As we navigate through a stellar year of cinema, the race for the 2026 Academy Awards is already heating up. From legendary directors returning to the big screen to bold indie features that have captured our hearts, the landscape of the "Best Picture" category is looking incredibly diverse. At MovieDoors, we’ve been tracking every release, festival buzz, and critical shift to bring you our definitive early list of frontrunners.
The following films represent the pinnacle of storytelling, technical mastery, and emotional depth. Whether they are blockbuster sequels that redefine their genres or intimate dramas that speak to the human condition, these 15 titles are the ones we believe will be standing tall when the nominations are announced. Join us as we break down why these films deserve their place in the spotlight of the 98th Oscars.
The Frontrunners: 2026 Oscar Predictions for Best Picture
1. One Battle After Another: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Masterpiece
Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a sprawling, paranoid action-thriller set in 1930s California. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a washed-up revolutionary, this film is a technical marvel with a 95% critical rating. Its blend of dark comedy and high-stakes drama makes it a lock for Best Picture. DiCaprio’s transformative performance and PTA’s visionary direction are simply undeniable, making this the film to beat this season.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 5/5Read our full review: One Battle After Another Review
2. Hamnet: A Heartbreaking Historical Contender
Chloé Zhao returns to her indie roots with this breathtaking adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. Centered on the life of Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, played brilliantly by Jessie Buckley, the film explores grief and the inspiration behind Hamlet. Zhao’s signature naturalistic style combined with Paul Mescal’s supporting turn creates a poetic experience that the Academy traditionally rewards. It’s a profound, visually stunning meditation on loss and legacy.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 5/5Read our full review: Hamnet Review
3. Sinners: Ryan Coogler’s High-Stakes Genre-Bender
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan reunite for a supernatural horror set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta. As the most financially successful and critically beloved film of the year, Sinners proves that genre films can be prestige art. Its exploration of racial history and African folklore, wrapped in a terrifying vampire narrative, is exactly the kind of bold storytelling the Oscars have embraced lately.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 5/5Read our full review: Sinners Review
4. Marty Supreme: Timothée Chalamet’s Career-Best Performance
Josh Safdie goes solo to direct this energetic biopic loosely based on ping-pong legend Marty Reisman. Timothée Chalamet delivers a manic, captivating performance that has "Best Actor" written all over it. The film’s vibrant 1950s New York setting and Safdie’s relentless pacing create a unique cinematic rhythm. It’s a stylish, character-driven story that showcases the obsession required to be the best in the world.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 5/5Read our full review: Marty Supreme Review
5. Frankenstein: Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic Triumph
Guillermo del Toro’s lifelong passion project finally arrives on Netflix, and it is a visual feast. Oscar Isaac as Victor and Jacob Elordi as the Monster provide a fresh, empathetic take on Mary Shelley’s classic. The film’s "Grand Opera" feel and impeccable production design make it a heavy hitter for technical categories and Best Picture. It is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of creation and abandonment.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 5/5Read our full review: Frankenstein Review
6. Sentimental Value: Joachim Trier’s Emotional Family Portrait
Following the success of The Worst Person in the World, Joachim Trier returns with a deeply personal drama. Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård star in this story about an actress and her estranged director father. The film’s intelligence and emotional honesty resonated deeply at festivals. Trier’s ability to capture the complexities of family trauma and artistic ego makes this a strong candidate for international and main categories.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4.5/5Read our full review: Sentimental Value Review
7. Jay Kelly: Baumbach’s Relatable Comedy-Drama
Noah Baumbach teams up with George Clooney and Adam Sandler for a poignant look at aging, legacy, and friendship. Following a famous actor traveling through Europe, the film balances Baumbach’s witty dialogue with genuine moments of reflection. The chemistry between Clooney and Sandler is electric, offering a grounded, human story that balances the more "epic" contenders on this list. It is a sophisticated, heartwarming crowd-pleaser.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4/5Read our full review: Jay Kelly Review
8. Wicked: For Good: The Epic Musical Conclusion
The second half of Jon M. Chu’s adaptation is a massive achievement in musical filmmaking. With even higher stakes and the emotional payoff of "For Good," this film is poised to dominate the craft categories. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande continue to elevate the source material, ensuring that Wicked remains a cultural phenomenon. Its sheer scale and technical perfection make it a very likely Best Picture nominee.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4/5Read our full review: Wicked: For Good Review
9. It Was Just an Accident: Jafar Panahi’s Powerful Statement
After winning the Palme d'Or, Jafar Panahi’s latest work is a frontrunner for Best International Feature and potentially Best Picture. This meta-narrative about filmmaking under oppression is both a political statement and a love letter to cinema. Its critical acclaim and the director’s real-world bravery make it a compelling narrative for Academy voters. It is a stark, essential film that demands to be seen.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4.5/5Read our full review: It Was Just an Accident Review
10. Avatar: Fire and Ash: James Cameron’s Visual Revolution
James Cameron returns to Pandora, and the results are predictably spectacular. While the first two films were nominated for Best Picture, Fire and Ash introduces a darker, more complex side of the Na'vi. The technical innovations in underwater and fire effects are groundbreaking. Cameron’s ability to pair massive spectacle with a sincere environmental message ensures this blockbuster will be a major player in the 2026 race.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4/5Read our full review: Avatar: Fire and Ash Review
11. Bugonia: Lanthimos’s Bizarre Sci-Fi Satire
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone continue their winning streak with this black comedy about a CEO suspected of being an alien. As a remake of a cult classic, Lanthimos injects his signature weirdness and sharp social commentary. Jesse Plemons and Stone are a formidable duo, and the film’s unique tone offers something completely different from the traditional Oscar bait. It’s daring, uncomfortable, and utterly brilliant.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4/5Read our full review: Bugonia Review
12. The Secret Agent: A Brazilian Thriller with Global Appeal
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s latest film is a tense, politically charged thriller that has taken the festival circuit by storm. Set in 1970s Brazil, it follows an agent caught in a web of surveillance and paranoia. The film’s sharp direction and atmospheric cinematography have drawn comparisons to classic 70s American thrillers. It is a sophisticated genre piece that proves Brazilian cinema is currently at its creative peak.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4.5/5Read our full review: The Secret Agent Review
13. No Other Choice: Park Chan-wook’s Gripping Return
The visionary director of Oldboy and Decision to Leave returns with a thriller that is as beautiful as it is brutal. Known for his meticulous framing and complex plots, Park Chan-wook’s latest work is being hailed as a "masterclass in tension." The film’s global popularity and critical pedigree make it a strong contender to follow in the footsteps of Parasite as a cross-over international hit.
Our MovieDoors Rating:Read our full review: No Other Choice Review
14. Train Dreams: A Quiet, Soulful Epic
Based on the novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a laborer in the American West. Joel Edgerton gives a stoic, heartbreaking performance that anchors the film’s episodic structure. It is a "small" film with "big" themes of isolation, progress, and the passage of time. Its quiet power has made it a favorite among critics who appreciate old-school, soulful filmmaking.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4/5Read our full review: Train Dreams Review
15. Blue Moon: Richard Linklater’s Passionate Biopic
Richard Linklater’s decade-long development of this project has finally paid off. Starring Ethan Hawke as the legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart, the film is a vibrant, musical exploration of creative genius and self-destruction. Linklater’s humane approach to storytelling and Hawke’s lived-in performance make this a strong late-season contender. It is a nostalgic yet honest look at the golden age of Broadway and the cost of art.
Our MovieDoors Rating: 4.5/5Read our full review: Blue Moon Review
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