Home / Arts and Entertainment / "One Battle After Another" Leads 2026 Oscar Race, KPop Demon Hunters Surprises
"One Battle After Another" Leads 2026 Oscar Race, KPop Demon Hunters Surprises
8 Oct
Summary
- Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" tipped as Oscars frontrunner
- Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" wins big at festivals, Jessie Buckley praised for performance
- Unexpected pop culture hit "KPop Demon Hunters" could enter Best Picture conversation
As the 2026 Academy Awards approach, a clear frontrunner has emerged in the race for Best Picture. Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, "One Battle After Another," has been widely acclaimed as the director's best work to date. Starring a powerhouse ensemble including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn, the movie has been praised for its timely exploration of political themes and its appeal to multiple branches of the Academy.
Meanwhile, Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" has also generated significant buzz after wowing audiences at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals earlier this year. Jessie Buckley's emotional performance as the wife of William Shakespeare has been tipped as a strong contender for the Best Actress award.
However, the race may not be a foregone conclusion, as an unexpected pop culture phenomenon could also enter the Best Picture conversation. "KPop Demon Hunters," which debuted in August, has developed a passionate following, and some pundits believe it could garner enough support to secure a nomination.
With several high-profile releases still to come, including "Wicked: For Good," "Avatar: Fire and Ash," and "Song Sung Blue," the 2026 Oscars race remains wide open. But for now, "One Battle After Another" appears to be the film to beat.
