Where The Oscar Race Is Right Now! Who Is On Top and Who Could Take The Gold!

While there is so much time left before the Oscars the campaigning is in full swing. The field is starting to crystallize, though it’s still early in the race. A few themes to note:

• Several films are rising ahead of the pack for major categories like Best Picture and Best Director, including One Battle After Another, Hamnet and Sinners. WPTZ+4AwardsWatch+4Variety+4

• Actors and performances are also generating early buzz — for example, the contenders list for Best Actor that has been published includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. AwardsWatch

• A more global and diverse field than in past years: foreign-language films and non-traditional genres are getting more traction this cycle. The Washington Post+1

• Timing matters: even though some films premiered or screened at early festivals, the later the release (closer to awards voting) and the longer this “buzz” is maintained, the stronger the chances. AwardsWatch+1

• But: a caveat that many things can still shift — release date changes, campaign strategies, festival receptions, streaming deals, etc., all can influence nominations and wins.

Top 10 Contenders

Here are ten films/performances (in no strict ranking) I’m keeping on my radar for 2026, based on current buzz and trade coverage. Some are heavy hitters, others wild-cards.

Final thoughts

We’re still building toward nomination day, and there’s plenty of shake-up ahead. The Top 10 above isn’t set in stone — think of it as the shortlist of films/performances already gathering momentum. Some others will creep in, some may fade.