Oscars 2026 – Our Picks to be the Ultimate Winners
It’s that time of the year again! Oscars 2026 are just knocking on the door, and this weekend we will find our winners at the Dolby Theatre. The nominations for this year’s show are packed with exciting names. Each of them has its own set of genres, fandom, and unique flavors. But which one among them should be the ultimate winner? Here’s our take.
Among all the award categories, we will be discussing our picks for the Big 4. But before proceeding, here’s our statutory warning – This is not a prediction, this is just our thoughts, and you can definitely have a different opinion about this.
Actor in a Leading Role
The nominations for this category have surprised me the most. The names include some legends who have been ruling the world cinema for decades, along with a rising star.
Nominees –
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Not only is Timothy the youngest of all the names by age, but also by experience; he has been making waves all over with his exceptional performance in Marty Supreme. He has been earning praises from critics and fans for his performance in all his acting endeavours, and it was just a matter of time before he could land an Oscar nomination in 2026. He can even win it this time.
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle after Another
The veteran legend has bagged another Academy Award nomination, and this is his 7th nomination for the Best Actor category. Leo’s performance in One Battle after Another was out of the box. His character made me cry, laugh, and feel for it many times. I am not trying to create a controversy here, but I believe we have seen him in some better roles before. I don’t think he is the most deserving this year.
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Another legend that we have on this year’s list of Best Actor roles, Ethan Hawke may have given one of the best performances of his life in Blue Moon. He transformed himself with his body language and prosthetics to get into the character of Lorenz Hart and did a really great job.
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Michael B. Jordan not just played the role of one but twins in Sinners, and he even pushed himself to his limits to make prominent distinguishing shades for both characters. He controlled his natural dimples and even wore different sizes of shoes to make a detailed look of the two characters. Crazy right? I think he deserves the award.
Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
The name that comes to my mind with Wagner Moura is ofcourse Pablo Escobar. But this time, he broke himself, toned down his bodyweight, and got in a completely different shape to play the leading character in Secret Agent. When I was watching the film, I was having second thoughts, like, did he actually play Escobar?
Our pick – None other than Michael B. Jordan.
Actress in a Leading Role
Like the previous category, this one is also a bag full of surprising names and promises to be a tight battle.
Nominees -
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Jessie Buckley has been acting in films that are not just exceptional but unconventional. She has been getting into various characters, which has gotten her rave appreciations from all over the world. Critics are claiming that she carried the entire film on her shoulders and can be the ultimate winner this Sunday.
Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
Rose Byrne earned one of the strongest reactions of the season with her portrayal of Linda in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Trusted with a role that demanded emotional precision and sustained intensity, she delivered a performance that fully justified the faith placed in her and reminded everyone how quietly reliable she has always been as a performer.
Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue
Kate Hudson’s nomination feels like the result of a performance that finally gave her the right material at the right time. In Song Sung Blue, she balances warmth, vulnerability, and control in a way that makes the recognition feel earned, and it would not be surprising if she becomes one of the strongest contenders this season.
Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value
Reante Reinsve is another name who earned her first-ever nomination for the Best Actress role this year. She delivered probably her best performance to date in Sentimental Value and has great odds to win the award.
Emma Stone - Bugonia
This is someone who has made it a habit to win Academy Award nominations year after year. Emma Stone has transformed herself completely to play the alien CEO in Bugonia. The film was entertaining and weird at the same time, and so was her character. Can she pull it off this weekend?
Our pick – Jessie Buckley for carrying an entire film on her shoulders.
Directing
Nominees -
Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
5 years after Nomadland, Chloé Zhao is back at the Oscars with her film Hamnet. In these five years, not just her but her craftsmanship has evolved and broken barriers, too. The look and feel of this film looks exceptional, along with the camera shots. She has made me a fan of her.
Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
I think the toughest genre to handle as a director is drama, especially in the modern evolving entertainment landscape. Joachim Trier gave his best and delivered a film that stays true to its manifesto.
Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme
The Safdie brothers had a breakup, and they chose their own different paths in filmmaking. Josh, I think, did the better job than his brother with Marty Supreme and got himself an Oscar nomination for 2026. I won’t be surprised if he wins it.
Now comes the ultimate battle
I am confused about these two, and I just pray that one of them will actually win it this year. Ryan Coogler didn’t just take the horror genre to another level, but he also proved that even a mixture of multiple genres can deliver a film worth talking about. Paul Thomas Anderson, on the other hand, gave us a different look at the global immigration problem and made us think in a different way.
Our pick – Ryan Coogler or Paul Thomas Anderson.
Best Picture
Nominees -
Bugonia
The film deals with a genuine topic of the modern tech industry in a dark, witty, and humorous way. It’s not just funny but is also weird and offers a slow-burning thrill, too. Won’t be surprised with its win.
F1
I was surprised to find this name in the nominees. The craftsmanship and the efforts put into making this film by the makers are visible in every frame. Despite all of this, the film feels like a mixed bag and feels hollow.
Frankenstein
Among several films made about this classic tale from Mary Shelley, this one stands out for its production and entertainment value. Driven by exceptional performances and cinematography, I didn’t feel the long run time.
Hamnet
Chloé Zhao’s take on the life of William Shakespeare struck a chord in my heart, and I was moved by it at every step. This one can definitely be the winner this weekend.
Marty Supreme
One of the Safdie brothers delivered with probably the best sports movie of the year. Can this be the sleeper underdog winner? Keep your eyes wide open.
One Battle after Another
Which side are you on? Sympathising with the extreme right or the leftists? This is the question that this film will ask you while keeping you glued to the screen.
The Secret Agent
A film about secret agents, which isn’t about the blitz and glitz but about how they work from the shadows without being muscular superheroes.
Sentimental Value
The story revolves around two sisters and their father, about a complex family dynamic. Sentimental Value definitely packs all the punches to win big this year.
Sinners
Since its release, Sinners has been turning heads with its plot, filmmaking, and storyline. It’s an unusual blend of music and horror, along with a thrill ride. It has grabbed 16 nominations at the Oscars 2026.
Train Dreams
It’s a film that makes you feel the ups and downs of life. It works, feels like standing on a beach waiting for the waves to hit you or miss you. Train Dreams isn’t just a film but a journey of life.
Our pick – One Battle after Another. This one has something for everyone, and it’s a complete thrill ride.
So, these are our picks to be the winners for the Big 4 categories at the 98th Academy Awards. Again, this isn’t a prediction but our favourites. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Avik
More From Avik
You may also like
