The year 2017, which started on a Sunday, was, in a way, a truly memorable time for cinema. It was a period when stories from all walks of life got their moment in the spotlight. The Academy Awards, as you know, always bring out a lot of talk, and the 2017 Oscar nominations certainly did just that, sparking conversations that lasted for quite some time. It’s pretty interesting to think about how those films and performances still resonate with us today, isn't it?

You see, 2017 itself was a year full of big moments, from shifts in politics to exciting new steps in technology. There were also, as a matter of fact, some cultural breakthroughs that really shaped things. The nominations for the Oscars that year seemed to capture a bit of that spirit, showcasing films that reflected, or maybe even challenged, the world around us. It was, arguably, a very strong year for movies.

Thinking about the films that earned a nod for the 2017 Oscar nominations makes you remember the buzz and excitement. It was a time when the film world was, in some respects, really pushing boundaries, giving us stories that felt both deeply personal and universally important. We’re going to take a little trip back to that time, remembering the movies and the artists who were recognized.

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Table of Contents

• Best Picture Nominees: A Powerful Lineup
• Leading Performances: Actors and Actresses Who Shone
  • Best Actor: A Group of Strong Performances
  • Best Actress: Compelling and Varied Roles
• Supporting Roles: The Heart of the Story
  • Best Supporting Actor: Memorable Turns
  • Best Supporting Actress: Depth and Impact
• Directorial Visions: The Craft Behind the Camera
• Original and Adapted Screenplays: The Words That Moved Us
• Animated and Foreign Language Films: Global Stories
• Other Notable Categories: Recognizing Every Craft
• Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Oscars
• Looking Back at the Impact of the 2017 Oscars

Best Picture Nominees: A Powerful Lineup

The Best Picture category for the 2017 Oscar nominations was, quite honestly, a very strong collection of films. Each one brought something special to the table, and they represented a wide range of storytelling. It was a year where, basically, different kinds of cinema got their due recognition.

Among the films vying for the top honor, you had "Arrival," a thoughtful science fiction film that explored communication and humanity. Then there was "Fences," a powerful drama with incredible performances, based on a well-known play. "Hacksaw Ridge" offered a compelling war story, full of bravery and conviction.

"Hell or High Water" was a modern western that really resonated with people, showing a different side of America. "Hidden Figures" told an inspiring true story about unsung heroes, which was, in a way, long overdue for recognition. "Lion" brought a touching true story of a man searching for his family.

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Of course, "Manchester by the Sea" was there, a deeply moving and, you know, rather somber look at grief and family. And then, the two films that were, perhaps, most talked about: "La La Land," a vibrant musical that captured hearts, and "Moonlight," a deeply personal and artistic film about identity and growing up. It was, apparently, a very close race.

Leading Performances: Actors and Actresses Who Shone

The acting categories are always a big part of the 2017 Oscar nominations, and that year was no different. We saw some truly incredible work from both seasoned performers and newer faces. The talent on display was, honestly, quite something to behold.

Best Actor: A Group of Strong Performances

For Best Actor, the nominees were a really impressive bunch. Casey Affleck was nominated for his raw and emotional portrayal in "Manchester by the Sea," a performance that, you know, really stuck with people. Andrew Garfield got a nod for his role in "Hacksaw Ridge," showing a different kind of heroism.

Ryan Gosling was recognized for his charming and, sort of, melancholic turn in "La La Land," where he also sang and played piano. Viggo Mortensen was nominated for his unique character in "Captain Fantastic," a role that, in a way, challenged typical ideas of fatherhood. Denzel Washington, a true legend, was also nominated for his powerful work in "Fences." It was, actually, a very strong field of actors.

Best Actress: Compelling and Varied Roles

The Best Actress category was just as compelling for the 2017 Oscar nominations. Isabelle Huppert received a nomination for her fearless performance in "Elle," a very, very complex role. Ruth Negga was recognized for her quiet strength in "Loving," a story about civil rights.

Natalie Portman earned a nod for her intense portrayal of Jackie Kennedy in "Jackie," capturing a very specific moment in history. Emma Stone was nominated for her bright and hopeful character in "La La Land," a performance that, like, truly sparkled. And Meryl Streep, as always, was nominated for her role in "Florence Foster Jenkins," proving her incredible range yet again. She is, simply, amazing.

Supporting Roles: The Heart of the Story

Often, the supporting actors and actresses are the ones who, you know, really give a film its depth and heart. The 2017 Oscar nominations for these categories certainly highlighted some truly impactful performances. These roles, in some respects, can be just as crucial as the leading ones.

Best Supporting Actor: Memorable Turns

The Best Supporting Actor nominees included Mahershala Ali for his unforgettable role in "Moonlight," a performance that, frankly, left a lasting impression. Jeff Bridges was nominated for his cool and collected character in "Hell or High Water," adding a lot of charm to the film.

Lucas Hedges earned a nod for his sensitive portrayal in "Manchester by the Sea," showing a young talent emerging. Dev Patel was recognized for his heartfelt performance in "Lion," bringing a lot of emotion to the screen. Michael Shannon was also nominated for his intense work in "Nocturnal Animals." It was, truly, a diverse group of performances.

Best Supporting Actress: Depth and Impact

For Best Supporting Actress, the 2017 Oscar nominations featured some powerful women. Viola Davis was nominated for her absolutely incredible performance in "Fences," a role she had also played on stage. Naomie Harris received a nod for her strong work in "Moonlight," showing a very, very complex character.

Nicole Kidman was recognized for her moving portrayal in "Lion," bringing a lot of warmth to the story. Octavia Spencer earned a nomination for her inspiring role in "Hidden Figures," embodying strength and intelligence. Michelle Williams was also nominated for her poignant performance in "Manchester by the Sea." These women, basically, elevated every scene they were in.

Directorial Visions: The Craft Behind the Camera

The Best Director category for the 2017 Oscar nominations recognized the incredible artistry and vision behind some of the year's most talked-about films. These directors, you know, are the ones who shape the entire movie.

Denis Villeneuve was nominated for "Arrival," for his masterful way of telling a complex story. Mel Gibson earned a nod for "Hacksaw Ridge," showing his skill in directing intense action and drama. Kenneth Lonergan was recognized for "Manchester by the Sea," for his delicate handling of a very emotional narrative.

Damien Chazelle was nominated for "La La Land," for bringing a classic musical feel to modern audiences. And Barry Jenkins was also nominated for "Moonlight," for his deeply personal and artistic approach to filmmaking. It was, arguably, a very strong year for directorial talent.

Original and Adapted Screenplays: The Words That Moved Us

The heart of any great film often lies in its screenplay, the words and structure that build the story. The 2017 Oscar nominations honored some truly exceptional writing, both original and adapted. These scripts, naturally, are what actors bring to life.

For Original Screenplay, films like "Hell or High Water," "La La Land," "The Lobster," "Manchester by the Sea," and "20th Century Women" were recognized. Each of these scripts offered unique voices and perspectives, truly creating something new. It's, like, pretty amazing how writers come up with these stories.

In the Adapted Screenplay category, the nominees were "Arrival," "Fences," "Hidden Figures," "Lion," and "Moonlight." These films took existing material—whether a novel, a play, or a true story—and transformed it into compelling cinematic experiences. It was, in some respects, a testament to the power of good writing.

Animated and Foreign Language Films: Global Stories

The Academy Awards also celebrate films from around the world and the magic of animation. The 2017 Oscar nominations in these categories brought forward some truly wonderful stories, showing the global reach of cinema.

For Best Animated Feature, films like "Kubo and the Two Strings," "Moana," "My Life as a Zucchini," "The Red Turtle," and "Zootopia" were nominated. These films, you know, delighted audiences of all ages with their creativity and storytelling.

The Best Foreign Language Film category showcased diverse narratives from different countries. Nominees included "Land of Mine" (Denmark), "A Man Called Ove" (Sweden), "The Salesman" (Iran), "Tanna" (Australia), and "Toni Erdmann" (Germany). These films, basically, offered windows into other cultures and experiences.

Other Notable Categories: Recognizing Every Craft

Beyond the main categories, the 2017 Oscar nominations also celebrated the many crafts that go into making a film. From the stunning visuals to the powerful sounds, every detail matters.

Categories like Cinematography, Film Editing, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects, and the various documentary and short film categories all had their nominees. These nominations, you know, highlight the incredible teamwork involved in filmmaking.

For instance, the cinematography in "Arrival" and "Moonlight" was, arguably, truly breathtaking, creating distinct visual worlds. The scores for "La La Land" and "Lion" really added to the emotional impact of those films. It’s, actually, amazing how many talented people work on a movie. You can learn more about past Oscar ceremonies on our site, and link to this page for more film history.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Oscars

People often have questions when looking back at the 2017 Oscar nominations. Here are a few common ones.

What movies were nominated for Best Picture in 2017?

The films nominated for Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars were "Arrival," "Fences," "Hacksaw Ridge," "Hell or High Water," "Hidden Figures," "Lion," "Manchester by the Sea," "La La Land," and "Moonlight." That was, naturally, a very strong group of films.

Who was nominated for Best Actor in 2017?

For Best Actor, the nominees in 2017 were Casey Affleck for "Manchester by the Sea," Andrew Garfield for "Hacksaw Ridge," Ryan Gosling for "La La Land," Viggo Mortensen for "Captain Fantastic," and Denzel Washington for "Fences." It was, truly, a tough category to pick from.

What was the biggest snub at the 2017 Oscars?

"Snubs" are always a hot topic with Oscar nominations, and the 2017 ceremony had its share of discussions. While it's subjective, some people felt that Amy Adams for "Arrival" or Hugh Grant for "Florence Foster Jenkins" were notable omissions from the acting categories. Also, some thought films like "Sing Street" deserved more recognition. It's, you know, always a matter of opinion. For more official information, you can visit the Academy Awards official archive for 2017.

Looking Back at the Impact of the 2017 Oscars

The 2017 Oscar nominations really did capture a moment in time for cinema. It was a year where diverse stories and voices were, basically, at the forefront. The discussions around these films, and the ceremony itself, have certainly stayed with us.

Thinking about these nominations now, years later, you can still feel the impact of films like "Moonlight" and "La La Land," and the conversations they started. It's a reminder that good movies, you know, really do leave a lasting mark. Perhaps it's time to revisit some of these fantastic films and see them with fresh eyes.