The 88th Academy Awards take place on 28 February at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The stars will be out in full force for the ceremony, but which actors will end up taking home the famous golden statuette?

IBTimes UK film critics Alfred Joyner, Amy West and Ben Skipper pore over the Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories, before giving their verdict on who will win and who should win.

The nominations in the acting categories are:

Best Actor

Bryan Cranston - Trumbo
Matt Damon - The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant
Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett - Carol
Brie Larson - Room
Jennifer Lawrence - Joy
Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale - The Big Short
Tom Hardy - The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone - Creed

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara - Carol
Rachel McAdams - Spotlight
Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs