"25 Films Expected to Win Oscars, and Where to Watch Them"

As the film awards season heats up, Hollywood stars are gearing up for a series of high-profile ceremonies. Among the leading contenders for the Oscars are Marty Supreme, Hamnet, and Wicked: For Good, signaling a competitive year ahead.

The Golden Globe nominations, often seen as the first key marker of the season, will reveal which films are gaining momentum when announced on 8 December. The awards season will continue with the BAFTA Film Awards and the recently rebranded Actor Awards (formerly SAG), culminating with the Oscars on 15 March.

Many frontrunners premiered at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Telluride, though a few, including Avatar: Fire and Ash, are yet to debut this year.

Major Contenders and Where to Watch

• A House of Dynamite [Netflix]: A missile threatens Chicago, sparking a tense race to prevent disaster. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson. Available now on Netflix.
• After The Hunt [Amazon Prime Video]: A college student accuses her professor of sexual assault, placing another teacher in a difficult position. A psychological thriller with Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, directed by Luca Guadagnino. Streaming now.
• Avatar: Fire and Ash [20th Century Studios]: The Na'vi face a hostile new tribe in James Cameron's latest sci-fi installment, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaa. UK cinemas from 19 December.
• Blue Moon [Sony Pictures Classics]: Ethan Hawke portrays lyricist Lorenz Hart, struggling with addiction and mental health challenges before the premiere of Oklahoma!, directed by Richard Linklater. Now in UK cinemas.
• Bugonia [Universal]: Two young conspiracy theorists abduct a pharmaceutical CEO they believe is an alien. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos with Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. Available in UK cinemas and digital rental from 1 December.
• Christy [Black Bear]: The true story of boxer Christy Martin and her husband's attempted murder. Directed by David Michd, starring Sydney Sweeney. Showing now in UK cinemas.
• Die My Love [Mubi]: A young couples life is upended by parenthood in a rural setting. Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, directed by Lynne Ramsay. In UK cinemas now.
• F1 [Warner Bros]: A former racing driver returns to the track 30 years after a career-ending accident. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, starring Brad Pitt. Streaming on Apple TV+ from 12 December.
• Frankenstein [Netflix]: Guillermo del Toros adaptation of Mary Shelleys novel, featuring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Now available on Netflix.
• Hamnet [Universal]: In 1596, the death of Shakespeares son drives both parents into grief. Directed by Chlo Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. UK cinemas from 9 January 2026.
• Is This Thing On? [Searchlight]: A man turns to stand-up comedy while navigating a divorce. Stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern. UK cinemas from 30 January 2026.
• It Was Just An Accident [Les Films Pelleas]: A man confronts a former torturer from Iran, directed by Jafar Panahi, winner at Cannes. UK cinemas from 5 December.
• Jay Kelly [Netflix]: A popular actor reflects on family life he missed while pursuing his career. Stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler, directed by Noah Baumbach. Netflix from 15 December.
• Kpop Demon Hunters [Netflix]: A girl group protects fans from a demon-possessed boyband. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Streaming now on Netflix.
• Marty Supreme [Getty Images]: In 1950s New York, table tennis player Marty Reisman rises to fame. Directed by Josh Safdie, starring Timothe Chalamet. UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.
• One Battle After Another [Warner Bros]: A father reunites with former revolutionaries after his daughter is kidnapped. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In UK cinemas and digital rental now.
• The Secret Agent [Victor Juca]: A Brazilian tech expert on the run during 1977 seeks safety in Recife, pursued by hitmen. Starring Wagner Moura, directed by Kleber Mendona Filho. UK cinemas from 20 February 2026.
• Sentimental Value [Mubi]: Two sisters reconnect with their distant father, a renowned director, following their mothers death. Directed by Joachim Trier, starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgrd, and Elle Fanning. UK cinemas from 26 December 2026.
• Sinners [Warner Bros]: Twin brothers return to the Mississippi Delta in 1932, unaware of the evil force awaiting them. Directed by Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B Jordan. Digital rental now available.
• The Smashing Machine [A24]: Fighter Mark Kerr rises in the 1990s UFC, amid a complicated relationship with partner Dawn Staples. Directed by Bennie Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. In UK cinemas now.
• Song Sung Blue [Focus Features]: Two tribute band performers fall in love while impersonating famous musicians. Directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.
• Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere [20th Century Studios]: Young Bruce Springsteen chooses introspective songs over hits for his 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper, starring Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong. In UK cinemas now.
• Train Dreams [Netflix]: A railroad worker experiences love and tragedy over a life of long journeys. Directed by Clint Bentley, starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones. Available on Netflix now.
• Weapons [Warner Bros]: After most of a school class vanishes mysteriously, the community questions the cause. Directed by Zach Cregger, starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Amy Madigan. Digital rental now available.
• Wicked: For Good [Universal]: Elphaba lives in exile while Glinda enjoys fame in Oz following 2024's events. Directed by Jon M Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Showing now in UK cinemas.

Commentary: A Competitive Road to the Oscars

As the film awards season heats up, the stakes have never been higher. With a host of major contenders vying for recognition, the industry is bracing for an intense race toward the Oscars. Titles such as Marty Supreme, Hamnet, and Wicked: For Good have already emerged as frontrunners, signaling a fiercely competitive year ahead.

The Golden Globe nominations, which will be revealed on December 8, will provide crucial insight into which films are garnering the most momentum. The Golden Globes are often considered a bellwether for the larger awards season, giving us a clearer picture of which films could dominate as we move towards the Academy Awards on March 15.

It is worth noting that many of the leading contenders have already made waves at major festivals, such as Cannes, Venice, and Telluride. However, a few highly anticipated releases—such as Avatar: Fire and Ash—are still awaiting their debut, leaving the door open for new surprises. Whether these unshown films can live up to expectations will be key in shaping the final nominations.

For viewers, the lineup of movies is diverse, ranging from tense thrillers like A House of Dynamite to deeply emotional dramas like Hamnet. As the awards season unfolds, the real question will be: which film can maintain its momentum and secure a place in Oscar history?

Sources:

• 25 Oscar-tipped films, and how to watch them