2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Picture

This is it. The big kahuna burger. The film from 2015 that will (theoretically) be remembered for ages. The Best Picture of the year.

This is a hard year to predict the most coveted award of the night. Eight films were selected and each one has its merits. There are standout favorites, but an upset isn’t out of the question.

The two Golden Globe winners were The Revenant and The Martian, which would seemingly give them the upper hand (until the Producers Guild Awards solidifies a singular frontrunner on Jan. 23).

The Martian was errantly placed in the Comedy or Musical category of Best Picture at the Globes, making it a shoe-in for a victory. It doesn’t necessarily grant it immediate frontrunner status for the Oscar. Take into account the snub of director Ridley Scott for Best Director, and it seems clear that The Martian isn’t the strongest candidate.

The Revenant, on the other hand, is a dominant force this awards season. As I see it now, it is the favorite. The PGA may sway this in a different direction, but for now The Revenant appears to be the movie to beat.

Update: The Big Short won the Producers Guild Award on Jan. 23. The PGA award has been the most accurate predictor of the Best Picture Academy Award winner for the past decade. The last eight years have seen the PGA winner taking home the Oscar as well. With this in mind, The Big Short has skyrocketed to the frontrunner position. Still, I find it hard to believe that The Big Short will unseat The Revenant, but anything is possible at this point.