As the Oscar nominations approach, the possibility of winning an Oscar for the first time ever is starting to feel real to several Hollywood stars.
While Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi and other actors are emerging as strong contenders across various categories, their potential breakthrough Oscar moments are seemingly just around the corner.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 5, the Academy announced that the Oscar nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22.
The latest update highlighted that art knows no boundaries as 15 films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category.
Here’s where they land on the map:
Argentina, BELÉN
Brazil, THE SECRET AGENT
france, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
Germany, SOUND OF FALLING
india, HOME BOUND
Iraq, THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
japan, KOKUHO
Jordan, ALL THAT IS LEFT OF YOU
Norway, SENTIMENTAL VALUE
Palestine, PALESTINE 36
south korea, NO OTHER CHOICE
spain, SIRÂT
Switzerland, LATE SHIFT
Taiwan, LEFT HANDED GIRL
Tunisia, HIND RAJAB’S VOICE
As the date for the announcement of the Oscar nominations has been revealed, fans can’t wait to know who will receive nods in which categories, and of course to speculate about possible snubs.
Following their 2026 Critics Choice Awards win, Chalamet and Elordi’s potential Oscar wins have received a major boost.
The Marty Supreme star has emerged as the front-runner for the Best Actor Oscar after winning the category at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4.
The two-time Oscar nominee’s performance as 1950s table tennis champion Marty Mauser in the A24 drama has been widely loved by fans and critics alike.
As for Elordi, 28, he won Best Supporting Actor for his role as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankensteinwhich has reshaped award season predictions.
His win is considered a strong omen for an Oscar nomination. Notably, the Critics Choice winner in this category has secured an Oscar nomination every year for the past 30 years.
Furthermore, his big win at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4 is being described as a “monstrous” upset as she defeated several established front-runners, including Benicio del Toro (One match after another), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental value), and Sean Penn (One match after anotherr).
Adding to the list, fans are rooting for Ethan Hawke to win an Oscar in 2026 after his 2018 “Best Male Miss” for First reformed.
With a career spanning 40 years, the four-time Oscar nominee wowed critics with her performance in Blue Moon.
Notably, he received a Career Achievement Award at the Critics Choice Awards on January 4.
In addition, despite facing a high-profile “snub” at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Michael B. Jordan remains a powerful Oscar contender for his work in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners.
Dwayne Johnson is also experiencing the strongest Oscar buzz of his career for his role as MMA legend Mark Kerr in the A24 drama The Smashing Machine.
Although he didn’t win at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4, he remains a major contender for a Best Actor Oscar nomination.
In case you forgot: The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre.
