The Academy Awards season, while often lengthy and complex, plays a vital role in Hollywood by incentivizing studios to invest in more artistically challenging projects. However, this year’s ceremony has been extended into mid-March due to scheduling conflicts with the Winter Olympics, prolonging an already extensive awards cycle.
Despite some exhaustion with the process, the quality of films released in 2025 has been a highlight. Two films, One Battle After Another and Sinners, have emerged as front-runners for Best Picture, generating significant attention amidst industry changes and corporate mergers. One Battle has received widespread acclaim since its September release, while Sinners, released nearly a year prior, continues to be a topic of conversation, leading to closely contested races in several categories.
Best Actress
Nominees: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Emma Stone (Bugonia)
Jessie Buckley is widely considered the front-runner for this award, having gained momentum since the premiere of Hamnet at the Telluride Film Festival in August. The film is also nominated for Best Picture, and Buckley is seen as a rising star favored by the Academy. While Rose Byrne’s performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You was a personal favorite, that film is considered too divisive for her to win.
Who Will Win: Jessie Buckley
Who Ought to Win: Rose Byrne
Best Actor
Nominees: Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
The race for Best Actor is expected to be tight, with Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan emerging as the leading contenders. Both actors are relatively new to A-list status and have collaborated with up-and-coming directors. Chalamet was a strong contender last year and achieved box-office success with Marty Supreme, but momentum has shifted towards Jordan due to his more understated presence and a recent win at the Actor Awards. Wagner Moura is considered a dark horse, having won a surprise Golden Globe for his role in The Secret Agent.
Who Will Win: Michael B. Jordan
Who Ought to Win: Wagner Moura
Best Supporting Actress
Nominees: Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
This category is another close contest, potentially indicating the Academy’s preference for Best Picture. Teyana Taylor’s performance in One Battle After Another and Wunmi Mosaku’s in Sinners have both been highlighted, with Mosaku winning the BAFTA for Supporting Actress. However, Amy Madigan is currently considered the front-runner for her role in Weapons, marking a potential comeback for the veteran actress.
Who Will Win: Amy Madigan
Who Ought to Win: Teyana Taylor
Best Supporting Actor
Nominees: Benicio del Toro (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
This category has seen several shifts in predictions. Benicio del Toro won many critics’ awards for his performance in One Battle After Another, while Jacob Elordi received the Critics’ Choice Award for Frankenstein and Stellan Skarsgård won the Golden Globe. Sean Penn has gained momentum after winning the BAFTA and the Actor Award.
Who Will Win: Sean Penn
Who Ought to Win: Benicio del Toro
Best Original Screenplay
Nominees: Robert Kaplow (Blue Moon); Jafar Panahi, Nader Saïvar, Shadmehr Rastin, and Mehdi Mahmoudian (It Was Just an Accident); Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme); Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value); Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
Ryan Coogler is the front-runner for this award for his operate on Sinners, potentially setting the stage for a successful career. It Was Just an Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi, could be a spoiler, but Coogler is expected to win.
Who Will Win: Ryan Coogler
Who Ought to Win: Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominees: Will Tracy (Bugonia), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell (Hamnet), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar (Train Dreams)
Paul Thomas Anderson is favored to win for his adaptation of One Battle After Another, praised for its skillful blending of tones. Chloé Zhao’s previous Oscar wins may diminish her chances, as may the softer support for Hamnet overall.
Who Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson
Who Ought to Win: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Director
Nominees: Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
Paul Thomas Anderson is the strong favorite for Best Director, having received 14 Oscar nominations throughout his career. His long-standing respect within the industry and lack of previous wins position him as a likely recipient.
Who Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson
Who Ought to Win: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Picture
Nominees: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, Train Dreams
One Battle After Another is widely predicted to win Best Picture, having accumulated numerous awards from the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and BAFTAs. While Sinners remains a strong contender, One Battle has maintained its lead throughout the awards season.
Who Will Win: One Battle After Another
Who Ought to Win: One Battle After Another
Frequently Asked Questions
What films are leading the nominations this year?
One Battle After Another and Sinners are the two front-runners for Best Picture, and have generated significant attention throughout awards season.
Who is predicted to win Best Actor?
Michael B. Jordan is predicted to win Best Actor for his performance in Sinners.
Which film is favored to win Best Picture?
One Battle After Another is widely expected to win Best Picture, having received numerous accolades from industry organizations.
As the awards season culminates, what impact will these accolades have on the future projects and careers of the nominated artists and filmmakers?
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