Oscar Buzz: Bookmakers Believe This Film Could Sweep the Awards
The 2026 Oscars are still months away, but there’s already a frontrunner catching everyone’s attention. Bookmakers are placing heavy bets on One Battle After Another as the likely Best Picture winner. According to Paddy Power, the film leads the pack at odds of 4/7.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. Early buzz suggests it could dominate not only Best Picture but several other major categories at the Academy Awards next March.
In fact, Paddy Power’s predictions indicate that One Battle After Another is expected to perform strongly across the board.
For Best Actor, Timothe Chalamet is the early favorite for his role in Marty Supreme at odds of 10/11, with Leonardo DiCaprio close behind at 15/8. For Best Actress, Jessie Buckley is the top pick for her work in Hamnet at 2/5, while Chase Infiniti is second-favorite for One Battle After Another at 5/2.
The first trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 27, 2025
In theaters on September 26. pic.twitter.com/Eyp7oPkHhv
The Best Director race is also shaping up with Paul Thomas Anderson in the lead for One Battle After Another at 4/9. Chloe Zhao for Hamnet and Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value are trailing at 9/4 and 4/1, respectively, while Ryan Googler for Sinners shares the 4/1 odds with Trier.
Even though not all films in the 2026 lineup have hit cinemas yet, speculation is already growing about which movie might sweep the awards. Horror hit Sinners recently submitted two original songs for consideration, adding to the excitement around the season.
Paddy Power’s early predictions show that besides One Battle After Another, films like Hamnet, Sentimental Value, and Sinners are also in the running, but the consensus among bookmakers is clear. The anticipation around the Oscars has begun, and fans are already debating whether One Battle After Another could take home multiple awards.
It’s important to note that while early predictions are exciting, nothing is guaranteed until the Academy announces the winners in March 2026. For now, the betting odds give a clear sense of which films are generating the most buzz.
What do you think? Could One Battle After Another really sweep the Oscars, or will another film surprise everyone? Share your thoughts in the comments.
