Hate being irrelevant? Struggle for conversation in social settings? Then we have a solution for you: Watch all of the films lining up as 2015 Oscar contenders. Not only will you feel on top of the world, culturally speaking, but you’ll never run out of small-talk topics: Personally, I thought “Boyhood” was overrated, but impossible to overlook, you might say.

To help, we rounded up 15 movies you should see in order to prepare yourself for Oscars season (which has actually been ongoing for months, but that’s okay). If you haven’t seen any of them yet, you have some work to do, but it’s winter, so feel free to hibernate. The 87th Academy Awards will air February 22, 2015, so you have plenty of time to get the movies in.

If you’re on a tight schedule, we’ve listed these in order of must-see (as in, could very well win Best Picture), to maybe-not-must-see (underdogs). Queue them up and enter some office Oscar polls.

Top Contenders

1. “Boyhood” – Regardless of whether or not you truly think Richard Linklater’s ambitious 12-year cinematic project “Boyhood” was overrated, it’s a frontrunner as an Oscar contender. It may have lacked an actual plot, but it made up for that by approaching film in a never-before-seen format.

2. “Birdman” – This film, directed by Alejandro González Ińárritu and starring Michael Keaton as a washed-up Hollywood superhero, is a strong match for “Boyhood,” as it’s highly favored by the Screen Actors Guild, a telling precursor for Oscar noms.

3. “The Imitation Game” – Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightly, “The Imitation Game,” directed by Morten Tyldum, hasn’t gotten the same amount of early-awards buzz, but many are comparing it to “The King’s Speech,” which, if you’ll remember, won Best Picture in 2011.

4. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” – The Wes Anderson hit (pictured above) is in the running after it got major nods from NYFCC, LAFC and the Golden Globes. If you have yet to see it, you’re in luck: The Brattle Theater is screening the film tonight and Sunday, January 11, as part of its “(Some of) The Best of 2014” series.

5. “The Theory of Everything” – The Stephen Hawking biopic starring Eddie Redmayne as Hawking has worked its way into Oscar buzz territory. It received a nom from the SAG Ensemble, but Awards Circuit points out that James Marsh’s overlook for a Best Director nod from the Golden Globes could be telling.

6. “Selma” – While “Selma”‘s position in the Oscar race has been bumped back thanks to the rise in competition from “Grand Budapest” and “Theory,” the Ava DuVernay-directed film is still in the running. The film, which is currently being screened for free for students in New York City, received nods from the Golden Globes, but was passed over by the Screen Actors Guild.

7. “Foxcatcher” – Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo received SAG nods for their performances in “Foxcatcher,” and the film picked up more Oscar momentum after receiving nominations from the Golden Globes. While this isn’t a strong favorite, it’s still lingering in the rafters.

8. “Whiplash” – Directed by Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash” received great recognition from the Independent Spirit Awards, but was largely overlooked by the Golden Globes. The mixed reception could put “Whiplash” in the running if other bottom-of-the-pack films are snubbed.

9. “American Sniper” – If the ominous trailer for “American Sniper,” directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, hasn’t drawn you in, let its last-minute Oscar buzz do the trick. The film isn’t a leading favorite among critics, but it could garner enough praise to enter the race for real.

10. “Nightcrawler” – The number of Best Picture nominees varies year to year for the Academy, but “Nightcrawler” could squeeze its way into the running if the list allows, as it’s been picking up momentum after a re-release.

Underdogs

11. “Gone Girl” – David Fincher’s film based on the popular novel could enter the Oscar race. And if not for Best Picture, the cast and crew, including Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, might see some recognition for the movie.

12. “Unbroken” – Angelina Jolie’s second directorial release, “Unbroken,” isn’t highly favored, but its Critics Choice buzz could send it into Oscar realm, despite its being ignored by the Golden Globes.

13. “Into The Woods” – The ultimate wild card, as it’s a Disney musical, the film might just be a big enough production to get an Oscar nod. At the least, Meryl Streep will likely get a shout out for her work in the film.

14. “Wild” – Reese Witherspoon is getting the most recognition for “Wild,” the story of Cheryl Strayed’s solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, rather than the film itself, but her performance could boost the film into the Best Picture category.

15. “Mr. Turner” – Largely overlooked by the general public, “Mr. Turner” could make a surprise appearance, as its director, Mike Leigh, is an Academy darling. Watch this one to really seem like you know your Oscar stuff.

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