Handicapping the Oscars' newest category



Earlier this month the Academy Awards announced a new category— Popular Film—beginning this year. It's unclear what the precise guidelines will be for the category, but it's never too early to start guessing which movies might make the cut. So here's five fearless suggestions:

* Black Panther — The highest grossing film of the year so far, and also one of the best. This film had great reviews, incredible audience reaction, and really got people talking. It was one of the best Marvel films in years, and seems like the kind of film this new category was made to honor.

 *A Quiet Place—While I would love this Spring thriller too be nominated in the big category, I think it's more likely here. This is another one that blew away audiences and has some spectacular performances.

* Mission Impossible Fallout—This is another big summer film, and one that's been strong at the Box Office and even stronger with critics. It had an incredible score, and this is the kind of big scale blockbuster with a critical side that should have a chance here.

* Fantastic Beats 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald—If only the "Harry Potter" films came out after this change was made? Well, they've come and gone but this is about the closest that we can get, and it feels like a sure fire inclusion.

* Mary Poppins Returns — This is a big swing here, but it's a family-friendly film that will be part of a big holiday spectacle. Does it come out too late? Perhaps. But looking at the films coming out, I feel like this one with Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel Miranda will be on the short list.

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