2019 Oscar Nominations Overview
The 91st Academy Awards ceremony recognized films from the 2018 theatrical season, with nominations announced on January 22, 2019 by actors John Cho and Issa Rae. The nominations were led by Alfonso Cuarón's "Roma," which secured 10 nominations, followed by "The Favourite" and "Black Panther" with multiple nods across major categories. The ceremony took place on February 24, 2019 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and was broadcast by ABC. "Roma" competed directly with major studio releases and independent productions for the top honors, reflecting a diverse slate of contenders. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, managed the voting process and eligibility rules for the 2019 cycle. For a complete list of nominees, see the official Academy Awards site 91st Academy Awards nominees.
Netflix made history as its first feature film nominated for Best Picture, with "Roma" representing the streaming platform's push into prestige cinema. The film was produced by Espectáculos Fílmicos El Coyúl and distributed by Netflix, which invested heavily in original content during the 2018 awards season. "Black Panther," produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, became the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture, signaling a shift in Academy recognition of genre films. The Best Animated Feature category included "Incredibles 2" from Pixar Animation Studios and "Ralph Breaks the Internet" from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The Best International Feature Film category featured "Roma" from Mexico, "Capernaum" from Lebanon, and "Shoplifters" from Japan, highlighting global storytelling trends. The ceremony also marked the first time in decades that no host was appointed for the main telecast, a decision by the Academy's producers and ABC.
Top Nominated Films and Studios
Alfonso Cuarón's "Roma" led all films with 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Yalitza Aparicio, and Best Original Screenplay. The film was shot in black and white by cinematographer Alfonso Cuarón and produced in collaboration with Participant Media and Esperanto Filmoj. "The Favourite," directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures, received 10 nominations as well, with Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone competing for Best Actress. "Black Panther" earned seven nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, and three technical categories, reflecting the production scale of Marvel Studios under Disney. "Bohemian Rhapsody," produced by 20th Century Fox and Regency Enterprises, received five nominations, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing. "A Star Is Born," directed by Bradley Cooper and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, also secured multiple nominations across acting and technical categories.
In the Best Animated Feature race, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" from Sony Pictures Animation and Columbia Pictures won the award, beating "Incredibles 2" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet." The film's innovative visual style and box office performance, exceeding $375 million worldwide, underscored the commercial viability of animated originals. In the Best Documentary Feature category, "Free Solo," produced by National Geographic Studios and distributed by National Geographic Documentary Films, competed alongside "RBG" from CNN Films and HBO Documentary Films. The Best Original Score category featured Ludwig Göransson's work on "Black Panther," which blended orchestral and African percussion elements. The Best Original Song category included "All the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA for "Black Panther