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Poll: Moviegoers pick 'Revenant' as Oscar best pic

<p>A new Fandango/USA TODAY Oscar poll finds moviegoers picking 'The Revenant' as best picture and its star Leonardo DiCaprio as best actor.</p>

While The Martian and Mad Max are more crowd-pleasing fare, The Revenant’s noteworthy box-office haul — $165.5 million and counting — and DiCaprio’s performance probably won over moviegoers, says Fandango Oscar expert Dave Karger. “People who wouldn’t necessarily see a film like this are going out to see it in huge numbers and finding it fascinating.”

DiCaprio is considered a favorite to finally win a best actor trophy and was the audience’s pick, too. He garnered 58% of moviegoer votes to Damon’s 23%. Steve Jobs’ Michael Fassbender got 9%, The Danish Girl’s Eddie Redmayne snagged 5% and Trumbo’s Bryan Cranston had 4%.

“One of the main reasons people will tune into the ceremony this year is to see Leonardo win,” Karger says. “Everyone knows he’s going to, everyone believes he deserves it. That’s going to be one of the best moments of the whole night.”

Jennifer Lawrence in &#39;Joy.&#39;&nbsp;

While Room star Brie Larson is considered a lock by pundits for the actress Oscar, she only came in third with 13% of the moviegoer vote. Instead, Joy’s Jennifer Lawrence swept the pack with 53%, with Carol’s Cate Blanchett (15%), Brooklyn’s Saoirse Ronan (11%) and 45 Years’ Charlotte Rampling (7%) all trailing behind.

Moviegoers were voting for starpower, Karger says. “There’s so much affection for Jennifer Lawrence.”

It’s been nearly 40 years since Sylvester Stallone’s first and last Oscar nod, and the Creed star should take supporting actor, according to 30% of the moviegoers. He edges out The Big Short’s Christian Bale (27%) as well as The Revenant’s Tom Hardy (24%). Spotlight’s Mark Ruffalo came in fourth with 14% while recent BAFTA winner Mark Rylance of Bridge of Spies was fifth with 5%.

“The story of Stallone is one of the most fascinating of the season,” Karger says. The Rocky star “returns with arguably the best film of his career and a fantastic performance.”

Best Picture nominee &#39;Spotlight&#39;

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