2026 Oscar Best Director Predictions
Tracking my evolving predictions for Best Director throughout Awards Season.
Best Director
*Updated 01.16.2025
|
In the Spotlight | ||
|
1 |
One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson |
👑 |
|
2 |
Sinners – Ryan Coogler |
🔒 |
|
3 |
Hamnet – Chloé Zhao |
🔒 |
|
4 |
Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier |
▲ 1 |
|
5 |
Frankenstein – Guillermo del Toro |
▲ 2 |
|
On the Fringe | ||
|
6 |
Marty Supreme – Josh Safdie |
— |
|
7 |
The Secret Agent – Kleber Mendonça Filho |
▲ 1 |
|
In the Mix | ||
|
8 |
It Was Just an Accident – Jafar Panahi |
▼ 4 |
|
9 |
Train Dreams – Clint Bentley |
▲ 2 |
|
10 |
Bugonia – Yorgos Lanthimos |
🆕 |
|
Long Shots | ||
|
11 |
No Other Choice – Park Chan-wook |
▼ 1 |
|
12 |
Sorry Baby – Eva Victor |
🆕 |
|
13 |
The Testament of Ann Lee – Mona Fastvold |
▼ 1 |
|
14 |
Weapons – Zach Cregger |
— |
|
15 |
Wicked: For Good – Jon M. Chu |
▼ 5 |
|
— |
Avatar: Fire and Ash – James Cameron |
🪦 |
The table updates as the awards season shifts – my ADHD and OCD won’t let it sit still. The leaderboard below stays put; it’s the Top 7 I locked in at the start of the month.
