Will This Film Sweep the Oscars? Bookmakers Are Betting It Will
The race for the 2026 Oscars is already heating up, even though the ceremony won’t happen until March next year. Early predictions suggest there’s a clear frontrunner, and bookmakers are backing it heavily.
According to Paddy Power, the early favorite for Best Picture is One Battle After Another, with odds of 4/7.
The film features a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. Industry insiders are already buzzing about its chances across multiple categories.
The excitement around the Oscars intensified this week when news broke that the hit horror movie Sinners had submitted two original songs for consideration.
The move has sparked fresh speculation about which films could make a major impact next spring, despite the fact that not all eligible movies have even hit theaters yet.
Paddy Power’s early predictions suggest that One Battle After Another could dominate the awards. For Best Actor, Timothee Chalamet is favored for his role in Marty Supreme at odds of 10/11, but DiCaprio’s performance in the frontrunner film is also a strong contender at 15/8. Jeremy Allen White in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere and Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine round out the field, though they are considered less likely to win.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley is the favorite for Hamnet, with odds of 2/5. Chase Infiniti from One Battle After Another is also in the mix at 5/2, while Rose Byrne and Renate Reinsve are tied for third with 4/1 odds for their roles in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Sentimental Value, respectively.
Best Director predictions are also leaning heavily toward One Battle After Another. Paul Thomas Anderson is favored at 4/9, while Chloe Zhao for Hamnet, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Ryan Googler for Sinners trail behind at longer odds.
The first trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 27, 2025
In theaters on September 26. pic.twitter.com/Eyp7oPkHhv
Industry watchers say that early betting odds can often set the tone for awards season chatter. One Battle After Another is being praised not only for its acting but also for its sweeping direction and production value. Paddy Power’s spokesperson commented, “The odds suggest this film could really sweep the Oscars, but there’s plenty of time for surprises before March.”
While these predictions don’t guarantee wins, they give a glimpse into what might dominate headlines next year. With several films still to be released and Academy voters yet to weigh in, the race remains unpredictable—but the buzz around One Battle After Another is hard to ignore.
What do you think? Will One Battle After Another live up to the hype and take home the big awards, or will another film pull off an upset? Share your thoughts in the comments.