Hidden Figures edges out La La Land to become highest-grossing best picture nominee at the 2017 Academy Awards 

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 19:11 EST, 7 February 2017 | Updated: 19:31 EST, 7 February 2017

The Oscars have been criticized for being  'too white' and for ignoring box office hits in favor of independent and more 'highbrow' fare.

But this year one of the Academy Awards best picture contenders Hidden Figures appears to be addressing both those issues.

The movie about three previously unsung African-American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the early days of the space program has earned $120 million domestically to date, according to Box Office Mojo.

Box office hit: The movie about three African-American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the early days of the space program has earned $120 million

Box office hit: The movie about three African-American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the early days of the space program has earned $120 million

This total makes it the highest-grossing Oscar-nominated film this year, grossing slightly more than hot favorite La La Land over the same number of weeks of release, with the Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling musical taking in $118.8 million.

Hidden Figures stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae as the mathematicians who not only had to navigate the male-dominated worlkd of NASA but also segregation in 1960s Virginia.

It's also a true story, meaning it hits all the targets usually favored by Academy voters when it comes to deciding on a best picture winner. 

As well as a best picture nomination, the film garnered a best supporting actress nod for Spencer, who previously won in the same category for The Help, and also a nod for best adapted screenplay. 

Hidden figures is also nominated for best adapted screenplay and star Octavia Spencer is nominated for a best supporting actress Academy Award; she previously won for The Help

Hidden figures is also nominated for best adapted screenplay and star Octavia Spencer is nominated for a best supporting actress Academy Award; she previously won for The Help

Meanwhile, La la Land has 14 nominations in total, tying the record with Titanic and All About Eve.

It's also won the Producers Guild Award, the Golden Globe for best musical or comedy and the Directors Guild Award for helmer Damien Chazelle.

Oscar voters will begin casting their ballots on February 13 with the awards being handed out in a live televised ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on Sunday February 26.

La la Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is the hot favorite at the Oscars with 14 nominations and win sat the Golden Globes, Producers Guild and Directors Guild

La la Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is the hot favorite at the Oscars with 14 nominations and win sat the Golden Globes, Producers Guild and Directors Guild

 

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