15 Films That Could Be Nominated for the 2027 Oscars

One of the season’s most ambitious productions, The Odyssey adapts the epic poem attributed to Homer and follows Odysseus on his journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Along the way, the hero encounters mythological creatures, supernatural obstacles, and the dangers of a voyage that tests his endurance and intelligence.

Related: Where Was The Odyssey Filmed?

The film is directed by Christopher Nolan, who won the Oscar for Best Director for Oppenheimer (2023). The combination of a classic narrative, large-scale production, and an all-star cast places the movie among the titles most closely watched by awards experts.

Early 2027 Oscar predictions include the film among the Best Picture contenders. Expectations also extend to the technical categories, given the production’s scale and Nolan’s experience with major cinematic spectacles.

The filmmaker’s challenge will be to turn the visual spectacle into recognition in the major categories, particularly because commercial success alone does not guarantee Academy Award nominations.

Spanish cinema is making a strong impression with La Bola Negra, a drama connecting the stories of three gay men across different periods in Spanish history. Spanning the early 20th century, the Spanish Civil War, and the present day, the narrative explores identity, repression, memory, and the emotional legacies passed down through generations.

Known as Los Javis, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi gained international attention with the film, which received the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, sharing the honor with Paweł Pawlikowski for Fatherland. In September, the production also won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

These accolades are particularly significant because they suggest the film has connected with both critics and audiences. The TIFF audience award, which has historically been associated with films that go on to gain momentum during the Oscar race, strengthens the case for a broad awards campaign.

Produced by Pedro Almodóvar and acquired by Netflix, the film has also been identified by the Associated Press as a contender capable of competing in major Academy Award categories. Beyond Best Picture, it could stand out in International Feature Film and screenplay, thanks to its narrative structure and exploration of historical and social themes.

Based on Andy Weir’s novel, Project Hail Mary follows a crucial space mission to save humanity. The production combines science fiction and suspense with a story centered on the human ability to solve problems under extreme circumstances.

The film stands out for its approach to science fiction, balancing visual spectacle with character development. Ryan Gosling leads the cast, while directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller bring experience in animation, comedy, and major entertainment productions.

The challenge will be earning recognition beyond the technical categories. Science fiction films can gain Academy attention when they combine visual innovation and technical achievement with a story that resonates with voters.

The third installment in the science fiction saga directed by Denis Villeneuve is among the most anticipated releases scheduled for late 2026. The film continues the story of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, while expanding the political, religious, and social universe introduced in the previous movies.

The franchise’s first two films earned significant recognition in the Oscars’ technical categories, particularly for cinematography, sound, editing, costume design, production design, and visual effects. That track record provides a favorable foundation for the new installment.

The biggest question is how critics will respond. At the time of these early predictions, the film had not yet been screened for the press, making any assessment of its chances in the major categories more speculative.

Even so, the franchise’s scale, Villeneuve’s track record, and anticipation surrounding this chapter’s conclusion make Dune: Part Three a natural contender in the technical categories. An especially strong critical response could also propel it into the Best Picture race.

In The Debut, a shy housewife lands a small role in a community theater production but becomes increasingly consumed by the performance. Her behavior turns the production into a battleground with the show’s director.

The dark comedy-drama is directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg. Julianne Moore plays the lead character, while Paul Giamatti portrays the theater director. The combination of biting humor, creative conflicts, and exaggerated characters could help the film gain recognition for its performances and screenplay.

The film has been included among the titles that Vanity Fair experts considered strong Best Picture contenders. Moore’s performance is particularly important: the actress has experience navigating awards campaigns, and the role gives her room to portray significant emotional and behavioral changes.

Paul Giamatti has also appeared in supporting actor predictions, raising the possibility that the film could earn multiple nominations.

Directed by Olivia Wilde, The Invite follows a couple whose relationship is in crisis as they invite their neighbors over for dinner. What begins as a social gathering turns into an unpredictable situation that exposes marital tensions, secrets, and differences between the characters.

The film brings together prominent performers in a story focused on human relationships, with room for dialogue, humor, and dramatic conflict. That approach could benefit the cast’s performances and the screenplay, particularly if the awards campaign demonstrates that the film offers more than a conventional comedy.

Penélope Cruz could be one of the film’s strongest acting contenders, although her eventual category placement will depend on voters’ responses and the campaign strategy.

Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu returns with Fjord, a drama about a deeply religious Romanian family living in Norway that faces conflicts with local social norms and institutions. Inspired by real cases involving child protection, the story explores the clash between cultural values, religious freedom, and the limits of state intervention.

The film won the Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, a major achievement for its international awards campaign. Mungiu’s festival track record and reputation as a filmmaker interested in social issues further strengthen the film’s prospects.

However, the film also prompted mixed reactions during its fall festival run. Its controversial subject matter could attract attention, but it may also complicate the campaign if public discussion focuses on the political message rather than the filmmaking itself.

Renate Reinsve, known for her performance in The Worst Person in the World, has appeared among the names considered for Best Actress. Sebastian Stan could also enter the conversation, depending on the response to his performance.

Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film for Drive My Car, presents a drama centered on the relationship between two women from different backgrounds. Marie-Lou, the director of a care facility for older adults, meets Mari, a Japanese theater director facing a terminal illness.

Their encounter leads to a friendship that opens the door to conversations about art, language, capitalism, desire, and the meaning of life. The film takes a contemplative approach, focusing on dialogue and the emotional journeys of its protagonists.

The production received recognition at Cannes, where Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the Best Actress award. The result strengthens the film’s awards campaign and places both performers among the names who could attract attention during the season.

Hamaguchi’s involvement is another advantage. His track record with the Academy and the story’s humanistic approach could help the film gain recognition for its screenplay, direction, and performances.

I Play Rocky revisits the story behind the making of Rocky, the film that turned Sylvester Stallone into one of Hollywood’s best-known names. The production explores the journey of a project that began as a risky bet and ultimately became a landmark in sports cinema.

The film stars Anthony Ippolito and draws on a story of perseverance, ambition, and the obstacles involved in turning an idea into reality.

Its awards potential is tied to the Academy’s interest in stories about the film industry, particularly those that combine a lead character’s physical or emotional transformation with a recognizable historical context.

The film also attracted attention at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it finished second in the audience award voting. Although the result does not guarantee a nomination, it could help the movie connect with audiences and strengthen its awards campaign.

Behemoth! follows a classical cellist in a dramatic story that may combine personal struggles, art, and the dilemmas of professional life. The film is directed by Tony Gilroy, known for projects that explore characters under pressure and moral conflicts.

Pedro Pascal‘s presence in the leading role raises the project’s profile, particularly at a time when the actor is receiving considerable attention. A more restrained, dramatic performance could also help distinguish him from some of his best-known roles.

The film has appeared in early predictions from awards experts as a potential Best Picture contender, although its standing will depend on critical reception and the response following its first screenings.

The New York Film Festival represents an important opportunity for the movie to establish its identity during awards season. A positive reception could broaden its prospects in directing, screenplay, and acting.

Paweł Pawlikowski, the director of Ida and Cold War, is among the European filmmakers who could make an impact at the 2027 Oscars with Fatherland. The film received the Best Director award at Cannes, sharing the honor with Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi for La Bola Negra.

The festival recognition puts the production in the spotlight, particularly given Pawlikowski’s reputation for rigorous visual storytelling and narratives rooted in historical contexts.

The director’s Academy track record also adds to expectations. Ida won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, while Cold War received nominations in directing and cinematography.

Even so, Fatherland‘s awards prospects will depend on the strength of its campaign and how it is received beyond the festival circuit. A nomination for Best International Feature Film is possible, but it should not be considered a certainty.

One project that could surprise during awards season is You Can See Everything, a documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim that takes an experimental approach to the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the entrepreneur at the center of one of the most widely known corporate fraud cases in the technology sector.

The film attracted attention after a surprise screening at the Telluride Film Festival, sparking interest in the way its filmmakers explore the boundaries between documentary, performance, and social observation.

The production is a natural contender for Best Documentary Feature, where it could compete with other nonfiction titles. Its chances in Best Picture, however, are a much longer shot: at the time of the predictions cited by Vulture, no documentary had ever been nominated in that category.

For that reason, the film’s clearest path to recognition lies in the documentary categories. An exceptional campaign could broaden its presence during awards season, but there is little basis for treating a Best Picture nomination as likely.

Among the titles that could stand out during awards season is Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh, a filmmaker known for combining dark humor, moral conflicts, and complex characters.

McDonagh’s involvement has attracted attention from Oscar watchers, particularly because the film could deliver a memorable screenplay and performances capable of catching Academy voters’ attention.

Despite its potential, the production still needs to demonstrate critical strength and establish itself during the awards season to become a leading contender. The response following its release will be important in assessing its chances across different categories.

If the film lives up to expectations, it could enter the conversation for screenplay, acting, and other artistic categories, depending on the campaign and the competition.

South Korean cinema could return to the Oscar race with Possible Love, the latest film from Lee Chang-dong, director of Burning and Poetry. The production won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, strengthening its position among the season’s international contenders.

The director’s track record, marked by complex narratives and morally ambiguous characters, helps explain the interest from awards experts. The recognition in Venice could also increase the film’s visibility among Academy voters.

Best International Feature Film is a natural possibility, provided the movie meets the eligibility requirements and receives the necessary campaign support. A consistently positive critical response could also open the door to recognition for its screenplay and direction.

Andrew Garfield plays Altman, while Yura Borisov portrays Ilya Sutskever, one of OpenAI’s co-founders. The cast also includes Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, and Mark Rylance as Geoffrey Hinton. The narrative explores conflicts among the people developing artificial intelligence and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the advancement of the technology.

The project has drawn attention for bringing Guadagnino, known for films such as Call Me by Your Name and Challengers, together with a contemporary story about ambition, innovation, and responsibility. The combination of a timely subject and characters inspired by real people could fuel awards-season discussions about the screenplay, direction, and performances.

The production also had a turbulent journey before reaching theaters. After Amazon MGM Studios abandoned the project, distributor NEON acquired it and took over its release. The film had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival in October 2026 and is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters in December, with a Brazilian release announced for January 2027.

Although the film has elements that could appeal to Academy voters, its chances of earning nominations will depend on critical reception, its awards campaign, and the competition. Andrew Garfield’s performance and the strength of the screenplay are among the factors that could influence its prospects.