The Academy Awards, frequently referred to as The Oscars, are about a month-and-a-half away at the time of this writing. It is the greatest annual celebration of the film industry in the United States (and arguably around the globe, as well). One could even argue that it is the most prestigious celebration of awards for any form of media. Oscars are awarded among nearly two-dozen categories. These categories range from best adapted screenplay, to best costume design, to the best original song, and many more.

However, one award stands tall amongst its peers, and is reserved as the final award of the night. That award is for the best picture. It celebrates what the academy deems to be the finest film of the past year.

This year, there are 10 nominees for Best Picture: Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, and West Side Story. These films range from science-fiction epic to coming-of-age comedies. So which film will win the most prestigious Oscar? That remains to be seen, but is worth examining.

Belfast

Belfast is a historical drama and coming-of-age story. It takes place in a hardened late 1960’s Belfast, Northern Ireland. Historical dramas generally tend to do well at The Academy Awards. The jewel in this film’s crown is that it has Judi Dench cast as the family’s grandmother.

CODA

This next entry is an Apple original film, which helps make it stand out amongst the crowd. CODA stands for “Child of Deaf Adults.” The story’s protagonist is the only non-deaf person in her family. She has to make the gut-wrenching choice of pursuing her dreams in the music business or helping to salvage the family’s fishing business.

Don’t Look Up

This is probably the most heralded and widely-viewed film on this list. Don’t Look Up is about two astronomers who go on a media blitz to warn the world of impending doom. The cast is absolutely star-studded, featuring veterans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep but also featuring the likes of pop star sensation Ariana Grande. Don’t Look Up is unique in that it is a comedic drama with science-fiction elements sprinkled in. The film has a lot of momentum leading into the Academy Awards.

Drive My Car

This Japanese drama features an actor and director whose wife has recently died. The protagonist is offered to produce a film in Hiroshima. Along the way, he begins to unravel some of the mysteries his late wife left behind.

Dune

Dune takes a unique place in the entrants for this year’s Academy Awards. It is both an adaptation of a science fiction book series and also a remake of a woeful film from the 1980s. Essentially, a young man born into nobility is entrusted to keep and defend his galaxy’s most valuable resource.

As is the case with Don’t Look Up, Dune has a similarly star-studded cast. It features Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaacs, Zendaya, and many more. Dune has a massive fanbase and is definitely a contender to win Best Picture.

King Richard

King Richard is a biographical sports drama. This alone makes it a rather rare entrant for a Best Picture nominee. The movie chronicles the story of Richard Williams and his role as tennis coach for his daughters Venus and Serena Williams. In addition to being a story about tennis royalty, the film stars Will Smith and Jon Bernthal.

Licorice Pizza

The film’s title does not sound appetizing, but the story is about neither licorice nor pizza. It is about young love in California’s San Fernando Valley during the 1970s. This romantic comedy has garnered some buzz heading into the Academy Awards, but it did not do well at the box office. Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn are the well-known actors in Licorice Pizza.

Nightmare Alley

Nightmare Alley is a force of nature in film form. Directed by the legendary Guillermo del Toro, the film features a manipulative carnival man who hooks up with a devious psychiatrist. The film has been nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture. Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Ron Perlman, and many more.

The Power of the Dog

Directed by New Zealander Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is a western romance piece. It is essentially about a charismatic and gritty rancher who struggles to embrace his family on his journey to finding love. The film did exceptionally well at the box office for a production with a relatively small budget. The Power of the Dog leads the movie pack with 12 Academy Award nominations.

West Side Story

West Side Story is a modern adaptation of the 1957 musical by the same name. Directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, West Side Story is a dramatic musical that explores the tale of two lovers from different ethnic backgrounds. In the backdrop of a changing New York City, the film’s lovers are caught in the crosshairs of a feud between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks. The film received much positive critical acclaim but tanked at the box office.

Dune and Don’t Look Up have the most star-power amongst their respective actors. However, Nightmare Alley and West Side Story are headed by household-name directors. Yet, the film most likely to win Best Picture is The Power of the Dog. Leading man Benedict Cumberbatch has a commanding presence in films, and movies that get nominated for a dozen Oscars often steal the show at the Academy Awards. Lastly, the movie’s critical and commercial success could influence the voters at the academy.