Oscar nominations for best picture
When the Oscars are handed out on February 26, one of these films will take home the coveted trophy for best picture. Did you favorite movie make the shortlist?
'Arrival'
Which language do aliens speak? When 12 enigmatic spaceships appear on Earth, a linguistic professor gets the job of interpreting the language of the visitors in Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi offering. French Canadian Villeneuve is nominated for best director for the critically acclaimed "Arrival" having scored Golden Globe nominations for best score and best actress for lead Amy Adams earlier.
'Fences'
Denzel Washington was nominated as best actor for his performance in this drama, which he also directed. "Fences" tells the story of an African-American father in 1950s Pittsburgh who is trying to get by. The critically acclaimed film is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson.
'Hacksaw Ridge'
Directed by Mel Gibson, the biographical war drama tells the story of World War II US Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a single shot. Lead Andrew Garfield was also nominated for best actor.
'Hell or High Water'
In this pistol-packing Western heist-crime film directed by David Mackenzie, two Texas brothers reconcile in order to rob the bank threatening to foreclose on their family land. The movie premiered in Cannes and received three Golden Globe nominations later. It stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges - who also claimed a nomination for best supporting actor.
'Hidden Figures'
"Hidden Figures" is based on the true story of a team of African-American women who provided NASA with mathematical data crucial to its early space missions. Actress Taraji P. Henson takes the lead as a mathematician who calculated flight trajectories for missions like Project Mercury. Janelle Monáe and best supporting actress-nominee Octavia Spencer round out the team.
'La La Land'
The musical comedy-drama set the record for winning the most Golden Globes, taking home seven awards, and is nominated for a slew of BAFTAs. Will the best picture Oscar be the cherry on the cake? "This is a film for dreamers," said Emma Stone, when she picked up her Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical. She stars alongside Ryan Gosling in the film directed by Damien Chazelle.
'Lion'
Based on a non-fiction book, this film by Garth Davis is about a young Indian boy who gets lost in the megacity of Calcutta and is later adopted by a couple in Australia. Twenty-five years later, he embarks on a journey to find his family. "Lion" stars Dev Patel, Rooney Mara and Nicole Kidman - who also was nominated for best supporting actress.
'Manchester by the Sea'
Kenneth Lonergan's film is driven by masterful character development, telling the story of an uncle who finds himself caring for his nephew after the boy's father dies. Lead Casey Affleck, brother of Ben Affleck and brother-in-law of Joaquin Phoenix, already snagged a Golden Globe for his performance. Produced by Matt Damon, the drama also stars Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges and Kyle Chandler.
'Moonlight'
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, who was nominated for best director, "Moonlight" is considered one of the best films of 2016 and was crowned with a Golden Globe for best drama. It traces the life of a young black man growing up in the tough neighborhoods of Miami, and stars Trevante Rhodes in the lead while also featuring soul-funk singer Janelle Monáe.
'Toni Erdmann' (Best foreign language film)
It was passed up for a Golden Palm in Cannes, but Maren Ade's dark comedy went on to clean up at the European Film Prizes and took the LUX Film Prize. Now it could be the first German movie since 2006 to win an Oscar for best foreign language film. Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller depict a complicated relationship between a prankster father and his workaholic daughter.