This year could go one of two ways — Sinners or One Battle. I’m going with One Battle. But if I am wrong, I’m going to be very wrong. One Battle is a more traditional choice. But Sinners has the momentum. On a side note — go watch The Singers (in the live-action short film category). It’s great.
Okay. Here are my picks for the 2026 Academy Awards…
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Will Win: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
Should Win: Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Will Win: Sean Penn, One Battle after Another
Should Win: Sean Penn, One Battle after Another
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Will Win: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Should Win: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Will Win: Amy Madigan, Weapons
Should Win: Teyana Taylor, One Battle after Another
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Will Win: KPop Demon Hunters
Should Win: KPop Demon Hunters
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Will Win: One Battle after Another
Should Win: One Battle after Another
CASTING
Will Win: Sinners
Should Win: The Secret Agent
COSTUME DESIGN
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Frankenstein
DIRECTING
Will Win: One Battle after Another, Paul Thomas Anderson
Should Win: One Battle after Another, Paul Thomas Anderson
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Will Win: The Perfect Neighbor
Should Win: The Perfect Neighbor
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Will Win: All the Empty Rooms
Should Win: All the Empty Rooms
FILM EDITING
Will Win: One Battle after Another
Should Win: One Battle after Another
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Will Win: Sentimental Value
Should Win: It Was Just an Accident
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Frankenstein
ORIGINAL SCORE
Will Win: Sinners, Ludwig Goransson
Should Win: Sinners, Ludwig Goransson
ORIGINAL SONG
Will Win: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
Should Win: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
BEST PICTURE
Will Win: One Battle after Another
Should Win: One Battle after Another
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Hamnet
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Will Win: Butterfly
Should Win: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Will Win: Two People Exchanging Saliva
Should Win: The Singers
SOUND
Will Win: F1
Should Win: F1
VISUAL EFFECTS
Will Win: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Should Win: F1
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Will Win: One Battle after Another, Paul Thomas Anderson
Should Win: Hamnet, Chloé Zhao & Maggie O'Farrell
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Will Win: Sinners, Ryan Coogler
Should Win: It Was Just an Accident, Jafar Panahi