Final Oscar Predictions (Part 3) — Acting, Directing, Writing & Best Picture | ACADEMY ANONYMOUS

In this episode of ACADEMY ANONYMOUS, we conclude our FINAL OSCAR PREDICTIONS (Part 3), breaking down the Academy Awards’ most talked-about races — Directing, Screenwriting, Acting, and Best Picture.

Pundits insist these categories are “locked,” but history says otherwise. We’re tracking the hidden vulnerabilities, surprise snubs, and late-stage breakthroughs that could define nomination morning — and help you perfect your Oscar ballot.

We analyze the 2026 Oscar contenders in:

Best Casting

The Academy’s newest category: Will voters default to the status quo, or can two international films crash the party and make a statement?

Best Adapted Screenplay

Can anyone crack the consensus five — from Mary Shelley and Denis Johnson adaptations to Hamnet, Alien Bosses, and the ever-present PTA?

Best Original Screenplay

Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke threaten to spoil spots long reserved for celebrated international films, while Sinnersand Marty Supreme ride undeniable momentum.

Best Supporting Actor

Beyond the perceived “safe” picks (One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value), are Paul Mescal or Jacob Elordi far more vulnerable than expected? And who’s waiting to capitalize on a major snub?

Best Supporting Actress

A volatile three-way race anchors the category, but the final slots are wide open. Can recent SAG snubs be overcome? Are surprise veterans or pop-culture wildcards ready to surge? Expect chaos.

Best Actor

The most competitive acting race of the year — and someone big is missing. Is it Michael B. Jordan or Joel Edgerton? Can Jesse Plemons convert SAG momentum? Is Wagner Moura truly safe?

Best Actress

Buckley is the clear frontrunner, while Chase Infiniti carries the category’s strongest momentum. Renate Reinsve capitalizes on European love, while Rose Byne defeats the odds. The final slot becomes a high-stakes showdown between a favorite and a comeback-gal.

Best Director

Clear locks, international threats, shocking snubs, and one potential jaw-dropper that could redefine the race entirely.

Best Picture

Studio heavyweights, Netflix contenders, acclaimed international films, and underdogs all feel “safe”… but only one slot remains. Will it go to another daring foreign-language breakout or a late-career auteur passion project?

If you want to understand where the Oscar races are actually fragile, and where the Academy is most likely to surprise, this is the episode to hear before nomination morning.

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Final Oscar Predictions — Shorts, Documentary, Sound, VFX & Makeup | ACADEMY ANONYMOUS

In this episode of ACADEMY ANONYMOUS, we continue our FINAL OSCAR PREDICTIONS (Part 2), breaking down some of the Academy Awards’ most volatile categories — where surprises, snubs, and late-breaking momentum define the race.

We analyze the 2026 Oscar contenders in:

Live-Action Short Film — socially and politically urgent stories dominate, but can comedy or crowd-pleasers break through?

Animated Short Film — why adult-driven animation should outperform traditional, family-friendly shorts

Documentary Short Film — films reflecting current U.S. political and social unrest lead the field

Documentary Feature — the most unpredictable branch of the Academy, where presumed frontrunners are always at risk

Best Visual Effects — blockbuster spectacle regains control as prestige titles like Frankenstein and Sinners miss key ground

Best Sound — One Battle After Another and Sinners feel secure, while Sirât challenges Avatar: Fire and Ash

Best Makeup & Hairstyling — why international films and transformative real-life portrayals have the advantage

Whether you’re filling out an Oscar ballot, tracking awards season momentum, or just love dissecting the Academy Awards, this episode dives deep into the races most likely to shock on nomination morning.

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On this episode of ACADEMY ANONYMOUS:

• The DGA reveals the top five favorites for the Oscars Best Picture race
• SENTIMENTAL VALUE gets shutout at the Screen Actors Guild Actors Awards
• Cinematographers prefer MARTY SUPREME over HAMNET
• WEAPONS, F1 fly at the Producers Guild Awards while AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH and WICKED: FOR GOOD flop
• BUGONIA staging a major Oscar comeback with impressive showing at British Academy’s BAFTA Awards
• Final predictions for Best Animated Feature
• Dreamworks’ THE BAD GUYS 2 and Pixar’s ELIO duel for final spot in Animated Feature race
• Can French animation rule at the Oscars with ARCO, LITTLE AMELIE and A MAGNIFICENT LIFE?
• Final Predictions for Best Original Score
• Decoding the connection between Best Picture and the Original Score category
• MARTY SUPREME beat too new age for Oscars’ music branch?
• F1 and SIRĀT likely enemies across Oscar categories, face-off for final slot in Original Score
• Final Predictions for Best Original Song
• Stephan Schwartz to finally get back into Song race with WICKED: FOR GOOD
• Double nominations for SINNERS for Original Song?
• Diane Warren hunts for first competitive Oscar win
• Final Predictions for Best Costume Design
• A loophole in the Costume category might leave a Best Picture favorite on the outs
• HEDDA and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN targeting an upset
• Final Predictions for Best Production Design
• AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH and WICKED: FOR GOOD duel for scraps among production design favorites
• Final Predictions for Best Cinematography
• Not enough space for Best Picture frontrunners FRANKENSTEIN, MARTY SUPREME and HAMNET
• Final Predictions for Best Film Editing
• Breaking down the “veteran” issue smothering the film editing category
• F1 to test editor’s love for racing films
• Final Predictions for Best International Film
• NEON films tries to wrap up the rare perfect category with ALL 5 nominations!
• Venice Film Festival and THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB to haunt the fate of NO OTHER CHOICE

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