COSTUME DESIGN

Tier 1 - Predictions
For this first round of predictions were going with 18th century Italian opera, Scottish gothic mysteries, ancient Greek, the Regency Era, and an oft told toxic love story that's a costume feast. 

Tom Ford
never nominated
CRY TO HEAVEN
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

Sight unseen we know it will be stylish (it's Tom Ford and its' 18th century Italy amongst noblemen and the opera world). 

Michael O'Connor
3 noms | 1 win
JACK OF SPADES
(Distribution TBA)
Date tba

He always does rich work. How will this gothic mystery go over in general?

Ellen Mirojnick
1 nomination
THE ODYSSEY
(Universal)
July 17

Is it a sure thing across the board or are expectations way too high for Nolan's first film post Oscar win?

Grace Snell
never nominated
SENSE & SENSIBILITY
(Focus)
Oct 16

Her star is rising (she did great work on Pillion recently) and Oscars love the Georgian/Regency era.

Jacqueline Durran
9 noms | 2 wins 
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
(Warner Bros)
Feb 13

Bold and really memorable work and voters love her in general. But the early release and divisiveness won't help -- we shall see.

Tier 2 - Other Potential Contenders

How about a Spanish history epic, a 70s Hollywood romp, space fantasy in the desert, 13th century horror, or another take on Charles Dickens' oft-filmed classic about a scrooge. 

Ana López Cobos
never nominated
THE BLACK BALL
(Netflix)
Date tba

Is it an across-the-board contender or were pundits way too excited at Cannes to think long-haul (there are seven more months of new movies to come!

Trish Summerville
1 nomination 
THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH
(Netflix)
Nov 25

Summerville is quite talented but will voters want a second round with a different designer for these Hollywood stuntman tales?

Jacqueline West
5 noms
DUNE PART THREE
(Warner Bros)
Dec 18

They skipped a costume nomination for the second film. Will they give her one for the finale of her time on Arrakis or call it quits?

Linda Muir
1 nomination
WERWULF
(Focus)
Dec 25

They finally recognized her gifts with Nosferatu. But will this probably-less-glam outing set in the English countryside in the 13th century bring her a second nomination on its heels?

Catherine George
never nominated
EBENEEZER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Paramount
Nov 13

Catherine George is quite talented but usually works in contemporary or sci-fi costuming (both harder to win attention for than "costume dramas"). Will she find fresh angles on this classic tale?

Tier 3 - Wild Cards

Ex royals, Frankenstein monsters (again), two 1970s stories, and an 80s era crime drama. 

Sandy Powell
15 noms | 3 wins (with Charlotte Law)
MY DUCHESS
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

Should be a showcase for the type of costumes Oscar's costume branch loves. But will it find distribution in the US? And why did we hear so little out of Cannes?

Sandy Powell
15 noms | 3 wins
THE BRIDE!
(Warner Bros)
March 6

Memorable if not varied work (not many costume changes) but the film was not well received. Like Wuthering Heights, probably still a threat for "consideration" regardless.

Danny Glicker
1 nomination
BEING HEUMANN
(Apple)
Date tba

He's been nominated once before for a 1970s San Francisco film about activists (Milk). Could lightning strike twice?

Amy Roth
never nominated
I PLAY ROCKY
(Amazon)
Nov 6

The niece of legendary costume designer Ann Roth (!) hasn't yet had an awards breakthrough but recreations from a classic film and the 1970s could do it if the film is strong.

Amy Roth
never nominated
PAPER TIGER
(Neon) o
Date tba

The 80s are not typically a decade that gets the costume branch fired up but you never know. The film would need to be a contender in major categories for attention here.

Here are yet more movies which might have compelling Costume Design or be blessed with unexpectedly strong reception or awards campaigns...

Films With Previously Nominated Costume Designers

• Avengers Doomsday - Judianna Makovsky
• I Love Boosters - Shirley Kurata
• Mother Mary - Bina Daigeler
• Practical Magic 2 - Alexandra Byrne
• Project Hail Mary - David Crossman (with Glyn Dillon)
• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu - Mary Zophres

Films With Designers Who Have Not Yet Been Nominated

• Fatherland - Ola Staszko
• The Death of Robin Hood - Lorna O'Riordain
• The Devil Wears Prada 2 - Molly Rogers
• Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die - Neil McClean
• Masters of the Universe - Richard Sale
• Michael Marci Rodgers
• Moana - Liz McGregor
• Stop! That! Train! - Salvador Pérez Jr.
• The Uprising - Godena-Juhasz Attila & Toth Andras Daniel
• Victorian Psycho - Allison Byrne
• The Weight - Esther Waltz
• Wicker -Godena-Juhasz Attila & Toth Andras Daniel

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Tier 1 - Predictions

Hoyte Van Hoytema
2 noms | 1 win
THE ODYSSEY
(Universal)
July 17

It would be foolish to predict a shutout for this epic in this particular category.

Emmanuel Lubezki
8 noms | 3 wins
DIGGER
(Warner Bros)
Oct 2

Lubezki is a total legend. We expect Oscar nomination #9 if the film delivers even half as much as people think it might.

Greig Fraser
3 noms | 1 win
PROJECT HAIL MARY
(Amazon / MGM)
March 20

Fraser does incredible work on the regular and this sci-fi blockbuster was no exception. Could even be competitive for the win (if nominated)

Benjamin Kracun
never nominated
CRY TO HEAVEN
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

Kracun did undervalued work on The Substance. Is this castrati drama a ticket to his first nomination?

Linus Sandgren
1 nom | 1 win
DUNE PART THREE
tba

It's the first in the trilogy without Greig Fraser behind the camera. But Sandgren isn't exactly a slouch in stunning visuals. Unless the film disappoints or the enthusiasm for this series has waned...

Jarin Blaschke
2 noms
WERWULF
(Focus)
Dec 25

He does incredible and moody work for Eggers every time out. But Oscar generally ignores lycanthropic movies outside of the Makeup categories.

Gris Jordana
never nominated
THE BLACK BALL
(Netflix)
Date tba

The two time Goya nominee could cross over if the film is as big as Cannes attendees are saying it will be

Damián García
never nominated
BEHEMOTH!
(Searchlight)
Date tba

Early buzz on this music-centered drama is interesting and García has received an incredible 11 nominations and 1 win at the Ariel Awards in Mexico. Could this be his breakthrough to international attention?

Lukasz Zal
2 noms
FATHERLAND
(Mubi)
Date tba

Everyone knows that there's nothing that excites the cinematography branch as much as black and white pictures. Zal was passed over for great work (in color) with Hamnet so back to monochrome with him as with his first two nods (Ida, Cold War)

Bruno Delbonnel
6 noms
JACK OF SPADES
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

Will this gothic mystery from Joel Coen bring him back to the Oscars? We think it will need Best Picture heat to do so. Speaking of... see the next tier

Sean Porter
never nominated
I PLAY ROCKY
(Amazon / MGM)
Nov 13

Porter hasn't had an awards breakthrough yet but did great work on 20th Century Women ten years back

Janusz Kaminski
7 noms | 2 wins
DISCLOSURE DAY
(Universal)
June 10

Kaminski is a regular but will the film prove too divisive or released too early for craft  nominations? 

Erik Messerschmidt
1 nom | 1 win
THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH
(Netflix)
Nov 25

Another outing with David Fincher but no black and white this time which means it will need stronger reception overall to be nominated for its lensing.

Pal Ulvik Rokseth
never nominated
THE UPRISING
(Focus)
Sept 11

Could be a true showcase of his gifts but will it have more than niche appeal given the subject matter?

Jeff Cronenwerth
2 nominations
THE SOCIAL RECKONING
(Sony)
Oct 9

Kaminski is a previous nominee but will this be more of a commercial effort or an actors-only / script kind of awards play?

Here are yet more 2026 movies and their directors of photography.

Films With Previously Nominated DPs

• The Bride! - Lawrence Sher
• The Dog Stars - Erik Messerschmidt
• Heart of the Beast - Mauro Fiore
• Michael - Dion Beebe
• Wuthering Heights - Linus Sandgren

Films With DPs Who Have Not Yet Been Nominated

• At the Sea - Yorick Le Saux
• Bitter Christmas - Pau Esteve Birba
• Bucking Fastard - Peter Zeitlinger
• The Death of Robin Hood - Pat Scola
• Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol - Checco Varese
• The End of Oak Street - Mike Gioulakis
• Fjord- Tudo Vladimir Panduru
• I Love Boosters - Natasha Braier
• Mother Mary - Andrew Droz Palermo & Rina Yang
• Pressure - Jamie Ramsay
• Sense & Sensibility - Arnaud Potier
• The Stranger - Manuel Dacosse
• Wild Horse Nine - Ben Davis

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Tier 1 - Predictions

Ruth de Jong
1 nom
THE ODYSSEY
tba

Outdoor epics aren't as unlikely as you'd think in this category. It's as high profile as it gets. But will people love the film? 

Patrice Vermette
4 noms | 1 win
DUNE PART THREE

The Harry Potter franchise proved that you can get nominated over and over again in this category for one vision. Will we see new variations?

Charles Wood
never nominated
PROJECT HAIL MARY
(Amazon / MGM)
March 20

Memorable work but will that be enough given recency bias at awards shows

Suzie Davies
2 noms
CRY TO HEAVEN
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

Davies should have opportunities for opulence and socioeconomic variety here.

Craig Lathrop
1 nom
WERWULF
(Focus Features)

Lathrop's work is often immersive and committed but Oscar is only now noticing Egger and his creative team.

Dennis Gassner
7 noms | 1 win (with Richard Johnson)
DIGGER
(Warner Bros)
Oct 2

What kind of a movie will this be? There's a lot of hype but not a lot of certainty yet. 

Tom Vermette
BACKROOMS
(A24)
May 29

You'd think films where the sets are like full characters would be nominated more often than they are in Production Design.  Will the branch be brave and go for this liminal horror? 

Sarah Greenwood
7 noms
JACK OF SPADES
(Distributor TBA)
Date TBA

Greenwood is a treasure. Will Jack of Spades bring back some of that Coen magic? 

Roger Beliés
(never nominated)
THE BLACK BALL
(Netflix)
Date tba

Oscar loves an epic in this category. Will this gay Spanish epic become the year's biggest foreign hit?

Adam Stockhausen
4 noms | 1 win
DISCLOSURE DAY
()
June

It's strange to call an Oscar winner underrewarded but Stockhausen always delivers yet the nominations are spotty! His work is memorable again here.

Here are yet more movies which might have an outside shot at Production Design honors

Films With Previously Nominated Production Designers

• Disclosure Day - Adam Stockhausen
• Ebeneezer A Christmas Carol - Eve Stewart
• The Sheep Detectives - Suzie Davies

Films With Designers Who Have Not Yet Been Nominated

• Avengers Doomsday - Gavin Bocquet
• Bitter Christmas - Antxon Gomez
• The Death of Robin Hood - David Lee
• The Dog Stars - Chris Seagers
• Fatherland - Marcel Slawinski & Kataryzna Sobanska
• Mother Mary - Francesca Di Mottola
• Sense & Sensibility - Franeesca Di Mottola
• The Uprising - Nikolaj Danielsen

Unknown Designers

• The Adventures of Cliff Booth - ?

FILM EDITING

Tier 1 - Predictions

Joel Negron
never nominated
PROJECT HAIL MARY
(Amazon/MGM)
March 20

Joe Walker
3 noms | 1 win
DUNE PART THREE
(Warner Bros)
Dec 18

Sarah Broshar
(never nominated)
DISCLOSURE DAY
(Universal)
June 10

Louise Ford
never nominated
WERWULF
(Focus)
Dec 25

Kirk Baxter
3 noms | 2 wins
THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH
(Netflix)
Nov

Films With Previously Nominated Editors

• The Bride! Dylan Tichenor
• The Death of Robin Hood Andrew Mondshein
• The Dog Stars Claire Simpson (with Sam Restivo)
• Michael John Ottman (with Harry Yoon)
• The Uprising William Goldenberg

Info Not Yet Available On Who the Editor is...

• Ebeneezer A Christmas Carol
• The Great Beyond
• Jack of Spades
• Sense & Sensibility
• The Social Reckoning
• Untitled Jessie Eisenberg Film

Films With Editors Who Have Not Yet Been Nominated

• Bitter Christmas - Teresa Font
• The Great Beyond - Amy Brenner
• Fatherland - Piotr Wojcik
• Flowervale Street - John Axelrad
• Fjord - Mircea Olteanu
• How to Rob a Bank - Elisabet Ronaldsdottir
• I Love Boosters - Terrel Gibson & Matthew Hannam
• I Swear - Sam Sneade
• Josephine -multiple editors
• The Only Living Pickpocket in New York - Hilda Rasula
• Paper Tiger - Scott Morris
• Power Ballad - Stephen O'Connell
• Switzerland - Andrew Hulme
• Wuthering Heights - Victoria Boydell

VISUAL EFFECTS

Tier 1 - Predictions

DUNE PART THREE

The other two films won the Oscar in this category. Will the series go three-for-three?

PROJECT HAIL MARY

Hard to imagine this blockbuster not placing. Gorgeous visuals throughout

THE END OF OAK STREET

Dinosaurs are a natural fit for this category.

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO

The previous film won the Oscar. Will they want a second round?

WILDWOOD

Stop motion films have made the finals before. This may be wishful thinking but wouldn't it be wonderful?

THE ODYSSEY

It's got to miss somewhere, right?

AVENGERS DOOMSDAY

Marvel films are hit and miss in this category

DISCLOSURE DAY

Usually they like "Most" effects so it could struggle since they're intermittent.

SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY

The new Spider-Man films have struggled to land her (though No Way Home did)

MANDALORIAN & GROGU

Star Wars used to be given in this category but no longer.

Visual Effects may be the feature film category that's LEAST effected by what's going on in every other category. We wish other branches would follow suit and only focus on THAT achievement.

Other possible film that could come into play.

• Apex
• The Bride!
• Clayface
• The Dog Stars
• Ebenezeer A Christmas Carol
• Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die
• The Great Beyond
• Hoppers
• Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
• Masters of the Universe
• Moana
• The Mummy
• Practical Magic 2
• The Sheep Detectives
• Supergirl
• Toy Story 5
• Werwulf

MAKEUP AND HAIR

Tier 1 - Predictions

Allesandro Bertolazzi
(1 nom | 1 win) & Kazu Hiro (6 noms | 2 wins)
DIGGER

Hard to bet against Hiro in this category.

Christine Blundell
(1 nom | 1 win) WERWULF

Werwulf films land here even when they aren't good. If it's good, watch out!

Mike Marino
(3 noms)
CLAYFACE

Marino is a regular so we can see it.

Louise Abel
(1 nom)
THE ODYSSEY

Doesn't feel like a slam dunk but this category can be hard to predict.

Zsofia Otvos & Joe Dunckley
(never nominated)
WICKER

Will Skarsgård's woven look do it for voters?

Barry Gower
(never nominated)
EBENEEZER A CHRISTMAS CAROL
()
Nov 13

If the film is well-received we could see it being competitive here. But that's a big "if"

Jackie Risotto & Nakoya Yancey (never nominated)
I PLAY ROCKY
(Amazon/ MGM)
Nov

If the film is a hit, sometimes they like "recreations" in this category.

Barry Gower (never nominated)
PROJECT HAIL MARY
(Amazon/MGM)
Mar 20

We suspect the work is too non-flashy here.

Glenn P Griffon
(1 nomination)
THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH
(Netflix)
Nov

Will this branch go for its 70s hairstyles -- usually they like a lot more prosthetics.

Raffaella Lorio & Domingo Santoro
(never nominated)
CRY TO HEAVEN
(Distributor tba)
Date tba

The opportunity is here for impressive hair & makeup. We shall see.

Here are yet more movies which might have compelling Makeup and Hairstyling. But this branch is a notoriously difficult read on all fronts. They love period films until they don't. They hate horror films unless they love them. They love old age makeup except when they don't. They like glamour unless there aren't enough extravagant wigs. Etcetera. Just about the only consistent thing is that they don't like zombie movies at all... no matter how well regarded said zombie film is. They don't even put them on the longlists.

• Apex
• Avengers: Doomsday
• Backrooms
• The Bride!
• The Death of Robin Hood
• The Devil Wears Prada 2
• Disclosure Day
• Dune Part Three
• Hope
• Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping
• I Love Boosters
• Jack of Spades
• Michael
• Mother Mary
• The Mummy
• Other Mommy
• Send Help
• Sense & Sensibility
• Supergirl
• The Uprising
• Wuthering Heights