Tom Cruise for ‘Digger’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
Preview:
Warner Bros. has made its big presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
Among the movies touted were ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Dune: Part III’
The likes of Tom Cruise and James Gunn showed up to lobby exhibitors.
After a hugely successful 2026 in terms of both box office and awards, Warner Bros. arrives at CinemaCon with a bigger story looming over its head –– the future. With the Paramount merger inching closer, there will of course be questions about the new regime’s plans, even as the likes of David Ellison maintain that the studio’s output will be boosted.
Host Patton Oswalt at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
With Patton Oswalt as the host (who joked that he wanted to join the DC Universe), this is what was presented…
Before any of the big announcements, we got word from Warner Bros. film bosses Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy that the studio is launching a new label called Warner Clockwork, whose first production is ‘Anora’ director Sean Baker‘s next project, ‘Te Amo!’.
A sizzle reel celebrating last year’s accomplishments was followed by an even more exciting one for 2027, including some big casting news dropped for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’…
We’ve been waiting for you, precious. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum only in theaters 17 December 2027. pic.twitter.com/FuD8Bh8cpl
(L to R) Tom Cruise and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu for ‘Digger’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu kick off the 2026 portion of the show with their collaboration, ‘Digger’. Cruise heaped praise on his director, with the filmmaker explaining that he got the idea for the new movie nine years ago and started discussing it with the actor seven years ago. Cruise, according to him was the only choice.
The movie tells of most powerful man in the world as he embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.
(L to R) Ewan McGregor as Greg Platt, Christian Convery as Brian Platt, Maisy Stella as Audrey Platt and Anne Hathaway as Denise Platt in in ‘The End of Oak Street’, a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
It features the Platt family, who band together to navigate their new surroundings after a cosmic event transports their suburban neighborhood to someplace unknown. Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor lead the cast, but the presentation was mostly an extended trailer.
The New Line segment was kicked off with the next ‘Evil Dead’ movie, this one directed by Sébastien Vanicek, but again it was largely limited to some early footage, which featured some familiar ideas, including the Book of the Dead.
A scene from 2026’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’. Photo: Warner Bros.
The audience were all supplied with Thing wigs, trumpeting the arrival of a trailer for the new animated take on the Dr. Seuss classic. This one features Bill Hader as the voice of the cat.
Next up was DC Studios, with producer and co-CEO Peter Safran on stage to introduce it (director and co-chief James Gunn is a little busy, as production on the ‘Superman’ follow-up ‘Man of Tomorrow’ starts next week.
The first project to cover was ‘Clayface’, about the Batman antagonist, which Safran described as more focused on character than genre. He showed off the first footage from the movie.
(L to R) Jason Momoa, director Craig Gillespie, Milly Alcock, and producer Peter Safran for ‘Supergirl’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
While we have to wait until October for ‘Clayface’, the next DC Studios film out of the gate is ‘Supergirl’, starring Milly Alcock as Superman’s wilder cousin. She, director Craig Gillespie and co-star Jason Momoa (playing outer space vigilante Lobo) took the stage to talk up the film –– Momoa on a motorcycle! A new scene from the movie was screened.
(L to R) Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock for ‘Practical Magic 2’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock showed up to tout the witchy sequel, mentioning their shared appreciation for director Susanne Bier and how the production rebuilt the original movie’s house. What can we expect? “Midnight margaritas, jumping off the roof, and also have our past catching up with us,” according to Kidman. “We have our destinies, and the family. I think it’s going to be really, really fun.”
After some talk about how the characters are inspiring, the first teaser trailer was shown.
Timothée Chalamet for ‘Dune: Part Three’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
The big finish was, somewhat naturally, the new ‘Dune’, with director Denis Villeneuve taking the stage accompanied by Fremen warriors. Villeneuve said he made the movie “1,000%” for the fans, and the audience was treated to the first seven minutes of the movie.
Accompanied by the likes of Zendaya, Momoa and notorious opera-disliker Timothée Chalamet, Villeneuve showed off a battle scene that promises some suitably epic action.
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And that’s all, folks!
(L to R) Tom Cruise and Jason Momoa at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: David Jon @davidjonphotography.
It’s time to return to Arrakis: Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the first teaser trailer for ‘Dune: Part Three,’ director Denis Villeneuve’s concluding chapter in the epic cinematic trilogy adapted from the landmark sci-fi novels by Frank Herbert.
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As you can see from viewing the trailer, ‘Dune: Part Three’ – which is due out on Dec. 18, 2026 and is based on Herbert’s second novel, ‘Dune Messiah’ – is just as immense and immersive a film experience as 2021’s ‘Dune‘ and 2024’s ‘Dune: Part Two,‘ both of which were nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards.
Just in these two minutes, the screen practically explodes with vast vistas of armies battling in the desert, spaceships rocketing through the void, and Paul ‘Muad’Dib’ Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the leader of the Arrakis native people known as the Fremen and now emperor of the universe, facing not just the galactic war he has unleashed but the prospect of parenthood with the Fremen warrior Chani (Zendaya).
(L to R) Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, director Denis Villeneuve, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
In addition to Chalamet and Zendaya, cast members returning from the first two films include Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck), Javier Bardem (Stilgar), Rebecca Ferguson (Lady Jessica), Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan), and Jason Momoa, who plays a somewhat different version of his deceased character, Duncan Idaho.
New cast members include Anya Taylor-Joy as Paul’s mysterious and powerful sister Alia, Isaach de Bankolè as Paul’s former personal fedaykin (commando) Farok, and Robert Pattinson as Scytale, a member of a secretive society known as the Tlielaxu who can mimic any other human’s identity and leads a conspiracy to assassinate Paul.
Moviefone was present as Denis Villeneuve, Zendaya, Pattinson, Bardem, and Taylor-Joy premiered the trailer for press at an event in Los Angeles, and here’s what we discovered from them about ‘Dune: Part Three.’
1) Director Denis Villeneuve Says ‘Dune: Part Three’ Is A Different Movie From The First Two.
Director Denis Villeneuve at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
Just as the book ‘Dune Messiah’ is not in the same vein as the first novel, ‘Dune,’ Denis Villeneuve hints that ‘Dune: Part Three’ charts its own path.
Denis Villeneuve: It happens many years later. It’s a very different movie from the first ones. I said to myself, it’s a good idea to come back to this world not by nostalgia, but by urgency, and to go there with a critical eye and not to be self-indulgent. I said to my team that it will be a very different film – a ‘Dune’ movie, but with a different tone, with a different rhythm, with a different base. If the first movie was more a contemplation of a boy exploring a new world, and the second one was a war movie, this one is a thriller. It’s more action-packed and more dense, more muscular than the others, I would say. It takes place many years after the first films — a bit like the book, ‘Dune Messiah’ – and gives us a new view of what has happened to Paul Atreides. It’s 17 years, and we see Paul dealing with the consequences of having too much power, and him trying to figure out how to get out of this cycle of violence. Of course, he’s an emperor who can see the future, so he’s kind of invincible, and we also follow people trying to overthrow him. It’s a quite intense story.
2) Zendaya got a pre-recorded question from Florence Pugh played for her at the trailer debut event.
Zendaya at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
Zendaya and Florence Pugh didn’t share the screen much in ‘Dune: Part Two,’ where Pugh’s Princess Irulan was introduced, but the ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ star hints that they have more interaction in ‘Part Three.’
Zendaya: I love Florence Pugh. She’s so talented and so wonderful in this role. On the press tour the last time we were saying that we only got one scene together, and we were far away. So I was like, I hope we get more. I don’t want to tease anything, but she’s absolutely phenomenal and you guys will just have to see for yourself what happens, because it’s quite the journey. I’m so excited. I mean, these movies have meant so much to me over the years. I’ve literally been able to grow up in my entire 20s doing them, so they have such a special place in my heart, and all these people do as well. So I’m very excited and very grateful to be a part of it.
3) Javier Bardem Says His Character Stilgar Must Face Reality In ‘Dune: Part Three.’
Javier Bardem at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
Javier Bardem’s Fremen fighter Stilgar becomes one of Paul’s most loyal soldiers and believers in the first two ‘Dune’ movies, championing him as the prophesized messiah of his people. But in ‘Dune: Part Three,’ the actor says, Stilgar finds himself in a ‘be careful what you wish for’ situation.
Javier Bardem: Well, I think it takes him to a place where he sees different realities of what being empowered means after so long. He’s in this contradiction between his loyalty to the idea that he strongly believed and fought for back in the day, and also the result of the idea becoming something that he feels may not be the thing that he dreamed about. It sounds complicated, but it’s also a complicated book, and it’s a great analogy about the idea of power and the reality of having that power, and Stilgar is there in that contradiction.
4) Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia Is A Major Character In The Movie.
Anya Taylor-Joy at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
Glimpsed briefly in ‘Dune: Part Two’ as both a yet-to-be-born baby and a young woman in a vision from the future, Alia Atreides – who has powerful psychic gifts of her own — becomes one of her older brother Paul’s most important allies in ‘Part Three.’
Anya Taylor-Joy: Alia has a very intense blessing/curse situation. She carries the weight and the wisdom of generations and generations in her head. She’s never in a singular conversation. It’s kind of everything everywhere, all at once. And the one thing that she really feels most strongly about is her love and devotion to her brother, because that is the only person who’s ever made her feel like she makes sense. He’s understood her from before she was even born, and she will do anything for him — to various degrees of insanity.
5) Robert Pattinson Thinks He Got The Job in ‘Dune’ Thanks To Zendaya.
(L to R) Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, and director Denis Villeneuve at the ‘Dune: Part Three’ trailer event. Photo: Jami Philbrick.
‘The Batman’ star Robert Pattinson is such a fan of the ‘Dune’ films that he asked Zendaya for advice on how to get involved. He ended up playing a shapeshifting, biologically mutated human called Scytale who is a central figure in a plot to overthrow Paul.
Robert Pattinson: It’s incredible. I absolutely adored these movies. I saw them multiple times in the theaters, and I think I was talking to [Zendaya] on the set of ‘The Drama’ and I was like, ‘How do I get in one of those “Dune” movies?’ And then I got a very unexpected call a few months later, and I kind of think [Zendaya] had something to do with it. But I just think they’re such a towering achievement and the cast is so incredible. I just think everybody wants to work with Denis. He’s a master. When do you see the scope and scale and ambition of these movies on set, you get why they feel like this on the screen. It’s an amazing experience.
Pattinson adds that his character, Scytale, was fascinating to play because his motivations and goals are ambiguous:
Robert Pattinson: He’s an unusual character in the book. I mean, you can’t really tell whose side he’s on, which is kind of what makes him quite interesting. I want to say he’s not a conventional bad guy as such. He might even be a good guy. Who knows? I will find out when I see the movie (laughs). It’s an extremely fun character to play, and the look for it is extraordinary.
(L to R) Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, and director Denis Villeneuve at the Warner Bros. Pictures, trailer launch event of ‘Dune: Part Three’ at the AMC Century City 15, in Los Angeles, California, March 16, 2026.
What is the plot of ‘Dune: Part Three’?
Defeating his enemies on Arrakis and becoming emperor of all known space, superhuman Fremen messiah Paul Atreides grapples with the consequences of unleashing a bloody galactic jihad, even as mysterious and powerful forces conspire to destroy him.
Who is in the cast of ‘Dune: Part Three’?
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides
Zendaya as Chani
Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan
Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides
Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
Robert Pattinson as Scytale
Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho
Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
Javier Bardem as Stilgar
Isaach de Bankolé as Farok
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa as Leto II Atreides
Ida Brooke as Ghanima Atreides
‘Dune: Part Three’ opens on December 18th. Photo: Warner Bros.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Dune’ Franchise:
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Zendaya as Chani in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Jason Momoa as Hayt in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Robert Pattinson as Scytale in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Florence Pugh as Empress Irulan in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.A Scene from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
But there was also the usual dull presenter banter, some truly rude moments of worthy winners played off (the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ songwriting team even had the lights switched off on them, for which O’Brien apologized) and awkward insertions of politics, no matter how important the cause.
Overseeing the Oscars for the second time, comedian, writer and former late night host O’Brien proved he has what it takes to do this job.
His opening skit, dressed as Amy Madigan’s Aunt Gladys from ‘Weapons,’ chased through different other Oscar nominated movies by a bunch of kids, was a winner.
And if his opening monologue veered between pointed political jabs and some softballs that drew muted responses, it was still superior to other recent efforts. He was even able to smoothly deal with technical issues that plagued the ceremony, such as sound problems and cutting back to him unexpectedly.
Cementing its 2025 success, Warner Bros. enjoyed plenty of awards love this year, as Paul Thomas Anderson finally got his Oscar (six, in fact) for ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ also took home plenty of trophies.
Talking of ‘Sinners’, Michael B. Jordan, whose Actor in a Leading Role ascension over waning prior favorite Timothée Chalamet (his ‘Marty Supreme’ went home empty handed) ended with Jordan on stage thanking those who had blazed a trail before him.
Elsewhere, ‘The Secret Agent’ sadly landed zero awards, but Netflix had a very good night, as ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ won two awards and ‘Frankenstein’ three, with the streaming service behind a variety of other triumphs.
Having actors –– particularly those with a film to promote or remember –– hand out awards has often led to some leaden banter, and this year was no exception. Even the star power of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans couldn’t bring a lame bit to life, while one featuring Sigourney Weaver, Pedro Pascal and Grogu (pimping the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ movie) only really worked because of Weaver’s commitment (“Get away from him, you bitch!” she growled at nominee Kate Hudson, who had been cosying up to the critter in the audience).
Anna Wintour might not be everyone’s first choice for a co-presenter, but there she was, alongside ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’s Anne Hathaway in a moment that felt like Disney selling the sequel more than looking to celebrate the Costume Design or Hair and Makeup categories.
There was more mixed luck with reunions –– the ‘Bridesmaids’ cast brought their moment to life with true comic power while Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman just looked award handing out Best Picture and recalling ‘Moulin Rouge!’.
Three big things happened last night in terms of history. There was the first tie in 14 years (only the seventh in Oscar history) as ‘The Singers’ and ‘Two People Exchanging Saliva’ shared the Live-Action Short Film honors.
‘Sinners’ cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman (and woman of color) to win her category, while the first ever Casting award was handed to ‘One Battle’s Cassandra Kulukundis. Long-favoured Actress winner Jessie Buckley, meanwhile, became the first Irish woman to take home her category for her work in ‘Hamnet’.
The annual remembrance for those in the industry was well handled and featured three major spotlights. First, Billy Crystal gave a moving speech about friend and collaborator Rob Reiner (who was murdered in his home last year alongside his wife, Michele), and was then joined by other cast members of Reiner movies.
Rachel McAdams took the stage to pay tribute to the likes of Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, and then the big finish –– Barbra Streisand arrived to memorialize her ‘The Way we Were’ co-star and cinema icon Robert Redford, before singing for the first time in public (she had all but stopped due to stage fright issues and frustration) in years for a memorable finale to the segment.
‘One Battle After Another’ was the biggest winner of the night, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest taking Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor (for no-show Sean Penn), Editing and, handed out for the first time this year, Casting.
‘Sinners’ was also successful, as Michael B. Jordan nabbed the top male acting award out from ‘Marty Supreme’s Timothée Chalamet (who had been the favorite for a while, but whose momentum had slowed of late), while its director Ryan Coogler scored Adapted Screenplay, composer Ludwig Göransson landed Best Original Score and Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw made more history as the first woman to win her category at the Oscars.
Elsewhere, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ continued its successful run with two awards (Animated Feature and Original Song for “Golden”), while ‘Weapons’Amy Madigan got a rapturous reception as she took Supporting Actress for her creepy, wild turn as Aunt Gladys.
While ‘One Battle After Another’ has been the presumed winner the entire awards season, having taken home Best Picture at every major award show including Critics Choice, Golden Globes, and BAFTA, ‘Sinners’ won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Actor Awards, building some momentum for the Ryan Coogler helmed film.
It’s also been assumed that Paul Thomas Anderson would finally receive Best Director from the Oscars, especially after winning Outstanding Directorial Achievement from the DGA, but don’t count out a surprise win from Coogler just yet.
Speaking of ‘Sinners’, although Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for ‘Marty Supreme’ from Critic’s Choice and the Golden Globes, he failed to win at BAFTA, and lost to Michael B Jordan at the Actors Awards, which signals trouble for Chalamet’s Oscar run.
On the other hand, ‘Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley has had virtually no competition in her race to the Best Actress Oscar and after winning every other major award, I don’t think anything can stop her from taking home gold on Oscar night.
Best Supporting Actress seems like a two-way race between Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor for ‘One Battle’ and Actor Awards winner Amy Madigan for ‘Weapons‘, however, ‘Sinners’ Wunmi Mosaku is still in the mix.
Finally, the Best Supporting Actor category is fairly wide open, with BAFTA and Actor Awards winner Sean Penn currently the frontrunner fighting off Golden Globe winner Stellan Skarsgård for ‘Sentimental Value’. But the Oscars love a surprise, so if ‘Sinners’ has a big night, Delroy Lindo could end up having a surprise win.
Below are our predictions for who will win Oscars on Sunday at the 98th Academy Awards. We are only breaking down our predictions for the six major categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.
Leonardo Di Caprio as Bob Ferguson in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
Well, now we finally have a real race!
Since the start of this awards season it has seemed preordained that director Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ would finally earn the filmmaker a long overdue win for Best Picture. The film has won almost every precursor needed to be the frontrunner, including wins at Critics Choice, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and the all important Producers Guild of America Awards.
However, don’t count ‘Sinners’ out just yet! After grabbing an Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture win at the Actor Awards, as well as Michael B. Jordan’s win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, the vampire epic now has real momentum.
It also did better at the box office than ‘One Battle’, which sometimes but not always is a factor. But keep in mind that Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Actor Awards is basically a recognition of ensemble acting and not necessarily a film award. And while ‘One Battle’ was also in that category, I don’t buy into the narrative that ‘Sinners’ “beat” ‘One Battle’ for Best Picture at SAG.
It now seems like we have a two-way race but ‘Hamnet’ is still in the mix after winning a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and remember it was produced by Oscar favorite Steven Spielberg.
Keep in mind that the Academy uses a preferential ballot for Best Picture, meaning the winner isn’t simply the film with the most No. 1 votes. Instead, voters rank the nominees, and if no film receives more than 50% of the first-place votes, the movie with the fewest No. 1 votes is eliminated and its ballots are redistributed to the next highest-ranked film on those ballots. That process continues until one film crosses the 50% threshold. In other words, it’s not just about passion at the top — it’s about broad support.
The real question isn’t only who voters rank No. 1, but which film consistently appears in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots and can accumulate support as other contenders fall away. My guess is that many voters may not rank ‘Sinners’ first, but could place it second or third, giving it a plausible path in later rounds. Still, the safer bet remains ‘One Battle’, which feels more likely to build the majority coalition needed to win.
(L to R) Leonardo Di Caprio and Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
Just like the Best Picture race, since the start of this current awards season it has seemed like this was “Paul Thomas Anderson’s Year”, and that the ‘Boogie Nights’ director would finally win his long-awaited Best Director Oscar. With directorial wins at every other award show including Critics Choice, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and the all important Directors Guild Awards, it does look like Anderson will finally win Best Director at the Oscars.
But what about Ryan Coogler? While he has yet to win a director’s award this season, he is definitely Anderson’s biggest competition, especially now that the film is surging late. Typically, Best Picture and Best Director go hand in hand, but not always, and much like when Damien Chazelle won best director for ‘La La Land‘ but ‘Moonlight‘ went on to win Best Picture, we could see a similar spilt this year. But if we do, I think it is more likely that Anderson still wins Best Director, and the surprise win comes for ‘Sinners’ in Best Picture.
Let’s be honest, the Academy usually don’t get it right! They could be thinking that Coogler will return with another film in the near future, and want to finally reward Anderson now for ‘One Battle’ as well as his overall career, assuming that Coogler’s time will come sooner than later. While I would love to see an upset and have Coogler win, I would also like to see the Academy finally reward Anderson for his body of work, which I think will be the final result on Oscar night.
This is the race to really keep an eye on! The Oscars love a surprise, and if there is going to be a big surprise on Oscar night, it will be in this category.
Timothée Chalamet began the awards season with wins from Critics Choice and Golden Globes, making it look like he was a lock for a Best Actor win at the Oscars. But, when he lost the BAFTA to Robert Aramayo for ‘I Swear‘, who is not even in the Oscar race, it left the young actor’s Oscar chances vulnerable.
That brings us to Michael B. Jordan, who in my opinion gave the best performance of the year, and recently beat Chalamet at the all important Actor Awards. Historically, one Actor Award win is not enough to ensure an Oscar win, as demonstrated by Chalamet last year when he won Best Actor from SAG for ‘A Complete Unknown‘ but then lost the Oscar race to Adrien Brody for ‘The Brutalist‘. But Jordan has the surging momentum of ‘Sinners’ behind him and a lot of goodwill from Academy voters, while Chalamet seems to be cooling off and has fueled criticism for his unusual Oscar campaign style and recent comments on “ballet and opera.”
There is also a theory that Chalamet is really being rewarded for his performance last year in ‘A Complete Unknown’, when he should have won, and not his performance this year in ‘Marty Supreme’. The Academy tends to do that and often tries to make up for their past mistakes. For example, after not nominating Paul Giamatti for ‘Sideways‘, which he should have been nominated for, the following year he was nominated for ‘Cinderella Man‘. So, if Chalamet does win, it will be for playing Bob Dylan and not for playing Marty Mauser!
Also working against Chalamet is the fact that the Academy typically does not give young actors the Best Actor trophy. They love giving the Best Actress award to young actresses, examples including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone, and recently Mikey Madison. But, if Chalamet were to win, he would be just a few months shy of breaking Adrien Brody’s record as the youngest Best Actor recipient ever for his first win in ‘The Pianist‘. Jordan is just reaching his prime as an actor, and with a long body of work to his credit, voters could see him as a strong alternative, especially with his recent win and the ‘Sinners’ surging.
While Chalamet is statistically the frontrunner, I feel like there will be a big surprise on Oscar night and I’m betting on Jordan for the win.
There really is not much to say here. If there is any locked category this year, it is this one.
‘Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley is one win away from a “perfect award season’. After winning Best Actress at Critics Choice, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and the Actor Awards, she is almost guaranteed a win on Oscar night.
Does she have any competition? A little, but not much. Rose Byrne won a Golden Globe for ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You‘, but that’s because the Globes split the Best Actress race into two different categories, Drama and Musical or Comedy. So, Byrne did not compete in the same category as Buckley. When she has, she has lost to the ‘Hamnet’ star, and I see no reason that will not continue to take place.
Kate Hudson has been campaigning hard, but this is the only nomination ‘Song Sung Blue‘ received, and I don’t think that is enough to compete with Buckley and ‘Hamnet’, which received 8 overall nominations. ‘Sentimental Value’ does not seem to have the same momentum it did earlier in the season, leaving actress Renate Reinsve without a real path to the gold. And with two Oscars already on her shelf, Emma Stone’s nomination was more or less given just to round out the five nominees, not unlike some of Meryl Streep‘s past nominations.
The safe money is clearly on Jessie Buckley to win Best Actress, and at this point it would take a miracle for anyone else to beat her and win.
Delroy Lindo at the New York Premiere of ‘Sinners’. Photo: Warner Bros.
This is another very interesting category and one to keep an eye on for big surprises on Oscar night!
With no real frontrunner, Best Supporting Actor is wide-open and really anybody’s for the taking.
The season began with Benicio del Toro positioned as the frontrunner for ‘One Battle’, but the actor has yet to win for that performance, putting his chances of winning the Oscar in doubt.
His co-star, Sean Penn, could be considered a slight frontrunner after winning BAFTA and the Actor Award, but with two Oscars already to his name, I’m not sure the Academy is ready to hand him his third just yet. I also think that having both actors from ‘One Battle’ in the same category will split the vote, leaving them both empty handed on Oscar night.
Jacob Elordi received a surprise win for ‘Frankenstein‘ at the Critics Choice Awards, but the young actor was unable to capitalize on it and has yet to win a second award.
Veteran actor Stellan Skarsgård won the Golden Globe, but also was not able to capitalize with a second win, and with ‘Sentimental Value’s momentum cooling off, I’m not sure it will be enough to earn him the trophy.
Enter Delroy Lindo. Keep in mind that this is his first nomination this entire awards season, meaning that he has not had the opportunity to compete with his fellow nominees yet. It’s not unheard of for an actor to suddenly enter the Oscar race and win. Marcia Gay Harden successfully pulled that off when she won Best Supporting Actress for ‘Pollock‘ over Kate Hudson, the presumed frontrunner for ‘Almost Famous‘.
With ‘Sinners’ surging, Michael B. Jordan’s possible win, no real front runner in this category, and Lindo’s overall likability in the industry, I do think that he will pull off the win on Oscar night.
While its not as wide-open as Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress is really between two, maybe three actresses at this point.
Let’s just get this out of the way. Much like the two ‘One Battle’ actors in the Supporting Male category, I think ‘Sentimental Value’s Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas will cancel each other out. Neither has won any major award this season, and with the film’s lack of momentum, I doubt either actress has a real shot to win.
While Wunmi Mosaku did win BAFTA, I’m not sure that will be enough to win an Oscar. ‘Sinners’ popularity could give her a boost, and if Lindo and Jordan fail to win, this could be where ‘Sinners’ gets an acting award. But since I do think Jordan and Lindo will be triumphant, I’m thinking this award will be given to someone else.
Teyana Taylor won a Golden Globe, and her film is the frontrunner for Best Picture. It would be odd for ‘One Battle’ to win Best Picture with no wins in the actor categories, so if it were to win an acting Oscar, it will be here. But Taylor has some real competition from veteran actress Amy Madigan.
The ‘Weapons’ actress began the season winning Critics Choice, but bounced around a bit before recently winning the all important Actor Award. That doesn’t make her the frontrunner, but puts her on par with Taylor. Working against Madigan is that she is ‘Weapons’ only nomination, but it’s not unheard of for an actor to win for a movie that received no other nominations. It happened when Kathy Bates won Best Actress for ‘Misery‘.
So while it’s a tight race, I think that Madigan’s long career and versatile body of work will in the end give her an edge over Taylor.
(L to R) Leonardo Di Caprio and Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
It will start on January 22nd when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announce the Oscar nominees, with the 98th Oscars Ceremony scheduled for March 15th.
At this point, we do have a confirmed frontrunner in the Best Picture race with ‘One Battle After Another‘, but don’t count out ‘Hamnet‘ or ‘Sinners‘ just yet.
In the Best Actor race, Timothée Chalamet seems to be the frontrunner, but will have some competition from Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan and especially Wagner Moura, who recently won a Golden Globe. However, the academy might as well hand the Best Actress Oscar to Jessie Buckley right now, as she is about as solid a lock to win as you can have.
The Academy Awards will air live March 15th on ABC and Hulu.
Moviefone is making its Oscar nomination predictions for the major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, ahead of the nominee announcements on January 22nd.
(L to R) Leonardo Di Caprio and Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA will stream on Netflix March 1st.
Preview:
The nominations for the 2026 Actor Awards have been announced.
‘One Battle After Another’ leads the film field with seven nods.
The ceremony will screen on Netflix once more.
Despite the somewhat surprising decision to change the name of the Screen Actors Guild Awards to the clunkier The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA, everything else about the performer-focused awards is remaining the same.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
(L to R) Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3. Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO.
Chelsea Handler hosts the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards. Photo: CCA.
Preview:
Winners of the 31st Critics Choice Awards included ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Hamnet.’
‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Sinners’ also took home awards.
The ceremony was hosted by Chelsea Handler.
Though there were few surprises among the big winners at this year’s Critics Choice Awards, where ‘One Battle After Another’ took home a three big trophies (Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay), the ceremony was nevertheless still a lively, energetic affair, hosted once again by Chelsea Handler.
Following a monologue from Handler that took shots at Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav and paid loving tribute to Rob Reiner and Diane Keaton, it was on with the show.
(L to R) Leonardo Di Caprio and Director/Writer/Producer Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
Benicio del Toro as Sensei St. Carlos in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Paul Thomas Anderson – ‘One Battle After Another’ – WINNER
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ won the weekend’s box office again.
‘Marty Supreme’ nabbed third place.
‘Song Sung Blue’ and ‘Anaconda’ also debuted.
As we’ve learned before with ‘Avatar’ movies, it’s not necessarily the launch, it’s the hold. A key phrase among the films’ Na’vi characters is “I see you,” and audiences certainly came out to see the third entry, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ with the title staying top of the box office for a second weekend.
Across the Christmas holiday weekend, James Cameron’s latest took in a solid $64 million over the traditional weekend and $88 million since the Christmas holiday on Thursday.
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That three-day earning marks a 28% decline from its $89 million launch, a stronger hold than 2022’s ‘The Way of Water’ managed.
As mentioned above, the third entry is holding on well. So far, it has earned more than $217.7 million domestically and shows little sign of slowing down.
Worldwide, thanks to strong business in places such as China, the movie has now crossed $760 million, indicating that it should at the very least pass the $1 billion mark. Will it push past $2 billion like its predecessors? That’s trickier to predict.
Still, while some may deride the franchise for having little cultural impact, crowds certainly turn out for it.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.
There was also good news for star Timothée Chalamet and director Josh Safdie, as ‘Marty Supreme’, which expanded and enjoyed the best numbers among “newcomers” in third place with $17.4 million from 2,600 theaters over the weekend and $27.1 million through the four-day holiday frame.
Domestic ticket sales stand at $28.3 million after a weekend in limited release. The three-day figure marks the second-biggest opening weekend to date for A24.
Still, second was Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2,’ which has been one of the year’s success stories. The animated sequel took in $20 million over the weekend and $25.2 million since Christmas Day. In total worldwide, it has now earned $1.42 billion.
Fourth was ‘The Housemaid’ with $15.4 million for the weekend, ahead of new arrival ‘Anaconda’ in sixth. The action comedy, which features Paul Rudd and Jack Black, made $14.6 million over the weekend and has taken $23.7 million since Christmas. The movie also opened internationally with $20 million for a global start of $43.7 million.
Also new to the charts was ‘Song Sung Blue,’ which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the based-on-truth tale of Neil Diamond tribute musicians. That earned $7.6 million over the weekend in eighth place and $12 million through the four-day holiday frame.
