2026 Oscars: Show stealing performances everyone’s raving about

The 2026 Oscars are shaping up to be one of the most competitive years in recent memory. From legendary actors making comebacks to visionary directors pushing their artistry forward,

Here are the names everyone’s talking about:

Lead Actress

Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

Buckley delivers a powerhouse performance as Shakespeare’s wife in Hamnet. Critics are calling her work “career-defining,” positioning her as a leading contender.

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked for Good

Already a Tony and Grammy winner, Erivo brings her musical magic to the big screen in Wicked for Good. If the film lands, she could easily sing her way to Oscar gold.

Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee

Seyfried continues her awards momentum with a haunting turn in The Testament of Ann Lee. Her transformation has been praised as one of her most daring roles yet.

Emma Stone – Bugonia

Stone reunites with Lanthimos after her Oscar-winning Poor Things. In Bugonia, she reportedly delivers another bold, layered performance that could put her back in the race.

Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value

The Norwegian actress who broke out in The Worst Person in the World stuns again in Sentimental Value. Her emotional depth may earn her first Oscar nomination.

Julia Roberts – After the Hunt

Roberts makes a major awards-season comeback in After the Hunt. The veteran star could surprise with a performance that reminds voters why she’s Hollywood royalty.

Lead Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another

DiCaprio teams once more with Paul Thomas Anderson, and the pairing is already generating Oscar buzz. His role in the sweeping drama could cement him as a frontrunner.

Dwayne Johnson – Smashing Machine

In a career-defining turn, Johnson trades action for raw drama in Smashing Machine. Critics say it’s his most vulnerable performance yet, one that could change his career forever.

Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent

The Brazilian star of Narcos might break into the Oscar conversation with The Secret Agent. Early praise suggests his performance is riveting and intense.

Jesse Plemons – Bugonia

Plemons has quietly become one of Hollywood’s most reliable actors. In Bugonia, he reportedly steals the show with a hauntingly understated performance.

Daniel Day-Lewis – Anemone

The three-time Oscar winner comes out of retirement for Anemone. If he delivers even half of what early screenings suggest, he could be unstoppable.

Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme

Chalamet continues to show his range in Marty Supreme. His bold, energetic performance could earn him yet another shot at Oscar glory.