bbc.com
2026 Oscars Race: 12 Frontrunner Films
The 2026 Oscars race is heating up, with twelve frontrunner films emerging from recent film festivals, including dramas, thrillers, and biopics.
- What are some of the recurring themes or genres among the leading contenders?
- Several films are biographical, such as Christy, a sports biopic about female boxer Christy Martin, and Anemone, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Sports dramas also feature prominently with The Smashing Machine, and there's a noticeable presence of films exploring complex family relationships, such as Sentimental Value.
- What are the key contenders for the Best Picture award, and what makes them stand out?
- Hamnet, a film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel, is a frontrunner, having won the Toronto People's Choice Award. Other strong contenders include One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sinners, a vampire film by Ryan Coogler that achieved both critical and box office success.
- What potential impact might the inclusion of blockbuster sequels, like Wicked: For Good and Avatar: Fire and Ash, have on the Oscars?
- The inclusion of these large-scale productions reflects the Academy's attempt to remain relevant to a wider audience. Their potential nominations, enabled by an expanded Best Picture category, could shift the balance of the awards, potentially prioritizing box-office success alongside critical acclaim.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced overview of potential Oscar contenders, showcasing a variety of genres and directors. While it highlights certain films more extensively than others (e.g., Hamnet receives significant attention due to its promising elements), this emphasis seems driven by the films' potential rather than overt bias. The selection of films also covers a range of styles and themes, preventing a focus on a single narrative.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. Words like "rapturously received" and "gripping storytelling" convey positive sentiment, but they are generally acceptable within a review context. There is no use of overtly loaded language or derogatory terms.
Bias by Omission
Given the sheer number of films released throughout the year, the article inevitably omits many potential contenders. This omission is a result of practical constraints (space and audience attention) rather than intentional bias. The article acknowledges this limitation by mentioning other films briefly at the end.
Sustainable Development Goals
Several films highlighted address social issues and diverse stories, which can indirectly contribute to raising awareness and fostering discussions on inequality. For example, "After the Hunt" tackles themes of sexual assault and power dynamics within academia, while "It Was Just An Accident" explores political repression, both of which can indirectly promote discussions on social justice and equality. The inclusion of diverse casts and stories in the films also promotes representation and challenges existing power structures.