PREDICTIONS: 99th Academy Awards (AUGUST 2026)

I will keep most of this short and sweet in the preface given my predictions haven’t changed THAT much since last month but there are some intriguing new inclusions. Has my belief in Michael’s chances remained sturdy? Are we in for a Digger shut-out? What is going on in Best Actress? All the film fests are next month: which hot contender will fall due to bad reviews and which one will surge out of nowhere?

Artificial: Nothing yet happening as of note with this one, but Variety has moved Andrew Garfield into Supporting as opposed to Lead, possibly revealing that Altman will not be the main character of the film as many supposed.

By Any Means: The Diane Warren Oscar campaign film has been chosen. Most guaranteed nomination of the year, even over The Odyssey in Best Picture. Wrote this in my predictions in permanent ink and will not move it out. At least it’s not among her worst song nominations! It’s leagues better than “Applause” or “The Fire Inside”!

Ebenezer: No, this isn’t here because I think Johnny Depp has any chance at Best Actor or anything, but it does seem like it will be a Makeup showcase and a likely nominee everyone will shrug at until it makes the bake-off. X (2022), also from Ti West, had extraordinary, awards-worthy makeup that went sadly unrecognized by voters, and perhaps this is their shot at redemption.

Elsinore: There is something brewing with this whole film, I can just feel it. Not just the hyped Andrew Scott performance, but Focus Features might have another sturdy Best Picture contender on their hands. If so, that could boost Scott into possibly winning contention.

The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth: I hate kinda this title, but we did get confirmation of its Thanksgiving IMAX release and Christmas Netflix drop. It still feels like a one-tech-nomination movie and not much else, but I hope for it to be a great time.

Michael: Don’t dismiss this movie, still, but I am calming my “Michael Best Picture” fears for now. It all depends on the quality of its upcoming competition. That said, a PGA nomination is still extremely likely. It’s going to lurking around the bubble line the whole season.

Misty Green: On paper, a Chris Rock directed drama doesn’t automatically spell Oscar, but he is a surprisingly assured filmmaker and making a film about a character who is an actress will draw eyes from Academy voters. It’s the solid trailer, the NYFF inclusion, and Rosalind Eleazar’s brewing lead actress buzz that catapulted this into everyone’s radar.

A Place in Hell: MOVED TO 2027? Well, RIP Michelle Williams’ career Oscar.

Saturn Return: ALSO moved to 2027.

Onto my predictions…

BEST PICTURE
Behemoth! (Searchlight Pictures)
The Debut (A24)
Dune Part Three (Warner Bros.)
Elsinore (Focus Features)
Fjord (NEON)
The Invite (A24)
La Bola Negra (Netflix)
The Odyssey (Universal Pictures)
Project Hail Mary (Amazon MGM)
Wild Horse Nine (Searchlight Pictures)

Alt: Michael

Alt: Martin McDonaugh (Wild Horse Nine)

Alt: Tom Cruise (Digger)

Alt: Sandra Huller (Rose)

Alt: John Goodman (Digger)

Alt: Penelope Cruz (La Bola Negra)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Behemoth!
The Debut
Elsinore
Fjord
Wild Horse Nine

Alt: Obsession

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
All of a Sudden
The Invite
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Project Hail Mary

Alt: Ink

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
All of a Sudden
Fjord
La Bola Negra
Minotaur
Possible Love

Alt: Coward

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
American Doctor
Birds of War
The History of Concrete
Nuisance Bear
Once Upon A Time in Harlem

Alt: To Hold a Mountain

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Iron Boy
Ray Gunn
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Hollow
Toy Story 5
Wildwood

Alt: Tangles

BEST CASTING
Being Huemann
Fjord
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Wild Horse Nine

Alt: The Debut

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Digger
Dune
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Project Hail Mary

Alt: Disclosure Day

BEST EDITING
Behemoth!
Dune Part Three
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Wild Horse Nine

Alt: Project Hail Mary

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Digger
Dune Part Three
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Project Hail Mary

Alt: The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth
La Bola Negra
Michael
The Odyssey
Sense & Sensibility

Alt: Wuthering Heights

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING
The Bride!
Ebenezer
Michael
The Odyssey
Wicker

Alt: Digger

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Dune Part Three
The Odyssey
Project Hail Mary
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Whalefall

Alt: Godzilla Minus Zero

BEST SOUND
Behemoth!
Dune Part Three
Michael
The Odyssey
Project Hail Mary

Alt: Whalefall

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Debut
Disclosure Day
La Bola Negra
The Odyssey
Wild Horse Nine

Alt: Project Hail Mary

Alt: “Runway” | The Devil Wears Prada 2

Thoughts? Predictions of your own? Like and or comment below! Thank you for reading!