The Martian

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Based on the novel by the same name, The Martian recounts a tale of astronaut Mark Whatney as he is left stranded on Mars. A triumphant movie about the endurance of the human spirit and people coming together for a cause, The Martian pulls at your heartstrings while injecting humor into the story with the help of actor Matt Damon.

9. Spotlight

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Following the tradition of journalism films before them like All the President’s Men, Spotlight focuses on the real events of The Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” team and their coverage of the Catholic sex abuse scandal in Massachusetts. Featuring an all-star cast including Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, and Liev Schreiber, Spotlight will be among the top contenders for Big Picture next year.

10. The Hateful Eight

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Director Quentin Tarantino has continued his unique (and violent) vision through eight films to critical and fan acclaim. His ninth feature film, The Hateful Eight set after the Civil War, focuses on eight strangers who find themselves thrown together after a blizzard hits Wyoming. Anytime a Tarantino film hits theaters, it gets fans and audiences talking, so be sure to see this on the shortlist for Oscar nominated films.