By Adrienne Vogt, Melissa Macaya, Aditi Sangal and Mike Hayes, CNN
Updated 4:56 PM EST, Tue February 8, 2022
What we covered here
- The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced this morning, with “The Power of the Dog” leading with 12 nominations.
- Billie Eilish, Ariana DeBose, Olivia Colman and more nominees reacted to their Oscar nominations.
- The 94th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Our live coverage has ended. You can read a full list of the nominees here.
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2022 Oscar nominations break records and barriers. Here are the nominees.
The nominees for the 2022 Oscars were announced today and some broke records, while others broke barriers.
Troy Kotsur was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “CODA,” becoming the first deaf man to earn an acting nomination and second deaf acting nominee after co-star Marlee Matlin.
Ari Wegner, only the second female cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar, said she “can hardly stand up” after her nod for “The Power of the Dog.”
“The Power of the Dog” led with 12 nominations.
Denzel Washington became the most nominated Black actor in history after being nominated for best actor for his performance in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
Even before Tuesday’s nominations were announced, Washington was the most nominated Black actor in history, receiving his ninth nod in 2018 for his work in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda was nominated for the song “Dos Oruguitas” from Disney’s “Encanto.” This brings Miranda one step closer to potentially becoming a member of theelite “EGOT” group,stars who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
BEST PICTURE
- “Belfast”
- “CODA”
- “Don’t Look Up”
- “Drive My Car”
- “Dune”
- “King Richard”
- “Licorice Pizza”
- “Nightmare Alley”
- “The Power of the Dog”
- “West Side Story”
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”
- Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story”
- Judi Dench, “Belfast”
- Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog”
- Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard”
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Ciaran Hinds, “Belfast”
- Troy Kotsur, “CODA”
- Jesse Plemons, “The Power of the Dog”
- J.K. Simmons, “Being the Ricardos”
- Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
- “Drive My Car”
- “Flee”
- “The Hand of God”
- “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”
- “The Worst Person in the World”
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)
- “Audible”
- “Lead Me Home”
- “The Queen of Basketball”
- “Three Songs for Benazir”
- “When We Were Bullies”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
- “Ascension”
- “Attica”
- “Flee”
- “Summer of Soul”
- Writing with Fire”
ORIGINAL SONG
- “King Richard”
- “Encanto”
- “Belfast”
- “No Time to Die”
- “Four Good Days”
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
- “Encanto”
- “Flee”
- “Luca”
- “The Mitchells vs. The Machine”
- “Raya and the Last Dragon”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
- “CODA”
- “Drive My Car”
- “Dune”
- “The Lost Daughter”
- “The Power of the Dog”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- “Belfast”
- “Don’t Look Up”
- “King Richard”
- “Licorice Pizza”
- “The Worst Person in the World”
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos”
- Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog”
- Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
- Will Smith, “King Richard”
- Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
- Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
- Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter”
- Penelope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers”
- Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos”
- Kristen Stewart, “Spencer”
DIRECTOR
- Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast”
- Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “Drive My Car”
- Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza”
- Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”
- Steven Spielberg, “West Side Story”
PRODUCTION DESIGN
- “Dune”
- “Nightmare Alley”
- “The Power of the Dog”
- “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
- “West Side Story”
CINEMATOGRAPHY
- “Dune”
- “Nightmare Alley”
- “The Power of the Dog”
- “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
- “West Side Story”
COSTUME DESIGN
- “Cruella”
- “Cyrano”
- “Dune”
- “Nightmare Alley”
- “Westside Story”
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
- “Belfast”
- “Dune”
- “No Time to Die”
- “The Power of the Dog”
- “Westside Story”
ANIMATED SHORT FILE
- “Affairs of the Art”
- “Bestia”
- “Boxballet”
- “Robin Robin”
- “The Windshield Wiper”
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
- “Ala Kachuu — Take and Run”
- “The Dress”
- “The Long Goodbye”
- “On My Mind”
- “Please Hold”
ORIGINAL SCORE
- “Don’t Look Up”
- “Dune”
- “Encanto”
- “Parallel Mothers”
- “The Power of the Dog”
VISUAL EFFECTS
- “Dune”
- “Free Guy”
- “No Time to Die”
- “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
- “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
FILM EDITING
- “Don’t Look Up”
- “Dune”
- “King Richard”
- “The Power of the Dog”
- “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
- “Coming 2 America”
- “Cruella”
- “Dune”
- “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
- “House of Gucci”
Denzel Washington is the most-nominated Black actor in Oscar history, breaking his own record
From CNN's Leah Asmelash
Denzel Washington arrives at the premiere of "The Tragedy of Macbeth" at the DGA Theater on December 18, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Denzel Washington keeps making history.
The iconic actor, known for his roles in movies like “Training Day” and “Malcolm X,” just picked up his 10thAcademy Award nomination, this time for best actor in “The Tragedy of Macbeth” — making him the most nominated Black actor in Oscar history and breaking his own record.
Even before Tuesday’s nominations were announced, Washington was the most nominated Black actor in history, receiving his ninth nod in 2018 for his work in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
But even with this accomplishment, Washington hasn’t actually won the award in 20 years. He only has two Oscar statues to show for his work — the first for “Glory,” at the 1990 awards, and the second for “Training Day,” in 2002.
With this year’s nomination, Washington has now been nominated for the Academy Awards in every decade since the 1980s. His first was a supporting actor nod in 1988 for “Cry Freedom.”
The Oscars historically have not been kind to Black actors. ThoughSidney Poitierbecame the first Black man to win the best actor award in 1964, Washington was only the second in 2002. And only one Black woman has ever won the best actress award — Halle Berry, in 2002 for her work in “Monster’s Ball.”
If Oscars ratings rebound, "the hero will be streaming, not Spider-Man"
Analysis from CNN's Brian LowryThe Oscars are about honoring the year’s best movies, but they’re also a TV show, devoted to attracting an audience that will benefit host network ABC and promote the movie business. And after record-low ratings in 2021, the old adage about the Lord helping those who help themselves comes to mind.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is surely feeling pressure to breathe some life back into ratings for the Oscars, and part of that plan has logically involved nominating movies that more people have actually seen. Yet despite expanding the best-picture category to 10 nominees, few of the major contenders in thenominations unveiled Tuesday morningmeet that description — especially if it means having seen those films in theaters.
Before the nominations, producer Cassian Elwes — known for smaller-scale films like “Mudbound” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” —tweetedthat it was “shortsighted” for the Producers Guild’s awards to overlook “the two terrific movies that saved the theatrical business this year,”“Spider-Man: No Way Home”and“No Time to Die.”
If you subscribe to that theory, the Oscars will be inordinately reliant on movies that have primarily reached audiences through streaming, with two Netflix titles, “Don’t Look Up” and “The Power of the Dog,” among the 10 nominees, joined by Apple’s “Coda,” and “King Richard” and “Dune,” which premiered simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. (The last two are from Warner Bros., like CNN, part of WarnerMedia.)
Granted, the belief that popular movies are key to boosting Oscar ratings doesn’t always hold true, although the most-watched telecast ever remains the year that “Titanic” sailed away with best picture. Yet it seems undeniable that hit films broadly help, giving potential viewers more of a rooting interest in who and what wins.
Continue reading Lowry’s analysis here:
Lin-Manuel Miranda celebrates Oscar nomination for song in Disney's "Encanto"
Lin-Manuel Miranda is celebrating his Oscar nomination for the song he wrote for Disney’s hit movie “Encanto.”
Miranda is nominated for the song “Dos Oruguitas.” This brings Miranda one step closer to potentially becoming a member of theelite “EGOT” group,stars who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
In a tweet, Miranda said that he was grateful and also celebrated fellow nominees, Questlove, Ariana DeBose, Paul Tazewell, Germane Franco and Andrew Garfield.
“So many times I happy screamed for friends this morning,” Manuel tweeted. “Grateful grateful grateful!”
Garfield is nominated for best actor for“Tick, Tick… Boom!” — which Miranda directed.
See Miranda’s tweet:
"CODA" actor becomes first deaf man to receive Oscar acting nomination
From CNN's Scottie AndrewTroy Kotsur was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “CODA,” becoming the first deaf man to earn an acting nomination and second deaf acting nominee after co-star Marlee Matlin.
Three of the central roles in “CODA” went to deaf actors: Matlin, an Oscar winner and perhaps the most famous working deaf actor in the US,Kotsuras her gruff fisherman husband and Daniel Durant, who plays her son.
Director Siân Heder said she was drawn to the story of “CODA” because there were so few films that had focused on a deaf family in that way.
“It was important to me to show how free and comfortable deaf spaces can be, and then how different that is once you introduce the barrier that the hearing world puts up,” she said.
Read more about the film and deaf creators here:
Ari Wegner, who could make Oscars history, says she's "ecstatic" for her cinematography nomination
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne GarveyAri Wegner, only the second female cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar, said she “can hardly stand up” after her nod for “The Power of the Dog.”
Cinematography is the only category that still exists for which a woman has never won an Academy Award.
Only6% of the top 250 grossing films in the US last yearhad a female cinematographer, according to an annual report produced by The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University. To date, only one woman has been nominated by the Academy, Rachel Morrison for Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” in 2017.
Wegner also made history by becoming the first woman nominated for a BAFTA in cinematography.
CNN’s Thomas Page contributed to this report
"A long way from the streets of Belfast": Kenneth Branagh gives nod to family in Oscars statement
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Kenneth Branagh speaks on stage at the "Belfast" European Premiere during the 65th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 12, 2021, in London.
After being nominated for best director for “Belfast,” Kenneth Branagh said his parents and grandparents would have been “overwhelmed by this incredible honour.”
Branagh said:
“Belfast” is also up for best picture, original song, original screenplay and achievement in sound. Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds were nominated for best supporting roles in the film.
Denzel Washington calls "The Tragedy of Macbeth" one of "the best experiences" of his career
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Denzel Washington in "The Tragedy of Macbeth."
Denzel Washington thanked the Academy for his best actor nomination in a role for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” calling the film “one of the best experiences of my career.”
Washington extended the record he already holds as the most nominated Black actor, earning his tenth Oscar nomination for his performance in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” (One of his nominations was for producing.)
Olivia Colman is "SO EXCITED" to be nominated for "The Lost Daughter"
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Olivia Colman as Leda in "The Lost Daughter."
Olivia Colman’s reaction to getting nominated for an Oscar for “The Lost Daughter?”
“Bloody brilliant.”
In a statement to CNN, she said:
Jessie Buckley was nominated for supporting actress for “The Lost Daughter,” playing a younger version of Colman’s character.
Maggie Gyllenhaal directed the film.
Colman previously won an Academy Award for best actress for “The Favourite” in 2019.
Nicole Kidman honors Lucille Ball's legacy in message celebrating nomination: "She was ahead of her time"
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Nicole Kidman attends the Australian premiere of "Being the Ricardos" at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on December 15, 2021 in Sydney.
Nicole Kidman, nominated for best actress for “Being the Ricardos,” told CNN that playing the role of Lucille Ball was “the hardest role I’ve ever done” and that to be honored “this way is deeply appreciated.”
“WOW! I’m so overwhelmed! Just having breakfast with my family when the nominations came in. What a beautiful way to find out! I share this with them, Javier, JK, Nina and with ALL the cast and Aaron Sorkin, as this is ours together. This was the hardest role I’ve ever done and to be honored this way is deeply appreciated,” she said in a statement to CNN.
The actress also used a portion of her message to honor Ball’s legacy and impact in Hollywood.
“And to everyone who worked on this film both in front of and behind the camera during, our passionate and hardworking crew, Amazon, Todd Black, Aaron Sorkin, this nomination is ours to share!” the actress continued in the message.
Ariana DeBose says it's "surreal" to be nominated for "West Side Story"
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Ariana DeBose attends the "West Side Story" New York Premiere at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 29, 2021 in New York City.
“West Side Story” actress Ariana DeBose said she was “overjoyed” to receive an Oscar nomination for her supporting role as Anita.
“My morning walk along the river was extra special today. I am absolutely overjoyed by this morning’s news. To be recognized alongside such incredible women for their inspiring performances is surreal enough, but to share this celebration with Steven, Kristie, and the entire team that made our beautiful movie is a dream come true. I’m so thankful to the Academy for this acknowledgement and am beyond grateful to Steven, Kristie, and everyone at Amblin and Disney. What a moment,” she said in a statement to CNN.
DeBose also posted her reaction earlier on Instagram, “WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?! 🤯” writing that she was speechless.
Kirsten Dunst calls supporting actress nomination "a truly humbling experience"
From CNN's Chloe Melasand Marianne Garvey
Kirsten Dunst attends the official screening of Netflix's "The Power Of The Dog" during 2021 AFI Fest at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2021, in Hollywood, California.
Kirsten Dunst, who was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in “Power of the Dog,” called the honor “a truly humbling experience.”
The actress said being nominated for an Oscar for the first time alongside real-life partner Jesse Plemons, who plays her husband in the film, “is beyond our wildest dreams.”
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our work and for putting me amongst such a remarkable group of actresses,” she continued.
Billie Eilish and Finneas react to Oscar nomination: "This is a peak life experience for us"
From CNN's Chloe Melas and Marianne Garvey
Finneas O'Connell, left, and Billie Eilish pose on the red carpet after arriving to attend the World Premiere of "No Time to Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 28, 2021.
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell said it was a “lifelong dream” for them to write a “James Bond” theme song, and now it’s “completely unbelievable” to be nominated for “No Time to Die” for the movie of the same name.
In a statement to CNN, they said:
“To be recognized today among these other incredible nominees is something we most certainly do not take for granted. Thank you to the Academy, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson for allowing us this incredible opportunity, and to be part of Daniel Craig’s unparalleled legacy as James Bond. Thank you to Cary Joji Fukunaga, and last but not least, thank you to Hans Zimmer, Stephen Lipson and Johnny Marr for being an absolute joy to work with on this song,” the singer-songwriters added.
Lucky in love? Two couples receive Oscar nominations

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst in "The Power of the Dog"
While “The Power of the Dog” got 12 Oscar nominations, it looks like the real winner of this year’s Academy Awards is love.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, real-life powerhouse couples Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz plus Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst received nods for their movies.
Cruz was nominated for best actress for “Parallel Mothers,” while Bardem received a nod for his role as Ricky Ricardo in “Meet the Ricardos.”
Plemons and Dunst were both nominated for their supporting roles in “The Power of the Dog.”
The couples who get Oscar nominations together stay together, right? (We won’t bring up Brangelina…)
Past married nominees include Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt; Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner; Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton; Rex Harrison and Rachel Roberts and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
CNN’s Lisa Respers France contributed to this post.
"Dune" received 10 Oscar nominations. Here's what the film's director told CNN about his creative process

Denis Villeneuve directs Timothée Chalamet on the set of "Dune."
“Dune” was nominated in 10 Oscar categories, including for best picture.Only “Power of the Dog” received more nominations, with 12.
Back in October, CNN interviewed the film’s director Denis Villeneuve, who said he had been thinking about “Dune” ever since his teenage years, and for decades, he’d carried images and ideas inside. Villeneuve was not nominated for best director, but aside from best picture, the film also snagged a nomination for cinematography and visual effects.
Read the full story here.
Billie Eilish snags first Oscar nod for original song

Musician Billie Eilish attends the World Premiere of "No Time to Die" at the Royal Albert Hall on September 28, 2021, in London.
It’s time for Billie Eilish’s first Oscar nomination.
The song “No Time to Die” for the Bond movie of the same name, by the “Bad Guy” singer-songwriter along with brother Finneas O’Connell, was nominated in the original song category.
The song took home a Golden Globe earlier this year.
The movie “No Time to Die,” which had its release delayed multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was also nominated for visual effects.
Beyoncé has picked up her first-ever Oscar nomination

Beyoncé is seen onstage during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
The Beyhive is abuzz with the news that Beyoncé got nominated for an Oscar for original song.
Queen Bey snagged her first-ever Academy Award nod for the song “Be Alive,” in the movie “King Richard” — also a best picture nominee — by her and Darius Scott.
The 28-time Grammy winner has also been nominated for Emmys and Golden Globes.
Husband Jay-Z was also rumored to be getting an Oscars nod for his and Kid Cudi’s “Guns Go Bang” in “The Harder They Fall,” but alas, Hova didn’t get the nomination.
“Dos Oruguitas” by Lin-Manuel Miranda and “No Time to Die” from Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell are also included in the category. The nomination also marks Eilish’s first for the Oscars as well.
Jane Campion becomes first woman nominated more than once for best director
From CNN's Lisa Respers France
Jane Campion attends the official screening of Netflix's "The Power Of The Dog" during AFI Fest at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2021, in Hollywood, California.
“The Power of the Dog” director Jane Campion made history today by becoming the first woman to be nominated more than once for best director.
Campion’s previous nomination came in 1993 for the film “The Piano.” When Campion earned her first nomination, she was only the second woman ever nominated in the category. The first was Lina Wertmüller, nominated for 1976′s “Seven Beauties.”
“The Power of the Dog” led among nominated films for the 94th Academy Awards with 12 nods.
The Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, March 27.
CNN’s Sandra Gonzalez contributed reporting to this post.
Steven Spielberg just set a new record
From CNN's Lisa Respers France
Steven Spielberg, right, and Rita Moreno as Valentina stand on the set of 20th Century Studios’ "West Side Story."
Steven Spielberg set a new record with the 2022 Oscar nominations.
As producer of “West Side Story,” which earned a total of seven nominations, Spielberg has now produced 11 films nominated for best picture, a new record for the Oscars.
With Oscar nod for "West Side Story," Ariana DeBose could make history

Ariana DeBose as Anita and David Alvarez as Bernardo are seen in 20th Century Studios’ "West Side Story."
Ariana DeBose, who plays Anita in the updated version of “West Side Story,” scored a supporting actress nomination for the 2022 Oscars.
DeBose, who already won a Golden Globe for the character, took on the role that Rita Moreno originated in the original 1961 version of the film. Moreno, who was born in Puerto Rico, won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in 1962, becoming the first Latina to nab an Academy Award. Moreno also appeared in Spielberg’s version of the film as Valentina.

Rita Moreno poses with her Oscar in 1962 after she was named best supporting actress for her role in "West Side Story."
If DeBose wins, she and Moreno would join a small group of pairs of actors to win the award for playing the same character.
According to the Los Angeles Times:
Moreno has called DeBose a “marvelous” actress. “She’s a ferocious dancer. Way better than I was,” the EGOT winner told Parade magazine.
DeBose posted her reaction on Instagram: “WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?! 🤯”
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