The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is without question the biggest deal as far as a Hollywood's annual awards bodies are concerned. But rarely does a movie just show up on Oscar voting ballots without making a few crucial stops at some awards groups that may not be household names but that are plenty influential within Hollywood. One of those is the Producers Guild of America.

The PGA is comprised of over 7,000 film and television producers, so getting nominated for an award is kind of a big deal. It's recognition from your peers that you didn't just make a decent movie, you made an exceptional one. It also happens to be a very, very good sign that you have a chance at some Oscar gold; the last eight films to win the PGA have all gone on to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

So who has a shot this year? Check out the nominees.

The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures:

The Big Short
Producers: Brad Pitt & Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner

Bridge of Spies
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger

Brooklyn
Producers: Finola Dwyer & Amanda Posey

Ex Machina
This film is in the process of being vetted for producer eligibility

Mad Max: Fury Road
Producers: Doug Mitchell & George Miller

The Martian
Producers: Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam

The Revenant
Producers: Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon

Sicario
Producers: Basil Iwanyk, Edward L. McDonnell, Molly Smith

Spotlight
Producers: Michael Sugar & Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Blye Pagon Faust

Straight Outta Compton
Producers: Ice Cube & Matt Alvarez, F. Gary Gray, Dr. Dre, Scott Bernstein

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:

Anomalisa
Producers: Rosa Tran, Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman

The Good Dinosaur
Producer: Denise Ream

Inside Out
Producer: Jonas Rivera

Minions
Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy

The Peanuts Movie
Producers: Craig Schulz, Michael J. Travers

Perhaps the biggest surprise in that first list is Ex Machina, which is certainly a movie many have loved but hasn't really been in the Best Picture of 2015 conversation along the likes of Spotlight, Brooklyn and Carol. Speaking of that last one, it's curiously absent from this list. While certainly not a deathblow to its Oscar chances -- the PGA doesn't always predict the Oscar winner -- it is a bit of a shock not to see such a well-regarded movie included. A few other noteworthy films that didn't make the prestigious cut are Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Hateful Eight and Creed. 

The PGA Awards will announce the winners on January 23, 2016.