Oscars 2017: Dark Horse/Upset Predictions

Hidden Figures. Image via 20th Century Fox

BEST PICTURE: Hidden Figures

Frontrunner: La La Land

Potential Upset: Hidden Figures

While La La Land has the likable Hollywood movie about Hollywood angle going for it, and Moonlight has the serious art film position locked, the two could see another upset coming in the way of Hidden Figures.

Hidden Figures tells the true story of the women mathematicians who worked at NASA and helped orchestrate the moon landing. The film, starring Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monaé and Octavia Spencer, is not only one of the few female-led Best Picture nominees, it’s also the biggest box office success of the bunch. Hidden Figures has brought in $144.2 million at the U.S. box office, ahead of La La Land’s $134 million.

The Oscars can sometimes seem out of touch with what the average moviegoer likes, but Hidden Figures is one of the rare cases where they can agree. Hidden Figures has received positive reviews and generally good word of mouth. It also won top honors at the SAG Awards last month, taking the prize for best ensemble cast. Good performances, an uplifting and well-liked movie, positive representation and a crowd-pleasing box office smash? This could be one of the best received Best Picture winners in decades.