The year’s biggest hit, the Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight,” came in with strong awards buzz across the board but had only one nomination, supporting actor for Heath Ledger as the Joker. Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose on Academy Awards nominations day last Jan. 22. “This nomination is deeply appreciated and is not lost on those of us who continue to love and miss him,” said father Kim Ledger in a statement on behalf of the actor’s immediate family. “We are so proud that our boy’s work is being recognized in this way.”

Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. were nominated as supporting actor for “Tropic Thunder.” Each played odd roles: Cruise’s psychotic movie producer in a bald cap, beard and fat suit, and Downey playing a white actor who undergoes a skin-tinting procedure to play a black man.

The animated hits “WALL-E” and “Bolt” had two nominations apiece, for best animated picture and best song, the “WALL-E” tune co-written by Peter Gabriel and the “Bolt” song co-written by Miley Cyrus, who also lent her voice to one of the film’s lead characters.