The anticipation is building as we approach the 96th Oscars, scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The world of cinema is abuzz with discussions about the potential nominees and front runners for this prestigious event. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the contenders, predicted nominees, and key players in the race for the golden statuette.
Introduction
The 96th Oscars, a celebration of cinematic excellence, will soon grace our screens. But before we get to the grand event itself, there are important dates to remember:
- Submission Deadline for General Categories: Nov. 18, 2023
- Preliminary Voting for Shortlists: Dec. 1-8, 2023
- Shortlist Results Announcement: Dec. 21, 2023
- Nominations Voting Period: Jan. 11-16, 2024
- Official Nominations Announcement: Jan. 23, 2024
Now that we have the timeline in place, let’s explore the leading contenders for the Oscars.
Top Contenders
Front Runners
1. Cillian Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio
In the race for the Best Actor category, two names are consistently mentioned as front runners – Cillian Murphy and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Cillian Murphy mesmerized audiences with his portrayal in “Oppenheimer.” The film, known for its historical significance, presents Murphy in a remarkable light, showcasing his acting prowess.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a Hollywood heavyweight, shines in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” His performance has been widely praised, and it’s no surprise that he’s a top contender.
2. Notable Standouts
Beyond Murphy and DiCaprio, there are other actors who have left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike:
- Colman Domingo in “Rustin”
- Paul Giamatti in “The Holdovers”
- Andrew Scott in “All of Us Strangers”
These talented actors have contributed significantly to their respective films’ success.
3. Venice Breakouts
Venice Film Festival introduced some outstanding talent into the Oscars race:
- Bradley Cooper in “Maestro”
- Adam Driver in “Ferrari”
Their exceptional performances in Venice-acclaimed movies have made them noteworthy contenders.
Best Picture Nominees
Let’s not forget about the heart of the Oscars – the Best Picture category. Here are some of the films in contention:
- “American Fiction” (MGM)
- “Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
- “The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
- “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
- “Maestro” (Netflix)
- “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
- “Origin” (Neon)
- “Past Lives” (A24)
- “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures)
- “The Zone of Interest” (A24)
These films have captured the imaginations of audiences and are expected to feature prominently in the nominations.
Predicted Nominees
Best Actor Predictions
Now, let’s venture into the realm of predictions. Who are the likely nominees for the Best Actor category?
4. Top Picks
- Jeffrey Wright for his role in “American Fiction” (MGM)
- Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
- Leonardo DiCaprio for “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
These actors have delivered performances that are nothing short of exceptional.
5. Next in Line
While the top picks dominate the conversation, it’s essential to keep an eye on the following actors:
- Bradley Cooper for “Maestro” (Netflix)
- Andrew Scott for “All of Us Strangers” (Searchlight Pictures)
Their talent and on-screen presence may earn them a spot among the nominees.
6. Other Possibilities
The Oscars are known for surprises, and here are some actors who could potentially enter the race:
- Adam Driver for “Ferrari” (Neon)
- Nicolas Cage for “Dream Scenario” (A24)
- Anthony Hopkins for “Freud’s Last Session” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Christian Friedel for “The Zone of Interest” (A24)
- Matt Damon for “Air” (Amazon MGM Studios)
These actors are keeping the competition fierce.
Full Eligibility List
For those who crave the complete picture, here’s an exhaustive list of eligible films and actors:
(See the full list in the table below)
| Actor | Film |
|---|---|
| John David Washington | “The Creator” (20th Century Studios) |
| Kenneth Branagh | “A Haunting in Venice” (20th Century Studios) |
| Austin Butler | “The Bikeriders” (20th Century Studios) |
| Tom Hardy | “The Bikeriders” (20th Century Studios) |
| Joaquin Phoenix | “Beau is Afraid” (A24) |
| Nicolas Cage | “Dream Scenario” (A24) |
| Zac Efron | “The Iron Claw” (A24) |
| Teo Yoo | “Past Lives” (A24) |
| Jacob Elordi | “Priscilla” (A24) |
| Jesse Eisenberg | “When You Finish Saving the World” (A24) |
| Christian Friedel | “The Zone of Interest” (A24) |
| Matt Damon | “Air” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Jamie Foxx | “The Burial” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Tommy Lee Jones | “The Burial” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Gael García Bernal | “Cassandro” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Paul Mescal | “Foe” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Barry Keoghan | “Saltburn” (Amazon MGM Studios) |
| Riz Ahmed | “Fingernails” (Apple Original Films) |
| Orén Kinlan | “Flora and Son” (Apple Original Films) |
| Leonardo DiCaprio | “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures) |
| Joaquin Phoenix | “Napoleon” (Apple Original Films/Sony Pictures) |
| Liev Schreiber | “Across the River and Into the Trees” (Bleecker Street) |
| Paul Giamatti | “The Holdovers” (Focus Features) |
| Jay Baruchel | “BlackBerry” (IFC Films) |
| Benoît Magime | “The Taste of Things” (IFC Films/Sapan Studio) |
| Jesse Garcia | “Flamin’ Hot” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures) |
| K |
eanu Reeves | “John Wick Chapter 4” (Lionsgate) |
| Joel Edgerton | “Master Gardener” (Magnolia Pictures) |
| Mads Mikkelsen | “The Promised Land” (Magnolia Pictures) |
| Paul Rudd | “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quanumania” (Marvel Studios) |
| Bradley Cooper | “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel Studios) |
| Chris Pratt | “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel Studios) |
| Callum Turner | “The Boys in the Boat” (MGM) |
| Michael B. Jordan | “Creed III” (MGM) |
| Jeffrey Wright | “American Fiction” (MGM) |
| Jaime Vadell | “El Conde” (Netflix) |
| Alden Ehrenreich | “Fair Play” (Netflix) |
| Josh O’Connor | “La Chimera” (Neon) |
| Jon Bernthal | “Origin” (Neon) |
| Kôji Yakusho | “Perfect Days” (Neon) |
| Michael Fassbender | “The Killer” (Netflix) |
| Mahershala Ali | “Leave the World Behind” (Netflix) |
| Bradley Cooper | “Maestro” (Netflix) |
| Colman Domingo | “Rustin” (Netflix) |
| Rafael Federman | “Society of the Snow” (Netflix) |
| Peter Sarsgaard | “Memory” (No U.S Distribution) |
| Kingsley Ben-Adir | “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures) |
| Tom Cruise | “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (Paramount Pictures) |
| Andrew Scott | “All of Us Strangers” (Searchlight Pictures) |
| Kelvin Harrison Jr. | “Chevalier” (Searchlight Pictures) |
| Jonathan Majors | “Magazine Dreams” (Searchlight Pictures) |
| Michael Fassbender | “Next Goal Wins” (Searchlight Pictures) |
| Lakeith Stanfield | “The Book of Clarence” (Sony Pictures) |
| Paul Dano | “Dumb Money” (Sony Pictures) |
| Denzel Washington | “The Equalizer 3” (Sony Pictures) |
| Shameik Moore | “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures) |
| Anthony Hopkins | “Freud’s Last Session” (Sony Pictures Classics) |
| David Strathairn | “A Little Prayer” (Sony Pictures Classics) |
| Adam Driver | “Ferrari” (Neon) |
| Cillian Murphy | “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures) |
| Peter Dinklage | “She Came to Me” (Vertical Entertainment) |
| Jason Mamoa | “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (Warner Bros.) |
| Xolo Maridueña | “Blue Beetle” (Warner Bros.) |
| Timothée Chalamet | “Wonka” (Warner Bros.) |
| Harrison Ford | “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (Warner Bros.) |
| Jonah Hauer-King | “The Little Mermaid” (Walt Disney Pictures) |
Conclusion
The 96th Oscars promise to be a memorable event with fierce competition among the contenders. As we eagerly await the official nominations, it’s clear that the world of cinema has delivered a multitude of exceptional performances and films that will make this year’s Oscars a must-watch event. Stay tuned for more updates and, most importantly, the unveiling of the nominees on January 23, 2024. It’s going to be an exciting journey to the Oscars!
