2023 has been a rough year for actors, with many unavailable to work for several months of the year, due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. But despite actors hitting the picket line for several months in order to receive fair wages and protection for their futures, this year still managed to give us an incredible lineup of performances. With audiences moving away from the more expected sure things, like superhero films and big action blockbusters, it seems as though key pieces to filmmaking like great stories and excellent performances became key to audiences' viewing habits this year. It's no wonder that films like Barbie and Oppenheimer, both engaging and exciting in their own ways, also feature performances that seem like clear frontrunners at next year's Oscars.