Greta Gerwig’s winning adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN made a big surge at the end of 2019. But was it enough to get the film on the radars of the pivotal Oscar® voters?

Released wide on Christmas Day, LITTLE WOMEN is charming both critics and audiences with its astute retelling of Alcott’s seminal story. The movie boasts an impressive 95 percent Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it "smart," "sensitive," "masterful" and "passionate." Praise is being heaped on Gerwig for her direction, as well as the entire cast for the humanity that they bring to the March family.

But where can LITTLE WOMEN contend at the Academy Awards®? We have been discussing how legitimately stacked this year’s slate of competition looks to be, with movies like 1917, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD and THE IRISHMAN leading the pack in numerous categories. Here, though, are the above-the-line categories where we really believe LITTLE WOMEN has a strong chance of hearing its name called when the Oscar nominations are announced on January 13.

Best Picture

This one feels like a lock, mainly because the Academy can nominate as many as 10 movies in the Best Picture category, and if they choose to go with that many noms this year, LITTLE WOMEN will get in. On the flip side, the Academy also is able to nominate as few as five. But in this particular year of outstanding features, we think all 10 slots will be used.

Best Director

This one will be much tougher, but Greta Gerwig’s direction is so confident and noteworthy, we think she has an excellent chance of grabbing one of the two open slots in this five-spot category. In our humble opinions, Martin Scorsese (THE IRISHMAN), Quentin Tarantino (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD) and Sam Mendes (1917) will get nominations. That leaves two open spots, but a lot of worthy names, from Todd Phillips (JOKER) and Gerwig to Noah Baumbach (MARRIAGE STORY) and Bong Joon-ho (PARASITE).

Best Adapted Screenplay

Another category that LITTLE WOMEN should dominate. There have been numerous silver-screen adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s novel over the decades. But the way that Greta Gerwig chose to tell the story of the March sisters from a non-linear approach without sacrificing the character development is essential to making us care about the journeys of each sister.

Best Actress

Looking over the slate of Oscar contenders, the Best Actor race is wildly competitive, and there will be solid male performers who are left on the outside looking in when the five Best Actor nominations are announced. Best Actress, though, has more room for candidates to get in, and we think Saoirse Ronan has a very good shot for her portrayal of the headstrong and supportive Jo March, a tremendous character who brings out the best in most actors who tackle her.

Best Supporting Actress

The same goes for Florence Pugh, who is so good in LITTLE WOMEN as Amy March she stands above the ensemble — and when you see how outstanding everyone in Gerwig’s cast really is, you know that’s no small praise. The Supporting Actress category is also relatively stacked this year, with Laura Dern (MARRIAGE STORY), Jennifer Lopez (HUSTLERS), Scarlett Johansson (JOJO RABBIT) and more making noise. But if Sony can get enough Academy members to see LITTLE WOMEN, we think Pugh will rise near the top.

Greta Gerwig’s LITTLE WOMEN is currently in theatres, so grab tickets for the whole family right now.