Another Oscars done! And this year saw an unpredictable swing, revelations of some voters not watching films, and a surprising (not so?) winner. And now, what is next? Cannes? Venice? That is all there. And we can definitely get a new batch of contenders at these festivals. Anora was one such film that emerged from the French Riviera last year! But as of now, here are some movies to watch out for as they cement themselves in the race (Dune: Part 2, Anora) or just fizzle out (Megapolis, Joker: Folie á Deux, Gladiator II). 

Could big-budget fare like Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning earn a spot? Or will some former nominees finally get a chance at Oscar glory? We are looking at you, Paul Thomas Anderson. Perhaps there can be a first-time nominee in Robert Pattinson? Or maybe, just maybe, the Oscar’s biggest players will have a triumphant return with Daniel Day-Lewis and James Cameron leaving the Dolby Theater with golden statuettes. No. No. The duo is not part of the same movie, but there are plenty of other good ones to keep a look out for. 

It has been a three-year wait. Not much, if one remembers the 13-year-long wait from 2009 to 2022 to return to Pandora. Jake and Neytiri’s adventures took them from the forest tribes (home of the Omaticaya) to the ocean tribes (Metikanaya). Now, come December, we will see the Ash People. As James Cameron has promised a move away from the humans-bad and Na’Vi-good narrative, there will be lines blurred with jealousy, hate, and distrust emerging in Avatar 3. This can be something Academy voters lap up; audiences will definitely be hooked, ensuring its box office success. 

Based on the combined 12 Oscar nominations for the prequels, expect Avatar: Fire and Ash to feature heavily at the 98th Oscars. Whilst the likes of former nominee Sigourney Weaver and reigning Supporting Actress Oscar winner Zoe Saldana may not get acting nods since performance capture roles have historically not received love from voters, the film is expected to do well in screenplay and various below-the-line categories. James Cameron could also be in with a shout of at least a nomination, ending his 16-year wait for one since the first Avatar film. 

Possible nominations: Film, Director, Visual Effects, Sound, Editing 

Paul Thomas Anderson! Sean Penn! Leonardo DiCaprio! That is quite a line-up with the director having his own overdue narrative going for him. Anderson has received 11 nominations (5 Screenplay, 3 Director, 3 Best Picture) across 6 films (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread, Licorice Pizza). Considering his strength in the screenplay section, One Battle After Another could be a big player in the Adapted Screenplay category come the next award swing. 

Should Paul Thomas Anderson get the nod for directing, he can also join some elite company to get nominations for 3 successive films. Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed) comes to mind as a director with 3 consecutive films getting director nominations. To note, ‘Marty’ won for the third. Can Anderson follow up nods for Phantom Thread and Licorice Pizza with one for One Battle After Another? 

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DiCaprio’s role of Bob may not be something to top his work in The Revenant, but his co-star Sean Penn’s turn as Colonel Steven J Lockjaw (the film's villain) is certainly in with a shout of at least a nomination. Should this happen, it will mark the actor’s first nomination in 17 years. Also, a win, should his performance be appreciated by his peers, would see him get his third Oscar.  

Possible nominations: Film, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, Score

Wicked ended with Elphaba embracing her Wicked Witch of the West persona and ‘Defying Gravity’ to set up the sequel with The Wizard, Madame Morrible, and Glinda looking to stop her for their own reasons. Expect the musical delight to return to the Oscars next year, especially as the story will see loss, sacrifice, and justice prevail. Also, the tie-in to The Wizard of Oz (nominated in 1940) in the second half of the stage musical adaptation can lure voters back to this musical. 

The tough thing here is to get nominations for playing the same character. It has been done just 6 times in Oscar history. So what can the makers do to allow the duo a shot at glory? Expect Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to get an original number, to highlight their talents and open up the film for eligibility in a few more categories. 

No, we do not know this for sure, but Dreamgirls (2006) had four original songs, and Wicked: For Good also can. Erivo and Grande’s opening medley will ensure this film will definitely be at the forefront of voters’ minds even though it just took home two trophies. 

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Possible Nominations: Film, Director, Lead Actress, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Score, Cinematography, Editing

Daniel Day-Lewis. That is enough to get the award consideration, right? Think about it- In The Name of The Father, My Left Foot, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, and more. Did you by any chance hear the line “I drink your milkshake” when reading this list? Yeah, it is his aura and the absolute delight cinephiles would have had when they realized Phantom Thread was not to be his last role. 

Remember Day-Lewis’ previous return from retirement? On that occasion, he played William ‘Bill The Butcher’ Cutting in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, famously refusing modern medicine and a warm coat, as they would not be in line with his character. He gets that invested into his character, almost as if he is living his role rather than acting. 

This time around Day-Lewis has not done something so extreme (we hope) as his comeback film focuses on the “dynamics of familial bonds,” particularly the intricate relationships between brothers, fathers, and sons. What makes it so anticipated? Well, the legend has co-written it and deemed it worthy enough to end his retirement. Considering how picky Day-Lewis has been, with just 6 films since 2000, this one has something that he has deemed worthy. Enough said. 

Possible nominations: Lead Actor, Film, Screenplay 

The Academy has a soft spot for biographies about musical icons. Just look at their track record in the last decade itself and you'll see Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody, and A Complete Unknown all featuring in the Best Picture race. Insert the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson’s story and we got a pathway to nomination glory. What is common with all these three films? Their actors all got a lead actor nomination for transforming themselves into the character. This is where Michael’s lead actor, Jaafar Jackson, has an advantage. First of all, he looks the part. 

In playing his uncle, Jaafar will have something more than just doing his duty as a professional. That will be there, but the role can be personal and the expectations will be high, especially as the King of Pop’s mother has said to The Hollywood Reporter, “Jaafar embodies my son. It's so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.”

The film also stars perennial Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson. The 55-year-old actor will play a prominent role considering the film will follow ‘MJ’ right from The Jackson 5 to the time he began rehearsing for This Is It. 

Possible nominations: Film, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Score, Screenplay

Guillermo Del Toro’s return to feature films (after his Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities project) for the first time since Pinocchio is sure to have buzz for all the right reasons. A former winner for 2017's The Shape of Water, the Mexican auteur returns with Frankenstein. This is like the director playing to his strengths with a monster film, which also features a strong cast, including Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Charles Dance, and former two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz. The latter, thanks to his work in the Bond films, can be in the good graces of voters to potentially secure yet another supporting actor nomination. 

It remains to be seen how meaty his role is, and whether the film will actually be seen or go the Dune: Part Two way. I mention the Dune sequel in this manner as Del Toro’s film will also be a visual delight and be in with a shout of nods in below-the-line categories. 

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Possible nominations: Film, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design. 

Hamnet can be the vehicle to get Chloe Zhao back to the Oscar stage; this time with a larger audience at hand to witness the festivities. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, the film will see Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley play William and Agnes Shakespeare. Primarily focusing on their life after the death of Hamnet, it can be an exploration of grief and the catalyst that drove William Shakespeare to move from writing comedies to penning tragedies. 

The film's release date is yet to be announced at the time of writing. But with production having wrapped up last September, expect Hamnet to hit screens this year; possibly at the fall Festivals. 

Possible nominations: Film, Director, Screenplay, Costume Design, Lead Actress, Score

Apple will look to use this film as a vehicle to secure a second Oscar. And they are in with a good shot as F1 is that sporting drama with an A-lister like Brad Pitt front and center. Top this up with the technical aspects that a racing film will allow and F1 can accelerate to glory at the Oscars. 

Brad Pitt plays a former driver who has returned to the paddock after years to mentor a younger racer. Given this basic description, the Academy Award winner has a meaty role to explore. His character can be wistful as he watches younger men live out his dreams. His character can also be bitter at the past and even harsh towards his mentee as he does not want to see Damson Idris’ character go the same way.  

Possible nominations: Film, Director, Editing, Sound, Cinematography, Visual Effects

Bong Joon-ho is back for the first time since 2019’s Parasite and his new film hits cinemas this week. Starring Robert Pattinson as the titular character in a double role means just that much more time for him on screen, which can lead to some award buzz should this film make the right noise. And why won't it? 

Remember how Joon-ho rode a wave of support to the Oscar for the 2020 ceremony? Combine that with him returning to a familiar genre and that is a recipe for success. Add in the fact that Mickey 17 has a strong supporting cast in Steven Yuen, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, and the film may have hit gold here. 

Possible nominations: Film, Lead Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Visual Effects Production Design

Luca Guadagnino’s next film starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield could be a major player come the 2026 Awards swing. It has been described as a thriller/drama which focuses on a student leveling an accusation against a teacher. While his colleague is at a crossroads, she must grapple with the possibility of a secret from her own past potentially emerging. 

With Amazon MGM bankrolling the film, expect significant resources towards campaigning should it hit the mark with critics and audiences alike. And when it comes to timing, nothing beats a fall release. 

Possible nominations: Film, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Screenplay. 

Honorable Mentions: Zootopia 2, If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You, Marty Supreme, The Smashing Machine