With the release of the 2026 Oscar nominations Thursday, the countdown to this year’s Academy Awards began. As March 15 approaches, here are my thoughts on some of the biggest categories the Oscars have to offer.
Best picture
While 10 films are nominated for the best picture category, there are some obvious front runners — and some films that probably don’t stand a chance.
“One Battle After Another,” “Sinners” and “Marty Supreme” all received massive praise after their initial theatrical releases, so it was no surprise to see them among the favorites for this year’s award. As for the surprise nominations, I was delighted to see “Hamnet” make the cut after sobbing my way through the entire film when I saw it in theaters.
While I think all four of those films are the most viable options to take home the award, I am cautiously optimistic that “One Battle After Another” will end on top. Following washed-up revolutionary Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he fights to find his missing daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti), “One Battle After Another” stunned me with its intriguing story and captivating cast.
On the complete opposite side of things, I think “F1” shocked people in the worst way with its nomination. While high-speed races and a poor understanding of the actual rules of Formula 1 may make a fine action film, I’ve never considered the movie to be best picture worthy. The race for best picture may be tight, but it is definitely not one that “F1” will be winning.
Actor in a leading role
I think we will see this award go in one of two ways. I am sorry, Timothée Chalamet, but neither one is in your favor.
The first, and probably more likely, option for actor in a leading role is DiCaprio as Bob in “One Battle After Another.” Bob is not a perfect father to Willow; he can often be incompetent, and his past has left him paranoid, but through it all it becomes clear that his deep love for his daughter drives him. DiCaprio plays Bob near perfectly, adding just the right amount of comedy and heart to his performance that makes a good candidate for the award.
But the actor I’ll be rooting for is Michael B. Jordan, who was nominated for his performance in “Sinners.” In the film, Jordan plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack who move back to their Mississippi hometown in 1932 to open up a juke joint and start over, only to quickly learn that a greater evil has been awaiting their return.
Playing one character can be a difficult task for any actor, but Jordan makes playing the brothers, each with their own distinct personalities, look effortless. Whether or not Jordan takes home the award, I can confidently say that no one deserved the nomination more.
Actress in a leading role
This year’s list of nominees for actress in a leading role feels stacked. Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone all delivered quite masterful performances in their respective movies. But at the Oscars, there can only be one winner, and for the 2026 Academy Awards, I see that go in Buckley’s favor for her breathtaking performance in “Hamnet.”
The film follows Agnes Shakespeare (Buckley) as she meets and raises a family with her husband, the now-world-renowned playwright, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, “Hamnet” doesn’t just tell the story of Shakespeare’s wife, it gives Agnes her own character and identity outside of her marriage. In her performance, Buckley brings a raw and devastating portrayal of grief to her character that is more than worthy of an Oscar.
Best director
It’s the director’s job to translate what begins as words on a page into the series of visuals that we call a film. For the Oscars, the award for best director is more than how much someone likes a movie; it’s the style and rhythm of the film that can only come from the director’s input that makes the category special.
While all five nominees brought their signature aesthetics to their respective films, I think when the time comes for this year’s Academy Awards, it will be down to Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another” or Chloé Zhao for “Hamnet.”
With a story as fast paced as “One Battle After Another,” there is a lot to keep track of. As director, Anderson helps bring that grandiose story to life. Visually, the film feels gritty, and it structures each scene to portray that idea that, like the name of the movie, the resolution to one conflict often leads to the start of another. Anderson’s work truly shines in “One Battle After Another,” and I don’t think it will be a shock to anyone if he is recognized for it at this year's Oscars.
However, on Oscars night, all my hope will be with Zhao as she goes for her second award in this category. From the visual aesthetic to the rhythmic flow of the story, every inch of “Hamnet” is emotionally driven and beautiful.
You see Agnes fall in love, you see her kids grow up and, eventually, you see her in her most vulnerable moments. The film should feel fast paced, but somehow every scene leaves the audience room to feel the weight of the moment. With the story’s heavy ties to nature creating opportunities for stunning visuals, Zhao takes what was already a beautiful book and makes it even more breathtaking.
