I’ll admit that 50 films is a lot of films to watch. But hopefully, you’ve already seen a few on the list.
1) The Martian
It’s one of the biggest films of the year, and it’s a frontrunner currently for a Best Picture, Director, and Actor nomination, alongside a few technical categories. Jessica Chastain also might get a supporting actress nomination.
2) Spotlight
Also leading the Best Picture talk, as well as Director, Supporting Actor (two potential nominees), and Supporting Actress.
3) Inside Out
Join the debate about whether or not Pixar’s latest will actually break through in the Best Picture race this year, or be relegated to just the Animated Feature category. It’s also got a decent chance at an Original Screenplay nomination.
4) The Revenant
Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s latest doesn’t open for another month, but early buzz has this film being truly brutal and a “must see”. Plus, there’s a growing push to see Leonardo DiCaprio finally win an Oscar, something his fans feel is long overdue. Also overdue for a nomination is Tom Hardy, a contender in Supporting Actor. It’s also basically a lock for Cinematography.
5) Brooklyn
The Irish themed drama is heating up a few races, including Best Picture and Best Actress. Like Spotlight, its stock is currently rising.
6) Room
Brie Larson is the favorite right now in the Actress category, but will the film earn any other nominations, like Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress? Adapted Screenplay seems like a pretty solid lock as well.
7) Joy
David O’Russell and Jennifer Lawrence reteam for a film currently landing on many Best Picture prediction lists, and many believing Lawrence will get her fourth Oscar nomination. Robert DeNiro is getting some notice in the Supporting Actor race as well.
8) The Danish Girl
Tom Hooper’s latest features Eddie Redmayne in a role that many believe could topple Leo’s in Revenant and make Redmayne the first actor since Tom Hanks to win back-to-back Oscars. Also, it stars “it girl” Alicia Vikander, who should have been nominated for Ex Machina, but will more likely get a nomination for Danish Girl.
9) Concussion
Will Smith is garnering a lot of praise for his starring role here. Whether or not the film can take that success into the Picture category, or Supporting Actor for Albert Brooks and Supporting Actress for Gugu Mbatha Raw remains unknown.
10) Mad Max: Fury Road
Expect this to get a few technical Oscar nominations, for Visual Effects, Cinematography, and Sound. It might also get Score, as well as Best Picture and Best Director. As a longshot, Charlize Theron remains an interesting choice for Best Actress.
11) Carol
Todd Haynes latest effort has two frontrunners in the Oscar race with Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Whether or not it can get any other nominations remains to be seen.
12) Bridge Of Spies
Tom Hanks might get pushed out like he did for Captain Phillips, but like Phillips, his Supporting Actor remains at the top of the conversation. Mark Rylance is a favorite to be nominated, and it’s likely the film will still manage a Best Picture nomination. And never count out Steven Spielberg in the directing category.
13) Steve Jobs
Even though the film bombed at the box office, critics still loved it, and Michael Fassbender is still very much in the race, as is the film itself, and Kate Winslet in the Supporting Actress race.
14) Creed
Just opening this weekend, the seventh Rocky film has critics in awe and everyone predicting whether or not it will impact the Oscar race. Best guesses have Sylvester Stallone getting a Supporting Actor nomination, but Michael B Jordan is an underdog for Best Actor. If the film picks up steam, it might also be a dark horse Best Picture nominee.
15) The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino’s latest hasn’t been seen or heard from yet, but it remains “one to watch” because of his track record. Best acting guess right now seems to be Jennifer Jason Leigh in Supporting Actress or Samuel L Jackson for Supporting Actor.
16) Beasts Of No Nation
The film everyone loves, but no one has seen. It’s become a dark horse in every category because it is so underviewed, which is a shame, because it’s on Netflix. Best chance? Idris Elba in Supporting.
17) Black Mass
Johnny Depp is still in the Best Actor race. He’s pretty much the only thing still running for this film, but because he’s Depp, he’ll be in the race till the nominees are announced.
18) Straight outta Compton
A longshot for Best Picture. Will the Oscars remember this film come January?
19) Suffragette
Not really well received, but Carey Mulligan is still in the Best Actress race, and Meryl Streep is in the Supporting Actress race.
20) The Big Short
It’s one of those Oscar films that’s kind of “in the race” but will also probably be forgotten. The ensemble cast seems great on paper, but no one seems to be able to tell who would stand out in Oscar’s eyes yet. It’s on the radar, but it seems like a dark horse.
21) Mr Holmes
People still love Ian McKellan, and he’s a dark horse for Best Actor.
22) Love and Mercy
Both Paul Dano and Elizabeth Banks are in the Supporting races. I expect at least one of them to hear their name called on Oscar nomination morning.
23) 45 Years
Charlotte Rampling could shake up the Best Actress race if anyone actually watches her film.
24) Youth
Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, and Jane Fonda all are hoping to squeak into their categories, but it’s also entirely possible all three will be left empty handed.
25) Sicario
Emily Blunt is the most likely contender here. Benecio Del Toro is a longshot.
And 25 more….
26) Son of Saul
27) I’ll See You In My Dreams
28) Grandma
29) Tangerine
30) Truth
31) Anomalisa
32) The End Of The Tour
33) Ex Machina
34) Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
35) In The Heart Of The Sea
36) Amy
37) The Walk
38) Macbeth
39) Going Clear
40) The Peanuts Movie
41) Jurassic World
42) Everest
43) 99 Homes
44) Trainwreck
45) Legend
46) Trumbo
47) The Good Dinosaur
48) He Named Me Malala
49) Southpaw
50) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
