Top 15 Best Films Set to Compete for the 2018 Oscars

The Florida Project is an independent film directed by Sean Baker, produced by A24. It paints a poignant portrait of the struggles faced by the impoverished, where adults fight to survive and children must grow up too fast in a world deprived of material comforts and parental attention. As summer arrives with all its joys, it also brings tragedy in its wake. The Florida Project captures the pure optimism and innocence of children living in difficult conditions, bringing light to the harsh realities they face. The film is expected to make waves at the upcoming Oscars.

• Director: Sean Baker
• Cast: Willem Dafoe, Brooklyn Prince, Valeria Cotto, Macon Blair
• Meta Critics Score: 92
• IMDb Score: 8.1
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor,

Another remarkable film from a female director, You Were Never Really Here, directed by Lynne Ramsay, is also part of the Top 15 Films Expected to Compete for the 2018 Oscars. It's hard to believe that this dark, violent thriller comes from a female director. The story follows Joe, a troubled war veteran and former FBI agent, who now works as a contract killer. His mission: to rescue young girls kidnapped and sold into sex trafficking. Things take a dangerous turn when Joe is tasked with saving the daughter of a politician from a brothel, leading him into a deadly trap. You Were Never Really Here has already won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival and is expected to be a strong contender at the 2018 Oscars.

• Director: Lynne Ramsay
• Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov, Alessandro Nivola
• Meta Critics Score: 88
• IMDb Score: 7.4
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Cinematography, Sound

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a satirical drama about a mother whose daughter is brutally raped and murdered. Desperate for justice, she calls out the local police chief to take action, but no one is arrested or investigated. In a bold move, the mother rents three large billboards to demand that the police do their job and bring justice for her daughter. This film serves as a biting critique of societal issues, particularly the irresponsibility of law enforcement, much like the Coen brothers' classic, Fargo.

• Director: Martin McDonagh
• Cast: Frances McDormand, Caleb Landry Jones, Sam Rockwell, Kerry Condon
• Meta Critics Score: 87
• IMDb Score: 8.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score

Marking director Guillermo del Toro's return to the world of fantasy and humanistic storytelling, The Shape of Water is a highly praised film expected to compete at the upcoming Oscars. The film tells the story of an unlikely romance between a mute woman and a mysterious aquatic creature, who is pursued by the authorities. It is a touching tale that carries deep human messages, addressing issues like war, sexuality, cinema, and even religion. The film calls for bravery and kindness, urging us to live true to our nature.

• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Cast: Michael Shannon, Sally Hawkins, Richard Jenkins
• Meta Critics Score: 87
• IMDb Score: 7.6
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Original Score

The Big Sick brings a humanistic perspective on immigration, particularly timely in the context of former U.S. President Donald Trump's stringent stance on immigration. The film, ranked eighth in the Top 15 Films Expected to Compete for the 2018 Oscar, follows a Pakistani immigrant family living in America. Amidst deep cultural and religious divides, the family faces numerous struggles as they try to preserve their cultural identity while adapting to their new life. Beyond offering a funny and touching family story, The Big Sick subtly addresses underlying social issues within the U.S.

• Director: Michael Showalter
• Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano
• Meta Critics Score: 86
• IMDb Score: 7.7
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress

Mudbound, based on the novel by Hillary Jordan, takes place in post-World War II America, portraying the harsh realities of African American life during that time. The story follows a black family who migrates to the rural Mississippi Delta in search of a peaceful life away from the turmoil of post-war America. They hope their move will bring a better future, but instead, they are met with a society entrenched in racial discrimination and a family member returning from the war struggling to reintegrate into a community even more hostile than before. Mudbound is considered one of the most powerful films addressing racial inequality and is a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars.

• Director: Dee Rees
• Cast: Rob Morgan, Jason Mitchell, Jason Clarke, Jonathan Banks, Carey Mulligan
• Meta Critics Score: 85
• IMDb Score: 7.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Original Score

Get Out is a surprising hit in the Top 15 Best Films Expected to Compete for the 2018 Oscar. Despite its debut in early April, this film marks the directorial debut of Jordan Peele, a name not widely recognized in Hollywood. The film, which tackles the sensitive issue of racial discrimination, follows a black man who visits his girlfriend's secluded family estate, only to find himself trapped in a terrifying and sinister situation. The film received an impressive 8.4 score from Meta Critics and has emerged as a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars.

• Director: Jordan Peele
• Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
• Meta Critics Score: 84
• IMDb Score: 7.7
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Film Editing, Sound Design

The Post marks the return of master filmmaker Steven Spielberg to the theme of war. In this gripping drama, Spielberg takes us back to the Vietnam War. The story centers on the 1971 publication of the Pentagon Papers by the Washington Post, which rocked public opinion in the U.S. by exposing the immoral truths behind the Vietnam War and the atrocities committed by the U.S. military against the Vietnamese people. Starring veteran actors Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, The Post is poised to be a major contender at this year’s Oscars.

• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Cast: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk
• Meta Critics Score: 82
• IMDb Score: Not Available
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Film Editing, Sound Design

Blade Runner 2049 is the long-awaited sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner. Set 30 years after the original, this film follows K, a replicant cop, as he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious ‘special child’ born naturally to two replicants. Along the way, K confronts various forces while grappling with his own identity and purpose in life. Praised for its stunning artistry and deep thematic exploration, Blade Runner 2049 is a serious contender in the sci-fi category for the upcoming Oscars.

• Director: Denis Villeneuve
• Cast: Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford
• Meta Critics Score: 81
• IMDb Score: 8.4
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Best Actor, Cinematography, Production Design, Film Editing, Visual Effects, Sound Design

Coco is a heartwarming animated film by Disney, following the adventures of Miguel and his dog Dante as they venture into the Land of the Dead. Miguel, a boy passionate about music but forbidden by his family, finds himself in this mystical realm after discovering the guitar of famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz. There, he reunites with deceased relatives and embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery. Coco became an instant hit, moving audiences to tears and becoming the frontrunner for Best Animated Feature at this year's Oscars. It’s not just nominated—it’s poised to take home the win.

• Director: Lee Unkrich
• Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
• Meta Critics Score: 80
• IMDb Score: 9.0
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Animated Feature

The Disaster Artist is a fascinating and hilarious film about the making of the so-called ‘cult classic’ The Room, widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. Directed by and starring James Franco, it tells the story of Tommy Wiseau’s bizarre journey to create his infamous movie. Surprisingly, the film about making a film that was a massive failure has garnered critical acclaim and is expected to make a splash at the Oscars. This quirky entry wraps up the Top 15 Best Films Expected to Compete for the 2018 Oscars.

• Director: James Franco
• Cast: James Franco, Eliza Coupe, Alison Brie, Tommy Wiseau, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen
• Meta Critics Score: 76
• IMDb Score: 8.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Hair and Makeup

Call Me By Your Name is the leading contender for Best Picture in this year's Oscar race, following in the footsteps of the groundbreaking Moonlight, which won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture. This moving and beautifully crafted film explores the tender and passionate relationship between two young men. Set in the sun-soaked landscapes of Italy, Call Me By Your Name contrasts with Moonlight by presenting a love story that is open and free, yet equally heartfelt. With its emotionally rich narrative and stunning performances, the film is being hailed by critics as a new landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema.

• Director: Luca Guadagnino
• Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg
• Meta Critics Score: 95
• IMDb Score: 8.4
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography

Lady Bird is an indie film backed by A24, the same studio that brought us the Oscar-winning Moonlight. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this is her second feature, and it takes us through the life of a high school senior, navigating the challenges of love, friendship, and family. While the premise may seem familiar, Gerwig brings an authenticity and warmth to the story that makes it feel deeply personal and relatable. With its rich storytelling and a grounded, naturalistic portrayal of adolescence, Lady Bird has been praised for its nuanced approach. It's expected to be another triumph for A24 at this year's Oscars.

• Director: Greta Gerwig
• Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Odeya Rush
• Meta Critics Score: 94
• IMDb Score: 8.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress

Dunkirk is a war drama directed by Christopher Nolan, inspired by the true events that occurred in Dunkirk, France. The story follows the harrowing rescue of over 300,000 British and French soldiers trapped on the beach by Nazi forces, under constant attack from both infantry and air forces. As the situation grew increasingly dire, civilian fishing boats crossed the English Channel to help evacuate the soldiers. With stunning visuals, an intense sound design, and a gripping script, Dunkirk has been widely acclaimed by critics. It is seen as a potential contender for Christopher Nolan's first Oscar win.

• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Cast: Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, Barry Keoghan, Fionn Whitehead
• Meta Critics Score: 94
• IMDb Score: 8.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
• Potential Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound, Editing, Costume Design, Production Design