However, there is some discouraging news: In conversations with Oscar voters, many have expressed concern over whether there are even 10 exceptional films to consider for voting this year. While greatness is subjective, this year's pool of Oscar contenders is notably diverse, including mainstream blockbusters, foreign dramas, and a comedy with Meryl Streep as the president. If voters feel that there are not enough deserving films to fill out their 10 slots, it may be because they have not explored all the options thoroughly. I have viewed all the major Oscar contenders for this year, except for Guillermo del Toro's "Nightmare Alley," and while there is some consensus forming around the top contenders, there are still several exciting films that could make the final lineup. I have identified six movies with the strongest chances for best picture, as well as a selection of other worthy films that voters can consider. One question on many minds is whether Steven Spielberg's new musical, "West Side Story," could replicate the success of the original 1961 version and win best picture at the Oscars. After receiving standing ovations this week, the film "West Side Story" has been moved to the top position. Steven Spielberg's clever reimagining of the original material combines classic grandeur with modern concerns, making it a favorite among Oscar voters. Following last year's more intimate Academy Awards ceremony, a large-scale Steven Spielberg musical premiering exclusively in theaters is just the type of project that the film industry and the Oscars will likely support. In comparison, "Belfast" is a modest film that runs for only 97 minutes, never exceeding its boundaries and concluding at the perfect moment. However, its modesty may prevent it from nabbing the top spot at the Oscars. Kenneth Branagh's "Belfast" has been well-received in the academy, but "West Side Story" has more glamour and has earned around $5 million at the box office. The film is waiting for the return of the older art-house crowd to potentially become a sleeper hit. Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" has generated buzz for the performances of Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, and could put Campion in the running for a major Oscar. However, winning the best director award may be more likely than taking home the best picture prize. The movie "King Richard," which tells the story of Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams, is considered a strong contender for best actor due to Will Smith's performance. This increases its chances of being nominated for best picture, as the last 10 best actor winners all came from movies nominated in the top Oscar category. In contrast, only six of the last 10 best actress winners were from films nominated in the top category, indicating a need for more recognition of female-led films. Despite this, "King Richard" faced criticism for its weak opening weekend box office performance. In comparison, the trailer for "Being the Ricardos," directed by Aaron Sorkin, received backlash for downplaying Nicole Kidman's portrayal of Lucille Ball as potentially disastrous. However, once the film started being shown to enthusiastic guild audiences, Kidman's unexpected transformation with her smoky voice brought her closer to a potential second Oscar win. With a strong supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz, J.K. Simmons, and Nina Arianda, "Being the Ricardos" is expected to be a major contender in the upcoming awards season. Another film to watch out for is "Don't Look Up" by Adam McKay, known for his previous hits "The Big Short" and "Vice." This star-studded satire about a comet threatening the end of the world features Oscar favorites Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Mark Rylance, and Jonah Hill. Set against the backdrop of a potential apocalypse, "Don't Look Up" provides a timely commentary on the climate crisis and current global events, making it a standout among other period-piece films. These two movies are sure to be strong contenders in the upcoming awards season. Which other movies are still competing for the final four spots? It is beneficial to have a strong best-actor candidate leading your film. Expect a strong push for the musical "Cyrano," starring Peter Dinklage, Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Tick, Tick... Boom!," with Andrew Garfield, and Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," featuring Denzel Washington. Also, Joaquin Phoenix's "C'mon C'mon" should not be underestimated, despite being a tender drama about child-raising. Hopefully, voters will recognize the wonderful films contending in the best-actress category and give them a chance for a best-picture nomination. The group of potential Oscar contenders includes Paul Thomas Anderson’s "Licorice Pizza," which marks the film acting debut of musician Alana Haim. Pedro Almodóvar’s "Parallel Mothers," which earned Penélope Cruz the Volpi Cup for best actress at the Venice Film Festival, is also in the mix. Renate Reinsve won best actress at Cannes for her role in the romantic dramedy "The Worst Person in the World," which has been gaining awards attention. At the Gotham Awards, Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Lost Daughter" received several awards, including one for Olivia Colman's lead performance. Kristen Stewart is a strong contender for the Oscar for her portrayal of Princess Diana in "Spencer," directed by Pablo Larraín. With the recent influx of international members in the academy, Asghar Farhadi's "A Hero" and Paolo Sorrentino's "The Hand of God" could potentially secure nominations for best picture and best director, respectively. I am interested in "CODA," a dramedy centered on the hearing daughter of a deaf family. Despite starting 2021 with a successful Sundance sale, the film received less attention when it arrived on Apple TV+ during the summer. Although it has not been widely discovered by audiences, two wins at the recent Gotham Awards may boost its popularity. Additionally, the sci-fi epic "Dune" is expected to be a strong contender in various technical categories. The positive reception of "West Side Story" may alleviate the pressure to include "Dune" in the best-picture category solely for its blockbuster status, but I believe it still has a good chance due to its quality and the director Denis Villeneuve's efforts against a sudden shift to HBO Max. This year's best-picture montage will be much more visually appealing with the inclusion of large sandworms.