Oscars 2026 Predictions In All 24 Classes: Nominees & Winners

Welcome to ScreenRant‘s hub for the Oscars 2026 and predictions in all of the classes. Whereas we have particular person prediction items for a number of the largest classes, there are 24 totally different awards that might be handed out on the 98th Academy Awards after they occur on March 15, 2026.

All the standard classes are again, however there may be additionally a brand new one: Finest Casting, which acknowledges the casting director of the nominated movie. Whereas the Academy has confirmed {that a} Finest Stunt class is coming, it will not take impact till the one hundredth ceremony. This provides us 24 classes to kind via and predict this award season.

Key Oscars 2026 Dates:

• Oscars shortlists announcement: December 16, 2025
• Oscars nominations voting interval: January 12-16, 2026
• Oscars nominations announcement: January 22, 2026
• Last voting interval: February 26–March 5, 2026
• 98th Academy Awards: March 15, 2026

Main as much as the official Oscar nominations, listed here are my predictions for what films might be nominated in every class, and what would be the victor. Maintain checking again, as I might be updating this because the Oscars season continues to unfold.

Commentary and predictions up to date on November 28

Finest Image

The ten nominees for Finest Image are nonetheless very a lot in flux, however a number of titles are firmly positioned as contenders. Hamnet, One Battle After One other, and Sinners stay the highest three, with Marty Supreme shifting forward of Sentimental Worth within the prime 5 as buzz from its premieres and screenings retains selecting up

The most recent adjustments are all placement-related, as no new films have been moved into the highest 10 with the final replace. Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, It Was Simply an Accident, and Avatar: Fireplace and Ash all moved up one spot, whereas Practice Desires dropped one spot, and Depraved: For Good slid two spots following its much less feverish reception.

Presently, Hamnet is my predicted winner on this class. One Battle After One other is neck and neck with Chloé Zhao’s film, it appears, however there’s a whole lot of room for Sentimental Worth, Marty Supreme, and others to make a run at profitable relying on how varied precursors play out.

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Image class: Oscars 2026 Finest Image Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Director

Finest Director is one other tight and extremely aggressive race early on. Paul Thomas Anderson, Chloé Zhao, and Ryan Coogler have been tipped as contenders for some time, and it might be an actual shock if any of them missed out on a nomination this yr.

There have been no adjustments made to the rating of those contenders within the newest replace. Although if somebody is certain to play spoiler and emerge on this group, Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein) and Joachim Trier (Sentimental Worth) are finest positioned to take action.

My prediction in the meanwhile is for PTA to win the Finest Director Oscar, which might be the primary of his profession. Whether or not he can maintain onto that spot for the remainder of the season or lose floor to a present predicted nominee.

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Director class: Oscars 2026 Finest Director Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Actress

Competitors is fierce for Finest Actress, with two-time winner Emma Stone looming as a significant contender. There is a robust sense she’ll be nominated, even when Jessie Buckley seems to be the frontrunner to win in the meanwhile.

The largest change to this class comes with Amanda Seyfried, who rises two spots. That pushed Emma Stone and Cynthia Erivo down a spot apiece. The Testomony of Ann Lee could also be too uncommon to get into consideration elsewhere, however Seyfried’s Gotham and Astra nominations present she’s bought loads of individuals in her nook.

This class may nonetheless change loads within the months to return. Chase Infiniti (One Battle After One other) and Kate Hudson (Tune Sung Blue) have quantity of assist, as do Jennifer Lawrence (Die, My Love), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs, I would Kick You), and Tessa Thompson (Hedda).

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Actress class: Oscars 2026 Finest Actress Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Actor

Finest Actor seems to be a stacked class, that includes former winners, Hollywood rising stars, and extra. Leonardo DiCaprio is considered as a significant contender to win his second Academy Award, whereas Michael B. Jordan is changing into a safer wager to get acknowledged too.

But, Timothée Chalamet is the anticipated winner at the moment. He is earned career-best reward from Marty Surpeme‘s first reactions. After difficult Adrien Brody for the win final yr together with his A Full Unknown efficiency, this might be the film that makes him an Academy Award winner.

For this replace, Jordan’s place strengthens as Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) falls one spot after a shock miss from the Astra Movie Awards nominations. This might depart room for Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine), Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen: Ship Me From Nowhere), and others to get nominated over him.

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Actor class: Oscars 2026 Finest Actor Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Supporting Actress

Ariana Grande was a well-liked choose final yr within the class after dazzling viewers along with her efficiency as Glinda. Although she misplaced to Zoe Saldaña, Grande is positioned as a frontrunner to win in 2026 because of Depraved: For Good.

The query for her is whether or not she will be able to keep on this spot after the sequel’s response. There’s extra room than ever for Teyana Taylor to take residence the win, particularly if she’s One Battle After One other‘s sole nominee on this class, as I am now predicting – with Regina Corridor falling out.

She’s now not a nominee as a result of I consider Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas will give Sentimental Worth two performances on this class. That is shaping as much as be a aggressive race that varied precursor awards will assist decide.

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Supporting Actress class: Oscars 2026 Finest Supporting Actress Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Supporting Actor

Finest Supporting Actor might be a wildly tight race that solely actually takes form as precursors begin. Earlier winners and nominees are contending on this class, whereas performers like Adam Sandler hope to earn a career-first nomination.

Stellan Skarsgård additionally matches into that latter class, and he is my choose to win proper now. He turned heads together with his efficiency in Sentimental Worth, vaulting him into the award dialog. As long as the film’s normal reception is powerful and he can maintain off challengers like Sean Penn and Paul Mescal, he can win.

Jacob Elordi continues to rise on this race, shifting him into fourth within the newest replace. Adam Sandler stays within the prime 5 as we look forward to Jay Kelly to hit Netflix and actually form its awards season standing.

ScreenRant‘s full evaluation for the Finest Supporting Actor class: Oscars 2026 Finest Supporting Actor Predictions: Nominees & Winner

Finest Casting

Within the debut of the Finest Casting class, there are many films and their casting administrators who need to be among the many first group of nominees. That is very true of huge ensemble movies that nailed casting throughout the board.

I am selecting Francine Maisler to win the class for Sinners. There’s not a nasty choice within the ensemble solid. And whereas this award goes to the casting director, a win could be an effective way to acknowledge the film’s gifted solid as a complete.

For this replace, I am protecting every part the place it was beforehand. Depraved: For Good and Jay Kelly lurk as different contenders who may earn nominations, although.

Finest Authentic Screenplay

Authentic Screenplay has loads of contenders, however Ryan Coogler’s script for Sinners seems to be in pole place. The good writing, characterizations, and sharp dialogue have caught with viewers, making this a method that the film may turned an Oscar winner.

Lurking on this race are the screenplays for Sentimental Worth and Marty Supreme. Joachim Trier is a previous nominee for The Worst Individual within the World, whereas Josh Safdie has earned acclaim elsewhere for prior works. In the meantime, Baumbach has three screenplay nominations throughout each classes, making him a menace right here as soon as extra.

I’ve swapped Marty Supreme and Sentimental Worth‘s placements on this replace, as Safdie’s film continues to realize steam.

Finest Tailored Screenplay

Profitable one of many screenplay classes is usually a method to assist a Finest Image win, because it’s occurred 62 instances beforehand. Tailored Screenplay accounts for 40 of these situations, and it may occur once more this yr with Hamnet and One Battle After One other vying to win.

If Hamnet goes to win Finest Image, an Tailored Screenplay win could be an important piece of assist. It’s a must to return over 20 years to The Artist to discover a film that received Finest Director and both screenplay class however misplaced Image to a film that did not win the opposite screenplay class.

For this replace, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has joined the race, knocking Bugonia out. Del Toro is a two-time nominee within the Authentic Screenplay class, however his work adapting Mary Shelley’s iconic piece of literature may make him a power in Tailored.

Finest Animated Function

This is among the best classes to foretell proper now. The worldwide phenomenon of Netflix’s most-watched film ever has vaulted KPop Demon Hunters to Oscar contender, even past the Finest Animated Function class.

That is actually KPop Demon Hunters‘ class to lose. Disney will make a run to attempt to finish its chilly streak in a class it used to dominate with Zootopia 2, whereas worldwide animated films in Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Arco hope to comply with in Movement‘s footsteps.

Whereas no adjustments have been made to the standing of this class, the unimaginable critiques for Zootopia 2 do counsel that KPop Demon Hunters‘ win won’t be straightforward going. The ability of Disney will look to unseat the yr’s animated phenomenon.

Finest Worldwide Function Movie

Finest Worldwide Function Movie nonetheless has a while to take form, however there are already a number of main contenders from varied international locations. On the prime of the record is Norway’s submission, Sentimental Worth, which is arguably the worldwide movie with the very best likelihood to be within the Finest Image race.

Traditionally, a world film additionally getting a Finest Image nomination results in a win right here. Emilia Pérez turned the primary worldwide Finest Image nominee ever to not win Finest Worldwide Function, as fellow Image nominee I am Nonetheless Right here received.

For this replace, No Different Alternative and The Secret Agent swap locations, as Park Chan-wook’s film is beginning to make some extra noise.

Finest Authentic Tune

Within the midst of Depraved‘s success final yr, it appeared inevitable that Depraved: For Good would win Finest Authentic Tune on the Oscars 2026 because of its new ballads for Elphaba (“No Place Like Residence”) and Glinda (“The Woman In The Bubble”). However now, that is loads much less sure.

It is exhausting to not choose “Golden” because the winner of this class proper now. This might all change in a month as soon as Depraved: For Good comes out and its authentic songs catch fireplace. However, KPop Demon Hunters has one of many songs of the yr. Whereas the franchise’s future may enable extra possibilities sooner or later, there is not any assure the rest will hit as massive as “Golden.”

Surprisingly, Depraved: For Good loses considered one of its nominations on this replace, as “No Place Like Residence” drops out of the prediction. The unique songs weren’t fairly as spectacular as most imagined, weakening their place on this race. There’s even a world the place each songs miss, which might’ve appeared unthinkable a number of weeks in the past.

Rising into the highest 5 because of this is Diane Warren’s new music, “Expensive Me.” She’s been nominated within the class 16 instances however has by no means received. That degree of status makes the probabilities of one other nomination extra probably, even when she’ll probably fail to win the trophy as soon as extra.

Finest Authentic Rating

Composers have introduced their A-game as soon as once more this yr, positioning the Authentic Rating class as a extremely aggressive one. One Battle After One other‘s piano-heavy rating by Johnny Greenwood has caught on, whereas Ludwig Göransson’s work on Sinners stays memorable.

Göransson is already a multi-time Oscar winner on this class because of Black Panther and Oppenheimer, so he is seeking to win his third in as many nominations. That will additional cement him as considered one of Hollywood’s biggest trendy composers.

This class hasn’t modified on this replace, but it surely may within the subsequent if Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Hildur Guðnadóttir (Hedda), or others acquire assist.

Finest Sound

Nice sound can actually elevate a film, because the sound design and mixing (which was two separate classes on the Oscars) form how audiences expertise what they’re listening to. There are terrific examples of this at work in 2025’s finest films, with Sinners a premium instance.

Whereas I am going with this film to win, blockbusters like Depraved: For Good and Avatar: Fireplace and Ash have a robust historical past within the class. The identical is true for racing films like F1, with related movies having received within the final decade.

The winner has modified on this replace, with Sinners surplanting One Battle After One other, because it slides to fourth. With the film more likely to safe victories elsewhere, this might change into a class the place voters look to acknowledge one thing else.

Finest Visible Results

If there is a new Avatar film out in theaters, odds are it will likely be an Oscar contender, particularly in Finest Visible Results. James Cameron’s final two films received the class with relative ease, and there should not be a lot that actually challenges Avatar: Fireplace and Ash.

With the threequel including new areas and characters, upping the dimensions, and doing extra with fireplace, there are many alternatives for Fireplace and Ash to impress visually. That makes this choose a assured one, even earlier than anybody sees the film.

No adjustments have been made to this class on this spherical of predictions.

Finest Movie Enhancing

Movie modifying may come down to 2 of the yr’s longest films, as their pacing makes them fly by. That is actually the case with One Battle After One other, which breezes via its 2-hour and 50-minute runtime. Reactions to Marty Supreme‘s two-and-a-half-hour story additionally praised how rapidly it goes by, in a great way.

Different contenders on this class may come from varied Finest Image nominees. The vast majority of Finest Image winners are nominated on this class, which is why Hamnet slides into this prediction. If it turns into a much bigger powerhouse, then a win may come right here too.

A Home of Dynamite has fallen out of this race on this replace, with F1: The Film leaping in and even going forward of Hamnet.

Finest Cinematography

There are many beautiful-looking movies which have already come out, and lots of extra are nonetheless to return primarily based on critiques and trailers. Persevering with its robust efficiency in below-the-line classes, Sinners is the presumed favourite right here for now.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw profitable this class could be a notable consequence. She’d change into the fifth feminine cinematographer to get a nomination, however she’d be the primary to win. Arkapaw has main competitors to carry off if she’s going to make historical past.

The largest change to this class is Marty Supreme falling out, with Frankenstein taking its place.

Finest Manufacturing Design

Depraved took residence the win in Manufacturing Design final yr, and whereas the sequel seemed primed to repeat that success, that is now not what I am predicting.

The gothic horror look featured all through Frankenstein makes it actually stand out. The units are immaculate, with the ship, workshop, and extra having an unimaginable degree of element that voters can recognize.

Depraved: For Good slides two spots on this replace, with Frankenstein leapfrogging Hamnet for first place within the course of.

Finest Costume Design

Depraved‘s win in Costume Design may carry over to extra success for Depraved: For Good. Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, and others have new costumes, with the looks of Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Tin Man additionally presenting new alternatives for the costume division to shine.

The fantastical, Ozian costumes of Depraved: For Good are distinctive amongst this yr’s race. Any variety of period-set movies may emerge all through award season, with Marty Supreme and Hedda among the many different titles hoping for a nomination.

There aren’t any updates right here, even when Depraved: For Good‘s decrease standing general does make it extra weak to win this class.

Finest Make-up and Hairstyling

Frankenstein stays the choose to win this class on this replace. It is in a robust place to carry off Depraved: For Good and The Smashing Machine, particularly as extra in regards to the make-up and hairstyling course of is revealed.

The fifth spot right here is actually up for grabs, with Weapons, Kiss of the Spider Lady, and extra hoping to get in. For now, I’ve gone with 28 Years Later.

Finest Documentary Function

Finest Documentary nonetheless has loads to kind via, with the shortlist announcement in December offering a a lot clearer image of this race. As of in the present day, Geeta Gandbhir’s The Good Neighbor seems to be on the entrance of the pack after a Sundance premiere and acquisition by Netflix, the place it is already streaming and stunning audiences.

Elsewhere, 2000 Meters to Andriivka lurks as a giant contender. It comes from director Mstyslav Chernov, who beforehand received the class two years in the past for 20 Days in Mariupol. These are the 2 nominees I really feel most assured in, as the remainder may change dramatically within the months forward.

There’s been no change made on this replace.

Finest Documentary Brief Topic

Coming in December

Finest Animated Brief Movie

Coming in December

Finest Stay-Motion Brief Movie

Coming in December