The 96th Annual Academy Award (Oscars) nominations have set the stage for a captivating showdown, filling the air with excitement and glamour to honour outstanding artistic contributions and reflect on the evolving landscape of global cinema.
In a year brimming with cinematic excellence, Oppenheimer, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, and last summer’s hit, Barbie, have all garnered multiple Oscar nominations, multiplying the excitement for a competitive awards ceremony.
The heated race for Oscar glory unfolds with Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus, leading with an impressive 13 nominations. This shift towards a classic studio film suggests a potential crowning moment for Nolan as Hollywood’s top filmmaker.
One standout moment is the first-ever Oscar nod for accomplished actor Cillian Murphy, recognized for his stellar performance as the lead in Oppenheimer. Murphy, moved by the news, shared his humble reaction with The New York Times, mentioning he was enjoying a cup of tea at his parents’ home in Cork, Ireland when he got the exciting announcement. “It’s very, very humbling. I’m kind of a little in shock,” he expressed.
Barbie also stands out as a strong contender, earning eight nominations and setting the stage for an intriguing face-off, colloquially dubbed “Barbenheimer.”
This year’s nominations feature a diverse lineup of both conventional blockbusters and unconventional art films, making the outcome in major categories less predictable. Yet, the morning also brought a string of snubs and disappointments, notably Leonardo DiCaprio’s absence from the nomination list for Killers of the Flower Moon, despite the film’s success in various categories.
Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig were also left out of the Best Actress and Best Director categories for Barbie, adding to the list of unexpected developments. The absence of young male actors among the nominees also raised questions about the Oscars’ preference for seasoned performers, with all 10 actors nominated this year being over 40.
In a first for the Oscars, three of the best-picture nominees were directed by women: Gerwig’s Barbie, Celine Song’s Past Lives and Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall. From seasoned veterans like Ellen Mirojnick receiving her first Costume Design nomination despite a career spanning 40 years, to Lily Gladstone becoming the first Native American nominated for best actress, the Oscars are gearing up for a night filled with celebration and recognition of many milestones.
As the red carpet rolls out and the stars gather, the world will tune in to witness a night of dazzling fashion, heartfelt speeches, and the anticipation of who will take home the coveted golden statuettes, on March 10.
Below is the full list of nominees for the 2024 Oscars!
Best Picture
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper – Maestro
Colman Domingo – Rustin
Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening – Nyad
Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Huller – Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan – Maestro
Emma Stone – Poor Things
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Sterling K. Brown – American Fiction
Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
America Ferrera – Barbie
Jodie Foster – Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Best Director
Justine Triet – Anatomy of a Fall
Martin Scorsese – Killers of the Flower Moon
Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
Yorgos Lanthimos – Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer – The Zone of Interest
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
American Fiction
Barbie
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Maestro
May December
Past Lives
Best International Feature Film
Io Capitano
Perfect Days
Society of the Snow
The Teachers’ Lounge
The Zone of Interest
Best Animated Feature Film
The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Nimona
Robot Dreams
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Documentary Feature Film
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
The Eternal Memory
Four Daughters
To Kill a Tiger
20 Days in Mariupol
Best Live Action Short Film
“The Actor”
“Invincible”
“Knight of Fortune”
“Red, White, and Blue”
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”
Best Documentary Short Film
“The ABCs of Book Banning”
“The Barber of Little Rock”
“The Island In Between”
“The Last Repair Shop”
“N?i Nai and Wài Pó”
Best Animated Short Film
“Letter to a Pig”
“Ninety-Five Senses”
“Our Uniform”
“Pachyderme”
“War Is Over!”
Best Film Editing
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Cinematography
El Conde
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Production Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Costume Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Music (Original Score)
American Fiction
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Music (Original Song)
“The Fire Inside” – Flamin’ Hot
“I’m Just Ken” – Barbie
“It Never Went Away” – American Symphony
“Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” – Killers of the Flower Moon
“What Was I Made For?” – Barbie
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Golda
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Society of the Snow
Best Sound
The Creator
Maestro
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest
Best Visual Effects
The Creator
Godzilla Minus One
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Who’s got your heart in the Oscars race? Are your top movies and favourite actors or actresses in the running? And, of course, which snub left you in a pool of sorrow? Don’t be shy, spill the tea with us on X (formerly Twitter) at @Celebmix!