Although this year's Academy Awards seem pretty predictable, you can never count out surprises, such as last year when Brendan Fraser won for his role in The Whale, narrowly beating out Austin Butler, who gave an outstanding performance in Elvis. This year, Oppenheimer leads the pack with 13 nominations, and the wins it has picked up at major award ceremonies leave no doubt that it's going to win numerous awards this Sunday.
Check out our predictions for the top awards at this year's Academy Awards, which take place Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will air live on ABC and CTV at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Click here to print out your own sheet that lists all the nominations and check them off as the winners are announced. ~Alexandra Heilbron
BEST PICTURE
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer - Predicted winner
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Although there were several films that stood out, such as The Zone of Interest for its chilling portrayal of the Holocaust; and Barbie, which won the hearts of many moviegoers; Oppenheimer is a majestic film that has won best picture from the Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes and People's Choice Awards.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer - Predicted winner
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Every actor in this category gave an award-worthy performance, but with Cillian Murphy picking up the trophy at every major (and minor) event, he's definitely getting the Oscar at this year's ceremony. Who should win? Colman Domingo gave a standout performance in Rustin, all the more notable if you saw him in this year's The Color Purple, in which he played a man so different that he was almost unrecognizable from his title role in Rustin.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon - Predicted winner
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
This category could go one of two ways. Emma Stone picked up BAFTA, Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for her role in Poor Things, while newcomer Lily Gladstone, who played her role close to the heart, has won a Golden Globe and SAG award for Killers of the Flower Moon. Emma Stone went out of her comfort zone to give an over-the-top performance of a woman who has to start all over when she's given a second life. Still, Lily Gladstone will likely snag this award. And even though Carey Mulligan hasn't been picking up awards for her role in Maestro, in my eyes her performance was the most nuanced and finely tuned. Despite the title of the film referring to Leonard Bernstein, Carey stole the movie with her very real, heartbreaking performance.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer - Predicted winner
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
Robert Downey Jr. was almost unrecognizable as Lewis Strauss, the man who tries to get in Oppenheimer's way at every turn. Having picked up every major award to date, it would be a major upset if he didn't win the Oscar. Although Ryan Gosling won't win for Barbie, he definitely deserved to be nominated, having stolen every scene he was in. Not many performers in comedies or musicals get nominations, so it was a pleasant surprise to have his talent recognized by the Academy.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
America Ferrera, Barbie
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers - Predicted winner
Newcomer Da'Vine Joy Randolph turned in a wonderful performance in The Holdovers and has also won every major award, but Emily Blunt has been overlooked this awards season. She played so against type that she stood out in Oppenheimer as the title role's feisty, angry wife. Nonetheless, the award will go to Da'Vine Joy Randolph.
DIRECTING
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer - Predicted winner
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
There's not even a question in anybody's mind that Christopher Nolan will take home the Oscar for Oppenheimer. This is his eighth Oscar nomination and will be his first win, having already won the BAFTA, Critics Choice, Directors Guild of America and Golden Globe awards for Oppenheimer.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
The Boy and the Heron - Predicted winner
Elemental
Nimona
Robot Dreams
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Since it was second runner-up for the People's Choice award at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, The Boy and the Heron has taken home numerous awards, including a BAFTA and Golden Globe. However, it's got competition from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which had mixed reactions from moviegoers. Some loved its outrageous, fast-moving comic book feel, and others were disappointed and distracted by the barrage of colors and movement. However, since Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse won an Annie (animation awards) and a Critics Choice award, it's possible that it may create an upset and take home the Oscar.
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