Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar and Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE OSCARS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE OSCARS HUBRevisit the prediction archive of the 2021 season THE ARCHIVELink to television awards is atTHE EMMYS HUB
DRAFT>>>PRE-SEASON>>>REGULAR SEASON>>>POST SEASON
2022 OSCARS PREDICTIONS:
BEST DIRECTOR
UPDATED: July 15, 2021
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: We have many filmmakers in the running that have had either their films win best picture, international feature or they have won in other categories. We could have an onslaught of legends in the running.”
Adam Driver (Maurizio Gucci) and Lady Gaga (Patrizia Reggiani) in HOUSE OF GUCCI..Signore e Signora Gucci #HouseOfGucci ..A film about the tumultuous Gucci family fashion dynasty and the murder of founder Guccio Gucci’s grandson Maurizio Gucci…Director: Ridley Scott.Cast: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto, Jack Huston
Courtesy of Fabio Lovino/MGM
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
Ridley Scott"House of Gucci" (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
–DIRECTOR: Ridley ScottSYNOPSIS: The story of how Patrizia Reggiani, the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci, plotted to kill her husband, the grandson of renowned fashion designer Guccio Gucci.STARRING: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Salma Hayek, Jared Leto, Jack Huston, Jeremy Irons
Jane Campion"The Power of the Dog (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Jane CampionSYNOPSIS: A pair of brothers who own a large ranch in Montana are pitted against each other when one of them gets married.STARRING: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Thomasin McKenzie, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Adam McKay"Don't Look Up" (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Adam McKaySYNOPSIS: The story of two low-level astronomers, who must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet earth.STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Himesh Patel, Matthew Perry, Tyler Perry, Ron Perlman, Chris Evans, Mark Rylance, Michael Chiklis
Guillermo del Toro"Nightmare Alley" (Searchlight Pictures)
–DIRECTOR: Guillermo del ToroSYNOPSIS: An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.STARRING: Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, David Strathairn, Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, Holt McCallany, Clifton Collins Jr, Richard Jenkins, Tim Blake Nelson-
Joel Coen"The Tragedy of Macbeth" (A24)
–DIRECTOR: Joel CoenSYNOPSIS: A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.STARRING: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Brendan Gleeson, Corey Hawkins, Sean Patrick Thomas, Ralph Ineson, Brian Thompson
Seacia Pavao
NEXT IN LINE CONTENDERS:
Steven Spielberg"West Side Story" (20th Century Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Steven SpielbergSYNOPSIS: An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.STARRING: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle, Corey Stoll, Brian d'Arcy James, Rita Moreno
Paolo SorrentinoThe Hand of God (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Paolo SorrentinoSYNOPSIS: Plot unknown. Set in Naples and said to be a very personal film.STARRING: Toni Servillo
Justin Chon"Blue Bayou" (Focus Features)
–DIRECTOR: Justin ChonSYNOPSIS: As a Korean-American man raised in the Louisiana bayou works hard to make a life for his family, he must confront the ghosts of his past as he discovers that he could be deported from the only country he has ever called home.STARRING: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O'Brien, Emory Cohen
- Sian Heder
"CODA" (Apple TV Plus)
–DIRECTOR: Sian HederSYNOPSIS: As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.STARRING: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin, John Fiore, Eugenio Derbez, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Amy Forsyth, Kevin Chapman
Aaron Sorkin"Being the Ricardos" (Amazon Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Aaron SorkinSYNOPSIS: Follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.STARRING: Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacy, Clark Gregg, Tony Hale
Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival
TOP-TIER AWARDS CONTENDERS:
Reinaldo Marcus Green"King Richard" (Warner Bros)
–DIRECTOR: Reinaldo Marcus GreenSYNOPSIS: A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.STARRING: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Dylan McDermott
Lin-Manuel Miranda"Tick, Tick...Boom!" (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Lin-Manuel MirandaSYNOPSIS: The story of Jon, an aspiring theater composer who is waiting tables in New York City while writing Superbia - which he hopes will be the next great American musical and finally give him his big break.STARRING: Andrew Garfield, Bradley Whitford, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Judith Light, Joanna Adler, Noah Robbins, Robin de Jesus, Joshua Henry
Denzel Washington"A Journal for Jordan" (Sony Pictures)
–DIRECTOR: Denzel WashingtonSYNOPSIS: 1st Sgt. Charles Monroe King, before he is killed in action in Baghdad, authors a journal for his son intended to tell him how to live a decent life despite growing up without a father.STARRING: Michael B. Jordan, Chanté Adams
Jonas Poher Rasmussen"Flee" (Neon)
–DIRECTOR: Jonas Poher RasmussenSYNOPSIS: "Flee" tells the extraordinary true story of a man, Amin, on the verge of marriage which compels him to reveal his hidden past for the first time.STARRING: Rashid Aitouganov
Pablo Larraín"Spencer" (Neon)
–DIRECTOR: Pablo LarraínSYNOPSIS: During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.STARRING: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins, Sean Harris, Jack Farthing
Joe Wright"Cyrano" (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
–DIRECTOR: Joe WrightSYNOPSIS: Follows the life of Cyrano de Bergerac.STARRING: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Ben Mendelsohn, Brian Tyree Henry, Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Asghar Farhadi"A Hero" (Amazon Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Asghar FarhadiSYNOPSIS: Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don't go as planned.STARRING: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Sarina Farhadi, Fereshteh Sadr Orafaie
Chloé Zhao"Eternals" (Marvel Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Chloé ZhaoSYNOPSIS: The saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.STARRING: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Gil Birmingham, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie
Denis Villeneuve"Dune" (Warner Bros)
–DIRECTOR: Denis VilleneuveSYNOPSIS: Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.STARRING: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem
Paul Thomas Anderson"Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project" (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
–DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas AndersonSYNOPSIS: Set in 1970s San Fernando Valley, the film follows a high school student, who is also a successful child actor.STARRING: Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman, Alana Haim, Skyler Gisondo, Benny Safdie
Universal
ALSO IN CONTENTION:
Stephen Chbosky"Dear Evan Hansen" (Universal Pictures)
–DIRECTOR: Stephen ChobskySYNOPSIS: Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen, a high school senior with Social Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of a fellow classmate.STARRING: Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Nik Dodani, Colton Ryan, Danny Pino, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams
Jeymes Samuel"The Harder They Fall" (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Jeymes SamuelSYNOPSIS: When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge in this Western.STARRING: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Lakeith Stanfield, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Zazie Beetz, RJ Cyler
Jon M. Chu"In the Heights" (Warner Bros)
–DIRECTOR: Jon M. ChuSYNOPSIS: A film version of the Broadway musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.STARRING: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Jimmy Smits-
Mike Mills"C'mon C'mon" (A24)
–DIRECTOR: Mike Mills
SYNOPSIS: An artist embarks on a a cross-country trip with his young nephew.STARRING: Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman, Jaboukie Young-White
Kenneth Branagh"Belfast" (Focus Features)
–DIRECTOR: Kenneth BranaghSYNOPSIS: A young boy and his working class family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.STARRING: Judi Dench, Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Jude Hill
Sean Baker"Red Rocket" (A24)
–DIRECTOR: Sean BakerSYNOPSIS: Mikey Saber is a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone really wants him back.STARRING: Simon Rex, Bree Elrod, Suzanna Son
Ridley Scott"The Last Duel" (20th Century Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Ridley ScottSYNOPSIS: King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.STARRING: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Fran Kranz"Mass" (Bleecker Street)
–DIRECTOR: Fran KranzSYNOPSIS: Aftermath of a violent tragedy that affects the lives of two couples in different ways.STARRING: Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, Reed Birney
Wes Anderson"The French Dispatch" (Searchlight Pictures)
–DIRECTOR: Wes AndersonSYNOPSIS: A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine."STARRING: Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson
Andrew Dominik"Blonde" (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Andrew DominikSYNOPSIS: A fictionalized chronicle of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe.STARRING: Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Julianne Nicholson
Robert Viglasky
MORE AWARDS CONTENDERS:
Edgar Wright"Last Night in Soho" (Focus Features)
–DIRECTOR: Edgar WrightSYNOPSIS: A young girl, passionate about fashion design, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it seems, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences.STARRING: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, Rita Tushingham, Terrence Stamp
Rebecca Hall"Passing" (Netflix)
–DIRECTOR: Rebecca HallSYNOPSIS: "Passing" follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.STARRING: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Camp
Paul Schrader"The Card Counter" (Focus Features)
–DIRECTOR: Paul SchraderSYNOPSIS: A gambler attempts to give guidance to a young man who is out for revenge against a mutual enemy.STARRING: Oscar Isaac, Tye Sheridan, Tiffany Haddish, Willem Dafoe
Janicza Bravo"Zola" (A24)
–DIRECTOR: Janicza BravoSYNOPSIS: A stripper named Zola embarks on a wild road trip to Florida.STARRING: Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun, Ari'el Stachel, Colman Domingo
Will Sharpe"The Electrical Life of Louis Wain" (Amazon Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Will SharpeSYNOPSIS: English artist Louis Wain rises to prominence at the end of the 19th century for his surreal cat paintings.STARRING: Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones, Sharon Rooney
Pedro AlmodóvarMadres Paralelas (Sony Pictures Classics)
–DIRECTOR: Pedro AlmodóvarSYNOPSIS: The story of two mothers who give birth the same day.STARRING: Penelope Cruz, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Israel Elejalde, Julieta Serrano, Rossy de Palma
Destin Daniel Cretton"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (Marvel Studios)
–DIRECTOR: Destin Daniel CrettonSYNOPSIS: Shang-Chi, the master of unarmed weaponry based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.STARRING: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Ronny Chieng
Eva Husson"Mothering Sunday" (Sony Pictures Classics)
–DIRECTOR: Eva HussonSYNOPSIS: A maid living in post-World War I England secretly plans to meet with the man she loves before he leaves to marry another woman.STARRING: Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Sope Dirisu, Glenda Jackson
Maggie Gyllenhaal"The Lost Daughter" (No U.S. Distribution)
–DIRECTOR: Maggie GyllenhaalSYNOPSIS: A woman's beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of her past.STARRING: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ed Harris
Clint Eastwood"Cry Macho" (Warner Bros)
–DIRECTOR: Clint EastwoodSYNOPSIS: A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.STARRING: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam, Eduardo Minett
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Netflix
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS (UNRANKED):
Coming soon…
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best Director)
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is Hollywood’s most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. The most awarded films in Oscar history are “Ben-Hur,” “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” at 11 statuettes. The most nominated films in Academy history are “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land” at 14. “La La Land” is the only film of the three to have lost best picture. The biggest Oscar “losers,” meaning most nominated and walk away with zero awards, are 1977’s “The Turning Point” and 1985’s “The Color Purple” at 11 each. John Ford has the most wins in this category with four, with Frank Capra and William Wyler behind with three. Wyler has the most nominations of any director with 12, with Martin Scorsese next in line with nine. Clint Eastwood was the oldest winner in Oscar history at 74 when he won for “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), while the oldest nominee ever is John Huston at 79 when he was nominated for “Prizzi’s Honor.” The youngest winner in history is Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” (2016) at 32, while John Singleton was the youngest nominee of all-time at 24 when he was shortlisted for “Boyz N in the Hood.” (1991).
2022 Academy Awards Predictions
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Animated Feature
- Best Production Design
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
- Best Film Editing
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Best Sound
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Original Score
- Best Original Song
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best International Feature
- Best Animated Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Live-Action Short
2021 Oscars predictions are here.
About the Academy Awards (Oscars)
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is Hollywood’s most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. Since 1927, nominees and winners are selected by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 17 branches are represented within the near 10,000 person membership. The branches are actors, associates, casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, documentary, executives, film editors, makeup and hairstylists, marketing and public relations, members-at-large, members-at-large (artists’ representatives), music, producers, production design, short films and feature animation, sound, visual effects and writers.
- The date for the 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022