As the 96th Academy Awards nominations loom on the horizon, film enthusiasts and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year’s contenders. Predictions are rife, with Christopher Nolan’s epic “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s feminist blockbuster “Barbie” expected to emerge as frontrunners, potentially securing double-digit nominations each.
Scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. EST, the nominations will be unveiled from the prestigious Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. The announcement will be made by Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid, and can be livestreamed on Oscars.com, Oscars.org, and various social media platforms. ABC’s “Good Morning America” will also carry the live announcement, adding to the anticipation of the industry’s most coveted accolades.
“Oppenheimer,” a three-hour opus by Christopher Nolan, is poised to dominate the nominations, with expectations high for best picture, best director, and recognition in several technical categories. The film boasts a stellar cast including Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt, with all eyes on Nolan for a potential breakthrough win after years of being regarded as a visionary but Oscar-less director.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” a feminist blockbuster that grossed over $1.4 billion, is not far behind in the race. Anticipated nominations include best picture, best director, and acting nods for Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie. The film’s script, despite being campaigned as original, finds itself in the adapted category, an intriguing point of discussion leading up to the nominations.
Other strong contenders include “Killers of the Flower Moon,” poised for double-digit nominations, and “Poor Things,” with expectations of around ten nods. The international scene is also well-represented, with films like “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest” potentially making it to the coveted best picture category.
The best actor and actress categories promise stiff competition, with deserving candidates vying for recognition. Lily Gladstone is expected to make history as the first Native American nominated for best actress, while the supporting actor race features a Barbenheimer battle between Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling.
Streaming giants Apple and Netflix have also made their mark, with “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Maestro” contending for the best picture award. However, traditional box office hits like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” along with independent films, including A24’s “The Zone of Interest” and Neon’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” are expected to dominate the category.
As the excitement builds for the March 10 telecast, where Jimmy Kimmel is set to return as host, industry insiders are hopeful that the presence of Barbenheimer – a fusion of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” – could inject renewed energy and viewership into the Academy Awards, despite the challenges posed by the recent pile-up of award shows. The stage is set for a celebration of cinematic excellence and the recognition of outstanding contributions to the world of film.
