With nominations for the 94th Academy Awards being revealed on February 8th, we can’t wait for these stars to hopefully get their first nod!

Credit: Universal Pictures

The nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be revealed shortly and it’s a competitive year. With several notable films held over from last year considering COVID-19 and others that had production delayed as a result, this is one of the most competitive award seasons in years. It’s also an exciting one for the number of first-timers that could earn themselves a ticket to the ceremony. Here are some of the ones that we’re looking forward to the most. 

Kristen Stewart 

Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role In Spencer

Kristen Stewart has been in the business for a long time. Starting off as a child/teen actor in films such as David Fincher’s 2002 thriller Panic Room and 2005’s space adventure Zathura, she quickly grew to international fame with the Twilight Saga from 2008-2012 which were incredibly successful financially. After Twilight, she began to draw critical acclaim from her work in smaller films such as 2014’s Clouds of Silas Maria where she won a Cesar Award, becoming the first American actress to do so. She came back to the mainstream with 2019’s reboot of Charlie’s Angels, 2020’s creature feature Underwater and the streaming rom-com smash 2020’s Happiest Season. Her most recent performance in Spencer, a biopic focusing on the weekend where Princess Diana Spencer decided to divorce Charles, is the crowning achievement of her work so far and has earned her many accolades. She is a prime contender for obtaining her first Oscar nomination. This despite the heavy competition, particularly in the sphere of biopics, such as Nicole Kidman for playing Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos, Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci, and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye. 

 Jamie Dornan 

Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role In Belfast

While forever linked to the 50 Shades of Grey franchise, Jamie Dornan has a deeper profile than just that series. For instance, he co-led the BBC original The Fall from 2013-2017 with Gillian Anderson and appeared on ABC’s Once Upon A Time from 2011-2013. He also appeared in 2016’s WW2 drama Anthropoid. Born in Belfast himself, he was a perfect fit for the role of Pa in Kenneth Branagh’s newest film, Belfast, an autobiographical account of his childhood. Showcasing both his desire to protect his family from the tensions of The Troubles and his love for his son and wife, it’s a terrific performance that has generated buzz all winter long. It even features Jamie himself singing to his wife. 

Alana Haim 

Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role In Licorice Pizza

For her first film performance in Licorice Pizza, Alana Haim has received high acclaim and won awards from several critic groups. In the film, she is a live wire as Alana, a young woman on the verge of embracing adulthood ready to both spit back a one-liner or open up and be vulnerable with Gary, the youthful hustler who she finds herself entwined with. Before acting, of course, Alana started a band with her sisters, the pop-rock trio HAIM, which currently has released three albums to acclaim. And she has a personal connection to Licorice Pizza as well. She has known director Paul Thomas Anderson for many years, and he has directed several of their music videos. Anderson was even taught by her mother in school. 

Peter Dinklage 

Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role In Cyrano 

While most well-known for his scene-stealing side characters in Elf and Game of Thrones where his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister became a fan favorite, Peter Dinklage now gets a chance to carry his own film. Cyrano, a musical adaptation with music by The National, tells the classic story of Cyrano, a man cursed to love from afar and help a young soldier Christian, woo the woman Roxanne, who they both love. While not Dinklage’s first leading role as he starred in 2003’s The Station Agent, Cyrano is his most high-profile role and has garnered rave reviews for the performances’ vulnerability and heart-wrenching love. In a competitive category and a film that has seen its release date shifted multiple times, Peter Dinklage looks to still stand tall and receive his first Oscar nomination come nomination morning. 

Ariana DeBose 

Award: Best Actress in a Supporting Role In West Side Story

DeBose has been building an impressive resume in the theatrical world. She had been working on Broadway for years but first gained attention playing The Bullet in Hamilton. Following that, she played Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and received a Tony Award nomination for her work. Film-wise, she co-led The Prom on Netflix last year and starred in last summer’s Schmigadoon on Apple+. Now, she has gained rave reviews for her portrayal of Anita, older sister to Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story as both a vibrant force of energy and the heartbreaking soul of the film. The performance has catapulted her to stardom with her even hosting SNL recently. 

These five and more are contending for Oscar nominations this season which will be revealed on February 8 and the ceremony will be held on March 27, 2022.