The 2024 Oscars are set to take place this Sunday at the iconic Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Hosted by Conan O'Brien for the second year in a row, the night promises to be a celebration of the year's best in film. From standout nominees to industry controversies, here's everything you need to know about the big event.

Best Picture: Top Contenders

The race for Best Picture is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. Ten films have been nominated, yet three seem to have captured the imagination of both critics and audiences:

1. Sinners - Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film has built strong momentum throughout the awards season. Featuring gripping performances and a compelling narrative, it’s the frontrunner for the evening’s top honor.
2. Hamnet - This historical drama is lauded for its exquisite storytelling and stellar performances, notably from Jesse Buckley and Paul Mescal. It remains a dark horse with a strong chance to win.
3. F1 - Starring Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt, this sleeper hit brings high-octane drama both on and off the racetrack.

Films like Beonia, One Battle After Another, and The Secret Agent are also in the race but are less likely to unseat these top three contenders.

Best Actor Predictions

This year's lineup for Best Actor includes some of Hollywood's finest, but all eyes are on Michael B. Jordan. His portrayal of Smoke and Stack in Sinners has earned rave reviews, positioning him as the favorite to win. The nominees are:

• Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
• Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
• Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
• Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
• Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)

Chalamet, however, faces challenges after controversial comments earlier in the season. His performance has been overshadowed by criticism, lessening his chances at an Oscar win.

Best Actress: Spotlight on Jesse Buckley

The competition for Best Actress shines a spotlight on remarkable talent. Jesse Buckley stands out for her spellbinding performance in Hamnet. She is competing against seasoned stars and rising talents:

• Jesse Buckley (Hamnet)
• Kate Hudson (Songs on Blue)
• Reneé Renez (Sentimental Value)
• Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You)
• Emma Stone (Beonia)

While Buckley’s role has been universally praised, anything can happen on Oscar night.

Supporting Categories

Both supporting categories feature standout performances. For Supporting Actress, Amy Madigan (Weapons) leads as the favorite. Fans of the horror genre are particularly enthusiastic about her potential win as it would be an acknowledgment of horror’s growing credibility in mainstream cinema. The Supporting Actress nominees include:

• Amy Madigan (Weapons)
• El Fanning (Sentimental Value)
• Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
• Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
• Enennga Elnnuska (Sentimental Value)

Over in the Supporting Actor category, Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) and Delroy Lindo (Sinners) are locked in a close race. Penn took home the SAG Award but remains absent from most of the awards circuit events, raising questions about how actively he’s campaigning.

The In Memoriam Segment: Honoring Rob Reiner

Every Oscar ceremony takes a moment to honor those the film industry lost during the past year. This year’s In Memoriam tribute is expected to be especially moving, focusing on Rob Reiner, whose body of work has left an undeniable impact on cinema. Hollywood legends Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, among other collaborators, will reunite to honor Reiner’s legacy in what is projected to be an emotional tribute.

The State of Theaters and Streaming

One trend under the 2024 spotlight is the ongoing tension between theaters and streaming platforms. A recent Variety poll indicates that only 57% of people have visited a movie theater in the past year, and 7% have never been. This downward trend emphasizes the importance of encouraging big-screen experiences.

Streaming services like YouTube and Disney+ continue to dominate viewer share. Notably, Warner Bros. and Discovery could climb to the top if their merger with Paramount finalizes, consolidating streaming power and reshaping how audiences consume entertainment. Here’s how platforms currently stack up:

Top Streaming Providers by Viewer Share

Platform	Viewer Share (%)
YouTube	12.5
Disney+	11.9
Netflix	8.8
NBCUniversal	8.5
Paramount+	8.2
Amazon Prime Video	4.1

Oscars vs. March Madness: Choosing Priorities

Sunday’s Oscars compete for viewership with the NCAA March Madness Selection Show, which airs earlier in the day. The overlapping schedules have sparked debates on whether Hollywood should be more conscious of major events beyond the entertainment industry.

Practical Takeaways

1. Oscars Night Planning - With the event scheduled to start at 7 PM Eastern, plan your evening to also catch the NCAA Selection Show if you’re a fan of both film and sports.
2. Movie Recommendations - If you haven’t seen Sinners, Hamnet, or Sentimental Value, now’s the time. These films are critical favorites heading into the biggest night of the year.
3. Support Theaters - Make time to visit your local cinema. The big-screen experience remains unparalleled, and keeping theaters alive is vital to the industry.

Conclusion

The 2024 Oscars will put some of the year’s greatest films and performances center stage, while tackling broader shifts in how movies are consumed. Will Sinners walk away with Best Picture? Can Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Buckley secure their anticipated wins? Tune in this Sunday to find out.