As the late, great actress Catherine O’Hara once said, “My favorite season of the year has always been the awards.” 2025 was a phenomenal year for the cinema, and awards season always serves as a beautiful wrap-up to the film year. As the Oscars premiere in about a month, I wanted to go over some of the categories, their nominees, who I think should win, and most importantly, who the award’s going home with. Let’s get started!
Best Picture
Biggest award of the night out of the way, this category has 10 nominees: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams. Now, I’ll be honest, I haven’t had the time to watch all of these yet (I was almost certain Avatar: Fire and Ash would be nominated instead of F1). But, theres clear contenders already. Going off of Golden Globe wins a few months back, Hament, One Battle After Another have a huge chance, having taken home Best Picture in the Comedy or Musical category and Drama category. However, many suspect Sinners might take it home, having been nominated for 16 awards total (breaking the record overall). My personal pick would be Sinners. A truly beautiful film that not only made its statement in 2025 culture, but had incredibly important messages as well. As for my prediction, I’m split between Sinners and One Battle After Another, since the latter includes a lot of Academy favorites. However, as you will notice throughout this year’s nominations, this category is pretty up in the air. Every film here has something to say and is truly an experience in itself.
Best Actor
Let’s start with Best Actor. This category is stacked, but my conversation has basically come down to two names: Michael B. Jordan and Timothee Chalamet. My personal pick is Michael B. Jordan. His performance this year was his most layered yet, mixing emotional vulnerability with a level of intensity that felt career-defining. Still, if we’re talking prediction, I have to go with Chalamet. People have been betting for him to win an Oscar for years at this point, and after just missing the win last season, this one feels locked in for him. But honestly, either of these wins would be well-deserved.
Best Actress
The Best Actress conversation has been pretty much closed this season, and for one very important reason: Jessie Buckley. From the moment Hamnet premiered last fall, she’s been sweeping every major trophy in sight. Critics, audiences, and voters seem to all agree with each other this season. My pick and my prediction are both Buckley. It’s the kind of performance the Academy loves: raw, haunting, and anchored by an emotional honesty that lingers long after the credits roll.
Best SUpporting aCTOR
In direct contrast, Best Supporting Actor is a major tossup this year. My picks here are Delroy Lindo or Benicio del Toro, both the emotional core of their films and giving audiences someone to latch onto during the chaos. Del Toro brought a quiet power to his role that reminded me why he should have two Oscars by now, while Lindo delivered something subtle and sharp that cut deep. As for predictions? It’s completely up in the air. The other contenders, Stellan Skarsgård in particular (who took home the Golden Globe), all have an equal chance of sneaking up. The unpredictability almost makes it more fun to watch unfold.
Best SUpporting Actress
Finally, Best Supporting Actress might be one of the most emotional categories this year. My personal pick goes to Wunmi Mosaku, who gave one of those quiet, affecting performances that hold everything else together. She doesn’t overplay it, and that restraint makes her work all the more powerful. My final prediction, for now, is on Teyana Taylor. She’s been everywhere this year, and the Academy often leans toward breakout narratives like hers, even if she wasn’t in much of the film.
All in all, this Oscar season feels like one defined by passion and unpredictability. Some races feel locked; others are wild cards, but that’s what makes it thrilling. Whether voters go sentimental or bold, 2026’s winners are shaping up to tell a story about risk, reinvention, and recognition finally arriving where it’s long been deserved.