10 Way-Too-Early Oscars 2026 Best Picture Contenders 12 Months Before The Ceremony
The 2025 awards season has ended, paving the way for early speculation about the films that might contend for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars. Anora triumphed this year, winning five out of six nominations, proving once again how unpredictable the Oscars race can be. As one season concludes, another begins, and although the official date for the 98th Academy Awards remains unknown, discussions about potential nominees are already in motion. Here are ten films that stand out as early contenders for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars.
10. Deliver Me From Nowhere
A year after Bob Dylan’s biopic A Complete Unknown was in the awards conversation, a Bruce Springsteen biopic could be next. Directed by Scott Cooper and backed by 20th Century Studios, Deliver Me From Nowhere stars Jeremy Allen White as the legendary musician. While Cooper has yet to direct a Best Picture nominee, the film has all the ingredients of a major contender. If it delivers on expectations and does justice to Springsteen’s legacy, it could secure nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor (Jeremy Strong).
9. Wicked: For Good
Following the success of Wicked, which received ten nominations in 2025, its sequel, Wicked: For Good, appears poised for another strong run. Director Jon M. Chu returns, and with powerhouse performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film could contend in Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Song. Given the Academy’s recognition of its predecessor, Wicked: For Good is a strong contender for Best Picture.
8. After the Hunt
Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller After the Hunt is generating significant buzz ahead of its release. Starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri, the film boasts an acclaimed script that could propel it into the Best Picture race. With Guadagnino’s direction and Amazon MGM positioning the film for an October release, After the Hunt could be a major player in categories like Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.
7. The Life of Chuck
An adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Life of Chuck already has momentum after winning the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, the film’s delayed release into 2025 positions it as a strong awards contender. Neon, fresh off its Anora win, could push The Life of Chuck as its primary Oscar hopeful, unless it prioritizes Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value instead.
6. Marty Supreme
Timothée Chalamet is back in the Oscar conversation with Marty Supreme, a sports biopic directed by Josh Safdie. Distributed by A24 and set for a late December release, the film has prime positioning for an awards-season push. Chalamet could finally secure a Best Actor win, but Marty Supreme faces competition from other A24 projects, such as The Smashing Machine, Materialists, and Eddington.
5. Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), both of which earned Best Picture nominations. However, whether Fire and Ash will be a major contender beyond technical categories remains uncertain. Its success will depend on how well it resonates with Academy voters beyond its visual achievements.
4. Hamnet
Directed by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet explores the life of William Shakespeare and his wife after the death of their son. Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, the film has strong awards potential, particularly given Zhao’s previous Best Picture win with Nomadland. With its emotional depth and historical significance, Hamnet could be a major player across multiple categories.
3. Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is one of the most anticipated films of 2025. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, the Netflix-backed adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel has a strong chance of securing multiple nominations. However, Netflix may choose to prioritize other projects, such as Train Dreams or The Ballad of a Small Prayer, in the Best Picture race.
2. The Roses
Searchlight Pictures has maintained a strong track record in the Best Picture category, and The Roses could be its strongest contender for 2026. Directed by Jay Roach and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, and Andy Samberg, the film follows a couple whose seemingly perfect life unravels. While The Roses could be a major acting contender, its Best Picture chances will depend on its reception at festivals.
1. One Battle After Another
The biggest Oscar contender of 2026 might be One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Backed by Warner Bros. with a $100M+ budget and a planned IMAX release, the film has all the makings of a major awards frontrunner. With an ensemble cast that includes Regina Hall, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another is positioned as one of the strongest early Best Picture contenders.
While these ten films are strong early candidates, the Oscars race remains unpredictable, and surprises are always possible. As the year unfolds, film festivals and critical receptions will shape the final Best Picture lineup for the 2026 Academy Awards.
