Oscar Predictions 2012: Best Picture

Last Updated: January 22, 2012 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)

Red = virtually guaranteed a nomination

Orange = good chance of nomination

Yellow = a strong contender

Green = in the mix

Blue = don’t count them out yet

Oscar Predictions Home | Picture | Director | Actor | Actress | Supporting Actor | Supporting Actress | Screenplays | Cinematography | Art Direction | Costumes | Makeup

	1. The Artist Director: Michael Hazanavicius Cast: Jean DuJardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell Pros: This film had everyone talking at Cannes, and buzz has only grown since. It’s said to be quite a crowd-pleaser. DuJardin and Bejo are shoe-ins for an acting nom. Cons: None. It’s in, and it’ll probably win.
	2. The Descendants Director: Alexander Payne Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard Pros: Payne has already had Oscar success with Sideways, and this time he has the high-profile Clooney helping the film earn attention. The Descendants is the right mix of heavy (giving it legitimacy) and uplifting (giving it the crowd-pleasing factor). Clooney and Woodley are also looking to be strong bets for acting nominations. Cons: The film hasn’t been a huge hit so far, staying somewhat under-the-radar. Could be too modest for the Oscars?
	3. Hugo Director: Martin Scorsese Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sascha Baron Cohen, Jude Law Pros: Critics gushed upon its release, and audiences seem to be enamoured with it, too. Cons: Children’s movies don’t tend to get Best Picture noms (but then again, most kids films aren’t directed by Scoresese).
	4. The Help Director: Tate Taylor Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney Pros: Huge summer hit based on one of the biggest novels of the past few years. Feel-good story with a great cast, and it’s only gaining momentum. Cons: Too glossy? That hasn’t stopped voters before, but there are a lot of other blockbuster-y type films in contention this year. Also, the early release date could hurt it.
	5. Moneyball Director: Bennett Miller Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman Pros: Moneyball earned raves from critics, and it was a hit with audiences. Pitt has gained huge traction in the Best Actor race. Cons: Miller hasn’t been the presence in the Best Director race that he should be for this kind of movie.
	6. Midnight in Paris Director: Woody Allen Cast: Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Kathy Bates Pros: It was a summer hit, and people always get excited when Woody Allen makes a good film. Buzz has yet to die down for this quirky, highly enjoyable film. Cons: Is it too light of a film? Comedies have a tougher time at the Oscars, and it this one wasn’t even released during “Oscar season”.
	7. War Horse Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Toby Kebbell, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddelston Pros: It’s a Spielberg film that has done fairly well at the box office so far, and it seems tailor-made for Oscar voters. Cons: Reviews were a bit muted, and Spielberg was snubbed by the Director’s Guild in favour of David Fincher, and also by the Globes for George Clooney.
	8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Director: David Fincher Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgaard Pros: This film has garnered a lot of support from critics. And while it didn’t have an especially strong start at the box office, it has steadily brought in solid returns, and it’ll definitely pass the $100 million mark. Support for Fincher is strong after The Social Network, and he got a DGA nom for this film. Cons: It hasn’t become the phenomenon that The Social Network was, and while it does have a devoted fanbase, it hasn’t reached as wide of an audience. It’s presence this awards season has been very spotty.
	9. The Tree of Life Director: Terrence Malick Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler Pros: Film geeks and critics have been hyping this film up for years (literally). And while The Tree of Life proved to be divisive, it had many viewers declaring it a masterpiece. It’s been a quiet but steady presence in awards season, so far. Some think that Mallick could receive a Best Director nom. Cons: It could definitely be too out-there and divisive for a lot of voters. It’s a film without any linear narrative, and highly experimental films rarely make a dent in the Best Picture category.
	10. Bridesmaids Director: Paul Feig Cast: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Chris O’Dowd, Jon Hamm Pros: McCarthy has an unexpected amount of buzz, and the film got a Writer’s Guild nomination and, most importantly, a Producer’s Guild nom. Cons: It’s still a flat-out comedy film, which rarely hits with the Academy.

 

Other Possibilities

10. The Ides of March

11. Drive

12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

 

Previous Predictions

December: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. War Horse, 4. Moneyball, 5. The Help, 6. Hugo, 7. Midnight in Paris, 8. The Tree of Life, 9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

November: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 4. War Horse, 5. Moneyball, 6. Midnight in Paris, 7. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 8. J. Edgar, 9. The Help, 10. The Ides of March

September: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 4. J. Edgar, 5. War Horse, 6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 7. The Ides of March, 8. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 9. Moneyball, 10. Martha Marcy May Marlene

August: The Artist, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, Like Crazy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse

July: Carnage, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Like Crazy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse

June: A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Drive, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Martha Marcy May Marlene, War Horse, Young Adult

May: Coriolanus, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse

March: A Dangerous Method, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Hugo, The Ides of March, Like Crazy, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse, Young Adult

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