The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the shortlisted contenders in 10 categories for the upcoming 96th Oscars ceremony.

Greta Gerwig's inventive comedy, "Barbie," emerges as the frontrunner with the most nods, securing five mentions. The film snagged recognition for sound and original song, featuring submissions by Billie Eilish ("What I Was Made For?"), Dua Lipa ("Dance the Night"), and Mark Ronson alongside Andrew Wyatt ("I'm Just Ken"). Additionally, the movie gained notice for its original score crafted by the latter duo. However, it notably missed out on a nomination in the makeup and hairstyling category, causing a stir due to the surprising omission.

Despite high expectations, both "The Color Purple" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" failed to clinch spots on the shortlist. Instead, the panel selected A24's unconventional "Beau is Afraid" and Universal Pictures' horror flick "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" as replacements.

The musical categories boast compositions by renowned artists such as Daniel Pemberton ("Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"), Ludwig Göransson ("Oppenheimer"), and the late Robbie Robertson ("Killers of the Flower Moon"). Noteworthy veterans also made the list, including Thomas Newman ("Elemental") and John Williams ("Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny").

Highlighting the diversity in the shortlisted composers, notable inclusions feature Black composers Jon Batiste ("American Symphony") and Kris Bowers ("The Color Purple"), legendary female musician Laura Karpman ("American Fiction"), and nonbinary Oscar nominee for "Jackie," Mica Levi ("The Zone of Interest"). The unexpected nomination of Mark Orton for "The Holdovers," previously thought ineligible, marks a commendable choice by the panel.

In the realm of original songs, tracks from Warner Bros' "The Color Purple" ("Keep It Movin'" and "Superpower," performed by Halle Bailey and Fantasia Barrino) and Apple Original Films' "Flora and Son" ("High Life" and "Meet in the Middle") make a strong showing. Olivia Rodrigo's chart-topping hit "Can't Catch Me Now" from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," alongside Lenny Kravitz's contribution ("Road to Freedom" from "Rustin") and an unexpected entry by Wes Anderson, co-writing "Dear Alien" from "Asteroid City," move closer to potential Oscar nominations. Additionally, Anderson's short film "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" competes in the live-action shortlist alongside Pedro Almodovar's "Strange Way of Life," starring Pedro Pascal.

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