"Top Gun: Maverick," "Avatar: The Way of Water," and more box-office hits are in Oscar contention.
Now, with the Oscars fighting for viewership, box-office hits like "Top Gun: Maverick" — this year's biggest movie so far — and "Avatar: The Way of Water" — which is chasing that title — may be in contention for the top prize at the 2023 ceremony.
The declining viewership has, in recent years, prompted the organization behind the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to try to inject the show with changes.
The aforementioned "Top Gun: Maverick" is a formidable player in this year's awards race, as is "Avatar: The Way of Water."
The movie, which was made for $25 million, grossed $103 million worldwide, making it indie studio A24's biggest film ever.