{"id":834992,"date":"2026-03-18T23:17:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T23:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/834992\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T23:17:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T23:17:45","slug":"early-2026-oscar-contenders-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/834992\/","title":{"rendered":"Early 2026 Oscar Contenders & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

When one awards season ends, another begins. The 98th Academy Awards are officially behind us, and thus, it\u2019s time for absurdly early Oscar predictions for the 2026 film year. Now that \u201cOne Battle After Another<\/a>\u201d has been crowned the Best Picture of 2025, and \u201cSinners<\/a>\u201d broke so many records, what are the films that will make history in 2026? Now, even though you\u2019ll find early predictions below, it\u2019s better to think of this list more as a guide of films to keep an eye on in 2026 rather than genuine predictions. It\u2019s always fun to look back on this list to see how I thought things might play out, even if I\u2019m often completely wrong so far in advance (Check out my early 2025 predictions for a good laugh<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Before I begin, there\u2019s a vital disclaimer for this list: When looking at films this far in advance, before many films are dated or before the fall festivals, the list will skew heavily toward established filmmakers, English-language films, and movies with slightly higher budgets. As such, there are disappointingly few films directed by women or people of color found on this list. Non-English language films will surely be in contention in top categories at the Oscars, but it isn\u2019t easy to spot which ones this far in advance.<\/p>\n

Below are my first predictions for 2026, followed by a lengthy breakdown of all the potential contenders. Which of these sounds like an Oscar winner to you? Our next Best Picture Oscar winner could be on this list.<\/p>\n

BEST PICTURE<\/strong>
\u201cDigger\u201d
\u201cDune: Part Three<\/a>\u201d
\u201cThe Entertainment System is Down\u201d
\u201cNarnia: The Magician\u2019s Nephew\u201d
\u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d
\u201cParallel Tales\u201d
\u201cProject Hail Mary<\/a>\u201d
\u201cSaturn Return\u201d
\u201cThe Social Reckoning\u201d
\u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST DIRECTOR
<\/strong>Asghar Farhadi, \u201cParallel Tales\u201d
Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu, \u201cDigger\u201d
Greg Kwedar, \u201cSaturn Return\u201d
Christopher Nolan, \u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d
Ruben \u00d6stlund, \u201cThe Entertainment System is Down\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST ACTRESS
<\/strong>Cara Buono, \u201cUntitled Jesse Eisenberg Musical Comedy\u201d
Rachel Brosnahan, \u201cSaturn Return\u201d
Ruth Madeley, \u201cBeing Heumann\u201d
Mikey Madison, \u201cThe Social Reckoning\u201d
Renate Reinsve, \u201cFjord\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST ACTOR
<\/strong>Tom Cruise, \u201cDigger\u201d
Matt Damon, \u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d
Josh O\u2019Connor, \u201cJack of Spades\u201d
Will Poulter, \u201cSaturn Return\u201d
Sebastian Stan, \u201cFjord\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
<\/strong>Lily Rose Depp, \u201cWerwulf\u201d
Sandra H\u00fcller, \u201cDigger\u201d
Frances McDormand, \u201cJack of Spades\u201d
Parker Posey, \u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d
Meryl Streep, \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
<\/strong>Steve Buscemi, \u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d
Tom Holland, \u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d
Keanu Reeves, \u201cThe Entertainment System is Down\u201d
Mark Ruffalo, \u201cBeing Heumann\u201d
Jeremy Strong, \u201cThe Social Reckoning\u201d<\/p>\n

Here is a comprehensive list of the contenders we\u2019re keeping an eye on so far, with plenty more contenders to come as the year rolls on.<\/p>\n

1949<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pawe\u0142 Pawlikowski broke through with the Academy in 2018 with \u201cCold War<\/a>.\u201d Could he do it again with his follow-up, \u201c1949?\u201d Hanns Zischler and Sandra H\u00fcller star as novelist Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika Mann as they embark on a road trip from East Germany to West Germany during the Cold War. With both H\u00fcller and Pawlikowski having received attention from the Academy, it\u2019ll be easier for them to do it a second time, especially with this being a biographical film. A Cannes premiere is likely for the biopic, so we\u2019ll find out before too long.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best International Feature<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, & Best Cinematography<\/a><\/p>\n

THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH<\/strong><\/p>\n

David Fincher directing a sequel to an Oscar-winning Quentin Tarantino movie? Who would\u2019ve thought? Perhaps even more surprising is that Netflix is the studio behind it. \u201cThe Adventures of Cliff Booth\u201d stars Brad Pitt, reprising his Oscar-winning role from \u201cOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood<\/a>,\u201d in which Cliff explores life as a Hollywood fixer. The trailer premiered during this year\u2019s Super Bowl, and it looks stunning. The eye-popping $200 million budget will ensure this is a craft player at the bare minimum, but it\u2019s easy to imagine this breaking through above-the-line, too.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

ALL OF A SUDDEN<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>Ryusuke Hamaguchi makes his French-language debut with \u201cAll of a Sudden,\u201d based on the non-fiction book \u201cYou and I \u2013 The Illness Suddenly Gets Worse.\u201d The story follows the director of a nursing home (Virginia Efira) in the suburbs of Paris who is caring for patients using the Humanitude technique. When she meets a terminally ill Japanese playwright (Ky\u014dz\u014d Nagatsuka), her perspective changes. Stories about dementia and end-of-life have received attention from the Academy fairly often, and after Hamaguchi\u2019s nominations for \u201cDrive My Car<\/a>,\u201d this has plenty of potential.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best International Feature<\/a> & Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a><\/p>\n

ARTIFICIAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here we go again with putting a Luca Guadagnino film on this list for the fourth time in three years. And yet, his films haven\u2019t received a single Oscar nomination since \u201cCall Me By Your Name<\/a>\u201d in 2017. Even so, it\u2019s only a matter of time for him to return. \u201cArtificial\u201d could be that moment. Written by former SNL and Pixar scribe Simon Rich, it tells the story of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman\u2019s controversial firing and rehiring over five days in 2023. Andrew Garfield stars at Altman, with Monica Barbaro, Yuri Borisov, Cooper Hoffman, Cooper Koch, Jason Schwartzman, Billie Lourd, and many, many more in the extensive ensemble, with Ike Barinholtz rumored to play Elon Musk. There\u2019s a lot to mine in the world of AI as it\u2019s exploded over the last few years, so \u201cArtificial\u201d has the makings of a new \u201cThe Social Network<\/a>,\u201d if done well.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

AT THE SEA\"\"<\/strong>For the second year, Korn\u00e9l Mundrucz\u00f3\u2019s \u201cAt The Sea<\/a>\u201d lands a spot on this list. His last English-language feature, \u201cPieces of a Woman<\/a>,\u201d scored Vanessa Kirby her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Now he\u2019s back with \u201cAt The Sea<\/a>,\u201d a similar leading actress showcase for Amy Adams. Reviews from Berlinale were decidedly mixed, including Next Best Picture\u2019s own<\/a>, with complaints about an interpretive-dance\u00a0thematic element but lots of praise for Adams\u2019 performance. She stars as Laura, a woman returning to her family\u2019s beach home from rehab, picking up the pieces of her life and career that she was forced to leave behind. Brett Goldstein, Murray Bartlett, Dan Levy, Jenny Slate, Rainn Wilson, and Chloe East round out the ensemble cast. If nothing else, perhaps Adams could get a lone Best Actress nomination.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Actress<\/a><\/p>\n

BEHEMOTH!<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been way too long since we got a Tony Gilroy film, though he\u2019s been busy creating \u201cAndor<\/a>\u201d and winning an Emmy for it. He\u2019s finally back with \u201cBehemoth!,\u201d a project that could have huge appeal for the Academy. While details are sparse, it reportedly follows a musician (Pedro Pascal) from a family of musicians in Los Angeles, and the film is \u201ca love letter to the music of the movies and the people who make it.\u201d According to Gilroy, James Newton Howard, Alan Silvestri, and Brandon Roberts will all contribute music to the film, along with six other composers. Eva Victor, Olivia Wilde, Will Arnett, Matthew Lillard, and more have joined the film, which is still currently in production. This may get pushed to 2027, but if not, this is certainly a project to keep your eyes on.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Song<\/a>, & Best Film Editing<\/a><\/p>\n

BEING HEUMANN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sian Heder has finally landed her follow-up to the Best Picture-winning \u201cCODA<\/a>.\u201d Her new film, \u201cBeing Heumann,\u201d follows the life of disability rights activist Judith Heumann, who fought for decades for accessibility legislation and more. Ruth Madeley portrays Heumann, marking the rare moment when a disabled actor has been cast to portray the lead in a biopic about a disabled person. This could be a breakout moment for Madeley, cast alongside Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O\u2019Brien, Rob Delaney, and more. Thanks to Heder\u2019s last film, Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to win an Oscar. \u201cBeing Heumann\u201d has similar potential for Madeley. We\u2019ll find out more when Apple TV releases the film later this year.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Casting<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, & Best Costume Design<\/a><\/p>\n

BITTER CHRISTMAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pedro Almodovar\u2019s latest film, \u201cBitter Christmas,\u201d debuts overseas later this week, so we\u2019ll hear soon if it seems like it will be one to keep our eyes on. Regardless, keeping him in mind is always a good plan. \u201cBitter Christmas\u201d finds him in familiar territory, a woman grieving the loss of her mother who pours herself into her work. Almodovar has described it as a \u201ctragic comedy about gender.\u201d B\u00e1rbara Lennie stars in the film, alongside Leonardo Sbaraglia and more. It\u2019s one to keep an eye on for Best International Feature at the very least.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best International Feature<\/a> & Best Original Screenplay<\/a><\/p>\n

THE BRIDE!\"\"<\/strong>Though reviews for \u201cThe Bride!<\/a>\u201d weren\u2019t as strong as many hoped, to say the least, we saw the Oscar-winning success of Guillermo del Toro\u2019s \u201cFrankenstein<\/a>\u201d just this year. Perhaps Maggie Gyllenhaal\u2019s entirely different take on the story could find similar success, especially with reigning Best Actress winner Jessie Buckley out in front. Gyllenhaal\u2019s directorial debut, \u201cThe Lost Daughter<\/a>,\u201d garnered three Oscar nominations: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress for Olivia Colman, and Best Supporting Actress for Buckley. While reviews don\u2019t necessarily seem to put \u201cThe Bride!<\/a>\u201d on the sort of trajectory needed for above-the-line nominations, the craft work could certainly still be in play.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> March 6, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong>\u00a0Best Costume Design<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

BUCKING FASTARD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not a single one of Werner Herzog\u2019s narrative features has received an Oscar nomination, but it\u2019s still worth keeping an eye on his latest, \u201cBucking Fastard.\u201d It\u2019s reportedly been a long-unrealized project for Herzog, a fictionalized retelling of the life of identical twin sisters Freda and Greta Chaplin. Here, Rooney and Kate Mara, in their first film together, play twins who speak in unison and love the same man, looking for true love. Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson join them in this fantastical, wild-sounding story. Will it be the sort of film the Academy will go for? Doesn\u2019t sound like it, but we\u2019ll have to wait and see. Perhaps a Telluride premiere would make sense.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>,\u00a0Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, & Best Production Design<\/a><\/p>\n

CRY TO HEAVEN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fashion Designer Tom Ford has only directed two movies thus far, \u201cA Single Man\u201d and \u201cNocturnal Animals<\/a>,\u201d but each received a single acting nomination. Will his next film, \u201cCry to Heaven,\u201d go further with the Academy? This adaptation of Anne Rice\u2019s novel is set in 18th-century Italy, in which a nobleman, Tonio, rises to fame in the opera world under the guidance of a fellow star, Guido. Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciar\u00e1n Hinds, George McKay, Colin Firth, Owen Cooper, Paul Bettany, Adele, and so many more have joined the cast. Without question, there\u2019s a lot that the Academy could go for here. It\u2019s still in production, which means it could land in 2027 rather than this year, but regardless, we\u2019ll keep our eyes on it.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>Admittedly, the film landscape has changed quite a lot since Meryl Streep landed a Best Actress nomination for \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada\u201d in 2006. While it seems a lot less likely that the sequel, \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2<\/a>,\u201d could repeat that success, we can\u2019t write it off yet. For one thing, since the first film, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci received their first Oscar nominations, while Anne Hathaway won her first. This will certainly make decent money, while Streep and the costumes will remain in the awards conversation into the fall. But will Streep land in Lead or Supporting?<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> May 1, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, &\u00a0Best Costume Design<\/a><\/p>\n

DIGGER<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>The Academy may have jumped the gun by giving Tom Cruise an Academy Honorary Award this past year. His next film may give him his first competitive acting nomination this century. Hailing from Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu, \u201cDigger\u201d finds Cruise as the most powerful man in the world as he embarks on a frantic mission to prove he\u2019s the savior of humanity before the disaster he\u2019s unleashed destroys the world. Sandra H\u00fcller, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, Michael Stuhlberg and more star alongside Cruise, with Emmanuel Lubezki behind the camera. Warner Bros. had a banner awards year this year, and with \u201cDigger\u201d on their slate, they could be back in the conversation again.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> October 10, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>,\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

DISCLOSURE DAY<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>Only three of Steven Spielberg\u2019s films this century have been completely blanked by the Academy: \u201cThe Terminal,\u201d \u201cIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,\u201d and \u201cThe BFG<\/a>.\u201d Whether or not his latest film, \u201cDisclosure Day<\/a>,\u201d scores a Picture nomination or not, it\u2019s all but guaranteed to get nominations of some kind this year. Spielberg is back in his alien blockbuster bag, in which the whole world is told that aliens are real, and the ensuing fallout of that disclosure. Josh O\u2019Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo star in the picture, which debuts this June. It\u2019s also likely to be John Williams\u2019 final film score, so he\u2019ll undoubtedly land a nomination. This may be more of a craft player, but don\u2019t doubt Spielberg.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> June 12, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>,\u00a0Best Original Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>,\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

DUNE: PART THREE\"\"<\/strong>Is the third time the charm for Denis Villeneuve? Well, I\u2019m doubtful we\u2019re in for a \u201cLord of the Rings: Return of the King<\/a>\u201d sort of Best Picture win for this third installment, but a Best Picture nomination seems safe, as long as the reception is as strong this time around. Warner Bros. released the trailer for \u201cDune: Part Three<\/a>,\u201d giving us an early taste of the \u201cepic conclusion.\u201d Few series have received the level of acclaim that the \u201cDune<\/a>\u201d series has thus far, and there\u2019s no reason to think that would change now. This time around, Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy join the cast in this adaptation of \u201cDune: Messiah.\u201d It\u2019s still strange that Villeneuve didn\u2019t receive a Best Director nomination for either previous films, but this is sure to be a juggernaut in the tech categories regardless.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> December 18, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>,\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM IS DOWN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few directors are skewering the rich like Ruben \u00d6stlund. After back-to-back Palme d\u2019Or wins for \u201cThe Square<\/a>\u201d and \u201cTriangle of Sadness<\/a>,\u201d anticipation is high for \u201cThe Entertainment System is Down.\u201d The premise is simple, but with plenty of opportunity for satire: \u201cThe passengers of a lengthy flight contend with their boredom as the plane\u2019s entertainment system is broken.\u201d Not only that, but with Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Daniel Br\u00fchl, Samantha Morton, Nicholas Braun, and more, the ensemble is undeniable. Shockingly, this film will be skipping Cannes this year, meaning \u00d6stlund won\u2019t yet become the first director to win three Palme d\u2019Ors, but we can expect a fall festival premiere instead.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, &\u00a0Best Film Editing<\/a><\/p>\n

FJORD\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, who previously co-starred in \u201cA Different Man<\/a>,\u201d have both finally received their first Oscar nominations. Now, they\u2019ll again star together in \u201cFjord,\u201d from director Cristian Mungiu. When a Romanian-Norwegian family moves back to a remote village in Norway, they are accused of disturbing behavior toward their children, and become the center of scrutiny in this community. That\u2019s a little bit of a vague description, but it\u2019s enough to promise something special. Stan and Reinsve are two of the best working actors today, and Mungiu could bring excellent work out of them. He\u2019s won prizes at Cannes for three out of his last four films, so we can expect Fjord to premiere there.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best International Feature<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, & Best Original Screenplay<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOWERVALE STREET<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typically, a film from \u201cIt Follows\u201d director David Robert Mitchell wouldn\u2019t be likely to land on a list of early Oscar contenders, but in the wake of \u201cWeapons<\/a>\u201d becoming an unexpected awards contender, \u201cFlowervale Street\u201d may be worth considering. This sci-fi flick stars Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, and Maisy Stella as a family who begin to notice strange happenings around their neighborhood. Produced by J.J. Abrams for Warner Bros., this film has been delayed a few times, but if it\u2019s a hit this August, perhaps it could break into the awards race. <\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> August 14, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong>\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>\u00a0& Best Visual Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

THE GREAT BEYOND<\/strong><\/p>\n

As is to be expected, we know shockingly little about J.J. Abrams\u2019 next film, \u201cThe Great Beyond.\u201d It\u2019s only the second original film he\u2019s ever directed, following 2011\u2019s \u201cSuper 8,\u201d so the anticipation is high. All we know thus far is that it follows a young, newlywed couple who struggle to survive against a supernatural entity. Glen Powell and Emma Mackey presumably star as the couple, alongside Jenna Ortega, Samuel L. Jackson, Sophie Okonedo, and Merritt Meaver. In all likelihood, this is more of a blockbuster play for Warner Bros. than an awards contender, but the November release date suggests that if it\u2019s good, it could achieve both.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> November 13, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>,\u00a0Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

HERE COMES THE FLOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Netflix has landed the latest film from Fernando Meirelles, \u201cHere Comes The Flood,\u201d a heist flick with a stellar cast. Denzel Washington, Robert Pattinson, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Danai Gurira, and more star in a script from Simon Kinberg. The premise, as reported, may be a bit generic, but with that cast, generic doesn\u2019t seem likely: A bank guard, a teller, and a master thief become entangled in a deadly game. Is this more of \u201cTrain Dreams<\/a>\u201d or \u201cA House of Dynamite<\/a>\u201d for Netflix? Well, it\u2019s likely to be the latter, but it\u2019s worth keeping our eyes on regardless.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong>\u00a0Best Actor<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

I LOVE BOOSTERS<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>It may seem strange to put a film from the director of \u201cSorry to Bother You<\/a>\u201d on this list, but Boots Riley is nothing if not original. \u201cI Love Boosters<\/a>\u201d follows a group of shoplifters in the cutthroat world of high fashion. The trailer promises that Riley hasn\u2019t toned down his style one bit, with Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Demi Moore, and a colorful Will Poulter rounding out the cast. Reviews out of SXSW, including our own here at Next Best Picture<\/a>, promise it\u2019s a wholly unique ride. This off-the-wall comedy looks wild, and not the thing the Academy typically goes for, but you never know what Neon could pull off if the film hits just right.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> May 22, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a>, & Best Production Design<\/a><\/p>\n

THE INVITE<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>One of the few titles from this year\u2019s Sundance that has a shot at breaking through with the Academy is Olivia Wilde\u2019s \u201cThe Invite<\/a>,\u201d which A24 snapped up. This chamber piece is entirely set inside one San Francisco apartment as a couple on the rocks, Seth Rogen & Olivia Wilde, invite a much more charming and free couple, Edward Norton & Penelope Cruz, over for dinner. This film is as riotous as it is sad, but the sharp script and Wilde\u2019s direction keep it moving effortlessly. While this isn\u2019t likely an across-the-board contender, Rashida Jones & Will McCormack\u2019s script could feasibly land in Adapted Screenplay, along with a host of Golden Globe noms. Keep an eye out for this one this summer.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> June 26, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong>\u00a0Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a><\/p>\n

JACK OF SPADES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joel Coen\u2019s first film without his brother Ethan, following their split, \u201cThe Tragedy of Macbeth<\/a>,\u201d received three Academy Award nominations. Now he\u2019s back with \u201cJack of Spades,\u201d starring Josh O\u2019Connor, Frances McDormand, Lesley Manville, and Damien Lewis. Little is known about the film, other than it being a gothic mystery set in \u201cthe atmospheric setting of 1880s Scotland.\u201d There\u2019s a lot to mine there, and with Bruno Delbonnel behind the camera and Carter Burwell\u2019s score, this will, at the very least, feature stunning craft work.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong>Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>,\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

JOSEPHINE<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>The buzziest film out of this year\u2019s Sundance, \u201cJosephine<\/a>,\u201d won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award Dramatic, the top two awards from the festival. The last films to win both awards were \u201cMinari<\/a>\u201d and \u201cCODA<\/a>,\u201d both of which won big at the Oscars. Yet, sadly, the same might not befall \u201cJosephine<\/a>,\u201d which was picked up by upstart distributor Sumerian Pictures, the newly launched film arm of Sumerian Records. \u201cJosephine<\/a>\u201d was a tough sell for bigger-name distributors; it\u2019s a challenging film to sell. From director Beth de Ara\u00fajo, the film follows eight-year-old Josephine (Mason Reeves), who witnesses a horrible assault. Her parents (Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan) must care for her through the ensuing trauma. The film is a tough watch, but undeniably impactful. An awards run for a film like this, regardless of quality, was always going to be a tough sell. But now, with Sumerian Pictures behind it, the question isn\u2019t just \u201cwill it get awards,\u201d but \u201cwill audiences even see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>,\u00a0Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, & Best Film Editing<\/a><\/p>\n

KLARA AND THE SUN<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few years out of the spotlight may bode well for Taika Waititi\u2019s latest directorial project. Though public opinion has waned on Taika Waititi as of late, it seems to be more a product of over-saturation and a couple of bad projects than anything else. If it\u2019s good, his newest project could turn that around. \u201cKlara and the Sun,\u201d based on the latest novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, follows a robot, or \u201cAF\u201d (artificial friend), named Klara (Jenna Ortega), chosen to be the companion of a young girl named Josie (Mia Tharia). Amy Adams and Natasha Lyonne also star in Waititi\u2019s film, with Sony distributing. Waititi has shown the ability to balance comedy alongside serious subjects well with his Oscar-winning \u201cJojo Rabbit<\/a>.\u201d Could he do it again this year?<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a> & Best Visual Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

LOOK BACK\"\"<\/strong>Beloved Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is back this year with not one, but two films, including \u201cLook Back,\u201d a new adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto\u2019s one-shot manga. The manga was previously adapted into an anime feature by Kiyotaka Oshiyama. In the story, one popular student and another who\u2019s a shut-in with social anxiety bond over creating manga together. The material is a phenomenal match for Kore-eda\u2019s emotional coming-of-age style. GKIDS recently picked the film up for distribution in America. They put forth an impressive campaign for \u201cKokuho<\/a>\u201d this year, garnering Japan\u2019s first-ever Makeup & Hairstyling nomination. While Kore-eda will be competing with his own film \u201cSheep in the Box,\u201d either film could easily become Japan\u2019s selection for Best International Feature, so keep your eyes peeled.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best International Feature<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, & Best Original Score<\/a><\/p>\n

MICHAEL<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>Look, music biopics have been up or down with the Academy as of late, with \u201cDeliver Me From Nowhere<\/a>\u201d flopping hard just last year. We\u2019re certainly a long way off from \u201cBohemian Rhapsody<\/a>.\u201d Even so, we can\u2019t ignore the inevitable popularity of \u201cMichael<\/a>.\u201d Antoine Fuqua directs this officially sanctioned film covering the life of Michael Jackson, starring the singer\u2019s nephew, Jaafar Jackson. Lionsgate showcased an extended look at the film all the way back at CinemaCon 2024, which appeared to cover his life from childhood to his final years, with hints that it might not shy away from his alleged child molestation, though that seems hard to believe. The popularity of Michael Jackson is sure to propel this to an enormous haul at the box office, but will awards attention come along? With Colman Domingo playing the singer\u2019s father, it\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> April 24, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a> & Best Sound<\/a><\/p>\n

MOTHER MARY<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>\u201cMother Mary<\/a>\u201d has been a long time in the works, but we\u2019ll finally see it before long. After \u201cPeter Pan and Wendy<\/a>\u201d for Disney, it\u2019s time for the next \u201cone for me\u201d movie in his filmography. Described as an \u201cepic melodrama that follows the relationship between a musician and a fashion designer,\u201d there\u2019s a lot of potential here. Michaela Coel, Anne Hathaway, and Hunter Schafer star in the film, which will also feature original songs from composer Daniel Hart and writers Jack Antonoff and Charli xcx, who may also be in the Original Song mix for \u201cWuthering Heights<\/a>.\u201d It\u2019s hard to imagine the film misses an Original Song nomination, at the very least, though Charli will be competing against her own work from other films. None of Lowery\u2019s films has broken through with the Academy, but perhaps \u201cMother Mary<\/a>\u201d will change that.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> April 17, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, & Best Original Song<\/a><\/p>\n

NARNIA: THE MAGICIAN\u2019S NEPHEW<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three films in, with three Best Picture nominations, it would be foolish to write off Greta Gerwig, no matter what the project may be. A blockbuster franchise hitting Netflix certainly wouldn\u2019t normally be high on my Oscar predictions, but Gerwig could change that, after seeing what she could do even with \u201cBarbie<\/a>.\u201d We don\u2019t know too much about her take on the Narnia series, other than that it will adapt \u201cThe Magician\u2019s Nephew,\u201d the origin story of Narnia itself. Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, and Carey Mulligan have joined the cast, with Meryl Streep rumored to voice Aslan. Gerwig has also solidified an exclusive IMAX wide-release, rare for Netflix, which will give it quite the boost this Thanksgiving before dropping on the streamer at Christmas.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> November 26, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>,\u00a0Best Casting<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>,\u00a0Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a>, Best Visual Effects<\/a>, & Best Sound<\/a>.<\/p>\n

THE ODYSSEY<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fresh off his Best Picture win for \u201cOppenheimer<\/a>,\u201d Christopher Nolan returns with a big-budget retelling of \u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d this July. Much like his last film, half of Hollywood has joined the cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong\u2019o, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, John Leguizamo, Will Yun Lee, and Mia Goth. It\u2019s a challenging story to adapt, but Nolan\u2019s grounded approach is likely to connect to audiences. If he can get an R-rated biopic about a nuclear physicist close to a billion dollars, I don\u2019t see why \u201cThe Odyssey<\/a>\u201d can\u2019t do the same. Could recently-minted three-time winner Ludwig G\u00f6ransson be back on the stage so soon? Expect it to at least get several craft nominations, and I\u2019m betting Damon can get into the Best Actor lineup, too.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> July 17, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a>, Best Sound<\/a> & Best Visual Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

PAPER TIGER<\/strong><\/p>\n

James Gray may be one of the most underrated American directors today. His work is typically quite understated, which is why audiences don\u2019t always click with his films the way critics tend to. Nevertheless, his films always tend to sound, on the surface, as if they would greatly appeal to the Academy. This year, \u201cPaper Tiger\u201d tells the story of two brothers, played by Adam Driver and Miles Teller, pursuing the American Dream before getting entangled with the Russian Mafia. Scarlett Johansson also stars in this tale that sounds a bit reminiscent of \u201cThe Brutalist<\/a>.\u201d Can Gray finally break through with the Academy? We\u2019ll see which studio picks this up, and whether they can mount a campaign to get it there.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a> & Best Costume Design<\/a><\/p>\n

PARALLEL TALES<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a tough few years for Asghar Farhadi, who was plagued with accusations of plagiarism around his last film, \u201cA Hero<\/a>,\u201d but he\u2019s since been acquitted of the charges. Now he\u2019s returning to French for his next film, \u201cHistoires parall\u00e8les,\u201d or \u201cParallel Tales.\u201d Nothing is yet known about the plot, but it will star Vincent Cassel, Isabelle Huppert, and Virginie Efira. Farhadi\u2019s films have twice won Best Foreign Language Film (now International Feature), but perhaps he can get a Director nomination as well.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best International Feature Film<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, & Best Film Editing<\/a><\/p>\n

PROJECT HAIL MARY<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>For the past nine years, excluding the Covid-hampered 2020, at least one Best Picture nominee was released outside of the fall-winter season. With reviews as strong as this, \u201cProject Hail Mary<\/a>\u201d could fit the bill this year. Phil Lord & Chris Miller already have an Oscar for producing \u201cSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/a>,\u201d along with a LEGO one for producing \u201cThe LEGO Movie<\/a>,\u201d but they haven\u2019t directed a live-action film since 2014\u2019s \u201c22 Jump Street.\u201d Now, they\u2019ve adapted the best-selling novel \u201cProject Hail Mary<\/a>,\u201d with a massive budget from Amazon MGM. Ryan Gosling stars alongside Sandra H\u00fcller in this story of an astronaut adrift in the universe while on a mission to save Earth\u2019s dying sun. It hails from Andy Weir, author of \u201cThe Martian<\/a>,\u201d and finds a similar charming tone paired with heart-pounding action. This is already a sizable hit for Amazon MGM, and if the buzz holds up, this could propel Lord & Miller into a new stratosphere, awards-wise.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> March 20, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>,\u00a0Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, & Best Visual Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

SATURN RETURN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is there any more exciting creative pair right now than Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley? The duo co-writes their scripts and alternate directing duties. Both Kwedar\u2019s \u201cSing Sing<\/a>\u201d and Bentley\u2019s \u201cTrain Dreams<\/a>\u201d received Adapted Screenplay and Original Song nominations, while \u201cTrain Dreams<\/a>\u201d broke into Best Picture this year. Now it\u2019s Kwedar\u2019s turn to direct again this year with \u201cSaturn Return,\u201d a drama spanning a decade in the lives of two college sweethearts in Chicago, navigating the tests of adulthood. Will Poulter and Rachel Brosnahan star in the romance, two performers who seem ripe for their first Oscar nominations. No studio is attached yet, but a fall festival run seems likely. Can they have a third awards hit in a row?<\/p>\n

Release Date: <\/strong>TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>,\u00a0Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Original Song<\/a>, & Best Original Score<\/a><\/p>\n

SHEEP IN THE BOX<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of two films from Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda coming this year, Neon has already picked up the rights to \u201cSheep in the Box.\u201d This sci-fi drama stars Haruka Ayase and Daigo Yamamoto as a couple who welcome an infant humanoid robot after their own son passes. Only one of Kore-eda\u2019s previous films, Palme d\u2019Or winner \u201cShoplifters<\/a>,\u201d has ever been nominated for an Oscar, but as more and more international features break through into Best Picture, Kore-eda seems as likely as ever to receive recognition. Will this or his other film, \u201cLook Back,\u201d be Japan\u2019s selection? It\u2019s reasonable to think that if either of these films receives that distinction, it could have a shot at other awards as well. Expect a Cannes premiere for this.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> TBD<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best International Feature<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, & Best Original Score<\/a><\/p>\n

THE SOCIAL RECKONING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sequels to Best Picture nominees rarely return to the Academy Awards, but perhaps \u201cThe Social Reckoning\u201d is more of a spiritual sequel than a direct follow-up to \u201cThe Social Network<\/a>.\u201d This time, it isn\u2019t David Fincher behind the camera, but Aaron Sorkin, directing his own script, that follows whistleblower Frances Haugen\u2019s leak of internal Facebook documents in 2021. Mikey Madison plays Haugen alongside Jeremy Allen White as Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, with Jeremy Strong taking on the role of Mark Zuckerberg from Jesse Eisenberg. All three of Sorkin\u2019s directorial features have netted Oscar nominations thus far. Are people in the mood to explore more of the social networks that are destroying society? We\u2019ll find out this October.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> October 9, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Adapted Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

UNTITLED JESSE EISENBERG MUSICAL COMEDY<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s still a bit surprising that Jesse Eisenberg\u2019s \u201cA Real Pain<\/a>\u201d didn\u2019t score a Best Picture nomination, despite having an Original Screenplay nomination and a Best Supporting Actor win for Kieran Culkin. Perhaps his next film will reach even higher heights, awards-wise. We don\u2019t even have a title for the film, but it\u2019s said to be a musical comedy about a woman cast in a local production who loses herself in the role under the strong-willed director\u2019s influence. Eisenberg will star, along with Cara Buono, Julianne Moore, and Paul Giamatti. It\u2019s unclear whether this will include original songs, but there\u2019s still a lot to look forward to. Could this be Giamatti\u2019s Oscar? One can only hope.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> December 3, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>,\u00a0Best Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, & Best Original Song<\/a><\/p>\n

WERWULF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Robert Eggers has carved out a fascinating, effective niche for himself with immaculately crafted horror films. He\u2019s not shy about the horror elements, as we saw in \u201cNosferatu<\/a>,\u201d but doesn\u2019t skimp on the craftwork either, leading to four nominations for his vampire epic. Next up, he\u2019ll move from vampires to werewolves with \u201cWerwulf.\u201d Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson, this new take on the classic creature is set in a 13th-century village, plagued by a werewolf stalking the locals. Immediately, it sounds like it\u2019ll be a shoo-in for Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup nominations at the very least. It\u2019s also matching the Christmas release that turned \u201cNosferatu<\/a>\u201d into a modest hit, so signs are pointing to another strong release from Eggers. After this year\u2019s Oscars, it\u2019s clear that horror has never had so much love from the Academy.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> December 25, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, Best Film Editing<\/a>, Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, & Best Makeup & Hairstyling<\/a><\/p>\n

WILD HORSE NINE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Martin McDonagh is on a pretty stellar run with the Academy after \u201cThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri<\/a>\u201d and \u201cThe Banshees of Inisherin<\/a>,\u201d so naturally his next film should have a spot on this list. The only plot description on IMDB reads: \u201cCIA agents Chris and Lee face a trust-testing mission from Santiago to Easter Island during 1973 Chile.\u201d We don\u2019t yet know who plays who, but the cast is stacked, with John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Sam Rockwell, Parker Posey, Mariana di Girolamo, and Tom Waits. McDonagh\u2019s dark comedy has certainly resonated strongly in recent years, so hopefully that can continue here. One thing\u2019s for certain: we need Steve Buscemi to get his long-overdue Oscar run. Let\u2019s start the campaign now.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> November 6, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects: <\/strong> Best Picture<\/a>, Best Director<\/a>, Best Actor<\/a>, Best Supporting Actress<\/a>, Best Supporting Actor<\/a>, Best Original Screenplay<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a>, Best Cinematography<\/a>, & Best Film Editing<\/a><\/p>\n

WILDWOOD<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>Hailing from Laika and director Travis Knight, \u201cWildwood\u201d is the studio\u2019s first feature in six years, and yet the distribution is a bit concerning. After a long-running partnership with Focus Features for their first four features, and then Annapurna to distribute \u201cMissing Link<\/a>,\u201d \u201cWildwood\u201d will be released in theaters by Fathom Events. It\u2019s extraordinarily concerning that no studio came alongside Laika for distribution, but perhaps this will allow Laika to retain more profit. Whatever the reasoning, there\u2019s still a lot to look forward to from \u201cWildwood.\u201d Adapted from the novel of the same name, it\u2019s an epic fantasy about two seventh-graders, Prue and Curtis, who are drawn into a hidden magical forest to save Prue\u2019s infant brother. Jacob Tremblay and Peyton Elizabeth Lee star as Curtis and Prue, with an all-star voice cast alongside them: Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Angela Bassett, Jemaine Clement, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, and more. Caleb Deschanel serves as cinematographer, which is perhaps a sign of the level of craft on \u201cWildwood.\u201d Laika has yet to win Animated Feature, but Disney and Pixar\u2019s losing streak could help bring them the gold. Could it contend in other categories as well?<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> October 23, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong> Best Animated Feature<\/a>, Best Original Score<\/a> & Best Visual Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

WUTHERING HEIGHTS<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>I know, I know. The discourse around \u201cWuthering Heights<\/a>\u201d has gone on long enough. But let\u2019s face it: despite the 60% Rotten Tomatoes score and never-ending debate, the craftwork in Emerald Fennell\u2019s adaptation is pretty stunning. While there\u2019s no chance the film contends in any above-the-line categories, it\u2019s exactly the type of work that the Costume branch of the Academy tends to recognize. It\u2019s also likely to hang around the conversations for Production Design, Cinematography, and Original Song, too. Don\u2019t count this one out for a nomination or two.<\/p>\n

Release Date:<\/strong> February 13, 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Prospects:<\/strong>\u00a0Best Cinematography<\/a>,\u00a0Best Costume Design<\/a>, Best Production Design<\/a>, & Best Original Song<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, that\u2019s an enormous list of movies to keep an eye on, with many more to come. Before we know it, Cannes will unveil more major contenders before the fall festival circuit gets here. Which of these films do you think could be our next Best Picture? Do you have any gut feelings about any of these movies? Which ones do you think we\u2019re underestimating? Let us know in the comments below or over on our X<\/a> account.<\/p>\n