Top 10 Movies Expected to Shine at the 2019 Oscars

Another music drama considered a strong contender against Bohemian Rhapsody is A Star Is Born. A remake of a film that has already been adapted three times, each of which either won or was nominated for an Oscar, A Star Is Born still feels fresh and manages to create a remarkable impact. In fact, the 2018 version of A Star Is Born could even surpass its previous iterations, making it a strong contender for the Best Picture category.

Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born tells the story of a couple of artists—one a famous star struggling with alcohol addiction, the other a rising star with great potential. Their relationship blossoms beautifully, but as one star rises, another falls. While a musical, A Star Is Born carries a strong dramatic and humanistic narrative, with a deeply emotional and profound storyline.

Details:

• Studio: Warner Bros.
  
• Country: USA
  
• Director: Bradley Cooper
  
• Screenplay: Robert Carson, William Wellman, Moss Hart, Frank Pierson, Will Fetters, Bradley Cooper, Eric Roth
  
• Cast: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott
  
• Meta Critic Score: 88
  
• Potential Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing

Marking Adam McKay's return after The Big Short, he teams up once again with Christian Bale for the biographical film Vice. This movie tells the story of Dick Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States under George W. Bush. Cheney, often referred to as the most powerful vice president in U.S. history, will be explored through McKay's sharp, award-winning script. McKay promises to uncover the life of Cheney in a way only he can.

While Vice may not be rated as highly as Roma, Green Book, or A Star Is Born, and might not receive a nomination for Best Picture, its strengths lie in its screenplay and performances. Featuring a star-studded cast including Christian Bale (Oscar winner for The Fighter, The Big Short, American Hustle, The Dark Knight), Amy Adams (five-time Oscar nominee for The Fighter, Arrival, American Hustle, Doubt, Nocturnal Animals), and Sam Rockwell (Oscar winner for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Vice is expected to make waves in acting nominations and could win in one of these categories.

Details:

• Studio: Annapurna Pictures
  
• Country: USA
  
• Director: Adam McKay
  
• Screenplay: Adam McKay
  
• Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Rockwell, Amy Adams, Steve Carell
  
• Meta Critic Score: 61
  
• Potential Nominations: Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing

BlacKkKlansman is an action-comedy political satire that uses the image of the racist KKK organization to critique the political issues in America under President Donald Trump's administration. The film is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American undercover officer in the 1970s. On his mission, he is tasked with thwarting the KKK's plot to attack people of color. The film has received 4 Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture, and is expected to feature in several Oscar categories as well.

Details:

• Studio: Legendary
  
• Country: USA
  
• Director: Spike Lee
  
• Screenplay: Ron Stallworth, Spike Lee
  
• Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier
  
• Meta Critic Score: 83
  
• Potential Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Score

One of the most nominated films at this year's Oscars is likely to be The Favourite. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his distinct cinematic style with films like The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, the film has garnered 5 Golden Globe nominations, winning Best Actress, and 11 BAFTA nominations, including Best Picture. Leading the Critics' Choice nominations, The Favourite explores themes of same-sex love and power within the 18th-century British royal court. A masterfully made film with excellent performances, costumes, and settings, it is expected to continue its dominance in the race for the 2019 Oscar for Best Picture.

Details:

• Studio: Film4
  
• Country: UK
  
• Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
  
• Screenplay: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
  
• Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz
  
• Meta Critic Score: 90
  
• Potential Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design

If Beale Street Could Talk is another strong contender for the upcoming Oscars. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the visionary filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, this movie tackles the issue of racial discrimination. It tells the story of a young African-American woman who fights to prove the innocence of her fiancé, who is wrongfully imprisoned while she is pregnant. The film earned 3 Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, and won Best Supporting Actress. However, at the BAFTAs, If Beale Street Could Talk received just two nominations in the categories of Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing. Despite its challenges, the film is expected to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, though winning in that category seems unlikely.

Details:

• Studio: Annapurna Pictures
  
• Country: USA
  
• Director: Barry Jenkins
  
• Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King
  
• Meta Critic Score: 87
  
• Potential Nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best Score

First Man is the only sci-fi film that stands out as a potential Oscar contender this year. Directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, La La Land), the film chronicles the life of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon. At the Golden Globe Awards, First Man won Best Original Score out of its two nominations. Additionally, the film garnered 7 nominations at the BAFTA Awards, though it did not make it to the Best Picture category. This could suggest that no sci-fi film will be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars this year (2018: The Shape of Water, 2017: Arrival, 2016: The Martian).

Details:

• Studio: Universal Pictures
  
• Country: USA
  
• Director: Damien Chazelle
  
• Writers: James R. Hansen, Josh Singer
  
• Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke
  
• Meta Critic Score: 84
  
• Expected Nominations: Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects

The last name on our list of Top 10 Films Expected to Shine at the 2019 Oscars is Shoplifters. After winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Shoplifters, a Japanese film, faced stiff competition from Roma in the category for Best Foreign Language Film. The movie tells the story of a ‘family’ of strangers living together in a dilapidated house, surviving through various means, including shoplifting. The act of stealing not only involves adults but also influences children, turning them into criminals and bringing them into conflict with the law. While it didn't win at the Golden Globe Awards, Shoplifters could still take the spotlight at the upcoming Oscars.

Details:

• Studio: GAGA
• Country: Japan
• Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
• Writer: Hirokazu Koreeda
• Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Mayu Matsuoka
• Meta Critic Score: 93
• Expected Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film

Leading the Top 10 Films Expected to Shine at the 2019 Oscars is Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuaron. After winning two Oscars for his sci-fi masterpiece Gravity, Cuaron returns with a heartfelt drama set in Mexico in the 1970s.

Mexico in the 1970s was a country in turmoil, from the first World Cup hosted in North America to bloody revolutions. In the peaceful city of Roma, Dr. Antonio's family lives a joyous life, filled with playful children. However, their happiness is soon disrupted as the political unrest spreads to Roma, deeply affecting the family, especially their maid, Cleo. The film draws inspiration from Cuaron’s own childhood, a time when children suffered the consequences of political revolutions they couldn’t even comprehend.

After winning the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Roma continued its success by taking home two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director. At the BAFTA Awards, Roma earned 7 nominations, including Best Picture. It’s expected to be a major contender for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, and it could also challenge for Best Director and Best Picture.

Details:

• Studio: Esperanto Filmoj
• Country: Mexico
• Director: Alfonso Cuaron
• Writer: Alfonso Cuaron
• Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey
• Meta Critic Score: 96
• Expected Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography

While it didn’t score exceptionally high on Meta Critics (70) or Rotten Tomatoes (81%), Green Book has unexpectedly emerged as a strong contender for the 2019 Oscars, winning 3 Golden Globe Awards, including Best Screenplay and Best Musical/Comedy Film.

The title 'Green Book' refers to a historic travel guide for African Americans in the United States, showing them safe places to visit without encountering racial discrimination. The film tells the touching story of an unlikely friendship between a black jazz musician and his white chauffeur and bodyguard. Based on a true story from the 1960s, Green Book offers a powerful narrative of their bond, set against the backdrop of racial tension in America.

With its unique storytelling and heartfelt themes, as well as stellar performances by seasoned actors Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings, Captain Fantastic) and Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, House of Cards), Green Book is a serious contender for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars.

Details:

• Studio: Participant Media
• Country: United States
• Director: Peter Farrelly
• Writers: Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly
• Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
• Meta Critic Score: 70
• Expected Nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor

Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Bohemian Rhapsody is undoubtedly a contender in the Top 10 Films to Shine at the 2019 Oscars. This musical biopic focuses on the iconic British rock band Queen, especially its charismatic frontman Freddie Mercury. The film highlights not only the band’s legendary performances but also explores Mercury’s struggles with his sexuality and his personal life. Despite its impressive sound, visuals, and performances, Bohemian Rhapsody has been criticized for its somewhat lacking storyline, which might explain why it wasn’t nominated for a BAFTA – the UK’s equivalent of the Oscars – despite being a film about one of the country’s most beloved cultural icons. However, with Rami Malek’s captivating performance and potential nominations for cinematography and music, Bohemian Rhapsody is expected to be a major contender at the upcoming Oscars, possibly even winning multiple awards, much like La La Land did in 2017.

Details:

• Studio: Regency Enterprises
• Country: United States
• Director: Bryan Singer
• Writers: Anthony McCarten, Peter Morgan
• Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
• Meta Critic Score: 49
• Expected Nominations: Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling