Most of our content covers sports betting around the world, but the 96th Academy Awards, more commonly known as the Oscars, also bring a lot of wagering, not just on the major awards but on some interesting props. This year’s awards are set for March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with late night host Jimmy Kimmel set to emcee. The film phenomenon known as “Barbenheimer” (Barbie and Oppenheimer) have 21 nominations between them – 13 for the historical film about the development of the atomic bomb and eight for the film imagining the iconic doll coming to life. Such big-name actors as Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Lily Gladstone have been nominated for their first career trophies. Let’s look at some interesting Oscars props that you might want to add to your weekend wagering.
The 2024 Academy Awards Betting Preview: Meet the Latest Oscars Odds to Win
Oscars Odds: Best Picture
- Oppenheimer -3500
- Poor Things +2000
- The Holdovers +4200
- Anatomy of a Fall +5000
- The Zone of Interest +5000
- Barbie +7500
- American Fiction +8000
- Killers of the Flower Moon +10000
- Maestro +15000
- Past Lives +15000
Oppenheimer is such a heavy favorite that placing this wager makes no sense from a value betting perspective. The cinematic technique of the film, combined with the powerful acting performances, make it a monster in the room. If you’re looking for a dark horse, you might put some money on The Holdovers, which would have a powerful argument in other years. Its critical reception has been strong.
Oscars Odds: Best Director
- Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) -2000
- Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) +1800
- Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon) +2900
- Justin Triet (Anatomy of a Fall) +3400
- Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest) +5000
Christopher Nolan has received five prior nominations but still has yet to win this award. The Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAGs) dumped accolades all over Oppenheimer. Yorgos Lanthimos is intriguing with his creativity (who could forget The Lobster, for example?), but given the momentum that Oppenheimer brings, as well as its own directorial excellence, it’s hard to see Nolan losing.
Oscars Odds: Best Lead Actor
- Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) -800
- Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) +600
- Bradley Cooper (Maestro) +1700
- Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) +10000
- Colman Domingo (Rustin) +10000
Why have Murphy’s odds shortened over the past couple of weeks? Giamatti was masterful as a teacher going through personal redemption, and Cooper’s turn as Leonard Bernstein was masterful. Murphy has shown considerable versatility; remember that he also wowed as the Scarecrow in the Christopher Nolan Batman films. I would put small bets on Giamatti and Cooper.
Oscars Odds: Best Lead Actress
- Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) -120
- Emma Stone (Poor Things) (+140)
- Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall) +5000
- Carey Mulligan (Maestro) +5000
- Annette Bening (Nyad) +5000
Stone was the favorite before Gladstone won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor at the SAGs. Both of these make solid bets; Stone’s turn in Poor Things was shocking in its raw departure from her normal composure. Bening’s turn in Nyad was passionate and on-point, but the film may not have gotten the exposure it needed to show her skill widely enough.
Oppenheimer to win 7.5 awards. Best picture, best director, best supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr) and best original score (Ludwig Goeransson) all seem in the bag. Such technical ones as Sound, where The Zone of Interest has a strong case, and best actor, where Murphy has the slight edge over Giamatti, will be difficult. Out of 13 nominations, can Oppenheimer really make it to eight given the strong slate of other contenders? Take the under.
Jimmy Kimmel to make 4 ½ jokes about “Barbenheimer.” We know that Jimmy Kimmel likes to send barbs at popular targets, and the opening monologue will definitely hit the obvious ones. This combination of films basically gave the summer box office its high attendance numbers and has also stacked up the most nominations. Take the over.
Latest Oscars Odds
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