Who is in the running for the Oscars 2026?

As the Oscars 2026 buzz hits fever pitch—think the high-stakes drama of Succession meets the glittering glamour of a RuPaul’s Drag Race finale—contenders are emerging from a stellar year of cinema. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leads the pack for Best Picture, with Timothée Chalamet channeling old-school charisma in Marty Supreme, potentially snagging Best Actor nods. Jessie Buckley shines in Hamnet, while Sinners and Frankenstein stir Supporting category whispers. With voting underway, per Variety and Hollywood Reporter insights, the race is anyone’s game—who’ll claim the golden statuette come March?

Best actor buzz

With Oscars 2026 voting kicking off amid Golden Globes aftermath, Timothée Chalamet’s ping-pong prowess in Marty Supreme has him frontrunning for Best Actor, per Variety predictions. But Leonardo DiCaprio’s raw intensity in One Battle After Another could steal the spotlight, echoing his Revenant grit. Ethan Hawke’s turn in Blue Moon emerges as a dark horse, stirring X chatter and Hollywood Reporter nods.

Shifting to Best Actress, Jessie Buckley’s poignant portrayal in Hamnet positions her as a strong Oscars 2026 contender, blending Shakespearean depth with modern pathos. Yet, whispers from Rotten Tomatoes suggest Teyana Taylor’s supporting fire in Sentimental Value might cross into lead territory, challenging the field with her fierce, layered performance.

For directors, Paul Thomas Anderson’s visionary helm on One Battle After Another dominates Oscars 2026 talks, as Awards Daily forecasts. International gems like The Secret Agent, with Wagner Moura’s compelling lead, add global flair, potentially disrupting the race per IndieWire analyses and recent Critics Choice buzz.

Supporting standouts

Oscars 2026 supporting categories heat up with Benicio Del Toro’s gritty edge in One Battle After Another earning top predictions from Variety and Hollywood Reporter. Teyana Taylor’s raw vulnerability in Sentimental Value positions her as a fierce Oscars 2026 contender, per X posts and Awards Daily insights, potentially echoing past underdog triumphs.

Meanwhile, Stellan Skarsgård’s chilling depth in Frankenstein stirs Oscars 2026 buzz, with Rotten Tomatoes forecasting a nod amid strong ensemble vibes. Amy Madigan’s nuanced turn in Train Dreams adds emotional layers, drawing comparisons to quiet powerhouses like The Crown‘s supporting arcs, as IndieWire analyses suggest.

Best Picture frontrunners for Oscars 2026 include Sinners, poised to shatter nomination records per Gold Derby, blending epic scope with timely themes. Wicked: For Good‘s magical sequel charms with visual flair, leading shortlists in multiple tech categories, while international entries like KPop Demon Hunters inject fresh energy, per Hindu reports.

Animated contenders emerge

Oscars 2026 animated features are buzzing with Zootopia 2 leading the charge building on its predecessor’s win per IndieWire insights while KPop Demon Hunters dazzles with broad appeal and Golden Globes momentum as Hindu reports note its box-office and critical surge.

In screenplay races for Oscars 2026 Sinners tops original predictions with its bold narrative per Variety echoing complex tales from prestige TV like Succession Adapted frontrunners include One Battle After Another praised by Awards Daily for Anderson’s masterful script tweaks.

Tech categories for Oscars 2026 see Wicked: For Good dominating shortlists in visual effects and score per Film Updates on X while Frankenstein’s haunting makeup earns nods from Rotten Tomatoes promising a visually stunning showdown come nomination day.

International disruptions

Oscars 2026 predictions highlight international films shaking up the race, with Bugonia emerging as a quirky Best Picture contender per Awards Daily insights, its offbeat narrative drawing X buzz for potential screenplay nods amid a field dominated by American epics.

Meanwhile, Hamnet’s literary adaptation garners Oscars 2026 acclaim for Jessie Buckley’s lead, blending Dickensian tragedy with modern resonance, as Hollywood Reporter forecasts suggest it could challenge frontrunners like One Battle After Another in adapted screenplay and director categories.

Dark horses like The Secret Agent add global intrigue to Oscars 2026, with Wagner Moura’s performance earning actor predictions from Variety, potentially disrupting the lineup as nomination voting wraps, per recent Critics Choice and Palm Springs gala reactions.Eyes on the prize

As Oscars 2026 nominations loom, the race boils down to powerhouse contenders like One Battle After Another and Marty Supreme, with stars such as Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley poised for glory. Drawing from Variety and IndieWire forecasts, expect surprises from international disruptors—stay tuned for the March showdown that could redefine cinema’s elite.