“Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” are likely to be among the top films when nominations are announced Tuesday for the 96th Academy Awards, with both expected to score best picture nods and recognition for their respective directors, Christopher Nolan and Greta Gerwig.
As Hollywood’s awards season unfolded, the nuclear-bomb drama “Oppenheimer” quickly emerged as a top contender, scoring a best drama-film win at the Golden Globe Awards and winning best picture at the Critics Choice Awards.
Meanwhile, the live-action summer blockbuster based on Mattel’s iconic doll has been collecting reams of award nominations, particularly for Gerwig’s directing and writing, but also for its array of ear-pleasing original songs.
Both films are locks to land among the best picture Oscar nominations when they are announced early Tuesday morning by actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The announcement will be streamed online and on the Academy’s social media platforms.
Other films considered strong contenders to score best picture nods are Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the Frankenstein-like tale “Poor Things” — which won best comedy/musical film at the Golden Globes, Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” “The Holdovers,” “Past Lives,” “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest.”
Nolan and Gerwig are likely locked in for directing nominations, with Scorsese also a solid bet, along with Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things” and Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers.”
Paul Giamatti has already collected Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for his leading-actor work in “The Holdovers,” and he’s likely to top the list of Oscar contenders. “Oppenheimer’s” leading man Cillian Murphy is also a likely lock for a best actor nod, with other contenders including Colman Domingo for “Rustin,” Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction” and Bradley Cooper for “Maestro.” Leonardo DiCaprio could potentially sneak into the category for “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Emma Stone of “Poor Things” and Lily Gladstone of “Killers of the Flower Moon” are expected to land in the best actress category. Stone won the Golden Globe for best actress in a musical/comedy for her work, along with the Critics Choice prize for best actress. Gladstone won the Globe for best actress in a drama film.
Margot Robbie will also likely hear her name called in the best actress category for her portrayal of the leading doll in “Barbie.” Carey Mulligan is also a strong contender for “Maestro,” along with Great Lee for “Past Lives.”
The 96th Oscars will be presented March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, in a ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.