"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" makes AFI's top movie list

The American Film Institute on Wednesday selected "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as one of the best films of the year.

The popcorn space epic was in good company alongside some of the year's most promising awards contenders including "Spotlight," ''Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Carol." What this means for the larger awards potential for "Star Wars" remains to be seen.

Other honorees in the film category included "The Big Short," ''Bridge of Spies," ''Inside Out," ''The Martian," ''Room" and "Straight Outta Compton."

AFI also recognized 10 television programs as the best of the year, including "The Americans," ''Better Call Saul," ''Black-ish," ''Empire," ''Fargo," ''Game of Thrones," ''Homeland," ''Master of None," ''Mr. Robot" and "UnREAL."

The honorees will be recognized in person at a private luncheon in January.