Conclusions Our model shows that analyzing the number of coughs and sneezes in the nominees for Best Picture makes predicting a winner possible with 91.7% accuracy. While at first glance of the data, a close-minded department chair may give a tenured scoff, we believe accounting for multiple factors yields a striking model. We first establish the public’s appetite for coughs with the Coughgeist, then account for genre with the Thriller Tripler Effect, and finally normalize using the Batman Effect. Further refining of this model may yield not only a better means of predicting Best Picture winner, but a better means of predicting numerous aspects related to feature films, including the casting of future Batmen.