2026 Oscar Picks

There was a lot to love about movies from 2025. So much so that I have a hard time picking a favorite in a few categories. In others, my favorite was settled months ago. Horror was well represented this year with nominations in multiple categories which makes me a happy horror fan. Without further ado, I present my winners for this year’s Academy Awards if I was picking them because I don’t always agree with what’s popular.

Adapted Screenplay

• My Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another. Hard category, but I’m calling it. I’m not even putting in a backup.

Original Screenplay

• My Winner: Ryan Cooglar, Sinners. Not putting in a backup here either. Deserves to win, hands down.

Technical Categories

• Visual Effects: Avatar Fire and Ash
• Sound: F1
• Production Design: Frankenstein
• Makeup and Hairstyling: The Ugly Stepsister (Frankenstein in a close second)
• Costume Design: Frankenstein
• Film Editing: F1 with One Battle After Another in about a tie.
• Cinematography: One Battle After Another

Animated Feature

• My Winner: Elio
• Likely to win: KPOP Demon Hunters

International Film

• My Winner: Sentimental Value
• Close Second: It Was Just an Accident

Acting Awards

• Casting: Sinners
• Actress in a Supporting Role: Amy Madigan, Weapons
• Actor in a Supporting Role: Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
• Actress in a Leading Role: my pick is Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, but Jessie Buckley is likely winning this for Hamnet because momentum and very few people saw Rose Byrne’s movie.
• Actor in a Leading Role: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

Best Director

• My Winner: Ryan Cooglar, Sinners
• Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another (I’m more than okay with this win, see the best picture category)

Best Picture

I don’t know if I’ve ever had a harder time picking a winner. Frankenstein, Sinners, and One Battle After Another are all equal in my mind. Each deserves a win here, but someone has to reign supreme.

• My Winner: One Battle After Another
• Who currently has momentum for the win: Sinners