Top 10 Films That Should Win The Fan Favorite Oscar Award
#10: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” (2021)
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In a way, this Best Animated Feature nominee exemplifies the generational clash that the Oscars have been facing lately. Daughter Katie represents the tech-savvy younger generation that wants to branch out and try new things. Father Rick represents the older generation who resists change. Neither is entirely wrong, but neither is entirely right either. It isn’t until Katie and Rick find a compromise that they’re both able to grow. The Oscars could afford to do the same as they strive towards more diverse, inclusive nominees and members while still upholding tradition. If the Oscars are at a turning point, “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” would be a fitting victor for the Fan Favorite prize. It’d also be appropriate given the award’s social media ties.
#9: “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021)
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We’re glad that the Academy has been embracing so many Asian artists with “Parasite” winning Best Picture, Youn Yuh-jung winning Best Supporting Actress for “Minari,” and “Drive My Car” scoring four major nominations just this year. “Shang-Chi” is different from those films for a variety of reasons. For many Asians who grew up in America feeling unseen, though, “Shang-Chi” was a truly meaningful experience. It also proved to be a universal fan favorite with inventive fight choreography, charismatic leads, and Oscar-nominated special effects. In a year that launched the “Stop Asian Hate” slogan, seeing “Shang-Chi” commemorated at the Oscars would be especially meaningful. And while we’re on the subject of MCU movies, who doesn’t want to see Black Widow posing on the Red Carpet?
#8: “The Suicide Squad” (2021)
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On one hand, it’s hard to believe that this critically acclaimed fan favorite was a box office disappointment. Then again, it did come out during a pandemic and was simultaneously made available on HBO Max - where it became the platform’s most-watched DCEU film, we might add. It also didn’t help that the previous “Suicide Squad” remains one of the DCEU’s worst offerings. Alas, we live in a universe where the original won an Oscar for its makeup and the vastly superior standalone sequel didn’t even get nominated for one. If fans want to restore balance, they should vote for “The Suicide Squad,” and also request that King Shark accept the prize with James Gunn. “Hand?” No, King Shark, Oscar!
#7: “A Quiet Place Part II” (2020)
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After a few other high-budget movies attempted to jumpstart the box office, “A Quiet Place Part II” marked something of a comeback with the biggest opening weekend since the pandemic started. The long-delayed sequel was strangely unifying with scares that are best experienced with an audience and its coming-of-age themes. To an extent, the film also reflects our current reality as younger generations are forced to step up in a brave new world we didn’t prepare them for. Given its relevance in the zeitgeist, “A Quiet Place Part II” would be a solid choice to represent the past year’s cinema. The Fan Favorite Award would also compensate for its lack of nominations. The film didn’t even get in for Best Sound, although it was shortlisted.
#6: “Free Guy” (2021)
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Dying is easy, comedy is hard. You know what else is hard? Getting audiences to see an original movie in the theaters during a pandemic. “Free Guy” kept audiences coming back, however, thanks to Shawn Levy’s inventive direction, a clever screenplay, and magnetism of Ryan Reynolds. Yet, “Free Guy” only got one Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. Why not consider a film like this for above-the-line categories? Jodie Comer gave a layered performance as a badass bombshell, an ordinary gamer, and someone in between. Lil Rel Howery took what could’ve been a straightforward best friend role and brought a lot of heart to the character. It’s too late to nominate them, but it’s not too late to give “Free Guy” the Fan Favorite Award.
#5: “No Time to Die” (2021)
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“No Time to Die” received three nominations for its sound, effects, and theme song. For a brief moment last fall, though, a part of us thought maybe it would get more. With his swan song, Daniel Craig gave what’s arguably his best performance as James Bond. Dare we say that it was even Best Actor worthy? In Best Supporting Actress fashion, Ana de Armas’ screentime is brief, but she makes every moment count and leaves us wanting more. Given how many British artists have been invited to join the Academy, you’d think that the UK’s top-grossing film of 2021 would be in the Best Picture conversation. Maybe this was all a pipedream, but a victory for the Fan Favorite Oscar isn’t out of the question.
#4: “Tick, Tick... Boom!” (2021)
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With nominations for Andrew Garfield’s riveting lead performance as Jonathan Larson and the pulse-pounding editing, we think “Tick, Tick… Boom!” was close to a Best Picture nomination. Maybe Netflix gave “The Power of the Dog” and “Don’t Look Up” stronger pushes. Maybe musical fans were more taken with “West Side Story.” In any case, we’re sure everyone would be elated to see “Tick, Tick… Boom!” receive the Fan Favorite honor. Not only is it a quote-unquote “Oscar-friendly” biopic, but it’s unified mainstream moviegoers in their mutual love of Garfield, Larson, and music. Director Lin-Manuel Miranda and screenwriter Steven Levenson, in particular, deserve more credit for taking one of Larson’s lesser known works and molding it into a celebration of his life.
#3: “Encanto” (2021)
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From one Lin-Manuel Miranda project to another, “Encanto” performed admirably at the box office for a pandemic release. Once the film arrived on Disney+, though, it exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Everyone is still talking about Bruno. If “Encanto” is given the spotlight on March 27, 2022, everyone will be talking about Oscar too. In addition to the two music categories, “Encanto” is in a strong position to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar, which is saying a lot in a year that brought us other fan favorites like “Luca” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.” When it comes to Oscars, animation is kind of like Mirabel: often brushed aside, but if you look deeper, you’ll find a gift that deserves to be embraced.
#2: “Dune” (2021)
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If you think the Academy is completely out of touch with mainstream audiences, they did nominate one blockbuster for Best Picture. “Dune” wasn’t merely another popcorn flick. It was the rare modern event picture that delivered a spectacle and something deeper. Even with its presence on HBO Max, “Dune” grossed over $400 million. Why? Because an epic like this demands to be seen on the biggest screen. While “Dune” received ten Oscar nominations, Best Director for Denis Villeneuve inexplicably wasn’t one of them. This likely limits its chances of winning Best Picture, but the Fan Favorite Oscar may fill the void until “Dune: Part Two” comes out. Plus, we’re sure “Dune” will sweep the tech categories… five of which aren’t being broadcasted live. Seriously, #PresentAll23! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Cruella” (2021) We Need Emma Stone on the Red Carpet Wearing de Vil Attire “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (2021) As a Touching Tribute to the Late Harold Ramis & Ivan Reitman “The Matrix Resurrections” (2021) If Only to Get Keanu Reeves on Stage to Say, “Woah!” “Jungle Cruise” (2021) Our Way of Saying, “You’re Welcome,” to The Rock “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021) To Symbolize the Best Picture Battle Between “Power of the Dog” & “Belfast”
#1: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021)
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Let’s be honest. The Fan Favorite Oscar probably wouldn’t exist if the Academy nominated “No Way Home” for Best Picture. At the tailend of another difficult year for theaters, Spider-Man saved the day with over $1 billion. Popularity and quality don’t always go together. Otherwise, Michael Bay would have multiple Oscars. 20 years from now, though, “No Way Home” is going to be remembered as a cinematic achievement, uniting three generations of movies in thrilling, emotional, and rewarding ways. Yes, it’s a superhero movie. Yes, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Yes, it’s full of fan service. If you view those as strikes, however, you’re impossible to satisfy. You can give Spidey a consolation prize, but we all know it was one of the year’s ten best films.