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This year’s Oscars will close out a packed award show season. From a record number of nominations for “Sinners” to a highly competitive “Best Actor in a Leading Role” race, the night is set to be historic. Ahead of the show on March 15, The Daily Orange curated predictions and hopes for the outcome of the night’s biggest categories.

Academy Award for Best Picture
Ten films are up for the coveted Academy Award for Best Picture next week. Here are our predictions for which is most likely to bring home the Oscar:

1. “One Battle After Another”
What happens when you combine Paul Thomas Anderson, arguably the best contemporary American filmmaker, an electric Leonardo DiCaprio performance and Chase Infiniti, a newcomer who gives the veteran performers a run for their money? You get the frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars.

“One Battle After Another” follows washed-up revolutionary Bob Ferguson (DiCaprio) as he tries to rescue his daughter Willa (Infiniti). It’s a straightforward plot that Anderson packs with deep themes of fatherhood, political violence and white supremacy. Led by masterclass performances from DiCaprio, Infiniti and Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another” will forever be engrained in cinema history — no matter how many awards it wins.

2. “Sinners”
With “Sinners”’ April release, writer and director Ryan Coogler established himself as one of the greatest living filmmakers. The film follows two troubled brothers as they fight against the institutional — and supernatural evils — of the Jim Crow South. Its originality and cultural impact creates a strong case for winning Best Picture, shaking Hollywood’s racism that doesn’t give Black filmmakers the same awards season love as its counterparts.

The feature has faced unfair controversies and maliciously framed coverage. Yet, following success at the NAACP, Screen Actors Guild’s Actor Awards and Critics Choice Awards, “Sinners” seeks to upset this awards season front-runner and stand atop the smear campaigns.

3. “Marty Supreme”
Amid the endless “Marty Supreme Christmas Day” memes and that awkward but viral Zoom call, December’s pop culture was purely dedicated to the release of “Marty Supreme.” Once the film launched, many praised Timothée Chalamet for his career-best performance and the adrenaline-pumping pace. Many thought “Marty Supreme” was destined to win.

But, the disappointing awards run thus far places Josh Safdie’s ping-pong film at a disadvantage. After a drought at the British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards and the Actor Awards, “Marty Supreme” may have lost its edge. But, just maybe, the cast’s stellar performance could just save the film’s fate.

4. “Hamnet”
Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” tells the story of William and Agnes Shakespeare’s family and how their son Hamnet eventually becomes the inspiration for the timeless play “Hamlet.” Outside of beautiful cinematography and a captivating score, the film’s heartbreaking script and compelling performances left me shell shocked for days.

Its complex themes of love, grief and motherhood make the film a quiet but strong contender for this year’s Best Picture award. Those who saw “Hamnet” can understand how it will remain an example of masterful storytelling for years to come.

5. “The Secret Agent”
While “The Secret Agent” may have a less than likely chance to win the top award, the film is a real contender to win “Best International Film.” Hailing from Brazil, “The Secret Agent” takes a brutal but humorous approach to the nation’s two-decade military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.

Wagner Moura — the film’s lead — has become globally recognized for his role as Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s “Narcos.” Though Moura was subtle in “Narcos,” he gave a bone-chilling performance. With a Golden Globe win and the Cannes: Best Actor award, Moura’s performance surely earned the film its “Best Picture” nomination.

6. “Sentimental Value”
Despite a limited theatrical release, “Sentimental Value” delivered a touching story about family and generational trauma under a fresh lens. Set in Oslo, Norway, the film follows a seasoned actor’s complicated relationship with his two daughters.

The story operates largely around its setting — the family’s generational home. It uses time and place as a narrative tool alongside striking performances, making the film poignant and relatable. Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve portray one of the most convincing and sympathetic father-daughter relationships on screen. As a film, it’s been underappreciated by the general public, but it should perform well in the international category.

7. “Frankenstein”
“Frankenstein” arrived with a lot of hype – Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the monster was highly applauded, and the film’s lavish set design made for undeniably striking visuals. However, critics were quick to point out the film’s heavy use of CGI, which undercut the gothic atmosphere the film seemed to strive for. Even more damaging was the extremely loose interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel.

With no major awards, momentum and a divided critical reception, the movie feels more like a showcase for its production design than a serious Best Picture contender.

8. “Bugonia”
“Bugonia” follows conspiracy theorist and beekeeper Teddy Gatz (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis), who kidnap Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), a powerful CEO they believe is an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy.

The fourth collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and Stone is a roller coaster of a film that comments on how absurd our world is — between politics, conspiracy theories and religious control. “Bugonia” might not win many awards, but quirky, powerful performances from the leads and Will Tracy’s clever script make it a hidden gem at the Academy Awards.

9. “Train Dreams”
In a top-heavy award season that seems to be favoring only a small handful of movies, there is one film that has been relatively forgotten, despite its compelling story and beautiful visuals. “Train Dreams” tells the story of a humble railroad worker who must come to terms with the tragedies that have fallen before him and find an existence in the unforgiving world he is stuck in.

The movie is a gorgeous illustration of the human spirit. But even with all of its good qualities, there just isn’t enough marketing behind the film to have it be a serious contender in this year’s Oscar race.

10. “F1: The Movie”
Brad Pitt’s familiar star quality makes a comeback in “F1,” alongside fellow veteran Javier Bardem. As its title suggests, the film follows a retired Formula 1 driver who returns to the track 30 years after a career-ending crash. But, he soon enters a contentious rivalry with a hotshot rookie, played by Damson Idris.

With actual F1 driver Lewis Hamilton as a contributing producer, the film is enjoyable, but it was clearly made as a tribute to the sport. Utilizing real F1 race footage and immersive sound design, “F1: The Movie” is an impressive production. But compared to its contenders, it doesn’t stand a chance to win Best Picture.

Academy Award for Leading Role
Two of the most contentious awards of the night, the Oscars for best actor and best actress are stirring up intrigue more than a week ahead of the award show. The D.O.’s film columnists defend their choices for who should win.

Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role

Jack Steinberg: Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Hollywood’s supernova, Chalamet might finally take home the highly coveted golden statue this year for what could be his magnum opus performance. For the past decade or so, Chalamet has been one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood. With two prior best actor nominations under his belt, it seemed like his career trajectory was destined to parallel the legendary Leonardo DiCaprio, always being the bridesmaid but never the bride. However, after his magnetic performance in Josh Safdie’s anxiety-inducing “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet might finally get his moment in the sun and attain the greatness he has so desperately sought for so many years.

Albert Alvarado Amparo: Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
After his upset win for Best Actor at the Actor Awards, Jordan has launched himself into real Oscar contention. Playing twins Smoke and Stack, Jordan’s “Sinners” performance proves to be another classic collaboration between him and director Ryan Coogler. The range between personalities, fierceness and fragile vulnerability showcased his mastery of the acting craft. On March 15, Jordan looks to follow in the footsteps of Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier as the sixth Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor.

Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role:

Claire Zhang: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
After Buckley won the Golden Globe in January for her portrayal of Agnes in “Hamnet,” co-star Paul Mescal said that drama students years down the line would be studying her performance. When I watched the film, his words couldn’t have been more true.

Buckley delivers a powerful vulnerability in her character as she navigates grief and acceptance. Beyond that, a pivotal moment in the film’s final act was a choice made by Buckley, which proves just how well she understood the story. Buckley is the clear winner.

Tara Binte Sharil: Emma Stone, “Bugonia”
Buckley has been on an awards sweep this year. Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Actors Awards are in the bag for her. But, a case could be made for Stone’s performance in “Bugonia.” Stone’s acting performance was captivating and scene-stealing. Her ability to switch from remorseful soul to a ruthless one is staggering.

If Stone wins for Best Actress in a Leading Role, her achievement will not only be a big upset against Buckley’s expected win, but 37-year-old Stone will also make Oscar history as the youngest actress to win three Oscars.

Illustration Editor Hannah Mesa and Contributing Illustrators Emma Soto, Jay Cronkite, Julia English, Khloe Scalise, Julia Rodenberger and Sarah Yudichak.

Published on March 5, 2026 at 1:01 am