Los Angeles: The film industry is setting its sights on awards season as a multitude of Oscar-hopeful movies begin to emerge.
According to BBC, recent film festivals in Venice, Telluride, and Toronto have showcased a variety of films, joining others that have already created buzz at Sundance and Cannes earlier in the year. Among these, films like "Hamnet," "Sinners," and "Christy" are generating significant attention as the Oscars race officially begins.
Set in the year 1596, "Hamnet" explores the death of William Shakespeare's 11-year-old son and its influence on the creation of the play "Hamlet." The film recently won the Toronto People's Choice Award, a notable predictor of Oscars success, with a UK release scheduled for January 9, 2026.
Director Paul Thomas Anderson, known for movies such as "Licorice Pizza" and "There Will Be Blood," may finally achieve Oscars recognition with "One Battle After Another." The film, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, delves into the story of former revolutionaries on a mission to rescue a kidnapped girl and is set for a UK release on September 26.
Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," a vampire movie focusing on twin brothers returning to the Mississippi Delta, stands out as an original box office hit. Despite its early release, "Sinners" is considered a strong Oscars contender.
Emma Stone stars in "Bugonia," a film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, where she plays a CEO kidnapped by conspiracy theorists. The film, set for a UK release on November 7, may earn co-star Jesse Plemons his first best actor nomination.
"Christy," starring Sydney Sweeney, chronicles the life of famed boxer Christy Martin. Directed by David Michôd, the film highlights Martin's rise in the 1990s and her tumultuous personal life, releasing in UK cinemas on November 28.
Daniel Day-Lewis returns to the screen in "Anemone," directed by his son Ronan. The film, about a former soldier reconnecting with his brother, marks Day-Lewis's comeback and is set for a UK release on November 7.
"The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne Johnson as UFC fighter Mark Kerr, is another sports drama vying for Oscar attention. Directed by Benny Safdie, who won best director at Venice, the film premieres in the UK on October 3.
"Sentimental Value," a Cannes Grand Prix winner, tells the story of two sisters reconnecting with their estranged father after their mother's death. Directed by Joachim Trier, the film releases in the UK on December 26.
Luca Guadagnino's "A Promising College Student" addresses a complex narrative involving accusations of rape, with a UK release on October 22. Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just An Accident," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, depicts a man's encounter with his former torturer and releases on December 5.
"Marty Supreme," a film about table tennis player Marty Reisman starring Timothée Chalamet, will hit UK cinemas on January 1, 2026. Lastly, "Wicked: For Good" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash" are expected to dominate the box office, with both films being sequels to previous best picture nominees.
Other notable films in the awards race include Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," George Clooney's "Jay Kelly," and music biopic "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere." The international film category features strong contenders such as "No Other Choice" from South Korea and "The Secret Agent" from Brazil.