The 2026 Academy Awards are almost here, and while everyone has their Oscar predictions, I’m less concerned with who will win and more interested in who should win.
What do I mean? Well, like anything else, the Oscars are political. There is campaigning involved, and the win often goes to the actor or film with the most buzz or momentum. No doubt that will happen again this year. And while all of the nominees are deserving (these are the best of the best after all), my 2026 picks don’t perfectly align with who will likely take home the prize. (Sorry, Jessie Buckley.)
Here, this entertainment editor reveals the four actors and one movie that should win a 2026 Oscar.