Oscars 2016 Predictions! Who Will Win?

Leonardo DiCaprio could win the Best Actor Oscar and be so elated on stage that he announces plans to star in a Titanic sequel called Jack Live! It won’t make a difference. The 2016 Oscars campaign will be remembered as the year in which a glaring lack of diversity among the nominees (again) sparked an #OscarsSoWhite uproar and led to much-needed change within the Academy ranks. It’s a controversial, hot-button topic that host Chris Rock will surely address in the show’s opening moments on February 28. VISIT FOR MORE Not to say that the night won’t feature any high-stakes suspense. Though some categories were cinched before the Christmas presents were even unwrapped, the ultimate prize — Best Picture — remains a toss-up. The same goes for some of the first envelope-opens of the night. But will this uncertainty stop an Oscar fanatic who saw all the nominated movies and performances from making a few bold predictions anyway? Let’s get to it:

Best Picture

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

The Martian

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Room

Spotlight

And the Oscar goes to . . . The Revenant. A sprawling and challenging revenge epic, this is the kind of heavy drama the Academy tends to favor. In a true neck-and-neck race, it’s got the muscle to overtake Spotlight. Still not convinced? Don’t forget it’s a box office studio hit, and a BAFTA and Golden Globe award winner that garnered the most nominations — and its director, Birdman helmer Alejandro G. Inarritu, is poised to take home back-to-back trophies. Hate to admit it, but it’s true: An angry mamma bear will always triumph over scrappy journalists.

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Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

And the Oscar goes to . . . Leonardo DiCaprio. If you’re entering an Oscar pool and pick someone other than this five-time nominee, then I must seriously question your desire to win. The actor already has a shelf full of trophies for his grueling near-silent performance as 19th century fur trapper in peril, and he’s a lock for the golden guy as well. He probably should have won it two years ago for The Wolf of Wall Street, but no matter. The man is due. Plus, did you hear he ate raw bison to prep for the role????

Jacob Tremblay and Brie Larson Tremblay and Larson in 'Room' George Kraychyk Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

And the Oscar goes to . . . Brie Larson. Blanchett and Lawrence have a case, but they each won in this category five minutes ago. Now the path is clear for Larson, who delivers a blistering turn as a devoted mom in the indie drama — and, like DiCaprio, has won every major award leading up to the big night. And hey, maybe her victory will finally convince people to see Room, which is one of the top 10 lowest-grossing Best Picture nominee in the past 33 years. (You can download it now on iTunes!)

Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan Stallone and Jordan in 'Creed' Barry Wetcher Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Marky Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Sylvester Stallone, Creed

And the Oscar goes to . . . Sylvester Stallone. C’mon, is there anyone not rooting for Stallone to win gold 39 years after he lost the Best Actor race for the same role in Rocky? The 69-year-old star — already a seasoned pro at ambling up a flight of steps — is the sentimental choice here among voters and fans alike. He’s also the correct one. That said, if SAG winner Idris Elba got a nod for Beasts of No Nation, this race would have been a lot more interesting.

Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne Vikander and Redmayne in 'The Danish Girl' Focus Features Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

And the Oscar goes to . . . Alicia Vikander. This is the closest one to call, and it’s difficult to resist the image of precious Kate and Leo photo opps with their Oscars. Yet there’s no denying Vikander, the current It Girl who enjoyed a monster breakout year (see: Ex_Machina. No, really. See it). She just won the SAG and her turn as the conflicted wife of a transgender pioneer is so meaty that it should have been in the Best Actress category. Semi-related intrigue: Will she thank her boyfriend and fellow nominee, Michael Fassender?

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...And the Rest!

Best Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu, The Revenant

Best Original Screenplay: Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Best Adapted Screenplay: Adam McKay & Charles Randolph, The Big Short

Best Animated Feature: Inside Out

Best Foreign Language Film: The Son of Saul

Best Documentary: Amy

Best Documentary Short: Body Team 12

Best Live Action Short: Ave Maria

Best Animated Short: Sanjays Super Team

Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight

Best Original Song: “Til It Happens to You,” Lady Gaga & Diane Warren

Best Sound Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Sound Mixing: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Production Design: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Makeup: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Cinematography: The Revenant

Best Costume Design: Carol

Best Film Editing: The Revenant

Best Visual Effects: Star Wars: The Force Awakens