So here comes the end of another Oscar season. As usual, some of the best films of last year received well-deserved nominations while other excellent films were unfortunately ignored, but I and many of you remain interested in which movie will be the eventual winner of this Oscar season. So far, the overall picture is building up day by day, so we have a pretty good idea about the outcome, but, of course, there will be always some surprise for us in the end. And, folks, I love surprise even if my prediction is wrong.

Anyway, it is quite more evident that Christopher Nolan’s another ambitious film “Oppenheimer” will be the biggest winner at the ceremony. I predict that it will win at least 8 Oscars including Best Picture, and it will be a really big shock if any other nominee actually ends up beating “Oppenheimer” on March 10th. In my inconsequential opinion, most of Best Picture nominees will be rewarded in one way or another, so there will not be much complaint about it.

Now, I give you my trivial prediction on each category. I have been never entirely correct in my prediction, so there is considerable chance for you to beat me, and you may try to outguess me although there is no prize for that.

Best Picture
“American Fiction” (2023) – Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, and Jermaine Johnson
“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) – Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion
“Barbie” (2023) – David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, and Robbie Brenner
“The Holdovers” (2023) – Mark Johnson
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese, and Daniel Lupi, producers
“Maestro” (2023) – Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning, and Kristie Macosko Krieger
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, and Christopher Nolan
“Past Lives” (2023) – David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, and Pamela Koffler
“Poor Things” – Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Emma Stone (2023)
“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – James Wilson

As Golden Globes, Critics Choice, PGA, SAG, and BAFTA are all shouting “Oppenheimer”, so….

Will Win: “Oppenheimer”
Should Win: “Past Lives”

Best Actor
Bradley Cooper – “Maestro” (2023)
Colman Domingo – “Rustin” (2023)
Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers (2023)
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer (2023)
Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction (2023)

Almost everything is pointing toward Cillian Murphy, but watch out a bit for Paul Giamatti, who is incidentally my No.1 pick in this group.

Will Win: Cillian Murphy
Should Win: Paul Giamatti

Best Actress
Annette Bening – “Nyad” (2023)
Lily Gladstone – “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)
Sandra Hüller – “Anatomy of a Fall” (2023)
Carey Mulligan – “Maestro” (2023)
Emma Stone – “Poor Things” (2023)

Annette Bening, Carey Mulligan, and Sandra Hüller have no chance from the start, so it has been a fierce competition between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone. Considering that she recently won a SAG best actress award, I predict that Gladstone will make a history as the first Native American Best Actress Oscar winner.

Will Win: Lily Gladstone
Should Win: Lily Gladstone – and a big salute to Emma Stone and Sandra Hüller

Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown – “American Fiction” (2023)
Robert De Niro – “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)
Robert Downey Jr. – “Oppenheimer” (2023)
Ryan Gosling – “Barbie” (2023)
Mark Ruffalo – “Poor Things” (2023)

As he swept Golden Globes, Critics Choice, BAFTA, and SAG, Robert Downey Jr. has built up a dramatic narrative based on his rehabilitated career, so…

Will Win: Robert Downey Jr.
Should Win: Ryan Gosling

Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt – “Oppenheimer” (2023)
Danielle Brooks – “The Color Purple” (2023)
America Ferrera – “Barbie” (2023)
Jodie Foster – “Nyad” (2023)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – “The Holdovers” (2023)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph also garnered numerous awards just like Downey, so…

Will Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Should Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Best Director
Justine Triet – “Anatomy of a Fall” (2023)
Martin Scorsese – “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)
Christopher Nolan – “Oppenheimer” (2023)
Yorgos Lanthimos – “Poor Things” (2023)
Jonathan Glazer – “The Zone of Interest” (2023)

I do not need to say anything, you know.

Will Win: Christopher Nolan
Should Win: Martin Scorsese – and my big bow to all of the other nominees.

Best Original Screenplay
“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) – Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
“The Holdovers” (2023) – David Hemingson
“Maestro” (2023) – Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer
“May December” (2023) – Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik
“Past Lives” (2023) – Celine Song

After deservedly winning at BAFTA and Golden Globes, “Anatomy of a Fall” becomes the front runner, but I will not mind an upset from any of the other nominees, probably except “Maestro”.

Will Win: “Anatomy of a Fall”
Should Win: “Past Lives”

Best Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction” (2023) – Cord Jefferson; based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett
“Barbie” (2023) – Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach; based on characters created by Ruth Handler
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Christopher Nolan; based on the biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
“Poor Things” (2023) – Tony McNamara; based on the novel by Alasdair Gray
“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – Jonathan Glazer; based on the novel by Martin Amis

It has been a competition between “Oppenheimer” and “American Fiction”, which I think will win considering its recently rising momentum.

Will Win: “American Fiction”
Should Win: “The Zone of Interest”

Best Cinematography
“El Conde” (2023) – Edward Lachman
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Rodrigo Prieto
“Maestro” (2023) – Matthew Libatique
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Hoyte van Hoytema
“Poor Things” (2023) – Robbie Ryan

All of these nominees are stellar, but the award will eventually go to “Oppenheimer”.

Will Win: “Oppenheimer”
Should Win: “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Best Film Editing
“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) – Laurent Sénéchal
“The Holdovers” (2023) – Kevin Tent
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Thelma Schoonmaker
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Jennifer Lame
“Poor Things” (2023) – Yorgos Mavropsaridis

Again, “Oppenheimer” will win here.

Will Win: “Oppenheimer”
Should Win: “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Best Original Score
“American Fiction” (2023) – Laura Karpman
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023) – John Williams
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Robbie Robertson †
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Ludwig Göransson
“Poor Things” (2023) – Jerskin Fendrix

“Oppenheimer” will also win here.

Will Win: “Oppenheimer”
Should Win: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

Best Original Song
“The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot” (2023) – Music and lyrics by Diane Warren
“I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie” (2023) – Music and lyrics by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
“It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony” (2023) – Music and lyrics by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
“Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Music and lyrics by Scott George
“What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie” (2023) – Music and lyrics by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

This is where “Barbie” will definitely win.

Will Win: “What Was I Made For?”
Should Win: “What Was I Made For?”

Best Production Design
“Barbie” (2023) – Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis
“Napoleon” (2023) – Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Elli Griff
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set Decoration: Claire Kaufman
“Poor Things” (2023) – Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek

It is a toss-up between “Barbie” and “Poor Things”, and I will pick “Poor Things”, though I will not mind not “Barbie” winning the award instead.

Will Win: “Poor Things”
Should Win: “Poor Things”

Best Costume Design
“Barbie” (2023) – Jacqueline Durran
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Jacqueline West
“Napoleon” (2023) – Janty Yates and Dave Crossman
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Ellen Mirojnick
“Poor Things” (2023) – Holly Waddington

Pretty much same here…

Will Win: “Poor Things”
Should Win: “Poor Things”

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Golda” (2023) – Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby, and Ashra Kelly-Blue
“Maestro” (2023) – Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, and Lori McCoy-Bell
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Luisa Abel
“Poor Things” (2023) – Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston
“Society of the Snow” (2023) – Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí, and Montse Ribé

This is where “Maestro” will win

Will Win: “Maestro”
Should Win: “Society of the Snow”

Best Sound
“The Creator” (2023) – Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich, and Dean Zupancic
“Maestro” (2023) – Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich, and Dean Zupancic
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023) – Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon, and Mark Taylor
“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, and Kevin O’Connell
“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn

“Oppenheimer”, of course.

Will Win: “Oppenheimer”
Should Win: “The Zone of Interest”

Best Visual Effects
“The Creator” (2023) – Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts, and Neil Corbould
“Godzilla Minus One” (2023) – Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi, and Tatsuji Nojima
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023) – Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams, and Theo Bialek
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023) – Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland, and Neil Corbould
“Napoleon” (2023) – Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco, and Neil Corbould

Maybe it is the time for a Godzilla film…

Will Win: “Godzilla Minus One”
Should Win: “The Creator”

Best Animated Feature
“The Boy and the Heron” (2023) – Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki
“Elemental” (2023) – Peter Sohn and Denise Ream
“Nimona” (2023) – Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan, and Julie Zackary
“Robot Dreams” (2023) – Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, and Sandra Tapia Díaz
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023) – Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal

It has been a tight race between “The Boy and the Heron” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”, and I predict that the former will win.

Will Win: “The Boy and the Heron”
Should Win: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Best International Feature Film
“Io capitano” (2023) (Italy) – directed by Matteo Garrone
“Perfect Days” (2023) (Japan) – directed by Wim Wenders
“Society of the Snow” (2023) (Spain) – directed by J. A. Bayona
“The Teachers’ Lounge” (2023) (Germany) – directed by İlker Çatak
“The Zone of Interest” (2023) (United Kingdom) – directed by Jonathan Glazer

This is where “The Zone of Interest” will surely win.

Will Win: “The Zone of Interest”
Should Win: “The Zone of Interest”

Best Documentary Feature Film
“Bobi Wine: The People’s President” (2023) – Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp, and John Battsek
“The Eternal Memory” (2023) – Maite Alberdi
“Four Daughters” (2023) – Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha
“To Kill a Tiger” (2023) – Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe, and David Oppenheim
“20 Days in Mariupol” (2023) – Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, and Raney Aronson-Rath

Considering the current political situation in Ukraine, “20 Days in Mariupol” will probably win.

Will Win: “20 Days in Mariupol”
Should Win: “20 Days in Mariupol”

Best Documentary Short Film
“The ABCs of Book Banning” (2023) – Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
“The Barber of Little Rock” (2023) – John Hoffman and Christine Turner
“Island in Between” (2023) – S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
“The Last Repair Shop” (2023) – Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
“Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó” (2023) – Sean Wang and Sam Davis

Will Win: “The ABCs of Book Banning”
Should Win: “The Last Repair Shop”

Best Live Action Short Film
“The After” (2023) – Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
“Invincible” (2022) – Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
“Knight of Fortune” (2022) – Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
“Red, White and Blue” (2023) – Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” (2023) – Wes Anderson and Steven Rales

Will Win: “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”
Should Win: “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

Best Animated Short Film
“Letter to a Pig” (2022) – Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter
“Ninety-Five Senses” (2023) – Jared and Jerusha Hess
“Our Uniform” (2023) – Yegane Moghaddam
“Pachyderme” (2022) – Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius
“War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko” (2022) – Dave Mullins and Brad Booker

Will Win: “Letter to a Pig”
Should Win: “Ninety-Five Senses”