Hollywood’s Oscar Race Heats Up with a Diverse Array of Contenders
Hollywood stars are gearing up for a whirlwind of ceremonies as the film awards season kicks into high gear. With several major films vying for recognition, the race for the Oscars is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. From critically acclaimed dramas to high-octane thrillers, the list of contenders includes a mix of familiar names and fresh faces.
The Golden Globe nominations, often seen as the first major milestone of the awards season, will provide some insight into which films have momentum when they are announced on 8 December. Following this, the Bafta Film Awards and the Actor Awards (formerly SAG) will add to the excitement before the season culminates with the Oscars on 15 March.
Most of the leading contenders premiered at prestigious film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Telluride, but a few still have their premieres scheduled for later in the year. One such film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set to debut before the end of the year.
Here are 25 of the major contenders, along with where you can watch them:
A House of Dynamite
A missile is hurtling towards Chicago, prompting a scramble as the US government and security forces race to intervene. This thriller, told from three different perspectives, is directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson. It is available on Netflix now.
After The Hunt
A promising college student accuses one of her professors of rape, leaving another teacher caught in the middle. This psychological thriller, starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, and directed by Luca Guadagnino, is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
In the third installment of James Cameron’s highly successful sci-fi series, the Na’vi encounter an aggressive new tribe. Starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, the film is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 19 December.
Blue Moon
Ethan Hawke stars as lyricist Lorenz Hart, who battles alcoholism and mental health issues ahead of the premiere of the musical Oklahoma! This film, directed by Richard Linklater, is currently showing in UK cinemas.
Bugonia
Two young conspiracy theorists kidnap and hold captive the CEO of a giant pharmaceutical company, whom they believe is an alien. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this film reunites him with actors Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. It is currently showing in UK cinemas and available for digital rental from 1 December.
Christy
This film tells the true story of boxer Christy Martin’s rise to fame in the 1990s and her husband’s attempt to murder her in 2010. Directed by David Michôd and starring Sydney Sweeney, it is currently showing in UK cinemas.
Die My Love
A young couple moves to a secluded country house and has a baby, but the mother’s mental health suffers under the pressure of domestic life. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star in Lynne Ramsay’s movie, which is currently showing in UK cinemas.
F1
This film about a former racing driver who returns to the track 30 years after an accident nearly ended his career is likely to receive several technical nominations. Starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, it is available on Apple TV+ from 12 December.
Frankenstein
A mad scientist brings a creature to life from dead body parts, only to be repulsed by his creation and abandon it. Guillermo del Toro directs a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. It is currently available on Netflix.
Hamnet
Set in 1596 and adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, this film follows a mother devastated by the death of her 11-year-old son, Hamnet, while the boy’s father, William Shakespeare, writes a play to deal with his own grief. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, it is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 9 January 2026.
Is This Thing On?
A husband and father turns to performing stand-up comedy as he navigates his divorce. Will Arnett and Laura Dern star in Bradley Cooper’s film, inspired by British comedian John Bishop’s life story. It is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 30 January 2026.
It Was Just An Accident
A man recognizes the former Iranian intelligence officer who tortured him in prison after a chance encounter at a garage, leading him to take drastic measures to get his revenge. Directed by Jafar Panahi, this film won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It is currently showing in UK cinemas from 5 December.
Jay Kelly
A popular actor in his 60s grapples with the family life he missed out on because of his career. George Clooney and Adam Sandler star in this film directed by Noah Baumbach, which is available on Netflix from 15 December.
Kpop Demon Hunters
A hugely popular girl group juggles their music careers with protecting their fans from a rival boyband, whose members are secretly demons. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, this film is currently available on Netflix.
Marty Supreme
In 1950s New York City, table tennis player Marty Reisman begins to make his name as he pursues a dream few people around him respect. Directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet, it is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 1 January 2026.
One Battle After Another
A father reconnects with his former group of revolutionaries following the kidnapping of his daughter. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti, this film is currently showing in UK cinemas and available for digital rental.
The Secret Agent
A technology expert on the run from Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1977 seeks refuge in his hometown of Recife, but hired hitmen are hot on his tail. Starring Wagner Moura and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, it is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 20 February 2026.
Sentimental Value
Following the death of their mother, two sisters reconnect with their distant father, a famous Swedish director who is working on his comeback film. Directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning, it is set to premiere in UK cinemas from 26 December 2026.
Sinners
Twin brothers who return home to the Mississippi Delta in 1932 for a fresh start, not realizing an evil force awaits them. A vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, it is available for digital rental now.
The Smashing Machine
Fighter Mark Kerr makes his name in the 1990s heydey of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), amid a strained relationship with his partner Dawn Staples. Directed by Bennie Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, it is currently showing in UK cinemas.
Song Sung Blue
Two performers who impersonate famous musicians form a Neil Diamond tribute band and fall in love, but a devastating accident threatens their relationship and dreams. Directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, it is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 1 January 2026.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
A young Bruce Springsteen shelves the probable hits he’s written in favor of the more stripped-back and introverted songs that will become his 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper and starring Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong, it is currently showing in UK cinemas.
Train Dreams
An American railroad worker lives a life of loneliness until he marries and has a daughter, but tragedy soon strikes on one of his long trips away from home. Directed by Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, it is available on Netflix now.
Weapons
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Directed by Zach Cregger and starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Amy Madigan, it is available for digital rental now.
Wicked: For Good
Following the events of 2024’s Wicked, Elphaba is now living in exile, while Glinda is enjoying her newfound fame and popularity in Oz. Directed by Jon M Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, it is currently showing in UK cinemas.
