Tonight, the cinematic world awaits the unveiling of this year’s Oscar nominations, with blockbuster hits “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” anticipated to dominate the list. Both films, merged into the colloquial “Barbenheimer” since their joint release last summer, are poised for a head-to-head competition at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10.
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a masterful portrayal of the atomic bomb’s father, is expected to secure nominations in various categories, including best picture, director, and acting nods for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. Greta Gerwig’s sharp “Barbie” is likely to feature in the best picture category, with Margot Robbie a contender for best actress.
In the lead-up to the nominations, “Oppenheimer” has outpaced “Barbie” in the Bafta nominations with 13 nods compared to 5. The film is also anticipated to be recognized for best adapted screenplay, along with achievements in music and technical categories.
Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a true crime epic set in early 20th century Oklahoma, is expected to perform well, with nods for best picture, director, and technical categories. The stars, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro, and Leonardo DiCaprio, are likely contenders in acting categories.
Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” depicting characters in a festive season boarding school setting, is gaining traction as a potential best picture nominee, with acting nods for Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
French sleeper hit “Anatomy of a Fall” is poised for recognition in various categories, including best picture and actress. Bradley Cooper, with the biopic “Maestro,” is expected to lead in individual nominations, including best picture as a producer.
The best picture race is also expected to include “American Fiction,” a satirical take on race, publishing, and Hollywood; “Past Lives,” exploring love and friendship over time; “Poor Things,” a female-focused Frankenstein adaptation; and the somber Nazi drama “The Zone of Interest.”
This year’s list could mark a historic moment, with three films directed by women – “Anatomy,” “Barbie,” and “Past Lives” – potentially making it the biggest year for women in the best picture race in over nine decades of Academy Awards history.
Issa Rae and Jack Quaid are set to announce the nominations from a dark Los Angeles at 5:30 am (1330 GMT) on Tuesday, creating anticipation for what could be a groundbreaking year for women in the film industry.
