EntertainmentMoviesOscars 2024Oscars 2024 predictions: who will win Best Picture, Best Director, and the acting awards?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesOscars 2024Oscars 2024 predictions: who will win Best Picture, Best Director, and the acting awards?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)
The Oscars are almost here and the internet is abuzz with speculation about who will be taking home the top prizes at the 96th Academy Awards.
Ahead of Sunday’s event, we’ve run the rule over the major categories. Below, we’ve run through historical trends, industry chatter, and (in some tight races) pure old-fashioned gut feelings in an attempt to predict who will win Best Picture, Best Director, and the main acting awards.
Oppenheimermay be leading the way with 13 nominations, but should we be expecting a clean sweep or will the likes ofPoor Things,The Holdovers, andBarbiereign triumphant?
Join us as we talk big favorites, outsiders, and possible shocks and snubs in our Oscars 2024 predictions.
Best Picture
(Image credit: Universal)
The nominees
Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer– one half of the all-conquering ‘Barbenheimer’ double-bill – was a tour de force upon its release, proving wildly popular with both critics and audiences alike.
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Its nearest rival appears to be Poor Things, which has been picking up steam (and awards aplenty) in awards season. Still, this is Oppenheimer’s to lose – and we aren’t expecting shock wins for The Holdovers, Barbie, or even Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon – a film that was among the early frontrunners for Best Picture.
Best Director
(Image credit: Apple)
The nominees
One statistic is very telling when it comes to this category: Almost 75% of historical Best Picture winners have also seen their director pick up the award for Best Director on the same night.
On historical trends alone,Christopher Nolanshould win Best Director for the first time. Of course, a shock can always be sprung and, in Scorsese, Triet, Glazer, and Lanthimos, this is potentially the strongest lineup we’ve seen in years – with each filmmaker delivering modern classics from a range of subject matters, all in their own inimitable style.
Best Actor
(Image credit: Focus Features)
The nominees
Cillian Murphyhas been touted as the strong favorite for Best Actor and we don’t disagree. For one, the Academy often laps up biopics or those playing historical figures (seeBohemian Rhapsodyfor evidence of that). But it’s also this year’s standout performance: a deft portrayal of a man caught at a crossroads of history, one who is stripped of honor and dignity in the most humiliating of circumstances. Murphy has also been mopping up awards, including at the Golden Globes, which helps his chances plenty.
Pour one out, then, for The Holdovers' Paul Giamatti. His turn as Mr. Hunham has been slowly picking up momentum in wider circles lately. Its unfortunately staggered release (arriving in January in the UK) might count against it, however.
Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, and Jeffrey Wright each delivered – in our estimations – career-best performances, or close to it. In another year, they might have prevailed.
Best Actress
(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)
The nominees
Probably the closest big-name race is the one for Best Actress. Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone are neck and neck among some bookmakers when it comes to who will be taking home the gong.
The strongest indicator on who should win was this year’s SAG awards, as they frequently provide a bellwether for the eventual winners at the Oscars. For example, Jamie Lee Curtis picked up momentum after the event and eventually took home Best Supporting Actress in 2023. Lily Gladstone won this year, seemingly edging her ahead of Emma Stone.
So,Lily Gladstoneand her delicate, yet fierce, portrayal of Mollie Burkhart will likely win on the night. It’s well worth it, too: the performance has been talked about for almost a year now and has all the hallmarks of a career-defining role that should get the nod from the Academy.
Best Supporting Actor
(Image credit: Universal)
The nominees
Another strong clutch of actors and, yet, there’s only one name everyone is talking about.
Robert Downey Jr.is surely set to take home his first Oscar for his role as the vindictive, career-driven Lewis Strauss. Much like last year with Ke Huy Quan’s win, this could be an early sign that Oppenheimer is set to sweep the board on the night itself, though the other actors in the category should be commended – especially Mark Ruffalo and Robert De Niro.
Best Supporting Actress
(Image credit: Focus Features)
The nominees
For more Oscars fun, here’swhere to watch all the 2024 Oscar nomineesright now and our pick of thebest Oscar-winning movies.
Take a look ahead to this year’s biggest films with ourmovie release datescalendar too.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”