The Oscars have been going on long before we were born, right in 1929. If you don’t already know, it’s an event that is praised for cinematic achievements in the past year and is typically hosted in the spring of the new year. There is a grand total of 23 total categories that they hold Oscars for. The top five being, best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, and best screenplay(either original or adapted. The rest are just as interesting: best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best original screenplay, best cinematography, best film editing, best production design, best costume design, best makeup and hairstyling, best visual effects, best sound, best original score, best original song, best animated feature, best international feature film, best documentary feature, best documentary short, best animated short film, and best live action short film.This leads us to the one and only question of who will win? Well, here’s a list of the five movies that have a chance at winning from their pleasurable screenplay, and deep, moving messages and all have the chance to win best picture.
1. Wicked
This is a musical about two witches, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda “Glinda” Upland (Ariana Grande), where they meet at Shiz University and begin as rivals; eventually, their relationship changes to friends. Their newfound friendship gets tested by societal pressures, differing values and desires, and political corruption in Oz. As Elphaba becomes closer to the truth, she gets painted as ‘wicked’ and that leads up to the plot of The Wizard of Oz. Their story explores themes of good vs. evil, friendship, prejudice, power, identity, and the consequences of choices, showing how appearances, societal labels, and personal decisions shape individuals and their destinies. Currently, part one is released and it has been said that part two will be released in 2025, once the second part is released it will be eligible to run as a nominee in the Oscars. The film has received nominations for the following: best picture, best director (Jon M. Chu), best actress (Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba), best supporting actress (Ariana Grande as Glinda), best adapted screenplay (Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox), best production design (Nathan Crowley), best costume design (Paul Tazewell), best cinematography (Alice Brooks), best film editing (Myron Kerstein), and best original song (Defying Gravity, performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande).
2. Dune: Part Two
The movie’s adventurous plot and the popcorn bucket it came with in theaters were the main factors in its rising popularity. The saga of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), who rises to prominence with the Fremen on the desert planet Arrakis, is continued in this movie. Paul embraces his duty as the Kwisatz Haderach, the predicted leader, following the destruction of his family and teams up with the Fremen, especially Chani (Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman). Paul must resolve political disputes and spearhead a rebellion against the forces in control of the priceless spice mixture, especially House Harkonnen, as his abilities increase. With the addition of additional characters portrayed by Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Florence Pugh, the movie delves into issues of leadership, fate, and power. It has been nominated for best picture, best director (Denis Villeneuve), best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best visual effects, best sound, best production design, best costume design, best original score, best film editing.
3. Anora
The movie revolves around Emilia Pérez (Eugenia Suárez), a lady whose life takes unexpected turns when she enters a high-stakes environment where her personal life is entwined with more significant political and societal issues. Emilia Pérez (played by Eugenia Suárez) navigates complicated relationships and her place in a changing society as it explores themes of identity, love, and survival. It delves deeply into issues of identity, love, survival, and the individual hardships that come with overcoming social and political obstacles. This result with its nominations being for best picture, director, actress, supporting actress, adapted screenplay, international feature film, original score, original song, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, sound and editing.
4. Anora
The narrative is about a young woman named Anora (Mikey Madison) who has always put her job before relationships, and is told in the breezy romantic comedy Anora. However, when she meets a charming but erratic man, her life takes an unexpected turn. Anora is compelled to reevaluate her life decisions as they negotiate their divergent personalities and lives, which results in romantic, humorous, and self-discovering moments. Love, personal development, and striking a balance between one’s goals and the pursuit of happiness are among the topics covered in the movie. The movie has been nominated for best picture, best actor in a supporting role (Yura Borisov), best director (Sean Baker), best film editing and best original screenplay.
5. Conclave
A teenage journalist ( Emma Corrin) discovers covert plots surrounding the strange death of the last pope in this thriller set in the Vatican, where a group of cardinals covertly vie for power while choosing a new pope. The movie looks at issues like religion against ambition, power, corruption, and the moral conundrums that people in positions of authority face. Alongside this it’s recognized for best picture (conclave), best actor (ralph fiennes), best supporting actress (isabella rossellini), best adapted screenplay (Peter Straughan), best original score (Volker Bertelmann), best editing (Nick Emerson), best production design (suzie davies), and best costume design (Lisy Christl).