Oscar Contenders Coming to Theaters in December 2024

As 2024 wraps up strong, December delivers a wave of Oscar contenders hitting theaters. From powerful performances of Nicole Kidman and Timothée Chalamet to visionary storytelling, these films are poised to leave their mark on awards season.

Hard Truth: Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Best Actress

Marianne Jean-Baptiste delivers a stunning performance in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, earning the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress, a significant milestone that positions her as a leading contender for this year’s Oscars. The film, which opened in theaters on December 6, 2024, showcases Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, a woman battling deep-seated anger and depression, whose volatile nature wreaks havoc on her family and community. Her portrayal is raw, empathetic, and deeply unsettling, crafted through Mike Leigh’s signature improvisational approach. This marks a powerful reunion between Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Mike Leigh nearly three decades after their collaboration on Secrets & Lies, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. 

In addition to its accolades for Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s performance, Hard Truths is also a strong contender for Original Screenplay. Having won the National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay and receiving predictions from Variety for an Oscar nomination, the film’s narrative brilliance is another key element driving its awards season momentum. 

Queer: Daniel Craig for Best Actor

Daniel Craig just won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor with his career-defining performance in A24’s Queer, sparking strong Oscar buzz, with Variety predicting his nomination. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film is an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel and follows Bill Lee, a troubled American expatriate in 1950s Mexico City. Bill’s destructive love for a younger man, Eugene Allerton, leads him into spiraling self-destruction and absurd escapades, including a quest for a hallucinogenic drug. Daniel Craig’s nuanced portrayal captures Bill’s charm, desperation, and self-awareness, marking a striking departure from his James Bond legacy.

Queer had a limited U.S. release on November 27, 2024, but will debut nationwide in the UK on December 13.

Nosferatu: Cinematography

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu has claimed the National Board of Review Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, solidifying its position as a frontrunner for an Oscar in this category. The film, a gothic reimagining of the 1922 classic, follows a haunted young woman (Lily-Rose Depp) and the terrifying vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), whose obsession with her unleashes a cascade of horrors. Willem Dafoe stars as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz, adding gravitas to the film’s atmospheric storytelling.

The film’s cinematography, crafted by Jarin Blaschke, is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Known for his work on The Lighthouse and The Northman, Jarin Blaschke uses moody lighting, shadows, and period-accurate framing to create a haunting, immersive world. His work on Nosferatu elevates Robert Eggers’ signature style, blending historical authenticity with gothic horror to produce a visually stunning piece.

Nosferatu will premiere in theaters on December 25. 

Babygirl: Nicole Kidman for Best Actress

Nicole Kidman continues to dominate the awards conversation with her fearless performance in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl, earning her the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress. In the film, Nicole Kidman portrays Romy, a high-powered CEO whose life unravels when she becomes entangled in a power-driven affair with her younger intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. This bold, provocative narrative explores themes of desire, control, and vulnerability, with Nicole Kidman’s performance being hailed as one of the most daring of her career. 

Babygirl is set to release on December 25 as well.

A Complete Unknown: Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress

James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown is a major awards season contender, earning a spot on the National Board of Review’s Top 10 Films list and a Best Supporting Actress win for Elle Fanning. Elle Fanning delivers a standout performance as Sylvie Russo, capturing the emotional nuance of a young woman intertwined with Bob Dylan’s rise to fame.

Starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, the film chronicles his evolution from folk singer to cultural icon, culminating in his groundbreaking electric set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. With its U.S. release on December 25, 2024, and UK debut on January 17, 2025, this biopic is a must-see for its rich storytelling and stunning performances.  

December brings the heat as awards season revs up, with Christmas Day dropping a trio of Oscar hopefuls into theaters like shiny presents under the tree. These films are set to light up the race—and maybe even your holiday plans.