What a year for Oscar.
The nominations are in for the 86th Annual Academy Awards and the stars are graciously thanking the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the acknowledgment of their hard work.
Gravity and American Hustle lead the way and are tied for the most nominations with 10 each, followed by 12 Years a Slave with nine nods. They join Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Her, Nebraska, Philomena and The Wolf of Wall Street as the films vying for Best Picture.
Take a look at the Best Actor category: Christian Bale (American Hustle), Bruce Dern (Nebraska), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club).
And what a group of ladies going head-to-head for Best Actress: Amy Adams (American Hustle), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity), Judi Dench (Philomena) and Meryl Streep (August: Osage County).
Here is what the esteemed group of actors, actresses and moviemakers are saying as we officially begin the countdown to film's biggest night:
Jennifer Lawrence, Best Supporting Actress, American Hustle: "Thank you so much to the Academy for this nomination and for all of the nominations for the film. It's very exciting! Congratulations to my fellow nominees, it's an honor to be nominated in the company of these four actresses who I admire and are so incredibly talented."
Amy Adams, Best Actress, American Hustle: "I'm very honored to be nominated alongside such inspiring actresses. Congratulations to the cast and crew of American Hustle" and Her, two films that I'm incredibly proud to be a part of."
Bradley Cooper, Best Supporting Actor, American Hustle: "This is so special and surreal and I'm truly honored. The nominations by the Academy for my fellow cast members, David and the film are a true tribute to David O. Russell, our mentor. I feel very lucky and humbled today."
David O. Russell, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, American Hustle: "First of all, I want to congratulate all of the nominees from all of the films. We are all blessed to be in this business, telling stories. In American Hustle, we tried to create characters and a world that the audience would find romantic and moving and real. I am so thrilled for my partners—my actors, my producers, Eric Singer, and the craftspeople from the film—who were honored today. They gave it their all; they poured their passion into the movie and I am truly thankful to them."
Charles Roven and Richard Suckle (Producers), Best Picture, American Hustle: "We are blown away and humbled by the Oscar nominations American Hustle has received this morning. It is the ultimate honor to be counted among this year's magnificent motion pictures and to be so appreciated by one's peers. We can't say thank you enough to the Academy. So many talented people gave their passion and absolutely everything they had to this film, both in front of and behind the camera, and we're grateful that their achievements are being recognized."
Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Actor, The Wolf of Wall Street: "I am deeply humbled by this honor and even happier to share today with Marty, Jonah, Terry as well as this entire cast and crew. The Wolf of Wall Street has been a passion project of mine, and I found the role to be one of the most challenging and rewarding of my career. Congratulations to all of my fellow nominees and thank you to the Academy for this extraordinary recognition."
Emma Tillinger Koskoff (Producer), Best Picture, The Wolf of Wall Street: "I am truly honored and humbled by the Academy's recognition of the incredible feat that is The Wolf of Wall Street. Making this film with Marty, Leo, Terry, Jonah and the rest of our superb cast and crew was a privilege."
Riza Aziz and Joey McFarland (Producers), Best Picture, The Wolf of Wall Street: "We are humbled and honored by the Academy's recognition of The Wolf of Wall Street. What brilliantly started on the page with Terence Winter's script evolved into a unique, bold, and uncompromising execution in filmmaking. Martin Scorsese continues to be the preeminent filmmaker of our time, weaving together incredibly unique characters to form stories that both provoke and captivate the imagination. Leonardo DiCaprio's tenacity, passion and fearlessness in front of the camera has brought to life a character that will be etched in our minds forever. Jonah Hill is a diverse young force that challenges everyone around him, he is the true definition of "going for it". Terence Winter's wonderful adaption has given life to the colorful characters of Wolf, and was the beginning of a journey that lead us to this moment. We are thrilled that the Academy has embraced his extraordinary film."
Matthew McConaughey, Best Actor, Dallas Buyers Club: "I am honored and grateful for this nomination. I love working in an industry and craft that inspires me daily and allows me to tell stories that translate humanities and move people. I share this with the entire Dallas Buyers Club family of filmmakers, cast, and crew -- and the real-life Ron Woodroofs and Rayons who continue to fight and live with dignity. Thank you."
Jared Leto, Best Supporting Actor, Dallas Buyers Club: "I am absolutely blown away by this incredible nomination. I never in my life thought I would have the opportunity to even write these words. Thank you so much to all my fellow AMPAS acting branch members for this honor. Today you not only honor me but also all those around the world living with AIDS and all those we have lost to this disease. Thank you for recognizing them and recognizing their struggle through Dallas Buyers Club. This was a fascinating story told by a group of incredibly passionate and committed filmmakers who wanted to create something special and shine a light on a unique and important story. I'm proud to be a part of this celebration and so very grateful to you all. A huge congratulations to Matthew McConaughey, Robbie Brenner, Rachel Winter, Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack, Jean-Marc Vallée, Martin Pensa, Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews."
Jean-Marc Vallée (Director), Dallas Buyers Club: "What a beautiful way to end the incredible adventure that has been Dallas Buyers Club. My collaborators and I have had an amazing time making this film. Today we all share a collective sense of pride as we have had the opportunity to spotlight a part of history that's both beautiful and sometimes painful to remember, and been able to tell a story which has touched the hearts of many."
Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter (Producers), Best Picture, Dallas Buyers Club: "After a journey of two decades to bring Dallas Buyers Club to the screen, receiving an Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category is both an honor and an incredible milestone. This nomination— and those of Matthew, Jared, Craig & Melisa, and our editing and makeup/hair artisans—is an amazing victory for the entire team led by our director Jean-Marc Vallée, who worked so hard to show the world Ron Woodroof's inspirational story—which still resonates today. We are humbled and thrilled that the Academy has recognized our work as producers, and we thank the AMPAS Members."
Alfonso Cuarón, Best Director, Gravity: "Thank you Academy for this incredible recognition. These nominations are not just about single achievements, but rather the collective effort of hundreds of dedicated artists who made this dream a reality. On behalf of everyone involved with Gravity I want to express our deepest gratitude to the industry, the exhibitors and the public for embracing this film so passionately. A special thank you to our friends and collaborators at Warner Bros. for staying on board this journey for more than four years."
"I am particularly moved by Sandy's nomination. She is the heartbeat of our film. She immersed herself in the part. And I thank her for her grace, her trust and her dedication to finding the truth of this character."
Meryl Streep: Best Actress, August: Osage County: "I am so happy for our film that Julia and I have been nominated. We are both so proud of August: Osage County. This honor from the Academy, for which we are truly grateful, will help bring attention to our film from audiences across the country, which is thrilling."
Julia Roberts, Best Supporting Actress, August: Osage County: "This was certainly a once in a lifetime experience and the recognition from it is an absolutely thrilling bonus. I simply could not be more excited right now."
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Best Actor, 12 Years a Slave: "At no point during filming, in the sweltering heat of New Orleans, did any of us ever foresee the journey this film would take us all on. Steve McQueen created an entire family to tell one man's tale and I am delighted that so many of this family have also been recognized today. I am hugely grateful to the Academy for this great honour, and, of course, to Solomon Northup for sharing his story through his breathtaking book."
Lupita Nyong'o, Best Supporting Actress, 12 Years a Slave: "I am thrilled beyond words that The Academy has recognized my performance in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave and I am deeply proud to be in the company of my fellow nominees. This celebration of such an important film is simply extraordinary, and I am so pleased to be able to share it with the rest of the 12 Years a Slave family. I feel truly blessed!"
Michael Fassbender, Best Supporting Actor, 12 Years a Slave: "I'm really chuffed with the Oscar nomination especially being recognised alongside such great actors. It's a real honour."
Steve McQueen, Best Director and Best Picture, 12 Years a Slave: "I'm extraordinarily happy for all the cast and crew of our 12 Years a Slave family. This has been an amazing ride, and to receive nine nominations from the Academy is testament to all of the hard work. And for that I am truly grateful."
John Ridley, Best Adapted Screenplay, 12 Years a Slave: "It feels very special, but I just really appreciate how people have responded to Solomon Northup's story and his life. I'm just so happy for the whole crew and cast who brought Solomon's memoir to the screen. It's been a great year for film, and for people to consider 12 Years a Slave to be among the best is more humbling than you can imagine."
Judi Dench, Best Actress, Philomena: "This is just the loveliest news. I'm so happy for everybody involved, and so proud to have been part of the wonderful experience that Philomena has been."
Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee (Directors), Peter Del Vecho (Producer), Animated Feature Film, Frozen: "Frozen's journey has gone beyond our wildest dreams. We thank the Academy for this honor and look forward to celebrating the nominations with our crew at Disney Animation today."
Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Best Original Song, "Let It Go" from Frozen: "Pinch us…! We couldn't be prouder to see our song 'Let it Go' receive an Oscar nomination. It's a reflection of all the effort that went into the song from the dozens if not hundreds of people at Disney Animation who added their talents to it. We hope the song and its message of empowerment continue to spread. We are so grateful to the Academy, to our directors and producers, to Idina Menzel, and to the people all over the world who are listening (and sometimes belting along) to the music of Frozen. Sing out!"
Hayao Miyazaki, Animated Feature Film, The Wind Rises: "I and my colleagues are deeply honored that the Academy has chosen to nominate The Wind Rises, my last film, for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. It is indeed a privilege for all of us who worked on the film to see it get this acclaim from so far away. I am, personally, very gratified to receive such an honor, and wish to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Academy and thank everyone who has made the film such a success. I hope that many people will see the film after it opens in North American theaters soon."
Johnny Knoxville on Makeup and Hairstyling for Bad Grandpa: "What an honor that Stephen Prouty got nominated for best makeup and hairstyling for Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa. Am I as stunned as everyone else we didn't get the nod for best picture? Well of course, duh, but I won't let that take away from my happiness for Steve, Tony Gardner, and our whole makeup team. Wahoo!"
Thomas Newman, Best Original Score, Saving Mr. Banks: "I'm so proud of this movie and am very thankful to the Academy. It's an honor to be nominated alongside other great artists."
Pharrell Williams, Best Original Song, "Happy" from Despicable Me 2: "I am so grateful to the Academy. This is such a huge honor and surprise. I love animated films..I have since I was a kid, and working with Chris Meledandri, the Illumination team and Universal Pictures was one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had. What can I say…I'm HAPPY!"
Morgan Neville (Director), Best Documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom: "This makes me want to sing out loud! I'm beyond humbled by this honor. All of the praying our ladies have done for the film's success has clearly paid off! After 20 years in this business, to have our movie and these extraordinary women recognized by such an esteemed group, means more to me than I can ever say. My only regret is that our producer, the late Gil Friesen, isn't here to be a part of it—I know he's smiling down on us and would have been over the moon with the news."
Zachary Heinzerling (Director), Best Documentary, Cutie and The Boxer: "I am overcome with gratitude. After spending five years with the Shinoharas, I feel privileged to have brought their unique love story and their inspiring artistry to the screen. Thank you to the Academy for this incredible recognition which I share with Ushio and Noriko without whom none of this would have been possible."
Max Lang and Jan Lachauer (Directors), Best Animated Short Film, Room on the Broom: "This is incredible! We tried not to think about the possibility of getting nominated and kept telling each other, this won't happen...and now…it really did happen! We would like to thank the Academy in the name of the whole team that worked incredibly hard on making this film. This nomination means a lot to us and we're so happy our film made it this far."
Shuhei Morita (Director), Best Animated Short Film, Possessions: "It is a godsend! We are so glad that Possessions has been nominated and will be seen by a lot of people. I've struggled for the past few years about 'What is my anime style?' But Possessions is a piece in which I realized that I was satisfied with myself to be able to honestly put my soul in it. With just a few staff, we brainstormed some ideas off each other to come up with this film. We are so glad that such a title is accepted in the world. We are a bit nervous but looking forward to the final awards ceremony come March 2."