It’s never too early to talk aboutnextyear’s Oscar race, right? Okay maybe it is, but while we’re all on the subject, let’s go ahead and take a way-too-early look at the films that might be dominating next year’s awards season. This is an annual tradition here on Collider, and some years my list turns out to be pretty spot on, while others it’s a big swing and a miss—I only had three of this year’s eventual Best Picture nomineeson my list last year.
But there’s a lot to look forward to in 2019, and some big films from heavy hitters (and Oscar favorites) likeMartin Scorsese,Quentin Tarantino, andDanny Boyle, as well as new films from a pair of young filmmakers who burst onto the Oscar scene recently:Greta GerwigandJordan Peele. So without further ado, let’s run down 12 films that may be in next year’s Oscar race.
The Irishman
Much likeRomalast year,The Irishmanis the “heavy hitter” at this early stage. It’s a passion project gangster drama for Oscar-winning directorMartin Scorsesethat chronicles the life of a hitman and his associates over the course of a number of decades. Cutting-edge de-aging technology will allow Oscar winnersRobert De Niro,Joe Pesci, andAl Pacinoto play their characters at various ages, which also makes this an early frontrunner for that Best Visual Effects Oscar if the quality is there. Oh yeah, and it boasts a screenplay by Oscar-winningSchindler’s ListwriterSteven Zaillian.
The one big question mark with regards toThe Irishmanis its distributor, which is Netflix.Romafailed to clinch the big prize this year, and one wonders if there still exists an “anti-Netflix” sentiment in the Academy. Netflix has alreadycommitted to a theatrical releaseforThe Irishman, and in contrast to the harder sell ofRoma, one imagines this one could be a bona fide box office hit if given the platform. A lot of question marks on this one, but given the pedigree involved I’m expecting this to be a major player.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
This one checks a whole lot of Academy boxes. It’s a newQuentin Tarantinomovie, it’saboutHollywood, it has an absolutely stacked ensemble cast, and it’s led by two of the biggest movie stars on the planet.Leonardo DiCapriostars as a famous Western TV show star andBrad Pittis his stunt double, and together the two confront a rapidly evolving Hollywood landscape in 1969. WhileInglourious BasterdsandDjango Unchainedboth earned Best Picture nominations, Tarantino’s last film—the contained WesternThe Hateful Eight—failed to earn notice in the big category. So there are no guarantees, and Sony Pictures will have to be in this for the long haul sinceOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodis a summer release, but if the film has the goods it could score a number of nominations.
Writer/directorJordan Peeleburst onto the scene with his brilliant horror thrillerGet Out, which earned him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay as well as nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. So even though his next social thrillerUscomes out in March—which isn’t traditionally “awards season”—we’d be dumb not to consider it a potential contender. The film’s twists and turns are under wraps, but it’ll be interesting to see if it earns similar acclaim and can also stay the course though the long haul of Oscar season.
Little Women
The same year Jordan Peele earned Oscar nominations for Best Director, Original Screenplay, and Best Picture,Greta Gerwigdid as well for her own directorial debutLady Bird. She’s back this year with an A-list adaptation of the classic novelLittle Women, starringSaoirse Ronan,Emma Watson,Timothée Chalamet, and oh yeahMeryl Streep. The film has a prime holiday release date set up, so it’s definitely one to watch out for.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
The Mister Rogers documentaryWon’t You Be My Neighbor?was famously snubbed a Best Documentary Feature nomination this year, but it could be a different story with the fictional take on the iconic TV host.Can You Ever Forgive Me?filmmakerMarielle HellerdirectsA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which starsMatthew Rhysas a jaded journalist who’s assigned a profile of Mister Rogers. None other thanTom Hanksfills the sweater in this biopic, and he could earn his first Oscar nomination since 2000’sCast Away.
The Woman in the Window
While the author of the source material forThe Woman in the Windowhas come under a bit of fire recently, the film adaptation has pedigree to spare. DirectorJoe Wrightis just coming off his big Oscar contenderDarkest Hour, acclaimed playwrightTracy Lettswrote the script, and six-time Oscar nomineeAmy Adamsis in the lead role of an agoraphobic woman with a penchant for spying on her neighbors. Could this finally be Adams’ year?
Rocketman/Yesterday/Blinded by the Light
Bohemian Rhapsodyshocked many with its impressive performance on the awards circuit last year, so it stands to reason a couple of this year’s music-centric films could be in the mix next year. The closest comparison comes by way ofRocketman, a biopic ofElton Johndirected byDexter Fletcher, who finished outBohemian RhapsodyafterBryan Singerwas fired. And unlike Oscar-winnerRami Malek,Taron Egertondoes his own singing! Then there’s Oscar-winningSlumdog MillionairefilmmakerDanny Boyle’sYesterday, in which a man suffers head trauma only to wake up in a world in which he’s the only person who remembersThe Beatles. Finally, there’s the Sundance hitBlinded by the Light, a heartwarming true story about a British-Pakistani teenager who discovers the music ofBruce Springsteenand decides to lead his life according to Springsteen’s lyrics. It’s an out-and-out crowdpleaser.
The Report
In the realm of political dramas,The Reportseems primed to be a major contender.ContagionandSide EffectsscreenwriterScott Z. Burns’ directorial debut chronicles the report commissioned byDianne Feinsteinto investigate the CIA’s use of torture in the wake of 9/11. The film was a massive hit at Sundance, withAdam Driver’s lead performance drawing raves alongsideAnnette Bening’s portrayal of Feinstein. This is a no-nonsense procedural with zero fluff or fat, and could very well be this year’sSpotlight.
Untitled James Mangold Film
The starpower ofChristian BaleandMatt Damonwill give the DiCaprio/Pitt team-up a run for their money. Bale and Damon leadLoganandWalk the LinedirectorJames Mangold’s drama about the race for Ford to build a vehicle to compete with Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. 20th Century Fox recently moved the film out of a summer release into November, which is a sign they may be bullish on the film’s awards prospects.
Star Wars: Episode IX
Star Wars: A New Hoperemains the onlyStar Warsmovie nominated for Best Picture, but it feels prudent to at least address the possibility thatJ.J. Abrams’ closing chapter on this new trilogy could find itself in the Best Picture mix—again in the wake of blockbusters likeBohemian RhapsodyandBlack Pantherlanding nods.The Force Awakenswas well-received andThe Last Jediwas downright critically acclaimed, so if Abrams sticks the landing, could there be enough goodwill to honor the entire trilogy with a nod forEpisode IX? It’s unclear, but keep in mindLord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingswept the Oscars back in 2003…
Other Potential Contenders:The Last Thing He Wanted,Ad Astra,The Goldfinch,Late Night,The Kitchen,The Farewell,Knives Out
