It’s that time of year again… Sort of. With the 2025 Oscars just wrapping, I guess it’s time for some wild guesses and some not-so-educated predictions. The 2026 Oscars are shaping up to be one for the books, with a mix of indie darlings, blockbuster juggernauts, and some absolute wildcards (cough The Rock cough). So, without further ado, let’s get into my top picks for this year’s nominees!

Best Actor: Dwayne Johnson Enters the Ring

Yes, you read that right. I fully believe that 2026 is the year Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson finally gets his first Oscar nomination for The Smashing Machine. Directed by the ever-intense Benny Safdie, this gritty biopic follows the rise and struggles of MMA legend Mark Kerr. The film, co-starring Emily Blunt, has been described as “extraordinary” by industry insiders. If there’s one thing we know about the Academy, it’s that they love a transformative performance, and Johnson has bulked up (even more, if that’s humanly possible) and gone deep into character study for this one. Could he finally lay the smackdown on an Oscar? I say yes.

Other Best Actor Contenders:

It won’t be an easy win, though. This category is stacked with heavyweight contenders:

• Willem Dafoe for Late Fame
• Oscar Isaac for Frankenstein
• Paul Mescal for Hamnet
• Jeremy Allen White for Deliver Me From Nowhere

Spotlight on The Smashing Machine and Deliver Me From Nowhere

The Smashing Machine is already making waves for its unflinching portrayal of Mark Kerr’s MMA career and personal life. With Safdie’s signature chaotic-yet-intimate directing style, it’s set to be a gut-punch of a film—both literally and emotionally.

Meanwhile, Deliver Me From Nowhere takes us inside the making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album, with Jeremy Allen White tackling the role of The Boss himself. Given the Academy’s love for music biopics (Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, A Complete Unknown), this one feels like a shoo-in for multiple nods.

Best Actress: Wicked Witches and Emma Stone’s Next Masterpiece

Wicked: Part One cleaned up at this year’s Oscars with 10 nominations, and Wicked: For Good is set to follow suit. Expect Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) to land major nods again, and the Academy might see this as their chance to make up for snubbing director Jon M. Chu the first time around, by nominating him in 2026. Plus, between the music, costumes, and production design, this film is poised to dominate the technical categories.

Meanwhile, in the world of twisted auteur cinema, Emma Stone looks like a frontrunner for Bugonia. Teaming up once again with Yorgos Lanthimos and Jesse Plemons, this film is said to be even weirder than Poor Things. Given that Stone is now a two-time Oscar winner and an Academy favorite, she might just be on her way to another.

Other Best Actress Contenders:

• Jessie Buckley for Hamnet
• Lucy Liu for Rosemead
• June Squibb for Eleanor the Great

Best Picture & Best Director: Chloé Zhao’s Time to Shine (Again)

If there’s one name that should be on everyone’s Oscar radar, it’s Chloé Zhao. Having already won Best Director and Best Picture for Nomadland, Zhao is back with Hamnet, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about the life of Shakespeare. This historical drama is said to be beautifully shot, deeply emotional, and a likely favourite among Academy voters.

Final Thoughts: Who’s Taking Home the Gold?

While the 2026 Oscars is still, pretty much, a year away, the race is heating up fast. Will The Rock finally smell what Oscar gold feels like? Will Jeremy Allen White keep his awards streak going? Will Wicked: For Good cast a spell on voters?

One thing’s for sure—I’ll be watching, analyzing, and probably downing four Red Bulls just to stay awake. Stay tuned for more predictions, breakdowns, and rants as awards season continues!