'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Lands on AFI's Top 10 List

AWARDS BEAT

The American Film Institute delayed the date on which it chose the Top 10 films of 2015 so that its jury could see a number of films that didn’t screen until late in the year – and on Wednesday, the AFI announced that the last of those films, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” was on the organization’s annual list of the year’s best.

Just days after its first screenings, “The Force Awakens” joined a list that included big hits (“Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Martian”), studio films (Disney’s “Bridge of Spies” and Paramount’s “The Big Short”), small indies (“Carol,” “Spotlight” and “Room”), an urban drama (the N.W.A biopic “Straight Outta Compton”) and an animated film (Pixar’s “Inside Out”).

The AFI film jury was chaired by former MCA vice chairman Tom Pollock.

Conspicuously missing from the list were three other late-breaking films thought to be awards contenders: Alejandro G. Inarritu’s “The Revenant,” David O. Russell‘s “Joy” and Quentin Tarantino‘s “The Hateful Eight.”

“Steve Jobs,” “Creed,” “Trumbo” and “Beasts of No Nation” were among the other awards contenders not mentioned on the AFI list, which is restricted to U.S.-made films.

Last year the AFI expanded its Top 10 to 11 films, six of which went on to appear among the eight Oscar Best Picture nominees. The previous year’s list included seven of the nine nominees.

Since the Academy expanded its Best Picture category in 2009, 42 of the 55 Oscar nominees have first appeared on the AFI list.

On the television side, an AFI jury chaired by former Walt Disney Television chairman Richard Frank gave a special award to “Mad Men,” which ended its run this year, and saluted a Top 10 that includes “The Americans,” “Better Call Saul,” “Black-ish,” “Empire,” “Fargo,” “Game of Thrones,” “Homeland,” “Master of None,” “Mr. Robot” and “Unreal.”

The honorees will be saluted at a private lunch in Los Angeles on Jan. 8.

The lists:

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
“The Big Short”
“Bridge of Spies”
“Carol”
“Inside Out”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“Room”
“Spotlight”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
“Straight Outta Compton”

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
“The Americans”
“Better Call Saul”
“Black-ish”
“Empire”
“Fargo”
“Game of Thrones”
“Homeland”
“Master of None”
“Mr. Robot”
“Unreal”

AFI SPECIAL AWARD
“Mad Men”

29 Oscar Contenders Voters and Fans Need to See

"Spotlight" A contender for Best Picture, director and screenplay -- as well as the supporting acting categories.
Open Road Films
"The Martian" Ridley Scott may have his best shot at an Oscar with this sci-fi drama, which is also a contender for Best Picture. Matt Damon is in the hunt for Best Actor as well.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Carol" Todd Haynes' period romance is getting lots of buzz for major categories, particularly for stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
The Weinstein Company
"Room" Brie Larson is a favorite in the Best Actress race, and there's chatter for co-stars Jacob Tremblay and Joan Allen.
A24
"Joy" David O. Russell movies are consistent awards bait, and Jennifer Lawrence is poised to earn her third consecutive nomination.
Annapurna Pictures
"The Revenant" Alejandro G. Inarritu's dark revenge tale is getting lots of awards traction, particularly for Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Brooklyn" Saoirse Ronan is a strong contender for Best Actress, and there's much love for John Crowley's old-fashioned period drama.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Straight Outta Compton" F. Gary Gray's biopic of the rap group N.W.A boasts some of the best reviews of the year, including raves for newcomer Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
Universal Pictures
"Mad Max: Fury Road" The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture is a long-shot outside of technical categories, but it could surprise in the picture, directing or actress categories.
Warner Bros
"Steve Jobs" Aaron Sorkin is a likely nominee for his adapted screenplay, and Michael Fassbender is a strong contender for Best Actor.
Universal Pictures
"Suffragette" Carey Mulligan is in the hunt for Best Actress for her role in this historical drama about the battle for British women to get the vote.
Focus Features
"Inside Out" Pixar's hit could become the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nod since 2011's "Toy Story 3."
Pixar Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are getting major buzz for their performances in a period drama with a topical transgender twist.
Focus Features
"Bridge of Spies" You can never count out Steven Spielberg, particularly when he reteams with star Tom Hanks. Look out for Mark Rylance in supporting actor race
Amblin Entertainment/Walt Disney Pictures
"Beasts of No Nation" Cary Joji Fukunaga's gritty drama about African child soldiers has drawn raves, but most overcome its limited theatrical release by Netflix.
Netflix
"Son of Saul" The Hungarian Holocaust drama is a frontrunner in the foreign-language film race but could also score nods in other categories.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Hateful Eight" Quentin Tarantino's Western is getting the usual Oscar talk, particularly for his screenplay and supporting actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" Will Smith has won early acclaim for his performance as the doctor who discovered CTE, the brain injury experienced by so many former NFL players.
Columbia Pictures
"The Big Short" Adam McKay's fact-based comic drama boasts a starry cast and major topicality, boosting its awards profile.
Paramount Pictures
"Creed" Ryan Coogler's reboot of the "Rocky" franchise has drawn raves, and Sylvester Stallone's supporting turn as boxer-turned-coach could earn him a supporting actor nod.
Warner Bros
"Youth" Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda are all in the mix in acting categories for Paolo Sorrentino's indie.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" J.J. Abrams' top-secret blockbuster should dominate in technical categories but could pull off a surprise in Best Picture
Lucasfilm/Disney
"Trumbo" Jay Roach's biopic of the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter is drawing attention for the performances of Bryan Cranston as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Universal Pictures
"99 Homes" Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield are generating talk for their performance in the Ramin Bahrani- directed drama.
Lionsgate
"Anomalisa" Charlie Kaufman's stop-motion animated film could pull off a surprise in the Animated Feature category.
Paramount Pictures
"Mr. Holmes" Ian McKellen is angling for his third Oscar nomination for playing an aging Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's movie.
Roadside Attractions
"45 Years" Veteran actress Charlotte Rampling could score her first nomination for playing half of a couple preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary.
Sundance Selects
"Grandma" As an acerbic woman helping her granddaughter as she faced an unplanned pregnancy, Lily Tomlin could score her first nomination since 1975's "Nashville."
Sony Pictures Classics
"Love & Mercy" Paul Dano and John Cusack have both won acclaim for playing the younger and older versions of troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.
Roadside Attractions