2024 Oscar predictions: Who will win in the top categories

By Alexandra Heilbron on March 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment 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 PICTUREAmerican FictionAnatomy of a FallBarbieThe HoldoversKillers of the Flower MoonMaestroOppenheimer – Predicted winnerPast LivesPoor ThingsThe 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 ROLEBradley Cooper, MaestroColman Domingo, RustinPaul Giamatti, The HoldoversCillian Murphy, Oppenheimer – Predicted winnerJeffrey 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 ROLEAnnette Bening, NyadLily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon – Predicted winnerSandra Hüller, Anatomy of a FallCarey Mulligan, MaestroEmma 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 ROLESterling K. Brown, American FictionRobert De Niro, Killers of the Flower MoonRobert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer – Predicted winnerRyan Gosling, BarbieMark 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 ROLEEmily Blunt, OppenheimerDanielle Brooks, The Color PurpleAmerica Ferrera, BarbieJodie Foster, NyadDa’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. DIRECTINGJustine Triet, Anatomy of a FallMartin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower MoonChristopher Nolan, Oppenheimer – Predicted winnerYorgos Lanthimos, Poor ThingsJonathan 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 FILMThe Boy and the Heron – Predicted winnerElementalNimonaRobot DreamsSpider-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. Click here to enter our 2024 Oscars contest for a 55″ Smart 4K TV and come back on Sunday as we update the winners live during the Academy Awards. Similar Articles February 14, 2024 | 4 Comments Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars this year and as a video promo, he reunited several Barbie cast members to make a parody that makes fun of… a lot of things. January 25, 2024 | 1 Comment With the Oscar nominations having just been announced, there are a number of nominated films getting re-releases, expanded releases, or a limited release. January 23, 2024 | 2 Comments Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced this year’s nominees live this morning from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The 96th Academy Awards will air live March 10.