Crime thriller 'American Hustle' earned nods for Best Picture, Best Actor for Christian Bale, Best Supporting Actor for Bradley Cooper, Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Director for David O. Russell, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Comedy, Best Actor in a Comedy for Christian Bale, and Best Actress in a Comedy for Amy Adams.

American Hustle
The ensemble cast of 'American Hustle'

O.Russell's film, which has already won awards from the New York Critics Circle, follows a 1970s con artist, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), and his British lover, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), as they are forced to work with FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), who pushes them into the dangerous and attractive world of the Mafia and money to go with it. Irving's wife (Jennifer Lawrence) jeopardises the whole operation and could cause the lives of others to come crashing down.

Watch the 'American Hustle' trailer here

Cooper and Lawrence re-team from previously working with each other in 'Silver Linings Playbook', in which Lawrence won an Academy Award. Although a late release into the award season, 'American Hustle' is already garnering some considerable Oscar buzz.

But first who will be victorious at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Jan 16th 2014?

American Hustle
Cooper and Bale in 'American Hustle'

See the full list of nominees here