‘The Odyssey,’ 'Project Hail Mary,’ and ‘Dune 3’: Oscar 2027's early and likely contenders to watch

Awards season talk is already heating up, and according to Page Six, the early list feels built for months of debates, predictions, and passionate fan arguments. From giant franchise follow-ups to auteur-driven dramas and prestige biopics, these titles bring scale, star power, and serious awards chatter. Some look like acting showcases. Others scream screenplay, directing, or craft recognition. Together, they paint a picture of what the next Oscar race could look like before festival season fully takes over. If this lineup holds, expect plenty of campaign noise, trailer breakdowns, and endless rankings as movie lovers start choosing favorites long before nominations finally arrive next year.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ already feels like the kind of movie people will discuss for months before release. It has scale, myth, spectacle, and the weight of a director coming off a major Oscar triumph. That alone puts it in a strong position for awards. Add an all-star cast, huge visual ambition, and a story rooted in one of literature’s most enduring epics, and the buzz becomes easy to understand. This looks like the kind of film that can land in both craft races and top categories. If it delivers emotion along with scale, it could become one of the season’s biggest contenders. The film is set to release on July 17, 2026.

‘Josephine’ has the kind of emotional setup that often cuts through the noise during awards season. If a film can balance pain, memory, and healing without losing its humanity, voters tend to notice. The early buzz suggests this one hits hard while leaving room for deeply felt performances. That makes it a title to watch closely. Intimate dramas often rise when they feel specific instead of oversized, and this one sounds built around that strength. If the performances connect and the storytelling stays sharp, ‘Josephine’ could become one of those quiet contenders that keep gaining ground as the season unfolds.

‘Dune: Part Three’ enters the race with something most contenders do not have: built-in prestige and a loyal audience that already sees this world as a cinematic event. Final chapters often carry extra weight, especially when earlier films earned strong critical support. That gives this sequel a clear path into major categories if it sticks the landing. Denis Villeneuve has already shown he can turn dense material into an awards-friendly spectacle. Now the challenge is ending the trilogy in a way that feels emotionally complete and visually bold. If it does both, this could become one of the season’s strongest all-around players. The film is slated to release on December 18, 2026.

Martin McDonagh does not make movies that fade quietly into the background, and ‘Wild Horse Nine’ already sounds like a title built to provoke discussion. His work usually mixes sharp writing, dark humor, and bruised emotion in ways that actors love and awards groups remember. That combination alone makes this one easy to flag early. If the film lands with the force of his strongest work, it could factor into screenplay, acting, and best picture conversations. McDonagh’s films tend to linger because they are both entertaining and unsettling. That is often a strong formula when the awards season starts narrowing its focus later. The film is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026.

Alejandro Iñárritu returning with ‘Digger’ instantly makes this one a title people will watch closely. Directors with his track record do not enter a season quietly, especially when they come back with something that promises scale, intensity, and a strong creative point of view. His films often divide people in interesting ways, which can actually help build momentum if the response is passionate enough. A movie like this does not need universal agreement to stay in the conversation. It needs impact. If ‘Digger’ arrives with striking performances and a bold visual identity, it could quickly become one of the most talked-about contenders around. The film will release on October 1, 2026.

Aaron Sorkin and a Facebook-themed follow-up already sounds like a combination designed to spark strong reactions. ‘The Social Reckoning’ has built-in curiosity because it follows a film that still holds a huge place in pop culture and awards history. That gives it both an advantage and a challenge. People will compare everything. Still, Sorkin knows how to write fast, pointed material that turns public issues into gripping drama. If this sequel captures the tension, ego, and fallout of a changing tech world, it could hit a nerve. That kind of relevance can carry a movie deep into the awards race fast. The film is set to open on October 9, 2026.

A Joel Coen drama called ‘Jack of Spades’ is enough to put this film on early watchlists without much extra explanation. Coen’s name carries prestige, and audiences know his projects often arrive with a distinct mood, sharp writing, and layered characters. That creates immediate awards intrigue. Films like this tend to benefit from curiosity before anyone sees a frame because the creative pedigree already suggests quality. If the material gives actors room to do rich, textured work, this could become a serious contender in multiple categories. The strongest auteur-driven dramas often peak late, and ‘Jack of Spades’ feels built for that path.

‘Michael’ is stepping into one of the trickiest spaces any awards hopeful can face. A biopic about Michael Jackson draws instant attention, but it also attracts heavy scrutiny and strong opinions from every direction. That means the film has to do more than imitate a legend. It has to find a point of view that feels thoughtful, measured, and dramatically compelling. If it pulls that off, the upside is huge. Music biopics often perform well with awards groups when the lead performance lands and the emotional arc feels complete. This one has guaranteed attention. The real question is how it handles that pressure. The film is due in theaters on April 24, 2026.

‘Project Hail Mary’ has the ingredients to become a crowd-pleasing awards player if it gets the balance right. Science fiction can break through when it pairs smart ideas with emotional pull, and Ryan Gosling gives the project a major boost in visibility. If the film leans into wonder without losing character depth, it could appeal to both general audiences and voters who want ambitious storytelling with heart. Big studio films do not always become best picture threats, but when they feel human as well as technically impressive, they absolutely can. This one sounds like a contender that could grow stronger once people finally see it. The film is set for release on March 26, 2026.

‘Fjord’ could be the international title that steadily builds serious momentum as the season unfolds. The Academy has become far more open to global storytelling in recent years, especially when a film combines intimate family stakes with larger social themes. That sounds like fertile ground for a movie like this. Cristian Mungiu’s work already carries a strong reputation, which gives ‘Fjord’ an edge with critics and festival audiences from the start. Films in this lane often begin as quiet discoveries, then turn into major players once word of mouth grows. If it hits emotionally, ‘Fjord’ could become impossible to ignore. The film is slated to release on August 19, 2026.