Oscars 2017: Dark Horse/Upset Predictions

Moonlight. Image via A24

These dark horse picks have the potential to cause major Oscar upsets this Sunday at the 89th Academy Awards.

People legitimately bet on the Oscars, and not just at their own home viewing parties. Bookies take actual bets on who’s winning big on Oscar night, and fans could score some serious cash if their bets pan out. The key is eschewing the sure things (like La La Land taking Best Picture this year) and trying for an upset with bigger odds, and an even bigger payday. But that’s just if you’re the kind of person who wants to win money on something as inconsequential as the Oscars, or someone who wants to impress your friends by predicting an out of left field win.

For the rest of us who follow awards season obsessively, we’re just looking to shake up the monotony! Sure, watching Emma Stone deliver cute and awkward speeches is fun, but wouldn’t you rather see something unexpected happen? That’s the beauty of the Academy Awards, sometimes a win comes right out of left field.

There are dark horses in every race, and with a potential sweep on everyone’s mind (La La Land), voters might be looking to mix things up and share the wealth among films. Check out some of the dark horse performances and films that could cause a potential upset on Oscars night.