We had four films release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

Doctor Strange

Now that the Iron Man curse has been lifted from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Captain America: The Winter Soldier became the first film in the MCU that didn’t feature Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man to get an Oscar nomination), it’s possible that Doctor Strange could get an Oscar nomination.

The areas where these films have been able to compete are the craft categories, specifically the sound and visual effects ones. Sound is more difficult for the franchise, though it’s possible this one will earn a nod. The vast and inventive soundscape played a significant role in the film’s success. However, the one category where it has the best opportunity is Best Visual Effects. Filled to the brim with inventive effects, the film takes what Inception did very well and improved upon it. The vast landscapes that are twisted and manipulated to create what we see on screen are impressive, which could be enough to net the film its likely only nomination.

Hacksaw Ridge

There’s been talk that Mel Gibson is on the road to redemption. After winning the Oscar for Braveheart in 1995, Gibson had a meltdown resulting in a significant loss of reputation. While The Passion of the Christ did earn several tech nominations, it’s clear his favor with the Academy has been hit. His anti-Semitic and anti-gay stances put him at odds with many in Hollywood.

Now that some have had time to forget his antics, there was some chatter that this new war film could finally earn him recognition again. The problem is this was before some critics got a hold of it. While its ratings are respectable, there’s a lot of talk that the effort isn’t sufficient. With so many high quality releases this year, Hacksaw Ridge needed a boffo box office performance to give it a chance. That doesn’t seem to have transpired, finishing a distant third behind Doctor Strange and Trolls with a solid, but insignificant $15 million opening.

The film could still earn some nominations. Andrew Garfield is still being talked up as a potential Best Actor nominee in a field that doesn’t seem to be as full as it has been in recent years. The effects are certainly up for consideration. It’s a period war drama, which puts it in line for several below-the-line categories. That said, several nominations could put in play for a Best Picture nomination, though it seems Gibson won’t be able to capitalize on that for a Best Director nod.

Trolls

DreamWorks Animation’s last shot at Oscar glory this year is Trolls, a colorful, joyful animated feature starring Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. The trailers paint the picture of a modestly frivolous tale that could appeal only to children. That’s both good and bad news.

For the Academy’s Best Animated Feature award, creativity is key. Oftentimes, films that are more inventive and original tend to perform better than those that are derivative. It would explain the general lack of sequels in recent years making the play for nominations. Not all of them were genuinely worthy, but even then films like The Lego Movie and The Simpsons Movie can’t parlay critical acclaim into nominations.

DreamWorks was once a giant in the field, yielding countless nominations over the years; however, it seems like their luck is running out, just like their persistent quality. Their films have been a bit lackluster in recent years. Like Pixar, their fortunes haven’t been good, but DreamWorks seems to have focused on generic family-friend entertainment while Pixar has been trying to refocus and rebuild to what it once was. Ultimately, there are far more contenders for nomination this year than expected, which means room must be made. A film that was well received, but unimpressive isn’t going to be able to stop the indie animated films and Disney & Pixar dominance this year to earn a nomination.

Loving

Although the film has received weaker reviews than other festival entries, the significance of the Loving Supreme Court case in an atmosphere of rising racism gives Loving a timeliness that may ultimately help with Academy voters.

In Loving v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional. This film deals with the romance between Richard and Mildred Loving as they fight against discrimination, hatred, and violence to defend their love from a world that wanted to tear it down. The message is potent and director Jeff Nichols has been bubbling under with the Academy for several years. This could finally be his chance.

While the film hasn’t received nearly the level of reviews it might have had it been examined solely on paper, it does well enough that it will still be in the hunt. Even if the film isn’t nominated for Best Picture, Ruth Negga has a solid shot at a Best Actress nomination, Joel Edgerton could break into Best Actor and Michael Shannon could earn a nomination in Best Supporting Actor. The film might play for a writing award and some creative categories, but the big question marks are Picture and Director, two categories that make a certain kind of sense. However, I ultimately suspect it will be a Best Picture nominee, but not a nominee for Best Director.