The race for the 99th Academy Awards has already begun. Although the official Oscar nominations won’t be announced until January 21, 2027, awards experts, film critics and industry insiders are already identifying the movies, filmmakers and performances most likely to dominate the upcoming awards season.

Every year, the Oscar race evolves dramatically. Major film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Telluride and Toronto often reshape the conversation, while critics’ awards, the Golden Globes, SAG Awards and BAFTAs provide valuable clues about which contenders are building genuine Academy momentum.

Our Oscars 2027 predictions combine early industry forecasts with historical Academy voting trends, festival expectations, release strategies and the awards track records of studios, directors and actors. Rather than relying on hype alone, we evaluate how each contender fits the voting patterns that have historically defined the Academy Awards.

While Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey currently leads many early prediction lists, several prestige dramas, international productions and ambitious blockbusters remain firmly in contention. With months of campaigning still ahead, the race is far from settled.

Editorial Note: These are PlayersRanked’s independent Oscar predictions and editorial probabilities. They are not official Academy rankings and will be updated throughout the 2026–27 awards season as festivals, critics’ awards and precursor ceremonies reshape the race.

Oscars 2027 Predictions: Key Dates

Before diving into our predictions, here’s a look at the most important milestones of the 2027 Academy Awards season.

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Event	Date	Why It Matters
Eligibility period ends	December 31, 2026	Final day for films to qualify for the Oscars.
Oscar Shortlists	December 15, 2026	First official indication of contenders in selected categories.
Nomination voting	January 11–15, 2027	Academy members vote to determine the nominees.
Oscar nominations announced	January 21, 2027	The official nominees for all 23 Academy Award categories are revealed.
Final voting	February 25 – March 4, 2027	Academy members cast their final votes to determine the winners.
99th Academy Awards	March 14, 2027	Oscar winners are announced live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

How We Make Our Oscar Predictions

Predicting the Academy Awards is about far more than identifying the year’s biggest movies. Oscar history shows that Academy voters consistently reward a combination of artistic achievement, critical acclaim, festival momentum and effective awards campaigning.

For every contender, the PlayersRanked editorial team evaluates multiple factors, including:

• Previous Oscar success of the director, cast and creative team
• Festival premieres and critical reception
• Studio awards campaign strength
• Historical Academy voting trends
• Box office performance where relevant
• Industry buzz from critics, guild awards and early screenings
• Category competitiveness and nomination pathways

As the awards season develops, our rankings and winning probabilities will be updated to reflect new information. A standout premiere at Venice or Toronto, unexpected critics’ awards success or strong guild support can dramatically change the Oscar landscape long before nominations are officially announced.

At this early stage, The Odyssey enters the race as the leading Best Picture contender, but history has shown that the Academy Awards are rarely decided months in advance. Several eventual Oscar winners—including Parasite, CODA and Everything Everywhere All at Once—gained significant momentum only after the festival circuit and precursor awards

Oscars 2027 Predictions: Best Picture Power Rankings

Winning Best Picture requires much more than critical acclaim. Academy voters typically reward films that combine artistic ambition, emotional impact, technical excellence and a successful awards campaign. Festival premieres, critics’ awards and guild recognition often reshape the race, making early predictions highly fluid.

At this stage of the season, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey enters as the film to beat. However, history suggests that today’s frontrunner isn’t always the eventual winner. Films like Parasite, CODA and Everything Everywhere All at Once gained significant momentum only after the festival circuit and precursor awards.

The following rankings represent our current editorial assessment of the strongest Best Picture contenders heading into the 2027 awards season.

How to read these predictions: Our Prediction Score reflects a film’s overall awards strength based on directing pedigree, screenplay potential, technical categories, expected critical reception, festival outlook, studio campaign and historical Academy voting patterns. Winning probabilities are editorial estimates—not official odds—and will evolve throughout awards season.

Why The Odyssey Leads Our 2027 Oscars Predictions

🥇 1. The Odyssey

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 95 / 100

Winning Probability: 18%

Christopher Nolan begins the 2027 awards season in a familiar position: leading the Best Picture conversation. Following the critical and commercial success of Oppenheimer, expectations are exceptionally high for The Odyssey, Universal’s ambitious adaptation of Homer’s epic poem.

The project combines nearly every ingredient that has historically appealed to Academy voters: an acclaimed filmmaker, a literary classic, large-scale production values and the potential to compete across virtually every major category. If early reactions match expectations, The Odyssey could become one of the year’s most broadly nominated films.

Why it could win

Unlike many blockbuster productions, The Odyssey appears positioned as both a technical showcase and a prestige drama. Epic storytelling has a long history at the Academy, while Nolan’s reputation has never been stronger after finally winning Best Director and Best Picture for Oppenheimer.

The film is expected to contend in categories including:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Adapted Screenplay
• Best Cinematography
• Best Film Editing
• Best Production Design
• Best Costume Design
• Best Original Score
• Best Sound
• Best Visual Effects

Broad category strength often separates eventual Best Picture winners from films that only excel in one area.

What could hurt its chances

History also provides reasons for caution. The Academy rarely rewards the same filmmaker with consecutive Best Picture victories, particularly when expectations are extraordinarily high months before release. Large-scale epics also face the challenge of balancing spectacle with emotional storytelling—an element that frequently proves decisive during final Academy voting.

In addition, festival reception will play a crucial role. Even the strongest early favorite can lose momentum if critical consensus is less enthusiastic than anticipated.

PlayersRanked Verdict

At this stage, The Odyssey deserves its position as the frontrunner for Best Picture. Its combination of creative pedigree, technical ambition and Academy appeal makes it the film every other contender is currently chasing.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★★

Momentum: 🔥 Leading the race

2. Digger

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 92 / 100

Winning Probability: 14%

Alejandro G. Iñárritu returns to the Oscar conversation with Digger, one of the most anticipated prestige dramas of 2026. Few contemporary directors have a stronger Academy résumé. His previous films, including Birdman and The Revenant, earned multiple Academy Awards and established him as one of the industry’s most respected filmmakers.

While relatively little is known about Digger compared with some of its competitors, the combination of Iñárritu’s directing pedigree and early industry buzz is enough to place it among the strongest Best Picture contenders.

Why it could win

The Academy has consistently embraced emotionally ambitious, visually striking dramas, particularly when directed by filmmakers with an established awards track record. If Digger delivers another powerful character-driven story, it could emerge as a serious challenger across multiple major categories.

The film is widely expected to compete for:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Acting nominations
• Best Cinematography
• Best Film Editing

Strong performances could prove particularly important. Recent Best Picture winners have often benefited from multiple acting nominations, increasing overall support among Academy voters.

What could hurt its chances

Iñárritu’s filmmaking style has occasionally divided audiences. His visually ambitious approach has earned widespread acclaim but has also been criticized for prioritizing technical brilliance over accessibility.

Another challenge is timing. Without a strong festival launch or enthusiastic critical reception, Digger could struggle to maintain its early frontrunner status as new contenders emerge throughout awards season.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Few directors understand the Academy Awards better than Alejandro G. Iñárritu. If Digger resonates with both critics and industry voters, it has every opportunity to become one of the defining films of the 2027 Oscar race.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★★

Momentum: 📈 Rising

3. Wild Horse Nine

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 90 / 100

Winning Probability: 12%

Martin McDonagh has established himself as one of the Academy’s favorite contemporary writers and directors. Following the critical success of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin, expectations are naturally high for Wild Horse Nine.

McDonagh’s films consistently combine emotionally complex storytelling, unforgettable dialogue and award-worthy performances—qualities that have historically translated into strong Oscar campaigns.

Why it could win

The Academy frequently rewards films built around exceptional screenplays and ensemble acting. If Wild Horse Nine continues McDonagh’s tradition of creating memorable characters and emotionally layered narratives, it could become one of the strongest all-around contenders of the season.

The film appears well positioned in categories such as:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Best Actor
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress

Unlike effects-driven blockbusters, character-focused dramas often build momentum gradually through critics’ awards and acting guild recognition before reaching the Oscars.

What could hurt its chances

Despite multiple nominations throughout his career, McDonagh has yet to win Best Picture. His films often perform exceptionally well in screenplay and acting categories but can struggle to secure enough broad support under the Academy’s preferential voting system.

Much will depend on the emotional impact of Wild Horse Nine. If audiences connect as strongly as they did with The Banshees of Inisherin, the film could become one of the year’s biggest awards stories.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Wild Horse Nine has all the ingredients of a classic Oscar contender: an acclaimed filmmaker, awards-friendly storytelling and the potential for multiple acting nominations. It may not be the early favorite, but it has one of the highest ceilings in this year’s race.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★☆

Momentum: 📈 Rising

4. Project Hail Mary

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 88 / 100

Winning Probability: 10%

Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, Project Hail Mary is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing contenders of the 2027 awards season. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, the film combines large-scale science fiction with an emotionally driven story—an increasingly successful formula at the Academy.

While science-fiction films have traditionally found greater success in technical categories, recent Best Picture winners have shown that genre alone is no longer a barrier. If Project Hail Mary balances spectacle with compelling storytelling, it could emerge as one of the year’s biggest surprises.

Why it could win

Few films on this year’s slate appear capable of appealing equally to audiences, critics and Academy voters. The source material already has a passionate fan base, while Ryan Gosling’s involvement adds significant awards potential.

The film could realistically compete in:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor
• Best Adapted Screenplay
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Sound
• Best Original Score
• Best Production Design
• Best Film Editing

Academy voters have become increasingly receptive to intelligent blockbuster filmmaking, particularly when technical excellence is supported by emotional storytelling.

What could hurt its chances

Science-fiction remains one of the Academy’s most difficult genres in the Best Picture race. Even critically acclaimed films often dominate technical categories without converting that success into wins above the line.

Another unknown is tonal balance. If Project Hail Mary leans too heavily into spectacle or comedy, it may struggle to earn the broad industry support typically required for a Best Picture victory.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Project Hail Mary has the potential to become this year’s crossover success—combining blockbuster appeal with genuine awards credibility. It may currently sit outside the top three, but a strong festival reception or exceptional reviews could quickly elevate its position.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★☆

Momentum: 🚀 Strong

5. La Bola Negra

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 86 / 100

Winning Probability: 9%

International cinema continues to play an increasingly important role in the Academy Awards, and La Bola Negra is already attracting attention as one of the strongest non-English-language contenders of the season.

Since Parasite made history by becoming the first international film to win Best Picture, Academy voters have demonstrated a greater willingness to embrace global cinema beyond the International Feature category. More recently, films such as Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest reinforced that trend by competing across multiple major categories.

If La Bola Negra delivers the critical acclaim many expect, it could follow a similar path.

Why it could win

Prestige international productions often build momentum through major film festivals before crossing into the broader Best Picture conversation. Strong performances at Cannes, Venice or Toronto could transform La Bola Negra from an early outsider into a genuine Oscar contender.

Potential nomination categories include:

• Best Picture
• Best International Feature
• Best Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Acting categories
• Best Cinematography

International films frequently outperform expectations when critics’ groups and Academy branches unite behind a clear artistic favorite.

What could hurt its chances

The biggest obstacle is visibility. International productions require exceptionally strong distribution, sustained awards campaigning and widespread industry support to compete against major Hollywood studios.

Without a breakout festival moment or overwhelming critical consensus, La Bola Negra could remain limited to the International Feature race rather than becoming a true Best Picture challenger.

PlayersRanked Verdict

La Bola Negra represents one of the most exciting wild cards in the 2027 Oscar race. If it captures the same critical momentum enjoyed by recent international success stories, it has every opportunity to become one of awards season’s biggest climbers.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★☆

Momentum: 📈 Rising

6. Dune: Part Three

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 84 / 100

Winning Probability: 8%

Following the enormous critical success of Dune and Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve returns with Dune: Part Three, a film expected to conclude one of the most acclaimed science-fiction trilogies in modern cinema. The franchise has already established itself as an Academy favorite, collecting multiple Oscars for its technical achievements while earning Best Picture nominations for its previous installments.

The question for the third chapter isn’t whether it will receive nominations—it’s whether it can finally become a legitimate Best Picture winner.

Why it could win

Few productions combine technical craftsmanship and cinematic scale as convincingly as the Dune series. If the final chapter delivers a satisfying emotional conclusion while maintaining its extraordinary production values, Academy voters may view it as the culmination of Villeneuve’s ambitious vision.

The film is expected to contend in numerous categories, including:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Adapted Screenplay
• Best Cinematography
• Best Production Design
• Best Costume Design
• Best Original Score
• Best Sound
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Film Editing

Franchise finales occasionally benefit from voters rewarding an entire body of work rather than a single film—a factor that could work in Dune: Part Three‘s favor.

What could hurt its chances

Despite widespread acclaim, blockbuster franchises rarely win Best Picture. Academy voters often recognize them in technical categories while ultimately selecting more intimate, character-driven dramas for the night’s top prize.

Another challenge is voter fatigue. If the third installment feels too familiar or fails to raise the emotional stakes beyond its predecessors, support could shift toward fresher contenders.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Dune: Part Three appears almost certain to become one of the year’s most nominated films. While a Best Picture victory remains an uphill battle, it has stronger prospects than most blockbuster franchises thanks to Villeneuve’s artistic reputation and the Academy’s longstanding appreciation for the series.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★☆

Momentum: ➡️ Stable

7. Fjord

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 81 / 100

Winning Probability: 7%

Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu has built an international reputation for intelligent, emotionally restrained dramas that regularly earn acclaim at the world’s most prestigious film festivals. His latest project, Fjord, enters the 2027 awards season as one of the strongest early arthouse contenders.

Although films of this style rarely dominate the commercial conversation, the Academy has increasingly embraced internationally acclaimed auteur cinema in recent years. Successes such as Drive My Car, Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest demonstrate that critically celebrated festival films can now compete well beyond the International Feature category.

Why it could win

The pathway for Fjord begins with the festival circuit. Strong premieres at Cannes, Venice or Toronto could generate the critical momentum necessary to transform the film into a serious Oscar contender.

Potential nomination categories include:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Best International Feature
• Best Cinematography

Academy membership has become increasingly international over the past decade, making globally acclaimed arthouse cinema more competitive than ever before.

What could hurt its chances

Films like Fjord depend heavily on festival reception and awards campaigning. Without exceptional reviews or major critics’ prizes, quieter dramas can quickly disappear from the broader Best Picture conversation.

Commercial visibility also remains a challenge. Limited theatrical releases and smaller marketing campaigns often make it difficult for independent international productions to compete with major studio-backed contenders.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Fjord may currently sit outside the leading group of contenders, but it has one of the clearest paths to becoming awards season’s biggest surprise. If critics rally behind Mungiu’s latest work, expect this film to climb steadily throughout the Oscar race.

Awards Outlook: ★★★★☆

Momentum: 👀 Watchlist

8. The Debut

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 79 / 100

Winning Probability: 6%

Every Oscar season features at least one unexpected breakout film that exceeds expectations. In 2027, The Debut could be that surprise contender. Directed by Nadia Latif, the film has already attracted early industry attention as one of the year’s most promising original dramas.

While it lacks the built-in prestige of films from Christopher Nolan or Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Debut represents the type of fresh, filmmaker-driven project that has become increasingly popular with Academy voters in recent years. As the Academy’s membership continues to diversify, original voices and bold storytelling have become more competitive than ever.

Why it could win

Smaller prestige dramas often build momentum through exceptional reviews and strong festival premieres rather than blockbuster expectations. If The Debut emerges as a critics’ favorite, it could quickly become one of awards season’s biggest success stories.

The film could compete in categories such as:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Acting categories
• Best Film Editing

Original storytelling has become a significant advantage in recent Oscar races, particularly when paired with standout performances and strong emotional impact.

What could hurt its chances

Without major studio backing or internationally recognized stars, The Debut faces a more difficult awards campaign than many of its competitors. Smaller films often rely on sustained critical enthusiasm to remain visible throughout a long awards season.

Festival reception will therefore be crucial. Anything less than exceptional reviews could leave the film overshadowed by larger prestige productions.

PlayersRanked Verdict

At this stage, The Debut is one of the race’s most intriguing sleepers. While it remains outside the leading group of Best Picture contenders, it has significant upside if early festival reactions exceed expectations.

Awards Outlook: ★★★☆☆

Momentum: 📈 Rising

9. Mother Mary

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 77 / 100

Winning Probability: 5%

Directed by David Lowery, Mother Mary enters the Oscar race as one of the year’s most artistically ambitious productions. Starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, the musical drama has generated considerable anticipation thanks to its acclaimed cast, distinctive creative vision and original music.

Historically, films centered on music and performance have enjoyed mixed results at the Academy. While some become Best Picture contenders, others perform more strongly in acting, screenplay and music categories than in the race for the night’s biggest prize.

Why it could win

The film’s greatest strength may lie in its performances. Anne Hathaway is already an Academy Award winner, while Michaela Coel continues to be regarded as one of the industry’s most respected performers and writers. If critics respond enthusiastically, Mother Mary could build significant momentum through acting nominations.

Potential Oscar categories include:

• Best Picture
• Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Original Screenplay
• Best Original Song
• Best Original Score
• Best Costume Design

Character-driven dramas with exceptional performances often become stronger contenders as precursor awards begin recognizing individual achievements.

What could hurt its chances

David Lowery’s films have traditionally appealed more to critics than mainstream Academy voters. If Mother Mary proves too experimental or stylistically unconventional, it may struggle to secure the broad support needed for a Best Picture nomination.

The musical genre can also be unpredictable during awards season. Success often depends on balancing artistic ambition with emotional accessibility.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Mother Mary may not be among the leading Best Picture favorites today, but it has considerable potential to become an acting powerhouse. Strong performances and critical acclaim could significantly improve its position as awards season unfolds.

Awards Outlook: ★★★☆☆

Momentum: ➡️ Stable

10. Fatherland

2027 Oscar Prediction Score: 75 / 100

Winning Probability: 4%

Although relatively little has been officially revealed about Fatherland, the film has quietly appeared in several early awards conversations as a potential late-season contender. Projects with politically relevant themes or emotionally powerful historical narratives have often exceeded expectations once festival audiences and critics have seen the finished film.

At this stage, Fatherland remains one of the biggest unknowns in the Oscar race—but uncertainty can sometimes work in a film’s favor.

Why it could win

Oscar history is filled with films that entered awards season under the radar before becoming serious Best Picture contenders. If Fatherland delivers a compelling story with strong performances and timely themes, it could quickly emerge as one of the season’s biggest surprises.

Potential nomination categories include:

• Best Picture
• Best Original Screenplay
• Acting categories
• Best Director
• Best Film Editing

Films that combine emotional storytelling with social or historical relevance often resonate strongly with Academy voters, particularly when supported by positive festival reactions.

What could hurt its chances

The biggest challenge is simply the lack of available information. Without confirmed festival plans, widespread critical buzz or a clearly defined awards campaign, Fatherland remains difficult to evaluate compared with higher-profile competitors.

It also faces stiff competition from established filmmakers whose projects already dominate early prediction lists.

PlayersRanked Verdict

Fatherland enters the race as an intriguing outsider rather than a genuine frontrunner. However, every awards season produces at least one unexpected breakthrough film, and this could be one to watch closely once festival screenings begin.

Awards Outlook: ★★★☆☆

Momentum: 👀 Dark Horse

Early Best Picture Prediction: Current Oscar Power Rankings

While the race remains in its earliest stages, several clear tiers have already emerged. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey leads our current rankings thanks to its combination of prestige filmmaking, technical ambition and broad Academy appeal. Behind it, Digger and Wild Horse Nine appear best positioned to challenge for the industry’s biggest prize.

The second tier remains highly competitive. Project Hail Mary, La Bola Negra and Dune: Part Three all possess realistic paths to Best Picture nominations, although each faces different obstacles—from genre bias to campaign strength and festival reception.

Perhaps the most interesting storyline, however, is the growing influence of international cinema. Following the Academy’s increasingly global voting body and the success of films such as Parasite, Drive My Car and Anatomy of a Fall, contenders like La Bola Negra and Fjord could outperform expectations if they become critical darlings during the fall festival season.

As always, the biggest shifts are likely to come after Venice, Telluride and the Toronto International Film Festival, where many eventual Oscar winners first establish serious awards momentum.

PlayersRanked Current Best Picture Prediction

Rank	Film	Prediction
🥇	The Odyssey	Front-runner
🥈	Digger	Main challenger
🥉	Wild Horse Nine	Strong contender
4	Project Hail Mary	Rising contender
5	La Bola Negra	International threat
6	Dune: Part Three	Technical powerhouse
7	Fjord	Festival favorite
8	The Debut	Sleeper contender
9	Mother Mary	Acting-driven campaign
10	Fatherland	Dark horse

Editorial Note: Our Best Picture rankings will be updated throughout the awards season following major film festivals, critics’ awards, the Golden Globes, BAFTA, SAG Awards and the official Academy Award nominations. Early Oscar predictions should be viewed as evolving editorial analysis rather than fixed forecasts, as momentum can change dramatically between now and nomination day.

Oscars 2027 Predictions: Best Director

Winning Best Director often requires more than simply directing the year’s best film. Academy voters tend to reward filmmakers whose vision defines an entire production, combining technical excellence, storytelling and artistic ambition into a memorable cinematic achievement.

Several directors already stand out as early favorites for the 99th Academy Awards. Christopher Nolan begins the season with significant momentum following his Oscar-winning success with Oppenheimer, while Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Denis Villeneuve and Martin McDonagh all return with projects that appear tailor-made for awards recognition.

Unlike Best Picture, the Best Director category frequently recognizes bold artistic vision, even when the corresponding film falls short of winning the night’s biggest prize. Festival acclaim, critics’ awards and directorial achievements often carry more weight here than box office success.

At the moment, Christopher Nolan appears to have the strongest path toward another directing nomination. However, the race remains highly competitive, particularly if festival premieres introduce new contenders later in the year.

Oscar Predictions 2027: Best Actress

The Oscars 2027 Best Actress race already looks exceptionally competitive, with several Academy Award winners, previous nominees and internationally acclaimed performers expected to headline the conversation.

Although many leading performances have yet to be seen publicly, early industry projections suggest that established Oscar favorites could once again dominate the category. Festival premieres will likely play a decisive role, as many eventual acting winners build momentum through strong critical reviews before awards season officially begins.

Anne Hathaway (Mother Mary)

Anne Hathaway enters the season as our early Best Actress frontrunner thanks to her leading role in David Lowery’s Mother Mary. As an Academy Award winner with a proven ability to deliver emotionally layered performances, Hathaway is expected to be central to the film’s awards campaign.

If Mother Mary receives the critical acclaim many anticipate, Hathaway could become one of the strongest contenders throughout awards season.

Sandra Hüller (TBA)

Following her internationally celebrated performances in Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest, Sandra Hüller remains one of the most respected actresses working today. Even before her next project has fully entered the awards conversation, industry observers continue to view her as a potential Oscar nominee.

Should her upcoming role receive strong festival reviews, Hüller could become Germany’s leading hope for another Academy Award nomination—and possibly its first Best Actress winner.

Emma Stone (TBA)

Few actresses have enjoyed a stronger run over the past decade than Emma Stone. With multiple Oscar nominations and two Academy Awards already on her résumé, she remains a perennial contender whenever she headlines a prestige project.

Stone’s greatest advantage is her consistent ability to earn widespread support across critics’ groups and Academy voters alike, making her one of the safest predictions at this early stage.

Zendaya (TBA)

Zendaya continues to establish herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading actresses. After acclaimed performances in both blockbuster productions and character-driven dramas, many awards experts believe another prestige role could finally deliver her first Oscar nomination.

Much will depend on the strength of her upcoming project and how prominently the studio positions it during awards season.

Saoirse Ronan (TBA)

Despite receiving four Academy Award nominations before turning 30, Saoirse Ronan is still searching for her first Oscar win. Her reputation for choosing intelligent, emotionally rich roles ensures she remains a serious contender whenever she returns with a major awards-caliber film.

If her next project connects with critics, Ronan could once again find herself among the leading Best Actress candidates.

PlayersRanked Take: The Best Actress race appears considerably more open than Best Picture. While Anne Hathaway currently holds a narrow advantage, strong festival premieres or breakout performances later in the year could completely reshape the category before nominations are announced.

Oscar Predictions 2027: Best Actor

The Best Actor category is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races of the 99th Academy Awards. Several Academy Award winners, previous nominees and acclaimed leading men are expected to headline the conversation, with performances ranging from epic historical dramas to emotionally driven science-fiction adaptations.

While many contenders have yet to be seen by critics, early industry projections already point to a fascinating battle between established Oscar veterans and performers seeking their first Academy Award.

Matt Damon (The Odyssey)

Matt Damon currently leads our early Best Actor predictions thanks to his starring role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Damon has long been regarded as one of Hollywood’s most respected leading actors, earning multiple Academy Award nominations throughout his career while winning for Good Will Hunting as a screenwriter.

If The Odyssey performs as expected across major categories, Damon could benefit from the film’s overall strength. Historically, actors leading Best Picture contenders often gain significant momentum as awards season progresses.

Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary)

Ryan Gosling enters the race with one of the year’s most anticipated performances. Following acclaimed roles in Barbie, La La Land and Blade Runner 2049, he returns in a project that combines emotional storytelling with blockbuster scale.

Should Project Hail Mary resonate with critics, Gosling could become one of the strongest challengers in the category. His performance has the potential to appeal to both mainstream audiences and Academy voters.

Joaquin Phoenix (TBA)

Few actors command more respect within the Academy than Joaquin Phoenix. Every prestige project he undertakes immediately attracts awards attention, largely because of his reputation for delivering fearless, transformative performances.

Even before details of his latest role are widely available, Phoenix remains firmly among the early Best Actor favorites.

Robert Pattinson (TBA)

Robert Pattinson has successfully reinvented himself as one of the industry’s most adventurous leading actors. His collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers have steadily increased his awards credibility, and many observers believe an Oscar nomination is only a matter of time.

A strong prestige drama could finally provide the breakthrough performance Academy voters have been waiting for.

Michael Fassbender (TBA)

After several years focusing on selective projects, Michael Fassbender returns to the awards conversation with another potential prestige role. Already a two-time Academy Award nominee, Fassbender remains one of the most respected dramatic actors of his generation.

If his upcoming performance receives strong critical support, he could quickly climb these rankings.

PlayersRanked Take: Matt Damon begins the season with a slight advantage thanks to the strength of The Odyssey, but the Best Actor race remains exceptionally open. Festival premieres and critics’ awards will likely have a greater influence here than in almost any other major category.

Oscar Predictions 2027: Best Supporting Actress

The Best Supporting Actress category is traditionally one of the most unpredictable races at the Academy Awards. Breakout performances, scene-stealing roles and emotionally powerful supporting characters frequently emerge as major contenders only after audiences and critics have seen the films.

Unlike the lead acting categories, supporting races often experience dramatic shifts throughout awards season, making early predictions particularly challenging.

Michaela Coel (Mother Mary)

Michaela Coel has established herself as one of the industry’s most acclaimed creative talents, and her supporting role in Mother Mary is already generating early awards buzz. If the film performs strongly overall, Coel could become one of the category’s leading contenders.

Lily Gladstone (TBA)

Following her historic Oscar-winning breakthrough, Lily Gladstone has become one of the Academy’s most respected performers. Any prestige project she joins immediately enters the awards conversation, making her an obvious inclusion among the early favorites.

Ayo Edebiri (TBA)

Ayo Edebiri continues her remarkable rise with a series of acclaimed performances across television and film. Many awards analysts believe it is only a matter of time before she earns her first Academy Award nomination, particularly if she lands a standout supporting role in a major prestige production.

Toni Collette (TBA)

Despite consistently delivering exceptional performances throughout her career, Toni Collette remains one of Hollywood’s most overlooked actresses by the Academy. A strong supporting role could finally return her to Oscar contention.

Julianne Moore (TBA)

Academy Award winner Julianne Moore remains a perennial awards contender thanks to her remarkable consistency and ability to elevate supporting roles. Experience, industry respect and careful project selection make her a serious threat whenever she appears in a prestige film.

PlayersRanked Take: The Supporting Actress race is likely to change significantly after the fall festival season. Several breakout performances have yet to emerge, making this one of the most fluid categories in our early Oscars 2027 predictions.

Oscar Predictions 2027: Best Supporting Actor

The Best Supporting Actor category often produces some of the most memorable Oscar winners. Unlike the lead acting races, supporting performances can gain significant momentum through a handful of standout scenes, emotional impact or exceptional chemistry with the film’s leading cast.

Early predictions suggest another highly competitive field in 2027, with several Academy Award winners, previous nominees and respected character actors expected to feature prominently throughout awards season.

Tom Holland (The Odyssey)

Tom Holland could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of The Odyssey’s expected awards campaign. While best known for blockbuster roles, Holland has steadily expanded his dramatic range, and a strong supporting performance in Christopher Nolan’s epic could finally earn him his first Academy Award nomination.

If The Odyssey dominates the major categories, Holland’s chances will increase alongside the film’s overall momentum.

Jesse Plemons (Bugonia)

Jesse Plemons has become one of Hollywood’s most consistently acclaimed supporting actors. His collaborations with leading directors and ability to disappear into complex characters have made him a perennial awards contender.

If Bugonia lives up to expectations, Plemons could find himself at the center of the Supporting Actor race.

John Goodman (Wild Horse Nine)

John Goodman remains one of the industry’s most respected veteran actors. Despite decades of outstanding work, an Academy Award has continued to elude him.

Should Wild Horse Nine emerge as a major Best Picture contender, Goodman could benefit from widespread support for the film and finally receive long-overdue Oscar recognition.

Colman Domingo (TBA)

Following consecutive acclaimed performances, Colman Domingo has firmly established himself as one of Hollywood’s premier dramatic actors. His growing reputation among Academy voters makes him a serious contender whenever he appears in an awards-caliber production.

Mark Ruffalo (TBA)

Mark Ruffalo has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to elevate supporting roles, earning multiple Academy Award nominations throughout his career. His combination of emotional depth and versatility ensures he remains a constant presence in early Oscar conversations.

PlayersRanked Take: Supporting Actor is traditionally one of the most volatile Oscar categories. Expect significant movement once audiences see these performances, particularly after the major fall film festivals.

Oscar Predictions 2027: Best Original Screenplay

The Best Original Screenplay category frequently rewards bold storytelling, memorable dialogue and original ideas over blockbuster spectacle. Some of the Academy’s most celebrated films have first established themselves through exceptional writing before emerging as Best Picture contenders.

With several acclaimed filmmakers returning in 2026, this year’s screenplay race already looks particularly strong.

Wild Horse Nine

Martin McDonagh has built one of the strongest reputations in modern cinema for intelligent, emotionally layered and sharply written screenplays. His previous films have consistently earned Academy recognition, making Wild Horse Nine the early favorite in this category.

If the screenplay delivers the same balance of humor, tragedy and unforgettable dialogue that has defined McDonagh’s earlier work, it could become one of the season’s safest bets.

Digger

Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s films have often combined philosophical themes with emotionally complex storytelling. Should Digger receive the critical acclaim many expect, its screenplay is likely to become a major awards contender alongside the film’s directing and Best Picture campaigns.

Mother Mary

David Lowery has earned widespread respect for crafting visually distinctive films with deeply personal narratives. Mother Mary could become a strong screenplay contender if its emotional storytelling resonates with critics and Academy voters.

The Debut

Original storytelling has become increasingly important in recent Oscar races, and The Debut represents the kind of fresh creative voice that often performs well with writers’ groups and critics’ associations before gaining broader Academy support.

La Bola Negra

International films have become increasingly competitive in screenplay categories over the past decade. If La Bola Negra develops into one of awards season’s critical favorites, a screenplay nomination—and potentially a win—could follow.

PlayersRanked Take: Original Screenplay often serves as one of the earliest indicators of overall Best Picture strength. Films that perform well here frequently remain serious contenders throughout the entire awards season, making this one of the most important categories to watch.

Verdict: Who Will Win the Oscars 2027?

Although the 99th Academy Awards are still months away, the early awards landscape is beginning to take shape. Major studios have unveiled their biggest prestige projects, acclaimed filmmakers are returning with ambitious new films, and industry analysts are already debating which contenders have the strongest path to Oscar glory.

At this stage, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey stands as the clear frontrunner. Few films combine the same level of artistic prestige, technical ambition and Academy appeal. Following Nolan’s historic success with Oppenheimer, expectations couldn’t be higher, and if the film delivers both critically and commercially, it could dominate nominations across nearly every major category.

However, Oscar history has repeatedly shown that the race is rarely decided this early.

Films such as Digger, Wild Horse Nine and Project Hail Mary possess the quality and creative talent to challenge for Best Picture, while international contenders like La Bola Negra and Fjord could dramatically reshape the conversation after the fall festival season.

The acting races also remain remarkably open. Established Academy favorites including Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller headline our current predictions, but breakthrough performances frequently emerge between September and January, transforming the Oscar landscape almost overnight.

Perhaps the biggest lesson from recent Academy Awards is that momentum matters. Strong premieres at Venice, Telluride or Toronto, combined with success at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, BAFTA and the SAG Awards, often prove more influential than early predictions published months before nominations.

For that reason, our Oscar 2027 Predictions should be viewed as a living editorial ranking rather than a final forecast. We’ll continue updating every category as festival reactions, critics’ awards and Academy campaigns provide new insight into one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent memory.

PlayersRanked Final Oscar Predictions 2026/27

Category	Current Favorite
🏆 Best Picture	The Odyssey
🎬 Best Director	Christopher Nolan (The Odyssey)
👩 Best Actress	Anne Hathaway (Mother Mary)
👨 Best Actor	Matt Damon (The Odyssey)
👩‍🎭 Best Supporting Actress	Michaela Coel (Mother Mary)
👨‍🎭 Best Supporting Actor	Tom Holland (The Odyssey)
✍️ Original Screenplay	Wild Horse Nine
📖 Adapted Screenplay	The Odyssey
🌍 International Feature	La Bola Negra

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated regularly throughout the 2026–27 awards season as new films premiere, critics’ awards are announced and the Academy Award nominations approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is predicted to win Best Picture at the 2027 Oscars?

Based on current industry buzz and our editorial analysis, The Odyssey is the early favorite to win Best Picture at the 99th Academy Awards. Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation combines prestige filmmaking, strong technical potential and broad Academy appeal, making it the frontrunner heading into awards season.

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Which movie has the best Oscar chances in 2027?

At this stage, The Odyssey, Digger, Wild Horse Nine, Project Hail Mary and La Bola Negra appear to have the strongest overall Oscar prospects. However, the race is expected to evolve significantly following the major fall film festivals.

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Who is predicted to win Best Actress at the Oscars 2027?

Our early Best Actress prediction is Anne Hathaway for her performance in Mother Mary. Other leading contenders include Sandra Hüller, Emma Stone, Zendaya and Saoirse Ronan, although the category remains highly competitive.

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Who is predicted to win Best Actor at the Oscars 2027?

Matt Damon currently leads our Best Actor predictions for his role in The Odyssey. Ryan Gosling, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Pattinson and Michael Fassbender are also expected to feature prominently throughout awards season.

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When will the Oscar nominations for 2027 be announced?

The Academy is scheduled to announce the official 2027 Oscar nominations on January 21, 2027. Until then, all rankings represent editorial predictions based on early industry expectations, festival outlook and historical voting trends.

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When are the 2027 Academy Awards?

The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating the best films released during the 2026 eligibility period.

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How accurate are early Oscar predictions?

Early Oscar predictions provide an informed snapshot of the awards race but are far from definitive. Festival premieres, critics’ awards, guild recognition and studio campaigns often change the landscape dramatically before Academy members cast their votes.

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Which film could surprise everyone at the 2027 Oscars?

Among the current contenders, Project Hail Mary has the highest upside. Its combination of emotional storytelling, blockbuster scale and awards-friendly source material gives it the potential to outperform early expectations. International films like La Bola Negra and Fjord are also strong dark horse candidates.

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Can international films still win Best Picture?

Yes. Since Parasite became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture, international productions have become increasingly competitive across the Academy Awards. Recent films such as Drive My Car, Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest have demonstrated the Academy’s growing appreciation for global cinema.

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How often will these Oscars 2027 predictions be updated?

PlayersRanked will update these predictions throughout the awards season after major events including the Venice Film Festival, Telluride, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Golden Globe nominations, Critics Choice Awards, BAFTA Awards, SAG Awards and the official Oscar nominations.

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