The Oscar for Best Picture officially went to Birdman at the 2015 Academy Awards, defeating seven of its fellow nominees. Birdman beat out the likes of American Sniper, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything and Whiplash.

Actor Sean Penn, who joked about director Alejandro González Iñárritu needing a green card, proudly presented the Mexican with the coveted award.

Before the ceremony, 29 Oscar pundits made their best prediction as to which film would end up winning Best Picture. 17 expert predictors had guessed that Birdman would take home the gold while 12 had been predicting Boyhood would take it.

Leading up to the Oscar telecast, it was thought to be a two-way race between Birdman and Boyhood. Birdman has won the PGA Award, handed out by top producers, the DGA Award, handed out by directors and the SAG Award, given by actors. No movie had failed to result in a Best Picture win with that combination of precursors since Apollo 13 back in 1995.

Meanwhile, Boyhood had a good run as well, winning the Golden Globe for Best Picture - Drama as well as the Critics' Choice Award for Best Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Picture and a slew of critics prizes.

Tags
Oscars, Oscars 2015, Boyhood, Birdman, American Sniper