ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The 98th Academy Awards are almost here. Before Hollywood’s biggest night commences, take a look at our predictions for what will win and what should win Oscar gold. Plus, print out a ballot to play alongside our predictions.

Pruett’s predictions

 

Download here: Oscars Ballot 2026

What will win and should win in the above-the-line categories

Best Picture

Nominees: “Bugonia,” “F1,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value,” “Sinners,” “Train Dreams”

What will win: “One Battle After Another” – Read our review

What should win: “One Battle After Another”

Best Director

Nominees: Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value,” Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet,” Ryan Coogler, “Sinners,” Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another,” Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”

Who will win: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

Who should win: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

Best Actor

Nominees: Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme,” Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another,” Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon,” Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners,” Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”

Who will win: Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners” – Read our review

Who should win: Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon” – Read our review

Best Actress

Nominees: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet,” Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue,” Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value,” Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

Who will win: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”

Who should win: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees: Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another,” Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein,” Delroy Lindo, “Sinners,” Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another,” Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”

Who will win: Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”

Who should win: Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value,” Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value,” Amy Madigan, “Weapons,” Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners,” Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Who will win: Amy Madigan, “Weapons” – Read our review

Who should win: Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Best Original Screenplay

Nominees: “Blue Moon,” “It Was Just an Accident,”  “Marty Supreme,” “Sentimental Value,” “Sinners”

Who will win: Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”

Who should win: Jafar Panahi, “It Was Just an Accident” – Read our review

Best Adapted Screenplay

Nominees: “Bugonia,” “Hamnet,” “Frankenstein,” “One Battle After Another,” “Train Dreams”

Who will win: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

Who should win: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”