Films in the Oscar race and predictions for Best Picture
Ten films are contending for the Best Picture Oscar, a field that reflects a broad spectrum of storytelling. Drama, biopics, science fiction, satire, and action all sit at the table, united by sharp scripts, standout performances, and directing that earns attention. The excitement surrounds the ceremony, which unfolds at dawn on March 13 in Spain and will stream to audiences in Canada and the United States. The lineup demonstrates how variety in tone and genre can coexist under one prestigious umbrella, with the shared goal of cinema that resonates deeply with viewers and critics alike .
The front runner appears to be Everything Everywhere All at Once, created by the Daniels, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. In some circles this film is described as an independent science fiction work that leads with eleven nominations, signaling strong traction across multiple categories and a wide recognition of its creative audacity .
Following the surprise surge of Everything Everywhere All at Once, audiences also see formidable contenders such as The Banshees of Inisherin by Martin McDonagh and All Quiet on the Western Front by Edward Berger, each with nine nominations as the season approaches its climax. Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, holds eight nominations, while The Fabelmans from Steven Spielberg claims seven, and Top Gun: Maverick lingers with six hopefuls on the board, underscoring the year’s mix of prestige and blockbuster appeal .
The Daniels team is represented in multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan, Best Supporting Actress for Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu, as well as recognition for production design, score, original song, and screenplay. The breadth of nominations highlights a film’s capacity to traverse technical excellence and emotional depth across a wide awards map .
Spielberg also makes the cut among the top directors, joined by Todd Field for tar and Ruben Östlund for Triangle of Sadness in a notable director category that mirrors the film’s broader presence across the night’s awards. The best picture race remains crowded with titles such as All Quiet on the Western Front, Elvis, The Banshees of Inisherin, and the heavyweights Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick continuing to draw attention for their scale and cultural impact .
The film set inherits a robust slate of contenders across categories, signaling a year of strong performances and memorable craftsmanship. The Best Picture field is framed by narratives that range from intimate character studies to sweeping epic adventures, with the Daniels’ work emblematic of contemporary, boundary-pushing storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences .
Among the most closely watched races is the best actor category, featuring Austin Butler for Elvis and Colin Farrell for The Banshees of Inisherin as leading rivals. Other strong contenders include Brendan Fraser for The Whale, Paul Mescal for Aftersun, and Bill Nighy for Living, all of whom have garnered major awards recognition and contribute to a competitive field that many observers expect to be decided by a combination of year-end exhibitions and critical consensus .
In the best actress race, Cate Blanchett is aiming for a second Oscar for her work in Tár, joined by Ana de Armas for Blonde, Andrea Riseborough for To Leslie, Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans, and Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The supporting categories bring strong names like Angela Bassett for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Hong Chau for The Whale, and Kerry Condon for Inisherin, illustrating a field rich with varied performances and national backgrounds .
The best supporting actor lineup features Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan from The Banshees of Inisherin, Brian Tyree Henry for Causeway, Judd Hirsch for The Fabelmans, and Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once, showcasing a mix of veteran gravitas and fresh energy that audiences have embraced across different genres .
In the animation category, Guillermo del Toro returns to the podium with Pinocchio, contending with Domee Shi’s Red, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On by Dean Fleischer Camp, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish by Joel Crawford, and The Sea Monster by Chris Williams. International cinema presents strong efforts like Argentina, 1985 by Santiago Mitre, Close (Belgium), EO (Poland), The Quiet Girl (Ireland), and No News on Front (Germany) in the best international feature race, signaling a diverse global footprint in this year’s awards cycle .
Original songs have star power too, with Lady Gaga performing Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick and Rihanna offering Lift Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Other notable songs include Naatu Naatu from RRR, This Is Life from Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Applause along with Tell It Like a Woman, highlighting the musical scope that accompanies the ceremony’s pomp .
As the nominations tally grows, the excitement around the Oscars remains high across North America, where fans, critics, and industry professionals eagerly discuss the likely winners. The combination of crowd-pleasing blockbusters and intimate dramas in this year’s field hints at a ceremony that will both honor cinematic craft and celebrate storytelling that resonates on a personal level for audiences in Canada and the United States .