10. Get Out

'Get Out' is something of a stretch. Historically, those types of movies never do well at the Oscars. 'Get Out' is facing an even tougher battle. It’s a horror movie released during the first quarter of 2017. It has everything working against it, but somehow, this author still thinks it stands a chance.

9. You Were Never Really Here

From the director of 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' (2011) comes a brutal thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix. It left the Cannes festival with a Best Screenplay and Best Actor victory for Lynne Ramsay and Joaquin Phoenix respectively. Additionally, the movie has earned high praise from most major film critics, who have almost unanimously called it a masterclass in filmmaking. It looks like Amazon Studios has another hit in the making.

8. The Big Sick

Romantic comedies aren’t exactly the bread and butter of Academy voters, but 'The Big Sick' is different. It’s a funny, heartfelt look into young love, race relations, and tragedy. It’s also a masterful blending of drama and clever observational comedy. Assuming competition isn’t too stiff this year, 'The Big Sick' has a solid chance of sneaking into the Best Picture race.

7. Detroit

From the director of 'The Hurt Locker' (2008) and 'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012), Kathryn Bigelow, 'Detroit' has been incredibly well received since it was screened for critics recently. It’s been called a timely drama that sensitively tackles a touchy subject. This is the kind of topic that the Oscars have been eating up lately, so the odds appear to be in the film’s favor.

6. Battle of the Sexes

The film stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell, who play Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The two actors are at the top of their game right now. Stone just picked up her first Oscar, and Carell recently earned a nomination for 'Foxcatcher' (2014). Assuming they can pull everything off, 'Battle of the Sexes' could be an Oscar hit. If anything, at least expect it to pick up an acting nomination.

5. The Glass Castle

Though many people consider 'Room' (2015) to be Brie Larson’s breakthrough performance, it was 'Short Term 12' (2013) that really put her on the map. Now, four years later, the director of 'Short Term 12' is adapting one of the most critically acclaimed memoirs of the 21st century. The Glass Castle is widely considered to be an essential autobiography for avid readers and a potential Oscar hit.

4. Downsizing

'Downsizing' doesn’t have a poster or trailer, but it’s already getting Oscar hype. The fascinating premise, combined with the terrific cast and crew, ensures that people will have their eyes on this movie when it releases near the end of December. Alexander Payne is a three-time nominee of the Academy’s Best Director award. His past three directorial efforts have earned sixteen Oscar nominations in total, so he is the type of director people count on when it comes to dominating awards.

3. Victoria and Abdul

The Oscars love Judi Dench, Stephen Frears, and biopics. 'Victoria and Abdul' just happens to be a biopic starring Judi Dench directed by Stephen Frears. Based on trailers and set photos, we can all assume that it could be a potential nominee. 'Victoria and Abdul' looks just as delightful as anything Stephen Frears has ever done. It borders on being Oscar-bait, but it looks to have enough charisma to help it stand out from the crowd.

2. Call Me By Your Name

Critical acclaim doesn’t always equal Oscar success, but this movie in particular seems poised to do incredibly well during awards season. After the recent 'Moonlight' victory, 'Call Me By Your Name' hardly seems out of the question. 

1. Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan hasn’t really had the best of luck when it comes to the Oscars. 'Inception' (2010) did well enough, but his other movies have unfortunately fell relatively flat. In some cases, the lack of Oscar attention was completely warranted. 'Dunkirk' is the director’s best reviewed movie to date and the movie Nolan fans have been hotly anticipating for years. The minimalist approach to storytelling has been described as both unique and effective. 'Dunkirk' doesn’t rely on exposition to tell its story. That, combined with the countless technical nominations it will earn, ensures that the movie will be a hit at the Oscars.