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”
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