An Early Look At The 2021 Oscars

5 movies most likely to win Best Picture…in our humble opinion

With many releases held back or being re-negotiated, it’s difficult to track what’s coming out the remainder of this film year. But considering Hollywood already has a pretty established campaigning process, we expect most of the Academy Award-hopefuls to be available in the upcoming weeks—that’s a big win for all of us.

Here’s a shortlist of films we’re looking forward to seeing this Oscars season—in order of which we think is most likely to win Best Picture:

1. Mank

1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane. Premiering on Netflix — November 18

This star-studded epic by David Fincher will be his latest attempt at an Oscar (which he, surprisingly, has never won). We don’t know what what to expect yet just from watching the trailer, but a lineup of Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, and Lily Collins seems like a must watch. I guess we’ll all find out in just a few weeks.

2. Nomadland

A woman in her sixties embarks on a journey through the Western United States after losing everything in the Great Recession, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. Releasing in Theaters Early December

38 year old Chloé Zhao is making a run at the big prize with her third theatrical feature. This time, she has recruited the 2018 Best Actress winner Frances McDormand to carry out her vision to depict a journey through the somberly beautiful American midwest.

3. News of the World

A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped. In Theaters on Christmas Eve

Paul Greengrass, who’s known for directing the Bourne Trilogy and Captain Phillips is taking his directorial talents to the wild wild west. He partners up with Tom Hanks again, plus a long list of actors making their first big appearance on the wide screen. Hey if there’s anyone you trust to get the most out of a rookie actor, it’s Paul Greengrass.

4. Hillbilly Elegy

An urgent phone call pulls a Yale Law student back to his Ohio hometown, where he reflects on three generations of family history and his own future. In Theaters November 11.

With Ron Howard at the helm, Hillbilly Elegy stars Amy Adams and Glenn Close. This seems like a similar role that Adams played in HBO’s Sharp Objects—a hometown it-girl returning to its roots to face the hardship of America’s lower-middle class. Oh hey! Did you know that Ron Howard celebrated his 50th anniversary of their first date with his wife Cheryl just a few days ago? What a sweet couple!

5. The Trial of the Chicago 7

What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history. Available on Netflix Now

I’d be surprised if most of you haven’t already seen this Netflix blockbuster by Aaron Sorkin. While slightly more politically charged than necessary (as Sorkin always is), the film shows that this man might just be as good as directing as he is writing. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one fo the highest rated films on Taste so far in 2020, you can read the user reactions here »