Predicting the 2026 Oscar Nominees: Our Final Picks

As we approach the 2026 Oscar nominations, the landscape presents a fascinating mix of contenders, ranging from major studio films to international entries. The anticipation around these nominations raises an important question: how global will this year’s Oscars be?

Best Picture Contenders

The race for Best Picture features several formidable entries. Leading this pack are:

• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme

Each of these films has garnered significant recognition from key guild awards, including the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Producers Guild of America (PGA). Notably, a new category for casting could enable these films to achieve the record for the most nominations.

International Films on the Rise

This year’s Oscar race is notable for its embrace of international cinema. At the Golden Globe nominations, five of the twelve Best Picture nominees were foreign-language films. Major contenders include:

• Sentimental Value
• The Secret Agent
• Sirāt

Sentimental Value has recently gained momentum, securing top honors at the European Film Awards, which aligns with the Academy’s increasing openness to global narratives.

Director Predictions

The Best Director race could focus on notable filmmakers such as:

• Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
• Ryan Coogler for Sinners
• Chloé Zhao for Hamnet
• Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value
• Guillermo del Toro for Frankenstein

Anderson’s film is likely to be a strong contender, alongside Coogler and Zhao, both of whom are recognized for their respective cinematic achievements. The inclusion of international directors like Trier highlights the evolving tastes of Oscar voters.

Best Actor Race

The Best Actor category has several competitive performances. Key contenders include:

• Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another
• Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme
• Michael B. Jordan for Sinners
• Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent
• Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon

This category showcases a blend of established stars and emerging talent, underlining the diverse range of storytelling in contemporary cinema.

Best Actress Contenders

The Best Actress nominations could reveal exciting performances from:

• Jessie Buckley for Hamnet
• Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Emma Stone for Bugonia
• Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value
• Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another

Predicting this category is challenging, but Buckley and Byrne appear to lead the field based on their critical acclaim.

The Road Ahead

As we speculate about the 2026 Oscar nominations, it is clear that both international films and traditional Hollywood blockbusters will battle for recognition. The final nominations will likely reflect the Academy’s ongoing evolution in recognizing a broader spectrum of cinema.