The Barbenheimer phenomenon reaches its natural denouement tonight at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, with Christopher Nolan’s colossal Oppenheimer expected to sweep most of the major accolades. Barbie will likely have to make do with a handful of craft awards, while foreign language festival hits Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest continue the trend of international features breaking into the main categories.
Here are our predictions ahead of the big night:
BEST PICTURE
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Will win: Oppenheimer
Could win: Sorry, it’s Oppenheimer all the way
Should win: The Zone of Interest
BEST DIRECTOR
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Will win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Could win: Another lock for Oppenheimer
Should win: Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
Will win: Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Could win: Emma Stone, Poor Things
Should win: Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Will win: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Could win: Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Should win: Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
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
Will win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Could win: Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Should win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
Will win: Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Could win: Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Should win: Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, Barbie
Tony McNamara, Poor Things
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Will win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Could win: Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Should win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall
David Hemingson, The Holdovers
Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer, Maestro
Samy Burch, May December
Celine Song, Past Lives
Will win: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall
Could win: David Hemingson, The Holdovers
Should win: Celine Song, Past Lives
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE: The Zone of Interest
ANIMATED FEATURE: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: 20 Days in Mariupol
ORIGINAL SCORE: Oppenheimer
ORIGINAL SONG: “What Was I Made For?”, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Barbie
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Oppenheimer
COSTUME DESIGN: Barbie
FILM EDITING: Oppenheimer
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: Maestro
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Poor Things
SOUND: Oppenheimer
VISUAL EFFECTS: Godzilla Minus One
ANIMATED SHORT FILM: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: The Last Repair Shop
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony take place on 10 March 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Hollywood.
Daniel Green
