Which movie will scoop up the Golden Globe?

Los Angeles: The following are the 10 best picture nominees for the Golden Globe Awards to be announced in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Argo: Directed by Ben Affleck, who also takes a starring role alongside Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman, ‘Argo’ is based on the true story of a CIA ruse to extract six American diplomats from revolutionary Iran. Hollywood voters are expected to identify with the main story line, in which a CIA officer concocts a fake Canadian movie about Iran as a way for the group to escape the country. The film has been a commercial and critical success earning over $100 million (Dh367.3 million) at the US box office on a budget of $44.5 million.

Les Miserables: A big budget adaptation of the hit stage musical based on the epic Victor Hugo novel, ‘Les Miserables’ stars Hugh Jackman as a man who serves 19 years’ hard labour in 19th century France and spends his remaining years trying to evade a vindictive policeman played by Russell Crowe. The $61 million movie also stars Anne Hathaway and was directed by Tom Hooper, who won the 2011 Oscar for ‘The King's Speech’.

Lincoln: A worthy and detailed look at legendary US president Abraham Lincoln and his battle against slavery. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Daniel Day Lewis stars in the title role and is the overwhelming favourite to dominate the year's acting honours. Made for an estimated $65 million, the film has already racked up over $130 million at the US box office and is the leading nominee for the Golden Globes with seven nods.

Zero Dark Thirty: Made by Katherine Bigelow, who was the first woman to win a director’s Oscar in 2009 for ‘The Hurt Locker’, the film chronicles the decade-long hunt for Osama Bin Laden in obsessive detail, and has earned both plaudits and controversy for its handling of sensitive subject matter that includes torture. Jessica Chastain is considered a favourite for best actress honours for her portrayal of a dogged CIA analyst whose persistence leads to the discovery of the Al Qaida leader. The $20 million film has not yet been shown in wide release.

Silver Linings Playbook: The year's indie favourite, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, is a quirky romantic comedy starring Bradley Cooper as a bipolar man trying to resurrect his life after the break-up of his marriage and legal troubles. He finds an unlikely ally in the form of Jennifer Lawrence. The $21 million film has already notched up $27 million at the US box office.

Django Unchained: Quentin Tarantino's western stars Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as a slave turned bounty hunter and has sparked controversy for its gruesome depiction of violence as well as for allegedly treating the legacy of slavery with disrespect. The film was made for $100 million and has grossed over $65 million in its first week of release, making it Tarantino's most successful ever film.

Life of Pi: Directed by Ang Lee and adapted from Yann Martel’s bestselling novel, the film tells the story of an Indian teenager who is shipwrecked along with a tiger and other animals on their way to North American zoos. Filled with amazing special effects, the film cost an estimated $120 million to make and grossed some $76 million in its first month in cinemas.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: The charming tale of a band of British retirees who rediscover their passion for life when they move to India to live out their golden years on the cheap. Starring Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith among others, the $10 million film has grossed over $46 million in the US alone.

Moonrise Kingdom: Widely regarded as the best film yet from quixotic director Wes Anderson, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ follows the adventures of a pair of quirky teenage lovers when they run away from their New England homes. The $16 million movie has made over $65 million at the global box office.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Lasse Halstrom's movie features Ewan MacGregor as a fisheries expert who tries to realise a Shaikh's dream of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert. The film, whose budget has not been disclosed, has earned some $9 million at the US box office.