The studios' scramble to quickly place Oscar-nominated movies on as many theater screens as possible — an awards season tradition — is missing this year.
With the Academy releasing its nominations on Thursday, rather than Tuesday, there was no time for maneuvering. The theaters were forced to place their bets on the front runners early on.
Also read: The Complete List of Oscar Nominations
Sony planted its “Zero Dark Thirty” flag on this weekend more than a month ago and will be in roughly 2,400 theaters. Disney weeks ago sealed its 126-theater expansion for DreamWorks’ “Lincoln,” which garnered the most nominations with 12, and will have it on about 2,090 screens.