Oscars 2021: Final Predictions For Nominations In Every Category

15. Best Sound

NOMINEES:

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Mank

News of the World

Sound of Metal

Tenet

After Academy members campaigned for it for years, the decision was finally made to combine the two nebulous Sound Editing and Sound Mixing categories into a unified "Best Sound" field, given that even many Oscar voters can scarcely tell the difference.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Mank, and Sound of Metal feel like easy picks, and Tenet's controversial sound mix has considerably higher esteem in the sound community than it does with general audiences, so don't be too surprised to see that show up.

Both Tenet and News of the World could definitely be replaced by the likes of Greyhound, Nomadland, and Soul, though.