What are Barbie and Oppenheimer's chances at Oscars 2024?

The Barbenheimer weekend has been an experience and a half. But where does your favourite blockbuster fare in the oncoming awards race? Here’s a quick look at both the films' odds at the 96th Academy Awards.

Barbie’s Oscar Run

Greta Gerwig's Barbie has taken the world by a storm of pink, having brought people back to the theatres in droves and broken multiple box office records in the process.

Here’s a quick rundown on its chances at securing nods at the Oscars as of now:

Best Original Song

With a wide range of diverse tracks to choose from, Mark Ronson’s original soundtrack album for the film features the star-studded likes of Dua Lipa, Lizzo and Oscar-winner Billie Eilish. However, it’s probably the screen-grabbing Ryan Gosling that may sway the decision to his side with his multi-genre number - “I’m Just Ken” - that had audiences in a trance. Expect at least one, if not more tracks to make the Oscar cut.

Best Hair/Makeup

The film's Makeup and Hair category appears to have locked up a nomination, given the distinct, vibrant looks of its myriad characters.

Best Costume Design

Jacqueline Durran, a two-time Oscar winner and eight-time nominee, stands an excellent chance at earning her ninth nomination for Costume Design.

Production Design

If not another win itself, six-time Oscar nominee, Sarah Greenwood should easily bag her seventh nomination for Production Design, thanks to her outstanding efforts in bringing Barbie Land to life. 

Best Editing

how it feels to be editing a 2 hour barbie video pic.twitter.com/yw9FCLA12W

— Snugboy (@RealSnugboy) July 20, 2023

With some marvellous work at the cutting desk by Nick Houy and Mary Jo Markey, Gerwig’s meta-comedic vision was fantastically realised. A nom might be around the corner. 

Best Supporting Actress

America Ferrera’s moving monologue might just be her Oscar campaign in a nutshell.

Best Supporting Actor

Not only is Ryan Gosling definitely in the running for his supporting role, for many, he’s already locked in to go the whole way and take home his first trophy.

Best Actress

Of course, there would be no Barbie without Margot Robbie’s fantastic leading performance. A third Oscar nod may not be too far fetched.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who worries about their first draft being too long? 🙋🏽
Wait until you hear how long Greta Gerwig's first drafts are! Gerwig talks about her process & letting her characters lead her.

Video Credit: Film at Lincoln Center#screenwriting #writers #screenwriter #amwriting #Barbie pic.twitter.com/QEeAzCOVfQ

— WeScreenplay (@WeScreenplay) July 21, 2023

With a script so absurd and outrageous, it would be a real shame to see Gerwig and Baumbach’s writing go unrecognised at the Oscars.

Best Director

What would make her second Oscar nomination, Greta Gerwig’s immaculate command over the film’s many complex themes and elements is one of the best directorial achievements of the year so far. Hopefully she makes the cut.

Best Picture

when barbie gets oscar noms for best picture best director best actress best supporting actor best supporting actress best adapted screenplay best original song best production design best makeup hairstyling best costume design best film editing pic.twitter.com/J3s1JAohHl

— louka (@butterflylouka) July 22, 2023

Having dominated the summer box office and been one half of one of the most integral pop culture phenomena of the 21st century, Barbie must get in for Picture at all costs.

Now, to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. 

Oppenheimer’s Oscar Run

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer has captured the attention of both critics and audiences, and it's shaping up to be Universal Pictures' primary non-animated awards contender this season. The film's stellar critical reception and strong theatrical run position it as a potential heavyweight in the upcoming Oscar race.

Here’s a quick rundown on its chances at securing nods at the Oscars as of now:

Best Hair/Makeup

With a slew of opportunities to capitalise on the period aesthetics of its characters, Luisa Abel’s styles will more than likely resonate with Oscar voters.

Best Costumes

And the same sentiment extends to Ellen Mirojnick’s carefully curated wardrobe for the cast as well.

Best Visual Effects

What may end up either revolutionising the industry or going down as an extremely contentious nod, Nolan’s sparing use of computer generated visuals and heavy emphasis on practical effects may go either way come Oscar season. We’re betting on him making the cut.

Best Sound

me during the oppenheimer trinity test scene when the sound from the explosion was delayed so i thought there wasn’t going to be any noise pic.twitter.com/vP6T9z0Sel

— rissa (@billskarsgards) July 23, 2023

As per Oscar tradition, the loudest films usually make the cut if not flat out sweep the season. And it wouldn’t be too bold to say that four-time Oscar winner Richard King may be in line for his fifth.

Best Production Design

The film’s period setting, the entire township of Los Alamos, as well as a working timed explosion, will probably work in tandem towards securing a first time nomination for Emmy-veteran Ruth De Jong. 

Best Cinematography

The Cinematography of #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/3QRcSvk2rT

— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) July 23, 2023

The only film shot in the gorgeous albeit extremely elusive IMAX format. Veteran cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema behind the camera. Enough said.

Best Original Score

Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Goransson is already an industry favourite. Coupled with the fact that his outstanding original music for the film is already one of the most talked about scores of the year - a nod seems inevitable.

Best Editing

This editor deserves a pay raise man,one of the most brilliant piece of editing seen in #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/ZACFZTfOpe

— stoic (@GunhaonKaDevta) July 22, 2023

Industry stalwart Jennifer Lame has miraculously brought Nolan’s infamously convoluted vision to life into three hours of splendid cinema. There is no chance she goes unrecognised.

Best Supporting Actor

Robert Downey Jr’s show-stealing performance could possibly be his career best. Given his status in the industry, it seems nearly impossible he goes unrecognised.

Best Actor

For the time, effort and energy Cillian Murphy put in to embody one of the most contested figures in human history, his first Oscar nod seems about apt.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Today we publish Christopher Nolan’s screenplay for Oppenheimer. Described by Cillian Murphy as ‘one of the best screenplays I've ever read,’ Oppenheimer is written in first person in a radical departure from screenwriting convention.https://t.co/XlOELMqnRj pic.twitter.com/KuPg9bmDKm

— Faber Books (@FaberBooks) July 25, 2023

Nolan’s first solo writing work in a while may just be his best. His adaptation of American Prometheus is the strongest contender in the category so far.

Best Director

The star director has arguably outdone himself this time with his tremendous work for the film. He has everything going for him right now, and a nomination seems on its way. Perhaps sixth time’s the charm? 

Best Picture

Nolan when his entire crew dies from fallout but oppenheimer wins best picture pic.twitter.com/ZPOmyqejW7 https://t.co/KJieMyZQXv

— Jason 🦥 (@spongebobsloth) December 12, 2022

Given the film's critical acclaim and originality, a Best Picture nomination for the film seems highly likely at this point in the season. Add to the mix its cultural influence on cinema-going audiences this year, plus its status as a biopic (which the Academy absolutely eats up) - things are looking really good for Oppenheimer.

To know more about how film's fare at the Oscars, have a look at: How To Win An Oscar

The bottom line

With 10 and 13 potential nods for Barbie and Oppenheimer respectively, the Barbenheimer frenzy may just extend its hype to the awards race as well. Though the season is still in its nascent stages, both film’s are definitely gearing up towards an equally explosive Oscar campaign.