The movie awards season is upon us. Ahead of the Oscars and People's Choice, the National Board of Review recently announced their winners, awarding Mad Max: Fury Road as this year's best film.

The film collective has been endowing its expertise in the industry for over 100 years. That's why it comes as no surprise that the organization's best bets often win big in other awards.

Now that Mad Max won the collective's approval, the rest of the world is wondering whether it's going to raise the film's chances of winning in the Oscars as Best Picture. Beyond the visual feast and cinematic prowess, TIME is quick to quip that it's not for these obvious reasons that George Miller's action epic caught the eye of NBR. The movie's cultural relevance and its strong statement on feminisms is what made it stood out.

The Martian took home three awards namely director for Ridley Scott, lead actor for Matt Damon and adapted screenplay for Drew Goddard. The sci-fi blockbuster hit over a $400 million global mark, and with good reason.

"2015 has been a banner year for popular cinema," NBR president Annie Schulhof said in an official statement "We are thrilled to be awarding George Miller and Ridley Scott, two iconic filmmakers at the top of their game, while also celebrating the next generation of talent."

Brie Larson also bagged the best actress award in the film, Room thanks to her flawless portrayal of a woman held captive in a tight space with her son.

Despite the unrelenting controversy and his clash with the police, Quentin Tarantino has something to be happy about as well. Apart from receiving the NBR award for best original screenplay, Jennifer Jason Leigh received supporting actress honors as a fugitive in the Tarantino western film.

Here's the full list of NBR winners:

Best Film: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Director: Ridley Scott - The Martian

Best Actor: Matt Damon - The Martian

Best Actress: Brie Larson - Room

Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone - Creed

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight

Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino - The Hateful Eight

Best Adapted Screenplay: Drew Goddard - The Martian

Best Animated Feature: Inside Out

Breakthrough Performance: Abraham Attah - Beasts of No Nation; Jacob Tremblay - Room

Best Directorial Debut: Jonas Carpignano - Mediterranea

Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul

Best Documentary: Amy

William K. Everson Film History Award: Cecilia De Mille Presley

Best Ensemble: The Big Short

Spotlight Award: Sicario, for Outstanding Collaborative Vision

NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Beasts of No Nation and Mustang

Top Films

Bridge of Spies

Creed

The Hateful Eight

Inside Out

Spotlight

The Martian

Room

Sicario

Straight Outta Compton

Top 5 Foreign Language Films

Goodnight Mommy

Mediterranea

Phoenix

The Second Mother

The Tribe

Top 5 Documentaries

Best of Enemies

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

The Diplomat

Listen to Me Marlon

The Look of Silence

Top 10 Independent Films

'71

45 Years

Cop Car

Ex Machina

Grandma

It Follows

James White

Mississippi Grind

Welcome to Me

While We're Young

The NBR awards will be given to the winners on Jan. 5 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.