United States: The Oscar nominations for a year in which the big-screen box office finally returned from the pandemic. Academy members are anticipated to honour blockbusters like “Top Gun: Maverick” for their role in saving movie theatres.

The most likely nominee for best picture, Hollywood’s most coveted prize, is Tom Cruise’s much-anticipated follow-up to his big 1986 smash, but other well-liked sequels like “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” may also receive a nod.

They will have competition from a wide spectrum of films, including the buzz-generating sci-fi hit “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed but underappreciated quasi-memoir “The Fabelmans.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters are also paying close attention to the Irish black comedy “The Banshees of Inisherin,” the rock and roll drama “Elvis,” and Cate Blanchett’s most recent masterpiece “Tar.”

The recent huge rise in the number of international Academy voters is a significant problematic issue for Oscars forecasters. They have been credited with surprising successes like the South Korean film “Parasite” winning best picture in 2020 and the nomination for the Japanese film “Drive My Car” the previous year.

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” a German World War I drama, has gained significant traction after receiving a whopping 14 nominations at the British Academy Film Awards last week. “RRR,” an Indian action movie that has gained widespread support to become a highly popular favourite in Hollywood, may also be a contender for best picture.

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