“Oppenheimer,” a sprawling examination of the dawn of the Atomic Age, kicked off the race for the 96th Academy Awards , earning 13 nominations. It was followed closely behind by “Poor Things,” a feminist fantasy set in a steampunk world of mutants and male chauvinist pigs, which earned 11 nominations. Both “Oppenheimer” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” drawn from painful chapters of American history, were recognised at a moment of political unrest and division in the country, which seemed to give their dark subject matter an added resonance.
"Oppenheimer," "Barbie," and "Killers of the Flower Moon" secured nominations for best picture, alongside "Poor Things," "American Fiction," "Anatomy of a Fall," "The Holdovers," "Maestro," "Past Lives," and "The Zone of Interest." Notably, three of the best picture contenders—"Barbie," "Anatomy of a Fall," and "Past Lives"—were directed by women, marking a first. However, only Justine Triet earned a best director nomination among them.
In 2023, "Barbie" emerged as the year's biggest hit, breaking records as the highest-grossing film directed by a woman. Greta Gerwig's feminist fantasia not only painted movie theaters pink but also sparked a continuous stream of thought-provoking articles. Despite receiving eight Academy Awards nominations, including best picture, "Barbie" was overshadowed at the box office by its unexpected double-feature partner, "Oppenheimer." And when the Academy Awards passed over Gerwig for best director and Margot Robbie for best actress, many saw some of the same patriarchy parodied in "Barbie" at work. Many celebrities and political people came in support with Oscar nominations against Barbie.