2026 Oscar Predictions: 'Sinners' vs 'One Battle After Another' in wheel-to-wheel race to win big
The Oscars are one such marquee award that firmly stamps elite status for any actor, director, or writer in Hollywood. With the 98th Academy Awards coming in fast, the race for best film heats up between 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' with fans and critics divided on which film might sweep the silverware. The awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. Ahead of the much-awaited event, we predict the winner in each of the major categories, and our gut says it's a 'Sinners' sweep in the offing.
Best Picture - 'Sinners'
Nominees: 'Bugonia', 'F1', 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'One Battle After Another', 'The Secret Agent', 'Sentimental Value', and 'Train Dreams'.
Why: Horror and music? Who would have thought? 'Sinners' was one of the complete films last year with the right blend of perfect storytelling, impressive cast performances, scintillating cinematography, and, of course, a commercial success. This makes it our choice to win Best Picture.
Best Director - Ryan Coogler ('Sinners')
Other nominees: Chloé Zhao ('Hamnet'), Josh Safdie ('Marty Supreme'), Paul Thomas Anderson ('One Battle After Another'), and Joachim Trier ('Sentimental Value').
Why: Brilliant storytelling and masterful direction have been bedrocks of Coogler's success. With 'Sinners' it was on another level that no 2025 cinema could reach.
Best Actor - Michael B. Jordan ('Sinners')
Other nominees: Timothée Chalamet ('Marty Supreme'), Ethan Hawke ('Blue Moon'), Leonardo DiCaprio ('One Battle After Another'), and Wagner Moura ('The Secret Agent')
Why: Jordan, as twins, Smoke and Stack, has perhaps outdone himself compared to his previous roles. His ability to switch characters at consummate ease makes him a hands-down favorite
Best Actress - Jessie Buckley ('Hamnet')
Other nominees: Rose Byrne ('If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'), Kate Hudson ('Song Sung Blue'), Renate Reinsve ('Sentimental Value'), and Emma Stone ('Bugonia')
Why: Buckley delivered a raw and emotionally-charged performance in 'Hamnet', especially in the birth scene with the twins, which makes her a frontrunner.
Best Supporting Actor - Delroy Lindo ('Sinners')
Other nominees: Benicio Del Toro ('One Battle After Another'), Jacob Elordi ('Frankenstein'), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value), and Sean Penn ('One Battle After Another').
Why: Lindo's Delta Slim is a musical legend with his harmonica adding more jazz to the juke joint. His chemistry with Jordan and Miles Caton as a man in love with his music makes him a solid candidate.
Best Supporting Actress - Amy Madigan ('Weapons')
Other nominees: Elle Fanning ('Sentimental Value'), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas ('Sentimental Value'), Wunmi Mosaku ('Sinners'), and Teyana Taylor ('One Battle After Another')
Why: Madigan's portrayal as Aunt Gladys is chilling at best, and the horror film's success has a lot to do with the actress playing the evil bewitching the children in spine-chilling fashion.
