LOS ANGELES — Alejandro Iñárritu’s “Birdman” and Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” were showered with honors Thursday as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed what’s been whispered for months: Those are the films to beat at the 87th Oscar show on Feb. 22.

But several films with as many or more nominations — including “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “The Imitation Game” — showed perhaps enough strength to surpass them, after all.

Both “Birdman” and “Boyhood” took nominations for best director and best picture.

But so did “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” by Wes Anderson, and “The Imitation Game,” by Morten Tyldum.

In all, eight best picture nominees were selected, including Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper,” Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” James Marsh’s “The Theory of Everything” and Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash.”

“Selma” and “Whiplash” have ceased to be surprises, as both have popped up with awards and nominations throughout the season. But each comes from a relatively new director, making their best picture nominations notable.

The 87th Academy Awards nominations

Best picture

American sniper

birdman

the imitation game

selma

boyhood

the theory of everything

whiplash

the grand budapest hotel

Best actor

steve carell: Foxcatcher

Bradley cooper: American Sniper

eddie redmayne: The Theory of Everything

michael keaton: Birdman

benedict cumberbatch: The Imitation Game

Best actress

marion cotillard: Two Days, One Night

rosamund pike: Gone Girl

felicity jones: The Theory of Everything

reese witherspoon: Wild

julianne moore: Still Alice

Best supporting actor

robert duvall: The Judge

mark ruffalo: Foxcatcher

ethan hawke: Boyhood

j.k. simmons: Whiplash

edward norton: Birdman

Best supporting actress

patricia arquette: Boyhood

laura dern: Wild

emma stone: Birdman

meryl streep: Into the Woods

keira knightley: The Imitation Game

Best director

Alejandro G. Iñárritu: Birdman

richard linklater: Boyhood

bennett miller: Foxcatcher

wes anderson: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Morten Tyldum: The Imitation Game