Lights, Camera, Oscars! Predicting the 2024 edition of Hollywood’s grandest night
As the 2024 awards season in Hollywood has begun with a bang, film enthusiasts and industry insiders alike are eagerly keeping their eyes on the hottest contenders and speculating on who will steal the spotlight at the upcoming Oscars. On Tuesday, nominations for Hollywood’s biggest night were announced with ‘Oppenheimer’ taking the lead in the tally, while ‘Barbie’ missed out on several key categories, including one for best direction and best actress in a leading role. The 96th Oscars are right around the corner, scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024 and we’re here with the ultimate scoop on what’s coming up.
Oscars 101: A Quick Rundown
For the uninitiated, the Oscars, formally known as the Academy Awards, are the Holy Grail of recognition in the film industry. It’s where the best and brightest in the world of cinema gather to celebrate outstanding achievements in various categories.
Among the top contenders this year are, “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Poor Things” which have emerged as strong favorites, while “The Holdovers” and “Anatomy of a Fall” are steadily gaining significant traction in the race.
The 2023 Winners
Before we jump into the 2024 predictions, let’s do a quick throwback to the 2023 Oscars. Here’s a reminder of who took home the coveted golden statuettes
Best Picture: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best Actor: Brendan Fraser for “The Whale”
Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best Director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Best International Film: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)
Best Animated Film: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”
Now, let’s fast forward to the present and talk about what’s hot and happening in the 2024 Oscars race.
Front-runners for the 2024 Oscars
BThe anticipation is sky-high as we gear up for the 2024 Oscars. Based on the winners from various award shows leading up to the big night, here’s who’s leading the pack in some of the most-watched categories:
Best Picture
1. “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
2. “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures)
3. “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
4. “Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
Best Director
1. Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
2. Martin Scorsese for “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
3. Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
4. Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest” (A24)
Actress in a Leading Role
1. Lily Gladstone for “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
2. Emma Stone for “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures)
3. Sandra Hüller for “Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon)
4. Carey Mulligan for “Maestro” (Netflix)
Actor in a Leading Role:
1. Paul Giamatti for “The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
2. Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
3. Bradley Cooper for “Maestro” (Netflix)
4. Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction” (MGM)
5. Colman Domingo for “Rustin” (Netflix)
Best Animated Feature
1. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures)
2. “The Boy and the Heron” (GKids/Toho)
3. “Elemental” (Pixar)
4. “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” (Netflix)
5. “Robot Dreams” (Neon)
Recent Controversies Surrounding the Oscars
In the midst of all the excitement, it’s essential to address some recent controversies that have been swirling around the Oscars. The Academy has been under scrutiny for its efforts, or lack thereof, in promoting diversity and inclusion in its nominations and awards. Many critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure equal representation in all categories.
Meanwhile with the surge of streaming platforms and the impact of the pandemic, there’s an ongoing debate about whether films released on streaming services should be eligible for Oscars consideration. The line between traditional theatrical releases and streaming premieres continues to blur.
With fierce competition, groundbreaking films, and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the Oscars continue to be the pinnacle of achievement in the film industry. So mark your calendars, prepare your acceptance speeches (just in case), and get ready for Hollywood’s grandest night!
