Oscars 2024 Best Actor Predictions: Nominees & Winner

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Oscars 2024 Best Actor Predictions: Nominees & Winner

The Competitive Landscape of Oscars 2024 Best Actor Race

The Best Actor race for the Oscars 2024 promises to be a fiercely competitive category, with a constellation of major stars delivering exceptional performances, vying for the coveted award. The films of 2023 have indeed graced us with remarkable acting displays, from seasoned nominees and previous Best Actor Oscar winners to the breakout roles of both established actors and newcomers. All of them now harbor hopes of clinching the prize, reminiscent of Brendan Fraser’s triumph for “The Whale” at the 2023 Oscars, marking his inaugural Oscar win.

The Early Frontrunners and the Campaign Trail

The frontrunners for the Best Actor category have held their status for a significant duration, thanks to their association with the likely Best Picture nominees for the Oscars 2024. However, the intense campaigning during awards season has only just taken flight. The initial step involves vying for one of the coveted five Best Actor Oscar nominations, or even fewer if certain favorites materialize. With this in mind, our list of the 2024 Oscars’ Best Actor predictions and the anticipated winner will be continually updated as we approach the January 2024 nominations announcement. Screen Rant’s predicted Best Actor nominees include:

Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”
Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Bradley Cooper in “Maestro”
Paul Giamatti in “The Holdovers”
Jeffrey Wright in “American Fiction”

While these five actors seem to be strong contenders for the coveted Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards in early 2024, they are by no means the only ones in contention. Several other performances merit consideration and could potentially secure a nomination if reviews continue to laud their efforts and the right campaign narrative is established. Other actors who could make the cut at the 2024 Oscars include:

Andrew Scott in “All of Us Strangers”
Adam Driver in “Ferrari”
Colman Domingo in “Rustin”
Zac Efron in “The Iron Claw”
Joaquin Phoenix in “Napoleon”
Nicolas Cage in “Dream Scenario”
Anthony Hopkins in “Freud’s Last Session”
Christian Friedel in “The Zone of Interest”
Koji Yakusho in “Perfect Days”
Gael García Bernal in “Cassandro”
Michael Fassbender in “The Killer”
Barry Keoghan in “Saltburn”
Paul Dano in “Dumb Money”
Teo Yoo in “Past Lives”
Matt Damon in “Air” The Contenders: A Closer Look

Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”

Cillian Murphy emerges as the frontrunner for the Best Actor Academy Award at the 2024 Oscars for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Despite their previous collaborations, this marked Murphy’s first leading role in a Nolan film. His performance as the brilliant yet tormented scientist stands out as one of the most outstanding performances of 2023, undoubtedly deserving of the Oscar.

If Cillian Murphy secures the Best Actor nomination for “Oppenheimer,” it will be a historic moment in his career. Despite prior critical acclaim, none of his past works have received recognition from the Academy Awards. A win would make him the third consecutive first-time Best Actor winner, following in the footsteps of Will Smith and Brendan Fraser, and the second consecutive first-time nominee to clinch the award. While the competition remains fierce, Murphy’s grasp on the Oscars 2024 Best Actor category appears unyielding.

Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Leonardo DiCaprio is a strong contender for a Best Actor nomination at the 2024 Oscars due to his role as Ernest Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” His portrayal of a character involved in despicable acts but rendered sympathetic to audiences has drawn critical acclaim. Martin Scorsese’s film is a formidable contender for multiple Oscar nominations, with DiCaprio likely to be one of several “Killers of the Flower Moon” performances recognized.

This would mark Leonardo DiCaprio’s sixth Oscar nomination, positioning him among the select few with at least that many Best Actor nominations. A win would secure his second Best Actor Oscar, following his victory for “The Revenant” in 2018, placing him among the actors with two Oscar wins.

Bradley Cooper in “Maestro”

Bradley Cooper finds himself once again in contention for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars. Not only is he a potential nominee for his directorial work on “Maestro,” but his portrayal of the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein has garnered widespread acclaim. Despite the controversy surrounding his “Maestro” appearance, Bradley Cooper’s remarkable acting remains undeniable, offering the Academy another opportunity to recognize his extraordinary body of work.

A nomination would continue Bradley Cooper’s success in the Best Actor category, adding to his previous nominations for “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Sniper,” and “American Hustle.” While victory has eluded him so far, “Maestro” presents another chance for the Academy to honor his exceptional performances.

Paul Giamatti in “The Holdovers”

Paul Giamatti is on the cusp of securing an Oscar nomination in 2024 for his role in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers.” His portrayal has become one of the heartwarming stories of the awards season, propelling him into contention. Should Giamatti receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for “The Holdovers,” it would be his second Academy Award nomination, following his Best Supporting Actor nomination for “Cinderella Man” in 2006. This time, he has a genuine opportunity to claim the ultimate prize.

The Oscars 2024 Best Actor race is undeniably one of the most competitive categories at the Academy Awards this season. While the frontrunners have a strong grip on their positions, the Oscars’ campaigning season is just beginning, promising potential surprises and upsets. As we approach the January 2024 nominations announcement, the race for Best Actor remains open, and these exceptional actors will continue to captivate audiences and critics alike with their outstanding performances.