Oscars Nominations 2026 – Best Picture Odds

Oscars Nominations 2026 – Best Picture Odds
With the 98th Academy Awards on the horizon, the race for the coveted Best Picture award is beginning to take focus. Early predictions from goldderby.com show a clear and dominant frontrunner emerging, a film that has captured the attention of both critics and audiences. While the odds currently favor one film by a significant margin, the field of contenders includes blockbuster sequels, intimate dramas, and potential dark horses, setting the stage for a fascinating awards season.
Goldderby.com Points to Sinners as the Overwhelming Favorite
According to the latest data from goldderby.com, the drama Sinners is the undisputed frontrunner to win Best Picture. The film currently holds odds of 1.2, which translates to an overwhelming 89.58% probability of taking home the top prize. This commanding lead suggests that Academy voters are expected to be deeply impressed by the film’s powerful narrative and masterful direction. Its position as the odds-on favorite makes it the benchmark against which all other contenders will be measured this season.
For a full breakdown of the odds, visit goldderby.com.
Runner-Up: Wicked: For Good Remains in the Conversation
While Sinners appears to have a lock on the top spot, the runner-up according to goldderby.com is the highly anticipated musical fantasy, Wicked: For Good. As the second part of the ambitious two-film adaptation, it carries the momentum from the first installment, which garnered significant awards attention. Musicals have a history of performing well at the Oscars, and with its built-in fan base and epic scale, Wicked: For Good remains a formidable contender capable of mounting a serious challenge.
The Dark Horse: Sentimental Value
Emerging as a potential dark horse in the Best Picture race is Sentimental Value. The Joachim Trier-directed family drama earned critical acclaim upon its debut, praised for its nuanced performances and emotionally resonant storytelling. While not currently positioned as a top-tier contender in the betting odds, films with strong critical backing and emotional depth often gain momentum as the awards season progresses.
Big Payoff Perspective: Could Sirât Pull Off an Upset?
For those looking for a true long-shot with a potentially massive reward, the international film Sirât presents a compelling option. With an extremely low probability of just 0.25%, a victory for Sirât would be one of the biggest upsets in Oscar history. However, the Academy has shown an increasing willingness to award the Best Picture prize to international features, as seen with Parasite. A bet on Sirât is a high-risk gamble, but one that could yield a significant payoff if it defies the odds.
Expert Predictions Suggest a More Competitive Race
It is worth noting that expert predictions are not universally aligned with the betting odds from goldderby.com. While many outlets concur that Sinners is the film to beat, others are pointing to different films as strong contenders that could disrupt the race. Some analysts believe that the upcoming thriller After the Hunt, from acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino, has the pedigree to be a major awards player.
Final Thoughts: Is Sinners Unstoppable?
While the current odds from goldderby.com paint a picture of dominance for Sinners, the Best Picture race is far from over. As past Oscar races have proven, frontrunners can falter, and dark horses can emerge, making the road to the 2026 Oscars an exciting one.