Best picture
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- F1
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams This category has always been considered the heart of the Oscars. Over the years, we have seen both blockbusters loved by everyone and unexpected winners like Coda here. This year, the Academy has leaned more toward “safe” and widely acclaimed films.
However, there is one interesting point: films such as Die My Love, Sirât, and The Secret Agent, which were widely expected to make the list, were left out. Instead, the nomination of a big-budget film like F1 seems somewhat absurd. Presumably, the film’s astronomical budget and wide release were enough to attract the attention of Academy members.
There is only one film that appears to be without a rival this year: “One Battle After Another.” Regarded by both critics and audiences as the best work of the year, this film overshadows its competitors.
Best actor
- Timothée Chalamet - Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon
- Michael B Jordan - Sinners
- Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent As everyone expected, Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is finally very close to winning his Oscar this year. His success in collecting other awards throughout the season has pushed his chances to a peak. Although Ethan Hawke appears to be his closest competitor, it will be difficult to stop Chalamet’s momentum this year.
Best actress
- Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
- Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
- Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue
- Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone - Bugonia The situation is somewhat more complicated here. Jennifer Lawrence’s absence from the list (Die My Love) is a major loss. Emma Stone, meanwhile, is on the list again because she has become one of the Academy’s favorite faces, marking her third collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos. Kate Hudson’s nomination is a surprise, but her chances of winning are low.
The main competition will be between Rose Byrne and Jessie Buckley (Hamnet). Buckley’s performance is so impressive that the statuette will most likely go to her. However, in my personal opinion, Renate Reinsve and the overlooked Jennifer Lawrence delivered the strongest performances of the year.
Best director
- Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler - Sinners
- Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme
- Joachim Trier - Sentimental Value
- Chloé Zhao - Hamnet This category is a true “battle of the giants.” The main competition is between Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another) and Ryan Coogler (Sinners). Anderson’s directing style and the film’s overall success give him the stronger chances.
You can find the other possibilities below:
Best adapted screenplay
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Train Dreams Best original screenplay
Blue Moon
It Was Just an Accident
Marty Supreme
Sentimental Value
Sinners Best original song
Dear Me - Diane Warren: Relentless
Golden - KPop Demon Hunters
I Lied to You - Sinners
Sweet Dreams of Joy - Viva Verdi!
Train Dreams - Train Dreams Best original score
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Sinners Best international feature
It Was Just an Accident
Sentimental Value
Sirât
The Secret Agent
The Voice of Hind Rajab Best animated feature
Arco
Elio
KPop Demon Hunters
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2 Best documentary feature
Come See Me in the Good Light
Cutting Through the Rocks
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
The Alabama Solution
The Perfect Neighbor Best costume design
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners Best make-up and hairstyling
Frankenstein
Kokuho
Sinners
The Smashing Machine
The Ugly Stepsister Best production design
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners Best sound
Frankenstein
F1
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Sirât Best film editing
F1
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners Best cinematography
Frankenstein
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Train Dreams Best visual effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
Jurassic World Rebirth
Sinners
The Lost Bus Best live action short
A Friend of Dorothy
Butcher's Stain
Jane Austen's Period Drama
The Singers
Two People Exchanging Saliva Best animated short
Butterfly
Forevergreen
Retirement Plan
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
The Three Sisters Best documentary short
All the Empty Rooms
Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
Children No More: Were and Are Gone
The Devil Is Busy
Perfectly a Strangeness Best casting
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
The Secret Agent The 2026 Oscars are highly predictable in some categories and a complete mystery in others. However, it appears that “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” will dominate the night this year.
Who was your favorite who you wanted to see on this list but was left out?
