Most Anticipated Award Season Contenders for 2027

With every award season we get some fantastic films, incredible performances and lots of debate over which films should be getting the biggest awards in the industry. As we get closer to 2027 there are already many films people are keeping an eye on.

We have some really interesting early contenders in this list, with big Hollywood films, ambitious indie films, international films and standout performances. Although there still needs to be some nominations we already have some films that have caught a lot of people’s attention.

These are some of the most anticipated contenders for 2027.

1. The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan)

One of the biggest early contenders is The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan. This film is based on the ancient Greek epic created by Homer.

Due to Christopher Nolan’s reputation for making ambitious films this has become one of the most anticipated films of the year. It could win a variety of awards due to its big narrative, stunning visuals, amazing visuals design and incredible performances.

This film features some strong early awards contender performances from Matt Damon. It could win Best Picture and Best Director.

The main issue will be keeping up the momentum during the awards season but it has already shown itself to be a contender.

2. La Bola Negra (International Film)

This isn’t just about big Hollywood films. International films can often be big contenders and La Bola Negra is catching some attention.

La Bola Negra follows intertwined stories and relationships throughout various times in history. The artistic style and strong performances have caught the attention of critic.

It could be a contender in the International Feature category. Alongside this, it will likely have some attention in other categories including Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Screenplay.

As it gets more attention it shows how international films can bring new ideas and unique stories to the industry.

3. Wild Horse Nine (Indie Film)

Wild Horse Nine by Martin McDonagh is also gaining some early awards attention.

Martin McDonagh knows how to blend dark humour with complex characters and emotional narratives. This makes his latest project an interesting contender.

This film has appeared in many early Best Picture predictions. It has an amazing screenplay, strong performances and great direction which could help it with winning multiple awards.

Although indie films can sometimes struggle with bigger films they can still shine through with their unique story and memorable performances.

4. Project Hail Mary (Sci-Fi)

Sci-Fi films aren’t always known for winning big awards for acting and Best Picture but this could change.

Project Hail Mary follows an astronauts incredible mission to save humanity. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller this film brings a big sci-fi story with emotional narratives. It is based on the best selling novel by Andy Weir.

This film has caught some early awards attention thanks to Ryan Gosling’s performance. It features stunning visual effects, sound, cinematography and visual design.

This film has a great balance of being entertaining whilst having emotional narratives so could be an interesting contender.

5. Dune: Part Three (Epic Film Universe)

Dune: Part Three by Denis Villeneuve is one of the most anticipated upcoming films.

The previous films in the series have been an incredible feat, with the film receiving awards for its visual effects, cinematography, sound, visual design and more.

The third film in the series could be another huge success. If it provides a satisfying ending to the story it could be a serious contender for many technical awards and could even be up for Best Picture.

Ultimately this will depend on how it turns out.

#m6. The Invite (Surprise Contender)

Not all films will have a huge budget and stunning visuals. Some can simply have a great screenplay and incredible performances.

The Invite by Olivia Wilde has received great early attention. It has some great performances and a good screenplay.

It has a smaller scale which could set it apart from the bigger films. It may also appeal to voters who enjoy character driven stories and witty dialogue.

This could become a surprise contender.

7. The Debut (Performances)

The Debut by Jesse Eisenberg is another film to keep an eye on.

Films with great performances can become big contenders. If the characters and emotional narratives truly connect with the audience and critics.

This film has already caught some early attention for its great acting opportunities. There has been some discussion around Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.

Whilst it will face competition from many high profile films it could win some recognition thanks to its great performances. It could win some acting and screenplay awards.

What Makes This Year’s Awards Season Interesting?

One of the most interesting things about this years awards is how diverse they are.

We have some big films like The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three. These have incredible cinematography and technical elements. We also have some films like La Bola Negra and Wild Horse Nine showing how unique stories and creative cinematography can be important.

We could also see some more recognition for international and indie films. More people are discovering films from other countries and having them in the awards conversation means they could reach a much wider audience.

The competition could get very unpredictable as more films get screened, reviewed and recognised.

When Will We Know Who Will Win The 2027 Oscar Race?

Whilst it is exciting to see early predictions, they shouldn’t be taken as the final outcome. The conversations can change quite a bit as more critics give their opinions. These films will have a variety of factors that will impact their chances.

All of these factors will impact how they do.

The final nominations will give us more of an idea of who has kept up their momentum.

Final Thoughts

This years awards look set to be an exciting time for films. From Christopher Nolan’s ambitious The Odyssey to the international stories in La Bola Negra there are many different creative approaches.

Whilst we can’t be certain who will win, there are plenty of films to talk about.

The most exciting part is seeing which films will blow our expectations out the water, which will have incredible performances and if there will be any surprises.

One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of conversations about these films on the road to the 2027 awards.