We are approaching the finale of awards season quickly with the Oscars in less than two weeks. As the film industry adjusts to the Covid-19 pandemic, we certainly have seen a higher release slate of films and with that, a higher caliber array of films in the Oscar-mix. As the industry is in a rebuilding phase, it isn’t expected that the Best Picture category will be as stacked as recent years prior to the pandemic. Still, there is some fantastic work that has been done and rightfully so, will be celebrated. Here are our will win, could win & should win Oscar predictions.
My main criticism in this awards season would be how consistent and straightforward the awards circuit has been with the winners. It seems like the majority of the award categories have already been decided by the preceding awards shows. That isn’t to imply the frontrunners for these categories are less deserving than others, it simply hinders my enjoyment on Oscar night as you foresee the majority of the winners. However, it is Oscar night and inevitably, there will be some surprises on the way to the Best Picture.
Here are our will win, could win & should win Oscar predictions.
Best Picture
- Belfast
- CODA
- Don’t Look Up
- Drive My Car
- Dune
- King Richard
- Licorice Pizza
- Nightmare Alley
- The Power of the Dog
- West Side Story
Will Win: The Power of the Dog
Could Win: Belfast
Should Win: West Side Story
Best Director
- Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog
- Ryusuke Hamaguchi – Drive My Car
- Kenneth Branagh – Belfast
- Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza
- Steven Spielberg – West Side Story
Will Win: Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog
Could Win: Kenneth Brannagh – Belfast
Should Win: Steven Spielberg – West Side Story
Best Actress
- Nicole Kidman – Being the Ricardos
- Olivia Colman – The Lost Daughter
- Kristen Stewart – Spencer
- Penelope Cruz – Parallel Mothers
- Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Will Win: Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Could Win: Nicole Kidman – Being the Ricardos
Should Win: Kristen Stewart – Spencer
Best Actor
- Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power of the Dog
- Andrew Garfield – Tick, Tick … Boom!
- Will Smith – King Richard
- Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth
- Javier Bardem – Being the Ricardos
Will Win: Will Smith – King Richard
Could Win: Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power of the Dog
Should Win: Andrew Garfield – Tick, Tick … Boom!
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Ariana DeBose – West Side Story
- Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog
- Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard
- Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter
- Judi Dench – Belfast
Will Win: Ariana DeBose – West Side Story
Could Win: Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog
Should Win: Ariana DeBose – West Side Story
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Ciaran Hinds – Belfast
- Troy Kotsur – CODA
- Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog
- Jesse Plemons – The Power of the Dog
- J.K. Simmons – Being the Ricardos
Will Win: Troy Kotsur – CODA
Could Win: Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog
Should Win: Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog
Best International Feature
- Drive My Car
- Flee
- The Worst Person in the World
- The Hand of God
- Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
Will Win: Drive My Car
Could Win: The Worst Person in the World
Should Win: Drive My Car
Best Original Screenplay
- Licorice Pizza
- Belfast
- Don’t Look Up
- King Richard
- The Worst Person in the World
Will Win: Licorice Pizza
Could Win: Belfast
Should Win: Don’t Look Up
Best Adapted Screenplay
- The Power of the Dog
- The Lost Daughter
- CODA
- Drive My Car
- Dune
Will Win: The Power of the Dog
Could Win: CODA
Should Win: Dune
Best Production Design
- Dune
- Nightmare Alley
- The Power of the Dog
- West Side Story
- The Tragedy of Macbeth
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: West Side Story
Should Win: Nightmare Alley
Best Cinematography
- Dune
- Nightmare Alley
- The Tragedy of Macbeth
- The Power of the Dog
- West Side Story
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: The Power of the Dog
Should Win: West Side Story
Best Visual Effects
- Dune
- Free Guy
- No Time to Die
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Should Win: Dune
Best Original Song
- ”No Time to Die” – No Time to Die
- “Dos Oruguitas” – Encanto
- “Be Alive” – King Richard
- “Down to Joy” – Belfast
- “Somehow You Do” – Four Good Days
Will Win: “No Time to Die” – No Time to Die
Could Win: “Dos Oruguitas” – Encanto
Should Win: “Be Alive” – King Richard
Best Animated Feature
- Encanto
- The Mitchells vs The Machines
- Flee
- Raya and the Last Dragon
- Luca
Will Win: Encanto
Could Win: The Mitchells vs The Machines
Should Win: The Mitchells vs The Machines
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Coming 2 America
- Cruella
- Dune
- House of Gucci
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Will Win: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Could Win: Cruella
Should Win: Cruella
Best Film Editing
- King Richard
- Don’t Look Up
- Dune
- The Power of the Dog
- Tick, Tick … Boom!
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: The Power of the Dog
Should Win: Tick, Tick … Boom!
Best Original Score
- Dune
- The Power of the Dog
- Encanto
- Don’t Look Up
- Parallel Mothers
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: The Power of the Dog
Should Win: Dune
Best Sound
- Dune
- West Side Story
- No Time to Die
- The Power of the Dog
- Belfast
Will Win: Dune
Could Win: No Time to Die
Should Win: Dune
Best Costume Design
- Dune
- Cruella
- Nightmare Alley
- West Side Story
- Cyrano
Will Win: Cruella
Could Win: Dune
Should Win: Cruella
