The Netflix musical film Emilia Perez led the Academy Award nominations announced on Thursday, securing 13 nods and giving the streaming giant another chance at its first best-picture win. Close behind were the historical drama The Brutalist and the blockbuster adaptation Wicked, each earning 10 nominations.
Emilia Perez, a Spanish-language film about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman and starts a new life, joins The Brutalist—a 3.5-hour tale of a Holocaust survivor chasing the American dream—and Wicked, the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, in the race for best picture.
Also vying for the top honor are A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan, the dark comedy Anora, papal drama Conclave, the sci-fi epic Dune: Part 2, Brazilian political docudrama I’m Still Here, the racial drama Nickel Boys, and the horror film The Substance.
The nominations were announced in Beverly Hills as Los Angeles dealt with devastating wildfires, which have already delayed key events in Hollywood’s awards season.
Netflix, despite past best-picture nominations for Roma and The Irishman, has yet to take home the trophy. Awards experts, including Variety’s Marc Malkin, anticipate a tight race between Wicked, The Brutalist, and Conclave.
“Wicked has been universally adored,” Malkin said, while Conclave has gained momentum through strong word-of-mouth buzz.
Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast, released Wicked and Conclave, while The Brutalist comes from indie powerhouse A24.
Notable acting nominations include Demi Moore, recognized for her role as a fading celebrity in The Substance. “I am deeply humbled,” Moore said in a statement, adding her support for those affected by the wildfires.
The best actor category features Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), and Sebastian Stan, who portrayed Donald Trump during his early real estate career in The Apprentice. Jeremy Strong earned a supporting actor nod for his role as Trump’s attorney Roy Cohn.
In Wicked, Cynthia Erivo was nominated for best actress, while Ariana Grande earned a supporting actress nod for their roles as young witches-in-training. “I cannot stop crying,” Grande wrote on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
Notable snubs included Angelina Jolie for her portrayal of opera singer Maria Callas in Maria and Nicole Kidman for her role in Babygirl.
Amid the challenges posed by wildfires, the Oscars ceremony remains set for March 2, with organizers emphasizing it will be a celebration of both movies and resilience.
