The 2024 Oscar nominations have been announced, and the landscape of this year’s contenders reflects a blend of expected choices and surprising omissions. In this detailed article, we will explore the key nominations, the films that dominated, the snubs and surprises, and the overarching themes of this year’s Academy Awards.

‘Oppenheimer’ Leads the Pack

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ dominates the Oscar nominations, securing a spot in 13 categories. This blockbuster biopic has captivated both audiences and critics alike with its intense portrayal of the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and the creation of the weapon that changed the world.

‘Barbie’ and ‘Poor Things’ Make Their Mark

While ‘Oppenheimer’ may lead in the number of nominations, other films like ‘Barbie’ and ‘Poor Things’ have also made significant impacts. ‘Barbie’ has been highlighted for its diverse representation and international appeal, though it also faced notable snubs. On the other hand, ‘Poor Things,’ a feminist fantasy, has garnered attention with its 11 nominations, indicating a strong showing for director Yorgos Lanthimos.

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

• Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”
• Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
• Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”
• Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
• Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”

Best actress

• Annette Bening, “Nyad”
• Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• Sandra Hüller, “Anatomy of a Fall”
• Carey Mulligan, “Maestro”
• Emma Stone, “Poor Things”

Best supporting actor

• 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 supporting actress

• Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”
• Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”
• America Ferrera, “Barbie”
• Jodie Foster, “Nyad”
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”

Best director

• Jonathan Glazer, “The Zone of Interest”
• Yorgos Lanthimos, “Poor Things”
• Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”
• Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• Justine Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall”

International feature film

• “Io Capitano,” Italy
• “Perfect Days,” Japan
• “Society of the Snow,” Spain
• “The Teachers’ Lounge,” Germany
• “The Zone of Interest,” United Kingdom

Animated feature film

• “The Boy and the Heron”
• “Elemental”
• “Nimona”
• “Robot Dreams”
• “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Adapted screenplay

• “American Fiction”
• “Barbie”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”
• “The Zone of Interest”

Original screenplay

• “Anatomy of a Fall”
• “The Holdovers”
• “Maestro”
• “May December”
• “Past Lives”

Visual effects

• “The Creator”
• “Godzilla Minus One”
• “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
• “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
• “Napoleon”

Original score

• “American Fiction”
• “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”
• “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”

Original song

• “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony”
• “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie”
• “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”
• “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot”
• “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Documentary feature film

• “20 Days in Mariupol”
• “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”
• “The Eternal Memory”
• “Four Daughters”
• “To Kill a Tiger”

Cinematography

• “El Conde”
• “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• “Maestro”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”

Costume design

• “Barbie”
• “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• “Napoleon”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”

Animated short film

• “Letter to a Pig”
• “Ninety-Five Senses”
• “Our Uniform”
• “Pachyderme”
• “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko”

Live action short film

• “The After”
• “Invincible”
• “Knight of Fortune”
• “Red, White and Blue”
• “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

Documentary short film

• “The ABCs of Book Banning”
• “The Barber of Little Rock”
• “Island in Between”
• “The Last Repair Shop”
• “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó”

Film editing

• “Anatomy of a Fall”
• “The Holdovers”
• “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”

Sound

• “The Creator”
• “Maestro”
• “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “The Zone of Interest”

Production design

• “Barbie”
• “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• “Napoleon”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”

Makeup and hairstyling

• “Golda”
• “Maestro”
• “Oppenheimer”
• “Poor Things”
• “Society of the Snow”

Snubs and Surprises

As with any year, the 2024 Oscar nominations have brought their fair share of snubs and surprises. Greta Gerwig’s direction in ‘Barbie’ and performances by Margot Robbie were expected to receive nods but were left out. Meanwhile, other talents like America Ferrera and Sterling K. Brown were also overlooked, which has been a talking point among industry insiders and fans.

Diversity and International Influence

This year’s nominations have been praised for their diversity and international scope, reflecting the Academy’s ongoing efforts to embrace a wider range of stories and storytellers. Films from various countries and creators of different backgrounds have been recognized, showcasing the global nature of the film industry and its audiences.

The Best Picture Race

The race for Best Picture is heating up with ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Poor Things’ leading the charge. However, other contenders like ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ are also in the mix, promising a competitive battle for the night’s most coveted award. The diversity in storytelling, genre, and production scale among the nominees makes this category particularly exciting to watch.

Key Themes and Takeaways

Among the key themes in this year’s nominations are the emphasis on biopics, historical narratives, and stories that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. The Academy’s nominations also suggest a shift towards recognizing films that address social issues and feature diverse casts, signaling a more inclusive direction for the industry.

Key Takeaways

• ‘Oppenheimer’ leads the 2024 Oscar nominations with 13 nods, indicating strong support for Nolan’s latest work.
• ‘Barbie’ and ‘Poor Things’ stand out for their unique contributions to cinema, though ‘Barbie’ faced significant snubs.
• The snubs of expected nominees like Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie have sparked discussions about the nomination process.
• Diversity and international influence are prominent in this year’s nominations, reflecting the Academy’s broader inclusivity goals.
• The Best Picture category is diverse and competitive, with several films vying for the top honor.
• The 2024 Oscar nominations highlight a trend towards biopics, historical narratives, and socially conscious filmmaking.