The race to win the 2026 Best Actress Oscar may be over. A spectacular turn from Jessie Buckley in “Hamnet” may dominate the season. That being said, the four other slots feature several familiar faces battling for recognition.
The next two likely contenders are “Wicked For Good’s” Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated last year for “Wicked,” and “Sentimental Value’s” Renate Reinsve, who should have been nominated in 2022 for “The Worst Person in the World.” Emma Stone has been nominated twice and won a Best Actress Academy Award, collaborating with auteur Yorgos Lanthimos. Will her performance in “Bugonia” be the hat trick? Ponder.
If those four lineup that leaves one slot left, and, at this date, it’s a pick ’em. “One Battle After Another’s” Chase Infiniti will try to ride the industry love for PTA’s latest. Rose Byrne is incredible in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” but the movie is a tough watch for many. Jennifer Lawrence has her fans for “Die, My Love,” but the movie is a tough watch for many (wait). Julia Roberts is fantastic in “After the Hunt,” but the movie has earned a mixed reception. Sydney Sweeney is transformative in “Christy,” but the movie has earned a mixed reception (wait). Tessa Thompson is captivating in the TIFF surprise, “Hedda,” and Amanda Seyfried is superb in Venice and TIFF arrival, “The Testament of Ann Lee.” Those two may be the biggest stealth players of the season. That leaves two unseen players: Laura Dern in “Is This Thing On?” and Kate Hudson in “Song Sung Blue.” [Updated October 9]
LOCKED
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
LIKELY
Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked for Good”*
ALMOST THERE
Emma Stone, “Bugonia
IN THE MIX
Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Laura Dern, “Is This Thing On?”
Kate Hudson, “Sing Sung Blue”
Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”
Jennifer Lawrence, “Die, My Love”
Julia Roberts, “After the Hunt”
Amanda Seyfried, “The Testament of Ann Lee”
Sydney Sweeney, “Christy”
Tessa Thompson, “Hedda”
LONGSHOTS
Jodie Foster, “A Private Life”
June Squibb, “Eleanor the Great”
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
International Feature Film
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