The Academy Awards take place in February, and dramatic films like Moonlight, La La Land, and Manchester By the Sea are expected to duke it out for the top Oscar of the night, the award for Best Picture. But what are not expected to be nominated in that category are any comedies, a genre that has largely been ignored and under appreciated by the Academy. But that doesn't mean some comedies won't earn nominations in other Oscar categories, which is why there are a number of 2016 comedies to see before Oscar night.
Unlike the Golden Globes, the Oscars don't feature a category for best comedy film, meaning funny films have to look elsewhere for their nominations. One likely destination is Best Animated Feature, which will likely feature a number of films that could be considered comedies. Other spots where a comedy may sneak in include the various acting categories, and certainly the two writing categories: Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Some of the films on this list have already received nominations for the Golden Globes and other awards, which can frequently be prognosticators for what will happen at the Oscars. So check out the 17 comedies below that may find themselves in contention for Oscar gold.
1. Deadpool
Although the raunchy superhero movie seems like a long shot, it's already picked up two Golden Globes nominations and one from the WGA for Best Adapted Screenplay, a category it could sneak into at the Oscars.
2. Moana
The Disney hit is a lock for a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category, and don't count out the music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, either.
3. Sausage Party
The dirtiest animated film ever made certainly isn't the type of movie the Academy usually goes for, but it is slightly in contention for a Best Animated Feature nomination.
4. Finding Dory
No studio dominates the animated category at the Oscars like Pixar, meaning their only offering of 2016 stands a good shot at being nominated.
5. Kubo And The Two Strings
One of the best-reviewed films of the year happens to be animated, which should definitely help its odds.
6. Hail, Caesar!
The Academy adores the Coen brothers (don't forget, No Country For Old Men won Best Picture), and the siblings could earn a nom for Best Original Screenplay.
7. The Lobster
Arguably the most original film of the year, it would almost be a travesty if this wasn't nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
8. Captain Fantastic
Viggo Mortensen gives one of the best performances of the year in this dark comedy, and has already earned the attention of the Golden Globes (in the drama category, no less).
9. The Little Prince
While it's just as likely to make you cry as laugh, this poignant film could earn a nod in the animated category as well.
10. Zootopia
In case you couldn't tell, the animated field is especially crowded this year, but this Disney effort is considered the frontrunner to win the award.
11. Everybody Wants Some!
Although it's not as revered as his last film, 2014's Boyhood, writer-director Richard Linklater may still earn himself another Best Original Screenplay nomination for this '80s-set romp.
12. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
This New Zealand film drew rave reviews, and could sneak into the Best Original Screenplay category.
13. War Dogs
Jonah Hill picked up a Golden Globe nomination for his highly-praised performance here, and could draw the attention of the Academy as well.
14. Sing
Maybe the least likely of the animated films on this list to pick up a nomination, the film did gain some momentum thanks to the Golden Globes nominating it for Best Animated Feature.
15. Paterson
Jim Jarmusch's critically-adored comedy-drama could surprise with nominations in either the Best Original Screenplay category or Best Actor for Adam Driver.
16. 20th Century Women
Annette Bening is considered the frontrunner for Best Actress for her role in this comedy-drama, and director Mike Mills is earning buzz as well.
17. Florence Foster Jenkins
Rule number one of the Oscars: Don't ever bet against Meryl Streep.
Although it's unlikely that all of these movies will earn Oscar nominations, there's a good chance that several of them will, so you should probably watch all of them just to be safe.
