Oscars 2026 Predictions: Sinners and One Battle After Another Set to Dominate
As crew members prepare the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 98th Academy Awards, film critic Peter Bradshaw has unveiled his highly anticipated predictions for the 2026 Oscars. The ceremony, scheduled for live coverage from 8pm GMT, is expected to see major contenders like Sinners and One Battle After Another sweep the board, but Bradshaw hints at potential surprises and notable snubs across the categories.
Best Picture and Director Forecasts
In the Best Picture category, Bradshaw predicts Sinners will take home the top prize, though he believes The Secret Agent deserves the win. He notes The Mastermind as a film that should have been in contention. For Best Director, Paul Thomas Anderson is favored to win for One Battle After Another, with Bradshaw agreeing this is the rightful choice, while suggesting Kleber Mendonça Filho for The Secret Agent was overlooked.
Acting Categories: Expected Wins and Oversights
The acting awards are poised for intense competition. Michael B Jordan is predicted to win Best Actor for Sinners, but Bradshaw argues Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme should prevail, with Josh O'Connor in The Mastermind as a missed contender. For Best Actress, Jessie Buckley in Hamnet is forecast to win and deservedly so, though Jennifer Lawrence in Die My Love is highlighted as a snub.
Supporting roles see Delroy Lindo in Sinners favored for Best Supporting Actor, with Russell Crowe in Nuremberg noted as an oversight. In Best Supporting Actress, Wunmi Mosaku in Sinners is predicted to win, but Teyana Taylor in One Battle After Another is deemed more deserving, and Gwyneth Paltrow in Marty Supreme is cited as a contender that should have been recognized.
Technical and Specialized Awards
Animated Feature is expected to go to Zootopia 2, though Little Amélie is Bradshaw's pick, with Fixed as a snub. For screenplays, One Battle After Another is predicted to win Adapted Screenplay, while Sinners is favored for Original Screenplay, with It Was Just an Accident deemed more deserving and Black Bag overlooked.
Documentary predictions point to Mr Nobody Against Putin winning, with Ocean With David Attenborough as a missed opportunity. International Feature Film is forecast for Sentimental Value, though The Secret Agent should win, and The Ice Tower is noted as a snub.
Production and Creative Categories
In production design, Hamnet is expected to win and is considered deserving, with Bugonia as an oversight. Cinematography favors Train Dreams, while The Secret Agent is highlighted as a contender that should have been in the running.
Makeup and Hair is predicted for Frankenstein, with Blue Moon noted as a snub. Costume Design sees Sinners as the likely winner, and Editing is forecast for Sentimental Value, with Die My Love as a missed contender.
As the Oscars approach, these predictions set the stage for a night of potential triumphs and disappointments, reflecting the dynamic landscape of contemporary cinema.
