Best Director Nominees: Steven Spielberg, David O. Russell Nominated For Oscars

Best Director nominees at the Oscars this year include Steven Spielberg and David O. Russell.

Spielberg received his seventh Best Director nomination for "Lincoln," his drama about the 16th president. Spielberg has won the award twice before, for "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan."

Spielberg is joined in the category by Ang Lee ("Life of Pi"), David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") and two major surprises: Michael Haneke ("Amour") and Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"). Presumed favorites Ben Affleck ("Argo"), Kathryn Bigelow ("Zero Dark Thirty") and Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables") were left off the list.

Last year, Michel Hazanavicius won Best Director for "The Artist." Hazanavicius defeated Martin Scorsese, Terrence Malick, Bennett Miller and Alexander Payne for the award.

For more on the Oscars nominations, head over to the Academy Awards website.