10 Way-Too-Early Best Picture Contenders For The 2027 Oscars

Some will falter.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With the 98th Academy Awards behind us, it's already time to start looking ahead to the 2027 Oscars. The 99th Academy Awards will have a tough task of following up a rather loaded year when One Battle After Another and Sinners balanced being successful critically, financially, and with various awards shows. The good news is that some of 2026's most anticipated movies are expected to not only be huge blockbuster hits but also ones that could contend for the next Oscars at the highest level: Best Picture.

Why it matters

The 2027 Oscars race is already shaping up to be an exciting one, with a number of high-profile films expected to compete for the coveted Best Picture award. These early contenders span a range of genres and styles, showcasing the diversity and depth of talent in the film industry. As the year progresses, the competition is likely to intensify, with more titles emerging as potential frontrunners.

The details

The article highlights 10 films that are already being considered as potential Best Picture contenders for the 2027 Oscars. These include the sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, the international drama 1949/Fatherland, the sequel The Social Reckoning, the satirical black comedy The Entertainment System Is Down, the coming-of-age story Saturn Return, the family drama Fjord, the drama Behemoth!, the black comedy Digger, the third installment of the Dune trilogy, and the epic The Odyssey. The article provides a brief overview of each film, including its director, cast, and potential award nominations.

  • The 98th Academy Awards have already taken place.
  • The 99th Academy Awards will be held in 2027.

The players

Project Hail Mary

A sci-fi movie directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, based on the book by Andy Weir and starring Ryan Gosling.

1949/Fatherland

A drama directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, about German novelist Thomas Mann and his daughter, starring Hanns Zischler and Sandra Hüller.

The Social Reckoning

A sequel to The Social Network, directed by Aaron Sorkin, with a cast including Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, and Mikey Madison.

The Entertainment System Is Down

A satirical black comedy directed by Ruben Östlund, starring Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, and Daniel Brühl.

Saturn Return

A coming-of-age drama directed by Greg Kwedar, starring Rachel Brosnahan, Charles Melton, and William Poulter.

Fjord

A drama directed by Cristian Mungiu, starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.

Behemoth!

A drama directed by Tony Gilroy, starring Pedro Pascal, Will Arnett, Eva Victor, Olivia Wilde, and Matthew Lillard.

Digger

A black comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Tom Cruise and John Goodman.

Dune: Part Three

The third installment of the Dune trilogy, directed by Denis Villeneuve, starring Zendaya.

The Odyssey

An epic film directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The 2027 Oscars race is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a diverse array of high-profile films vying for the coveted Best Picture award. From sci-fi and international dramas to sequels, satires, and epic tales, this year's contenders showcase the depth and breadth of talent in the film industry. As the year progresses, the competition is likely to intensify, making the eventual winner all the more impressive.