It’s that time of year, cinephiles: awards season is upon us once again! Considering how deep 2017 truly was for movies, it’s especially difficult to predict the nominations, let alone who could take home top prizes at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and the Oscars in the new year.
That said, there’s a handful that will constantly be in the trophy conversation, from coming-of-age stories, to horror films with major racial themes, to movies based on the making of possibly the worst film of all time. Here’s our list for the five movies to watch out for during this awards season.
#5: The Florida Project
Perhaps more of a sleeper pick this season, this warm yet heavy-hearted film tells the story of a six-year-old girl living with her mom at a motel near Walt Disney World. The Sean Baker film has already won big at the Hamburg Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival and Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and also scored four nods at the Gotham Awards, including for Best Feature. With two nominations at the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards, and with Willem Dafoe’s riveting performance as the hotel’s manager being a particular standout, expect The Florida Project to be a consistent presence in the awards season race.
#4: The Disaster Artist
Such a legendarily bad movie birthing another film with Oscar potential has to be the textbook definition of irony. Based on the book of the same name co-written by Greg Sestero – one of the stars of The Room, aka the epitome of so-bad-it’s-good filmmaking – The Disaster Artist won’t see a wide theatre release until December 8, but it’s already been showered with heaps of critical praise. James Franco’s performance as mysterious The Room mastermind Tommy Wiseau recently took home Best Actor at the Gotham Awards, and also has an Independent Spirit nomination for Best Male Lead. If this movie doesn’t convince the big dogs this season, it’ll tear us apart.
#3: Lady Bird
A24 just keeps on hitting home runs. Actress Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut has been acclaimed for its raw and earnest take on growing up and mother-daughter relationships, all the way to becoming the best-reviewed movie in Rotten Tomatoes history. Such a feat may not be enough by itself for Lady Bird to conquer this awards season, but it’s off to a good start, having won three National Board of Review awards and getting four Gotham Award nominations (winning Best Actress for Saoirse Ronan’s performance). A dark horse for the Oscars, perhaps, but one to watch nonetheless.
#2: Get Out
The most talked-about horror movie of the year – aside from It, of course – might have dropped back in February, but the fact that it’s still in the awards season conversation is a testament to its quality and importance. The racially-charged directorial debut of funnyman Jordan Peele took in $175.5 million domestically against a stunningly small budget by comparison ($4.5 million), and has been widely praised for its scare factor, occasional comedic elements and piercing social commentary. Furthermore, it just took home three Gotham Awards, including two for Peele. A horror film hasn’t won the Best Picture Oscar since The Silence of the Lambs, but Get Out stands the best chance yet.
#1: Call Me By Your Name
When you’ve been developing a film for a decade and it’s this well-executed, patience truly is a virtue. Based on the 2007 novel by André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name focuses on a gay romance between a teenager (Timothée Chalamet) and a mid-twentysomething (Armie Hammer), and the film is expected to be a major player in the race toward Best Picture. Its track record is already quite shimmering, taking home the Gotham Awards for Best Feature and Breakthrough Actor (Chalamet), getting six Independent Spirit nods, and multiple wins and nominations from city-based festivals this year. For this movie to be little-recognized by the Academy would be quite the shocker.
