The Oscar Nominations 2024 have officially been announced, and this year’s lineup showcases an exciting blend of established auteurs, rising stars, and groundbreaking films. The 96th Academy Awards will take place on March 10, 2024, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As expected, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” leads the nominations, but many other films and talents are competing fiercely for the industry’s highest honors.
In this article, we’ll dive into the major nominations, from Best Picture to Best Actor and Best Actress, along with some of the standout surprises and snubs in this year’s race.
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Leading the Pack: Oppenheimer and Poor Things
“Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, dominates the 2024 Oscar nominations with a staggering 13 nominations. The historical epic, which delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, has been recognized in key categories, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. This film is one of the front-runners, also receiving nods in technical categories such as Cinematography, Editing, and Sound.
“Poor Things”, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, follows closely behind with 11 nominations. Starring Emma Stone, the film has been lauded for its visual creativity and performances. Stone, who plays a revived woman in a twisted, gothic narrative, has earned a nomination for Best Actress. Yorgos Lanthimos is also in the running for Best Director, marking another impressive year for the filmmaker.
Best Picture Nominations: A Diverse Slate
The Best Picture category for 2024 brings together a wide array of genres and styles, showcasing the diversity of modern cinema. From historical dramas to quirky comedies, this year’s contenders reflect the dynamic storytelling that has dominated the year’s box office and festival circuits.
Best Picture Nominees:
- Oppenheimer
- Barbie
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Poor Things
- Anatomy of a Fall
- The Holdovers
- Maestro
- Past Lives
- American Fiction
- The Zone of Interest
Best Director: A Showdown of Visionaries
This year’s Best Director category is packed with industry heavyweights, making it one of the most competitive fields. Christopher Nolan, riding high with Oppenheimer, is a favorite, but he faces stiff competition from Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon and Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things.
Best Director Nominees:
- Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
- Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
- Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
- Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
- Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy Leads the Race
Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer has earned him his first-ever Best Actor nomination, and he’s considered one of the frontrunners for this year’s award. His performance in Oppenheimer has been universally praised for its intensity and complexity. However, he’s up against tough competition, including Bradley Cooper in Maestro, where Cooper delivers an exceptional performance as Leonard Bernstein, the legendary conductor and composer.
Best Actor Nominees:
- Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
- Bradley Cooper, Maestro
- Colman Domingo, Rustin
- Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
- Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Best Actress: Emma Stone Shines Once Again
Emma Stone, a previous Oscar winner, has once again wowed audiences and critics alike with her transformative performance in Poor Things, a gothic fantasy about life and resurrection. She faces strong contenders like Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon, who made history as the first Native American actress to earn a nomination in the Best Actress category.
Best Actress Nominees:
- Emma Stone, Poor Things
- Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
- Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
- Annette Bening, Nyad
- Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Best Supporting Actor and Actress: Scene Stealers
The Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories often showcase some of the most memorable performances of the year, and 2024 is no exception. Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) and Ryan Gosling (Barbie) headline the Best Supporting Actor category, while Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer) and America Ferrera (Barbie) lead the Best Supporting Actress field.
Best Supporting Actor Nominees:
- Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
- Ryan Gosling, Barbie
- Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
- Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
- Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Best Supporting Actress Nominees:
- Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
- America Ferrera, Barbie
- Jodie Foster, Nyad
- Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Surprises and Snubs
As with every Oscar season, there were some notable surprises and omissions in the 2024 nominations:
- Surprise: The Best Original Screenplay nomination for Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik (May December) caught many by surprise, as the film didn’t receive much attention in other major categories.
- Snub: Despite being one of the year’s most talked-about films, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was notably absent from the Best Adapted Screenplay category, which came as a shock to many fans and critics.
Best Animated Feature: A Battle of Visual Masterpieces
The Best Animated Feature category is stacked with visually stunning and narratively rich films. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is one of the top contenders, with its bold animation style and compelling story, but it faces stiff competition from Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron” and Pixar’s “Elemental.”
Best Animated Feature Nominees:
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- The Boy and the Heron
- Elemental
- Nimona
- Robot Dreams
Conclusion
The 2024 Oscar nominations have set the stage for a thrilling awards season. With Oppenheimer and Poor Things leading the charge, and a diverse array of films and talent in the mix, this year’s Oscars are bound to deliver excitement, surprises, and historic moments. As we count down to the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, all eyes will be on Hollywood to see who takes home the industry’s most prestigious awards.
Stay tuned for more updates, and make sure to catch the live ceremony to see how your favorite films and stars fare on the big night!
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