Will Smith and Denzel Washington have been nominated for Academy Award for Best Actor. Smith is nominated for his role as Richard Williams and Denzel Washington is nominated for his titular role in The Tragedy of Macbeth.

This is Smith's third overall nomination and his first one in 15 years. This is Washington's tenth nomination.

King Richard also stars Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as Venus and Serena Williams, Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene “Brandi” Williams (also nominated this year in the Best Supporting Actress Category), Jon Bernthal as coach Rick Macci and Tony Goldwyn as coach Paul Cohen.

It "follows the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever. Driven by a clear vision of their future and using unconventional methods, Richard has a plan that will take Venus and Serena Williams from the streets of Compton, California to the global stage as legendary icons."

In a review of the Joel Coen-directed The Tragedy of Macbeth, Aramide Tinubu wrote for Shadow and Act: "Washington is at his best here. He's agile, charming, demanding, determined, and filled with greed. The actor allows his character's paranoia to taunt the audience, wielding it with his haunted looks and shocking hallucinations."

The Oscars will air on March 27.