Entering fall, the major studios will soon start releasing their Oscar hopefuls for the 2022 Academy Awards which will air on ABC March 27. The 94th Awards show will see big names like Will Smith in King Richard and the trio of Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, and Al Pacino in House of Gucci look to battle it out. Whether it be subject matter or directorial choices, the best picture nominees that stand out are not afraid to take chances.

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With star power including Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt the 2016 Oscars has to be one of the most familiar to the public. Three films finished among the top 50 highest-grossing at the 2015 Box Office meaning public interest was certainly high for the big night. While star power wasn't lacking, the best of the bunch were not afraid to take some risks.

Brooklyn - 7.5

Ellis Lacey walking down a quiet street in Brooklyn

Brooklyn stars Lady Bird breakout, Saoirse Ronan, as an Irish immigrant in 1950s Brooklyn who falls in love with a local. Based on the book by Colm Tóibín, the film also saw Ronan nominated for Best Actress and a nomination for Adapted Screenplay. It grossed $62,076,141 Worldwide on an estimated budget of $11 Million according to The Numbers.

While Ronan proved herself a name to watch, co-star Domhnall Gleeson gives one of his best performances. Despite the stellar acting, Brooklyn is too charming and inoffensive to really move the needle when discussing the other nominated films. The theme of being homesick and forging your own identity is universal and thought-provoking, but it lacks enough of a hook to capture a bigger audience.

Bridge of Spies - 7.6

James Donovan and Rudolf Abel at court in Bridge of Spies 2015

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies stars Tom Hanks as real-life lawyer James B. Donovan recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court during the Cold War. The film also stars Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, and Amy Ryan. It was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Sound Mixing, Score, and Production Design with Rylance winning Best Supporting Actor.

No one can deny Bridge of Spies is a well-crafted, directed, and acted movie. That said, the Cold War tale can come off a little cold, leaving audiences wishing for a little more heart. Technically proficient, Bridge of Spies would have benefited from diving more into the characters to show why they do what they do as opposed to just moving from point a to point b and hitting all the needed marks.

The Big Short - 7.8

Mark Baum and Jared Vannett squaring off in office in The Big Short

Based on the popular book by Michael Lewis, The Big Short stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. The dramedy follows a group of investors who bet against the US mortgage market after they discover how flawed the system truly is. The movie was nominated in Film Editing and won for Adapted Screenplay while the occasionally underrated Bale and Adam McKay were nominated for Supporting Actor and Director respectively.

If not for the strong acting of its leads and some well-timed comedic wit, this true story could have come off a confusing mess in lesser hands. Instead, McKay is able to craft a story that even those with no interest in Wall Street can find engaging until the end of its two-hour runtime. With a strong supporting cast, McKay takes a dour, confusing subject and makes it accessible to the average Joe thanks to having celebrities talk directly to the audience. A risk that pays off.

The Revenant - 8.0

Hugh Glass looking up while in the wilderness in The Revenant

The Revenant stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s who is forced to fight for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead. Co-Starring Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, and Domhnall Gleeson the film finally gave DiCaprio his first Best Actor win. Alejandro G. Iñárritu also won for Best Director while the film won for Cinematography. In total, The Revenant led all movies with 12 Oscar Nominations including a Supporting Actor nomination for Hardy. It grossed $532,938,302 Worldwide on an estimated budget of $135 Million according to The Numbers.

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The Revenant isn't the first thing to come to mind when thinking of a crowd-pleasing movie with its grisly premise. The movie isn't afraid to be raw and gruesome as needed to depict the story in its truest form. The story isn't cleaned up to appease the public which is a chance that pays off handsomely. That said, it goes to show how strong acting can carry even the most questionable premise. DiCaprio certainly earns his well-overdue Oscar here.

The Martian - 8.0

Mark Watney looking down at the ground in The Martian

Based on the book by Andy Weir, The Martian stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney trying to stay alive after being stranded on Mars. Co-Starring Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, and Jeff Daniels, the film landed seven Oscar Nominations. Damon was nominated for Best Actor along with Screenplay, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects, and Production Design.

Related: 15 Movies To Watch If You Loved The Martian

The Martian takes an engaging underdog story of survival and adds enough humor to give it a real fighting chance. It's hard not to root for Damon's Watney and the crew trying to get him home. The film takes a big chance having Damon carry a majority of the flick alone giving monologues as the only actor on screen. Thankfully, his natural charisma does enough to keep audiences glued to the screen.

Room - 8.1

Jack and Ma inside Room in Room

Room is the movie that put Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay on the Hollywood map. Based on the book by Emma Donoghue (who also wrote the screenplay), Room follows a mother and her young son who are held captive and cut off from the outside world. Co-Starring Joan Allen and William H. Macy, the film was nominated for four Oscars (Screenplay, Directing, Picture) along with a victory for Larson in Best Actress. It grossed $36,311,350 Worldwide on an estimated budget of $13 Million according to The Numbers.

The bond between mother and son helps keep the plot moving along as audiences wonder how things will wind up in the end. With a somewhat controversial plot, the movie isn't afraid to take its time unraveling the story. It displays the human spirit and what two people are willing to survive in life as they struggle to keep going day after day. It is not always pretty, but the movie shows that the human spirit is undeniable and the lengths one will go for those they love.

Mad Max Fury Road - 8.1

Furiosa and Max in the poster for Mad Max: Fury Road

Mad Max: Fury Road put the franchise back on top after 1985's Mad Max Beyond. Starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, the film follows a woman rebelling against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning for Editing, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing and Production Design. It grossed $367,457,874 Worldwide on an estimated budget of $150 Million according to The Numbers.

With the Mad Max franchise almost forgotten, director George Miller came back with a vengeance to create an action flick fit to be seen on the big screen. While not for everyone, it is certainly a sight to behold. It was certainly a risk reviving a franchise from the 80s but Miller pulled it off despite all the production issues. This is not the movie to see if one wants a story-focused drama with a lot of dialogue. That said, audiences who want a thrill ride and visual spectacle in a barren wasteland setting unlike recent movies will be happy with the end result.

Spotlight - 8.1

The Spotlight team at a meeting in Spotlight

The 2016 Best Picture Winner, Spotlight follows the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a child molestation cover-up scandal within the Catholic Archdiocese. The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber. In addition to Picture, the movie won an Oscar for Original Screenplay while Ruffalo and McAdams were nominated in Supporting along with Director Tom McCarthy and Editing.

Harking back to All the President's Men (Best Picture nominee in 1977) this true story not only keeps audiences engaged but also makes them think. As with other movies in this list, Spotlight is not afraid to tackle a sensitive subject. The movie shows the power of the media and what they can accomplish when they buckle down and get to work. The strong acting helps carry the story and the characters step in for the audience as they emote to how big the scandal really was.

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