25 Oscar-tipped films, and how to watch them
Hollywood stars are preparing to attend one ceremony after another, as the film awards season gets fully under way.
Marty Supreme, Hamnet and Wicked: For Good are a few of the frontrunners in what is shaping up to be a competitive year for the Oscars race.
The Golden Globe nominations, arguably the first major milestone of awards season, will give some indication of which films have momentum when they are announced on 8 December.
The competition continues with the Bafta Film Awards and the recently renamed Actor Awards (formerly SAG), before the season concludes with the Oscars on 15 March.
Most of the frontrunners premiered at film festivals such as Cannes, Venice and Telluride, but one or two remaining contenders such as Avatar: Fire and Ash have still to launch before the end of the year.
Here are 25 of the major contenders, and how you can watch them.
A House of Dynamite
A missile is hurtling towards Chicago, prompting a scramble as the US government and security forces race to intervene. A thriller told from three different perspectives, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson.
On Netflix now.
After The Hunt
A promising college student accuses one of her professors of rape, leaving another teacher caught in the middle. A psychological thriller starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield, and directed by Luca Guadagnino.
On Amazon Prime Video now.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
The Na’vi encounter an aggressive new tribe in the third instalment of James Cameron’s hugely successful sci-fi series, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña.
In UK cinemas from 19 December.
Blue Moon
Ethan Hawke stars as lyricist Lorenz Hart, who battles alcoholism and mental health issues ahead of the premiere of the musical Oklahoma!, in one of two films in this year’s awards race directed by Richard Linklater.
In UK cinemas now.
Bugonia
Two young conspiracy theorists kidnap and hold captive the CEO of a giant pharmaceutical company, who they believe is an alien. Director Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with actors Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone.
In UK cinemas now and available to rent digitally from 1 December.
Christy
The true story of boxer Christy Martin’s rise to fame in the 1990s, and her husband’s attempt to murder her in 2010. Directed by David Michôd, starring Sydney Sweeney.
In UK cinemas now.
Die My Love
A young couple move to a secluded country house and have a baby, but the mother’s mental health suffers under the pressure of domestic life. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star in Lynne Ramsay’s movie.
In UK cinemas now.
F1
Several technical nominations are likely for this film about a former racing driver who returns to the track 30 years after an accident nearly ended his career. Starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski.
On Apple TV+ from 12 December.
Frankenstein
A mad scientist brings a creature to life from dead body parts, only to be repulsed by his creation and abandon it. Guillermo del Toro directs a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
On Netflix now.
Hamnet
Set in 1596 and adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, a mother is devastated following the death of her 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Meanwhile, the boy’s father, William Shakespeare, writes a play to deal with his own grief. Directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
In UK cinemas 9 January 2026.
Is This Thing On?
A husband and father turns to performing stand-up comedy as he navigates his divorce. Will Arnett and Laura Dern star in Bradley Cooper’s film, which is inspired by British comedian John Bishop’s life story.
In UK cinemas 30 January 2026.
It Was Just An Accident
A man recognises the former Iranian intelligence officer who tortured him in prison after a chance encounter at a garage, leading him to take drastic measures to get his revenge. Directed by Jafar Panahi, the film won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Released in UK cinemas from 5 December.
Jay Kelly
A popular actor in his 60s grapples with the family life he missed out on because of his career. He downs tools and heads to Europe to spend time with his daughters. Starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, directed by Noah Baumbach.
On Netflix from 15 December.
Kpop Demon Hunters
A hugely popular girl group juggle their music careers with protecting their fans from a rival boyband, whose members are secretly demons. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.
On Netflix now.
Marty Supreme
In 1950s New York City, table tennis player Marty Reisman begins to make his name as he pursues a dream few people around him respect. Directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet.
In UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.
One Battle After Another
A father reconnects with his former group of revolutionaries following the kidnap of his daughter. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti.
In UK cinemas and available for digital rental now.
The Secret Agent
A technology expert on the run from Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1977 seeks refuge in his hometown of Recife – but hired hitmen are hot on his tail. Starring Wagner Moura and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho.
In UK cinemas 20 February 2026.
Sentimental Value
Following the death of their mother, two sisters reconnect with their distant father, a famous Swedish director who is working on his comeback film. Directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.
In UK cinemas from 26 December 2026.
Sinners
Twin brothers who return home to the Mississippi Delta in 1932 for a fresh start, not realising an evil force awaits them. A vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
Available for digital rental now.
The Smashing Machine
Fighter Mark Kerr makes his name in the 1990s heydey of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), amid a strained relationship with his partner Dawn Staples. Directed by Bennie Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
In UK cinemas now.
Song Sung Blue
Two performers who impersonate famous musicians form a Neil Diamond tribute band and fall in love, but a devastating accident threatens their relationship and dreams. Directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
In UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
A young Bruce Springsteen shelves the probable hits he’s written in favour the more stripped-back and introverted songs that will become his 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper and starring Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
In UK cinemas now.
Train Dreams
An American railroad worker lives a life of loneliness until he marries and has a daughter, but tragedy soon strikes on one of his long trips away from home. Directed by Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones.
On Netflix now.
Weapons
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Directed by Zach Cregger and starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Amy Madigan.
Available for digital rental now.
Wicked: For Good
Following the events of 2024’s Wicked, Elphaba is now living in exile, while Glinda is enjoying her newfound fame and popularity in Oz. Directed by Jon M Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
In UK cinemas now.
