The Oscars 2024: A Wild Race for the Biggest Prize

The big night in Hollywood is set to be a roller‑coaster, with the most coveted award up for grabs between the vampire drama “Sinners” and the dark comedy thriller “One Battle After Another. ” The ceremony will begin at 7 p. m. ET and will be streamed live on ABC and Hulu. Conan O’Brien returns as host, promising a mix of humor and thoughtful nods to the tense world outside the theater. Security is tight after a federal warning about an Iranian threat, but officials say there is no confirmed danger. Hollywood is in a period of change: studios chase cheaper locations, big mergers are reshaping the industry, and many fear that artificial intelligence might cut jobs or limit creativity.“Sinners” leads the nominations with a record 16, while “One Battle After Another” is also a front‑runner. In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet faces rivals Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan for best actor, while Jessie Buckley is a strong contender for best actress with her role in “Hamnet. ” The Academy’s voting system now checks whether voters have actually watched the films, adding a layer of accountability. With so many surprises possible, fans and critics alike are watching closely to see which film will take home the coveted Oscar.