The 96th Academy Awards marked a year when audiences returned to the cinema; credit goes to the popularity of summer releases “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” These Oscar-nominated films received much praise, and rightly so!
However, one can’t discredit the films that weren’t as lucky as “Barbenheimer” at the Oscars 2024. They excelled in their own technical and artistic manners, which made them good competition in the nomination categories and deserving of a watch.
Best 5 Oscar Nominated Films That Didn’t Win
In this article, we shall recommend five must-watch Oscar nominated films of 2024 that missed the trophy but won nevertheless. Let’s get right into it!
1. Killers of the Flower Moon
- Category: Best Cinematography
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone
- Running Time: 206 minutes
- Streaming Details: Apple TV+
- Winner: Oppenheimer
A picture is worth a thousand words, and when the saying comes to cinema, it might be worth more than a thousand. “Killers of the Flower Moon’s” Rodrigo Prieto must be well aware of this. His use of lighting and shadows enhanced the film, making its portrayal of 1920s Oklahoma evocative.
One can’t argue that each still of the film is nothing less than an art piece. Due to this cinematography, the film is worth a watch.
2. Poor Things
- Category: Best Original Score
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
- Running Time: 141 minutes
- Streaming Details: Hulu
- Winner: Oppenheimer
The background score of a film is an extremely important part of its narrative. A single drop in the beat can turn a pinning lover into a stalker. However, when performed right, it adds another layer to the storytelling.
Jerskin Fendrix provided a snippet of this in “Poor Things.” His work played a crucial role in setting the film’s whimsical yet dark tone. Although it didn’t win the Oscars, “Poor Things” remains a beautiful watch for its score.
3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
- Category: Best Visual Effects
- Director: Christopher McQuarrie
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
- Running Time: 156 minutes
- Streaming Details: Paramount+
- Winner: Oppenheimer
Everything is possible in love, war, and cinema with some digital wizardry, and who can know this better than the creators of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.”
The film’s CGI pushed the boundaries of what is possible on screen, adding thrill to the direction of Christopher McQuarrie and the film’s action sequences. Making the latest addition to the series, it’s a film we highly recommend to this list.
4. The Holdovers
- Category: Best Editing
- Director: Alexander Payne
- Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa
- Running Time: 133 minutes
- Streaming Details: Amazon Prime Video
- Winner: Oppenheimer
There is only one thing worse than a poor story— a poorly told story. Thankfully, Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” is neither, and credit goes to editor Kevin Tent. He perfectly juggled the humour and pathos of the film, making it emotionally impactful.
His ability to hold the narrative without crucifying a shortened attention span is incredible. If you haven’t indulged in this creative piece yet, then you have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weekend.
5. Barbie
- Category: Best Production Design
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera
- Running Time: 114 minutes
- Streaming Details: HBO Max
- Winner: Poor Things
The pink world of “Barbie” made imaginative and vibrant production appear easy. The production design team, led by Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, recreated the Mattel settings with remarkable authenticity and detail. Every set, prop, and costume was meticulously designed to enhance the film’s narrative. Despite not winning the category, the film remains one of the most impressive design works.
That brings us to the conclusion of our list! These Oscar-nominated films of 2024 are representatives of excellence in their categories. Each of them features technical and artistic achievements, making them strong competitors at the 96th Academy Awards. They are also a must-watch film that will have fans cheering for them long after the awards season has passed.
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