Young Critic· 2 min read
2026 Oscar Predictions
Young Critic's Predictions for the Academy Awards
Best Picture:
Will Win: One Battle After Another
Should Win: One Battle After Another
Could Win: Sinners
Best Director:
Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Should Win: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Could Win: Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
Best Lead Actor:
Will Win: Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
Should Win: Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
Could Win: Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
Best Lead Actress:
Will Win: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Should Win: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Could Win: Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You)
Best Supporting Actor:
Will Win: Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
Should Win: Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
Could Win: Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
Best Supporting Actress:
Will Win: Amy Madigan (Weapons)
Should Win: Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Could Win: Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Best Original Screenplay:
Will Win: Sinners
Should Win: It Was Just An Accident
Could Win: Sentimental Value
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Will Win: One Battle After Another
Should Win: Bugonia
Could Win: Hamnet
Best Editing:
Will Win: One Battle After Another
Should Win: One Battle After Another
Could Win: F1
Best Cinematography:
Will Win: One Battle After Another
Should Win: Train Dreams
Could Win: Sinners
Best Sound:
Will Win: Sinners
Should Win: Sirāt
Could Win: F1
Best Animated Film:
Will Win: K-Pop Demon Hunters
Should Win: Little Amelie or the Character of Rain
Could Win: Zootopia 2
Best International Film:
Will Win: Sentimental Value (Norway)
Should Win: It Was Just An Accident (Iran)
Could Win: The Secret Agent (Brazil)
Best Documentary Feature:
Will Win: The Perfect Neighbor
Should Win: The Perfect Neighbor
Could Win: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Best Original Score:
Will Win: Sinners
Should Win: Sinners
Could Win: One Battle After Another
Best Original Song:
Will Win: "Golden" (K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Should Win: "I Lied to You" (Sinners)
Could Win: "I Lied to You" (Sinners)
Best Visual Effects:
Will Win: Avatar: Fire & Ash
Should Win: Avatar: Fire & Ash
Could Win: F1
Best Live Action Short:
Will Win: Two People Exchanging Saliva
Should Win: The Singers
Could Win: The Singers
Best Animated Short:
Will Win: Butterfly
Should Win: Butterfly
Could Win: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Best Documentary Short:
Will Win: All the Empty Rooms
Should Win: All the Empty Rooms
Could Win: Armed Only With a Camera
Best Production Design:
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Marty Supreme
Could Win: Sinners
Best Costume Design:
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Frankenstein
Could Win: Sinners
Best Make-Up and Hairstyling:
Will Win: Frankenstein
Should Win: Frankenstein
Could Win: Sinners
Best Casting:
Will Win: Sinners
Should Win: Marty Supreme
Could Win: One Battle After Another