The Oscars are always the cinematic calendar’s high point - a night where artistry, craft, and audience admiration collide. With the 98th Academy Awards set for March 15, 2026, anticipation is building around which films and performances might walk away with the coveted gold statuettes.

This year, both critically acclaimed dramas and bold, innovative stories are dominating precursor awards, shaping expectations for the big night.

Topping the Best Picture conversation is One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s war drama from Warner Bros., which has swept multiple precursor awards, including the Critics Choice, Golden Globes, and DGA wins. Its mix of narrative ambition, technical mastery, and emotional resonance positions it as the leading contender.

However, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, also from Warner Bros., is a strong challenger with 16 nominations and a growing industry buzz. If momentum shifts, it could snag multiple wins and even challenge for Best Picture, much like past surprises in Oscar history. Other films under consideration include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Frankenstein, each bringing critical acclaim and distinct cinematic voices.

Paul Thomas Anderson is the projected Best Director winner for One Battle After Another, buoyed by the film’s awards sweep and critical recognition. But wildcards remain in play: Ryan Coogler (Sinners) and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) could shake up the category with compelling narratives and strong visual storytelling.

For Best Actor, Timothée Chalamet returns for his third nomination with Marty Supreme, building momentum through strong precursor wins. Challengers include Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent), all delivering performances that resonate with both critics and audiences.

In Best Actress, Jessie Buckley is widely predicted to take home the Oscar for her Shakespearean role in Hamnet. Other nominees, including Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia), have all earned accolades for their nuanced and powerful performances.

In supporting categories, Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) is the favorite for Best Supporting Actor, with strong competition from Delroy Lindo (Sinners) and Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another). On the Best Supporting Actress side, Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) leads the pack, closely followed by Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) and Amy Madigan (Weapons).

In writing, Sinners is expected to take Best Original Screenplay, while One Battle After Another is projected to win Best Adapted Screenplay.

For animation, KPop Demon Hunters has dominated with Annie Awards momentum and is the frontrunner in its category. Internationally, Norway’s Sentimental Value leads, with Brazil’s The Secret Agent as a potential dark horse.

Warner Bros. leads the studio race this year with strong campaigns for both One Battle After Another and Sinners. While box office success helps maintain visibility, it’s clear that critical acclaim, festival recognition, and precursor awards remain the most powerful indicators of likely winners. As always, surprises remain possible, particularly in acting and technical categories.

The final round of Oscar voting runs from February 26 to March 5, 2026, with the ceremony hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 15. The Oscars not only celebrate outstanding cinema but also shape audience habits, creating excitement around films that continue to shine on the big screen.

Plan your viewing through Find Cinemas and stay ahead of the conversation with Coming Soon for award-calibre films playing nationwide. This season, don’t just follow the buzz - experience the performances, stories, and cinematic artistry that could be walking away with Oscars.