Oscars 2016: 20 Biggest Best Film Contenders

1. Spotlight

Thomas McCarthy, swiftly banishing the memory of dismal Adam Sandler movie The Cobbler, returns to serious filmmaking with Spotlight. It tells the story of the titular investigative team at the Boston Globe newspaper, digging into claims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. There's a starry cast involved, with Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Stanley Tucci lining up to appear. Spotlight premiered at Venice in September and has become the arguable frontrunner for Best Picture since then. Spotlight has all of the ingredients to excite Academy voters. It tells a true story of great importance, with a prestige director at the helm and a cast with awards emerging from every corner of their homes. It won the major prize at the Gotham Independent Film Awards and was also voted as Best Picture by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. It's unclear as yet whether the Academy will agree, but Spotlight will probably be the first film on the ballot for many of those with the power to decide. Which movies do you think will make it onto the Best Films shortlist at the Oscars in 2016? Share your picks below in the comments thread.