The race for Hollywood's highest honours just got a major signal as the Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced its nominees for the prestigious Darryl F. Zanuck Award. The list of ten films, revealed on Friday, is widely considered the most reliable bellwether for the Academy Awards' Best Picture category.
Warner Bros. Dominates the Nominations List
This year's list features a strong showing from Warner Bros., with four of its theatrical releases making the cut. The studio's nominated films include the intense drama "One Battle After Another," the provocative "Sinners," the high-octane Formula One racing movie "F1," and the box office horror sensation "Weapons." They are joined by other awards season favourites like "Frankenstein," "Hamnet," "Sentimental Value," "Bugonia," "Train Dreams," and "Marty Supreme."
Major Snubs and Oscar Predictions
In a surprising turn, the guild overlooked two big-budget studio spectacles that many considered sure bets: "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and "Wicked: For Good." Their absence marks one of the season's most notable snubs. The PGA nominees closely mirror the selections made earlier this week by the actors and directors guilds, solidifying these films' frontrunner status.
The full list of ten is a crucial Oscar indicator. The winner of the Zanuck award has gone on to win the Best Picture Oscar 17 times in the past 22 years, including last year's victory for "Anora." With Oscar nominations set for announcement on January 22, this PGA list offers a strong preview of the likely Best Picture batch.
Animated Features and Television Honours
Beyond the top film prize, the guild also nominated five films for the award for best animated feature. The contenders are:
- "KPop Demon Hunters"
- "Zootopia 2"
- "Elio"
- "The Bad Guys 2"
- "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle"
In television, the PGA recognised a diverse slate of programmes across various categories. Notable nominees include "Andor," "The Pitt," "South Park," "Adolescence," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," and "Mr. Scorsese." The 37th annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony will be held on February 28 in Los Angeles.
