Top Seven Oscar Long Shots: Marisa Tomei, Anna Paquin and More

Marion Cotillard, Roberto Benigni and others prove underdogs can have their day.

ByABC News
March 3, 2010, 3:06 AM

March 4, 2010 — -- Film critics, industry insiders and movie fans have speculated for months about who will win Hollywood's most prized trophy, and they've come up with a widely-accepted list of favorites.

But nominees who didn't make the short list shouldn't fear: the race for the statue is anybody's game.

This year, most think the best picture Oscar will come down to either "Avatar" or "The Hurt Locker."

But "An Education" and "Inglourious Basterds," among others, have received their fair share of critical acclaim and certainly have a chance at winning the title.

While the entertainment world can't get enough of the best actress battle between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock, the performances of Gabourey Sidibe as an abuse victim in "Precious" and Carey Mulligan as a teenager trying to find herself in "An Education" shouldn't be overlooked.

And even though Jeff Bridges won the Golden Globe for best actor for his role in "Crazy Heart," the quietly inspiring performance of George Clooney as a lost businessman in "Up in the Air" and Jeremy Renner as a member of an Army bomb squad in enemy territory in "The Hurt Locker" could give Bridges a run for his money.

There have been bigger upsets at the Academy Awards. Below is a list of seven of the most famous Oscar-winning long shots.