Oscars Nominations Predictions 2020: Parasite, Joker, Beyonce

ANIMATED FEATURE

“Frozen II”
“How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”
“I Lost My Body”
“Missing Link”
“Toy Story 4”

If not “I Lost My Body” then “Klaus”
Lowdown: Netflix will absolutely land its first Animated Feature nomination this year. It should be thanks to the Cannes wonder “I Lost My Body,” but the hand-drawn animation of “Klaus” could fill out the ballot as well.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

“American Factory”
“The Cave”
“For Sama”
“Honeyland”
“One Child Nation”

If not “For Sama” then “Apollo 11”
Lowdown: We think the Documentary branch may view “Apollo 11” as more of an editing achievement than a film worthy of an Oscar nod in this particular category. If it misses out that will absolutely still be one of the biggest snubs of the season. It is close, however, and the NEON hit could knock “For Sama” or “The Cave” out.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Roger Deakins, “1917”
Phedon Papamichael, “Ford v Ferrari”
Rodrigo Prieto, “The Irishman”
Robert Richardson, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
Lawrence Sher, “Joker”

If not “Ford v Ferrari” then Hong Gyeong-Pyo for “Parasite”
Lowdown: We personally think Gyeong-Pyo deserves to be here for “Parasite,” but are sticking to the ASC Awards five.

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Dennis Glasser for “1917”
Barbara Ling for “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
Lee Ha Jun for “Parasite”
Bob Shaw for “The Irishman”
Ra Vincent for “Jojo Rabbit”

If not “Parasite” then François Audouy for “Ford v Ferrari”
Lowdown: The only really guaranteed nomination in this field is Dennis Glasser for “1917.” Despite stellar work, there is so much competition in this category this season that any of the remaining four picks could easily be snubbed.

COSTUMES

Ruth E. Carter, “Dolemite Is My Name”
Julian Day, “Rocketman”
Jacqueline Durran, “Little Women”
Arianne Phillips, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell, “The Irishman”

If not “The Irishman” then Mayes C. Rubeo for “Jojo Rabbit”
Lowdown: Last year’s winner, Ruth E. Carter, is going to knock someone out of the five designers nominated by BAFTA. We think it will be “Jojo Rabbit’s” Mayes C. Rubeo, but “The Irishman’s” Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson are vulnerable as well.

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

“Bombshell”
“Joker”
“Judy”
“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
“Rocketman”

If not “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” then “Dolemite Is My Name”
Lowdown: This is the first time this category has expanded to five nominees and its still massively competitive.

ORIGINAL SCORE

Michael Giacchino, “Jojo Rabbit”
Hildur Guđnadóttir, “Joker”
Randy Newman, “Marriage Story”
Thomas Newman, “1917”
John Williams, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

If not “Jojo Rabbit” then Alexandre Desplat for “Little Women”
Lowdown: Never bet against John Williams and a “Star Wars” score. That means there are only four available slots left. The Newmans are safe as is Hildur Guđnadóttir for “Joker.” That means if two-time winner Alexandre Desplat gets in for “Little Women” he’s going to have to overcome “Jojo Rabbit’s” Michael Giacchino, another former winner, to do so.

ORIGINAL SONG

“Glasgow (Wild Rose)” from “Wild Rose”
“I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from “Rocketman”
“Into the Unknown” from “Frozen II”
“Spirit” from “The Lion King”
“Stand Up” from “Harriet”

If not “Stand Up” then “A Glass of Soju” from “Parasite”
Lowdown: “Glasgow (Wild Rose)” may be a stretch to some, but we think the “in context” vote gets it in. If “A Glass of Soju” from “Parasite” makes the cut here “Parasite” may absolutely be your Best Picture winner.

VISUAL EFFECTS

“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Avengers: Endgame”
“The Irishman”
“The Lion King”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

If not “Avengers: Endgame” then “1917”
Lowdown: There are conflicting reports on “1917’s” Visual Effects Bake Off presentation. In theory, it’s the sort of artful work that the branch loves to reward with an Oscar nod. The question is whether it contains enough meaningful effects to justify the nod. Our guess is based on the presentation, “no.”

SOUND EDITING

“1917”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
“Rocketman”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Party crashers: “Ad Astra,” “Joker,” “Avengers: Endgame”
Lowdown: “Avengers: Endgame” or “Joker” could absolutely make the cut here.

SOUND MIXING

“1917”
“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“Rocketman”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Party crashers: “Ad Astra,” “Joker,” “Avengers: Endgame”
Lowdown: See Sound Editing.

The 2020 Oscar nominations will be announced dark and early at 5 AM PT, 8 PM ET on Monday, Jan 13.