Oscar season is here. With the ceremony less than a month away, I have watched every Best Picture nominee and will now tell you my predictions for who will take home Academy Awards in the top three categories.
Best Picture
The 10 Best Picture nominees are as follows: “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, “The Brutalist,” directed by Brady Corbet, “Complete Unknown,” directed by James Mangold, Conclave directed by Edward Berger, “Dune: Part Two,” directed by Denis Villeneuve, “Emilia Pérez,” directed by Jacques Audiard, “I’m Still Here,” directed by Walter Salles, “Nickel Boys,” directed by RaMell Ross, “The Substance,” directed by Coralie Fargeat and “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu.
Best Picture is a tough category to judge. I would love for a horror film like “The Substance” to win. However, I also think “Dune: Part Two” deserves recognition as one of the best sci-fi films in years.
My prediction, however, is “Conclave,” an Edward Berger film following the selection of a new Catholic pope. “Conclave,” released on October 25, successfully creates a sense of being included as an observer to one of the most mystical selection processes in today’s society.
Edward Berger’s last film “All Quiet on the Western Front” was an Oscar favorite in 2023 and I think the academy will want to reward him again for his hard work by naming “Conclave” Best Picture.

Best Director
Best Director is a fun category because, throughout Oscar history, the Best Director winner has often been the director of the Best Picture. According to Filmsite, through 2023, out of 96 films winning Best Picture awards 68 have also been awarded Best Director.
I think this year will be an exception, though. I predict Best Director will go to James Mangold for “A Complete Unknown.” The academy loves biopic films, films that are based on real people, often celebrities. Like Berger, James Mangold has been nominated for an Oscar a few times, and this could be the academy’s chance to award Mangold as a director who has made great films in the past and has done it again this year.
Best Actor
There are several great nominees for Best Actor this year.
Kieran Culkin in “A Hard Pain” portrays a man traveling back to his grandmother’s home country after she passes away. Culkin gives an amazing performance filled with grief and a longing to be a better man.
Demi Moore in “The Substance” portrays a washed-up celebrity who takes an experimental drug that transforms her into a younger version of herself. “The Substance” shows the dangers of show business and how unforgiving the industry can be.
Ariana Grande portrays Glinda in “Wicked.” Grande’s fantastic performance was enhanced by her willingness to put herself out there and take on a huge project that she was more than deserving of.
However, I predict that Timothée Chalamet will win best actor for his performance as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” It helps that he has had a great Oscar campaign from performing a cover of a Bob Dylan song on Saturday Night Live to posting videos online.
This year has been a fun time for the film industry. Roll up your sleeves, get your notebook out and join me in selecting your choices to receive these coveted Academy Awards.