Excited for Oscars 2026? Here are the Early Contenders

While Oscars 2026 is still far away, award season watchers are already buzzing about who’s going to bring home a golden statue. If you’re already planning your viewing party or need some new movies to stream during the weekend, we’ve got you covered. Here are the films and actors already making waves as early Oscar contenders.  

Wicked was nominated for Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars, so there’s a chance that Wicked: For Good will be nominated again next year.

Wicked’s Jon M. Chu was snubbed for Best Director last Oscars. It’s kind of ironic that the director who made the film that received ten nominations (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects) and won two for costume and production design, was not acknowledged for his work. Hopefully, he'll get the recognition he deserves for Oscars 2026.

Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners gained critical and commercial success and broke the record for being the highest-rated vampire movie. Naturally, we see Jordan earning a nomination, given that he played dual roles in the film. That said, he has his work cut out for him, with other great actors also vying for the same award.

Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress this year but lost to Mikey Madison. She might have another chance during the Oscars 2026 and if she wins it will make her an EGOT winner (finally).   

We are predicting that Sinners will get a lot of nominations, including one for Delroy Lindo.  

Like Erivo, Ariana Grande was also nominated as Best Supporting Actress for Wicked, so there’s a high possibility that she will be nominated again.  

Oscars 2026 is scheduled on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien returning to host once more.