And the contenders for the Best Picture Oscar are

From a superhero blockbuster to an offbeat royal comedy of manners to an intimate black-and-white ode to '70s Mexico City, the contenders for this year’s Best Picture Oscar are as varied as ever. Here is a brief summary of the eight films vying for the mo

1. Black Panther

Director Ryan Coogler took Hollywood by storm with his take on Marvel’s Black Panther, a visually stunning film about a mythical, hidden, technologically advanced African kingdom called Wakanda. The title character is also known as T’challa, the heir to Wakanda’s throne who takes over as king when his father is assassinated.

But he is challenged by Killmonger, a US black ops soldier with nefarious intentions who also happens to be T’challa’s cousin. The film earned an impressive seven nominations overall, and made history by becoming the first comic book film to win a Best Picture nomination. It won top honours at the Screen Actors Guild awards for best ensemble cast.

2. Blackkklansman

Director Spike Lee turned out a blistering drama based on the real-life tale of a black cop who decides to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan with his white partner. The film – which earned six nominations – stars John David Washington (son of Denzel) and Adam Driver. Blackkklansman unfolds in the ’70s, but the film ends with rallies in Charlottesville two years ago, becoming a searing indictment of divisions in today’s America. Lee has notoriously been denied on Oscars night. While he has an honorary Oscar, he has never won a competitive Academy Award.

3. Bohemian rhapsody

The biopic about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury earned lackluster reviews when it opened, but its surprise inclusion – and wins – at the Golden Globes propelled it into Oscars contention. Rami Malek is a top contender for Best Actor for his portrayal of Mercury, and critics have especially hailed his strutting, pitch perfect recreation of the band’s iconic Live Aid performance in 1985.