Oscar 2018 Predictions: Who Will Win the Big Awards

Chris Tilly

With the 2018 Oscar nominations now out, talk is inevitably turning to who will actually win the awards. The next five weeks will be filled with conjecture, speculation and guesswork from journalists and commentators alike. But as FANDOM sees it, there are already a few early favourites, some other serious contenders, and a few interesting outside bets. So our early predictions for the big awards are as follows.

Best Picture

With Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri winning big at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild, taking writing and acting awards from various Critics Circles, and revolving around a subject matter that’s both important and timely, it’s probably the current frontrunner.

Though Dunkirk might have a thing or two to say about that, with Christopher Nolan’s WWII epic being moviemaking on the grandest scale. Telling the kind of heroic story that Academy voters traditionally love.

Other films in the frame include The Shape of Water, Get Out, Lady Bird, The Post and Call Me By Your Name. But at this early stage, we reckon it’s Three Billboards’ award to lose.

Best Actor

Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour.

The fact that Gary Oldman has never won an acting Oscar is both surprising, and somewhat ridiculous. The British thesp has delivered powerhouse performances in the likes of Sid and Nancy, Prick Up Your Ears, JFK, Leon and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but while he’s been honoured countless times elsewhere, he’s never won an Academy Award.

That’s set to change on March 4, when he’s a dead-cert to take home the Acting award for his searing portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. He was victorious at both the Golden Globes and SAG, and you can bet the house on him winning the Oscar.

Best Actress

Frances McDormand in Three Billboards.

If Gary Oldman is the hot favourite in the Best Actor category, Frances McDormand is an extremely warm candidate for Best Actress. Playing a grieving mother fighting for justice for her murdered daughter in Three Billboards, it’s an unforgettable performance. And one that’s a million miles away from the mild-mannered cop McDormand played in Fargo. For which she won her last Oscar.

Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird), Meryl Streep (The Post) and Margot Robbie (I, Tonya) also did spectacular work in 2017. But this is McDormand’s award.

Best Director

Christopher Nolan directing Harry Styles in Dunkirk.

This is maybe the most open of all the major fields, with each of the nominees — aside from Paul Thomas Anderson — in with a chance.

Guillermo Del Toro landed the directing Golden Globe for The Shape of Water, which means he has form, while the film got a whopping 13 nominations. Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) and Jordan Peele (Get Out) would be progressive choices in a year when all eyes are on what’s happening in Hollywood.

But we reckon it’s Christopher Nolan’s year. The helmer — who has received Screenplay and Picture nominations in the past, but never one for directing — made a truly remarkable film. And it just feels like it’s his turn.

Best Screenplay

Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.

This category is split in two — Best Original Screenplay, and Best Adapted Screenplay. In the former, having won for his writing at the Golden Globes, we reckon Martin McDonagh will do the double with Three Billboards. Though it would be awesome if either Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) or Jordan Peele (Get Out) surprised everyone.

As for Adapted Screenplay, James Ivory’s adaptation of Andre Aciman’s novel Call Me By Your Name seems most likely to win, so we’re plumping for that. Though it would be cool if Logan took it. And hilarious if The Disaster Artist caused an upset. If only to see Tommy Wiseau onstage at the Oscars.

And you can see if we’ve got it right when the Academy Awards are handed out on March 4.

Chris Tilly
Freelance writer. At this point my life is a combination of 1980s horror movies, Crystal Palace football matches, and episodes of I'm Alan Partridge. The first series. When he was in the travel tavern. Not the one after.