The curtains have closed on the
Oscars, and as we peer over the horizon following a six-month
Hollywood hiatus due to the union strikes, the initial trepidation over a sparse cinematic future will be sure to dissipate once you look at the road ahead. Contrary to fears, the film landscape appears not just replenished but vibrant, with several compelling titles that are already making waves. An annual tradition at Variety is to take a look ahead at what contenders could be brewing for next year’s Oscar season. Last year’s blind peek correctly guessed five of the 10 eventual best picture nominees, while the year before only found two . There’s no correct method to the madness. Warner Bros. leads this promising cadre, already spotlighting Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” as a formidable contender across numerous categories. The studio’s lineup is also bolstered by eagerly anticipated sequels such as George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The latter sees Joaquin Phoenix returning to his Oscar-winning role, with
Lady Gaga joining the fray as the tumultuous Harley Quinn. Universal Pictures hopes to capitalize after winning best picture with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” and get awards play from its commercial offerings, including the film adaptation of “Wicked” with superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Paramount Pictures seeks to replicate the success of “Top Gun: Maverick” with Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator 2,” boasting a stellar cast including Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal.
Disney and its subsidiaries (20th Century Studios, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures and Walt Disney Animation) are poised to captivate audiences with potential blockbusters like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and sequels to “Inside Out” and “Moana.” Recently crowned two-time best
Actress winner Emma Stone reteams with Yorgos Lanthimos for Searchlight’s anthology “Kinds of Kindness,” sharing the screen with Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe. Sony Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics are fine-tuning their awards hopefuls, highlighted by possibly Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” said to feature a baity turn by Oscar nominee June Squibb (“Nebraska”). Projects from Robert Zemeckis (“Here” with Tom Hanks), Jason Reitman (“SNL: 1975” with Gabriel LaBelle) and Taika Waititi (“Klara and the Sun” with Jenna Ortega), signal Sony Studios’ ambition. Furthermore, A24, fresh from dual best picture nominations, looks strong with films such as “Sing Sing” with recent Oscar nominee Colman Domingo and John Crowley’s romantic drama “We Live in Time,” starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh. Streaming platforms, eager to rebound from a year of modest Oscar recognition, are poised for resurgence.
Netflix, in particular, showcases a diverse slate including Richard Linklater’s action flick “Hit Man” with Glen Powell and the film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” produced by Denzel
Washington and starring an impressive ensemble that could lead to rewarding another MCU star: Samuel L. Jackson.
Apple Original Films looks to rebound after “Killers of the Flower Moon” went home empty-handed with dramas like “Fancy Dance” with Lily Gladstone and Steve McQueen’s epic “Blitz,” capturing Londoners’ resilience during WWII bombings with Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson.
Amazon MGM will tantalize with Zendaya’s femme fatale vehicle “Challengers” and forthcoming gems like RaMell Ross’ narrative feature debut “The Nickel Boys” with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Director Mike Leigh returns with “Hard Truths,” with Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets & Lies”) reuniting. Animation, a medium rich with potential, will be highlighted by DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild
Robot,” promising a captivating blend of storytelling and visual innovation, and a potential killer score from Kris Bowers. Also from the indie sector, Neon’s post-apocalyptic musical “The End” and Audrey Diwan’s erotic drama “Emmanuelle” promise diversity and danger. Movies still looking for a distributor will be at the top of mind, with Paolo Sorrentino’s monochromatic fantasy “Parthenope” and Pablo Larraín’s portrayal of Maria Callas with
Angelina Jolie sure to stir intrigue. Rounding out the excitement are Francis Ford Coppola’s self-funded sci-fi epic “Megalopolis” with Adam Driver and Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer” with Daniel Craig. Both seem like projects brimming with innovation, which could mark a thrilling period for cinema enthusiasts. NOTE: All release dates, studios and credits are not final and are subject to change. All listed films and performers are listed in alphabetical order. *** = PREDICTED WINNER Alternates: “The Apprentice” (No U.S. Distribution); “Better Man” (Paramount Pictures); “Emmanuelle” (Neon); “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures); “Hard Truths” (Bleecker Street); “Here” (Sony Pictures); “His Three Daughters” (Netflix); “Horizon: An
American Saga – Chapter 1” (Warner Bros.); “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.); “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Studios); “Maria” (No U.S. Distribution); “Nosferatu” (Focus Features); “Parthenope” (No U.S. Distribution); “Queer” (No U.S. Distribution); “Sing Sing” (A24); “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures) Alternates: Edward Berger, “Conclave” (Focus Features); Audrey Diwan, “Emmanuelle” (Neon); Yorgos Lanthimos, “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures); Mike Leigh, “Hard Truths” (Bleecker Street); Luca Guadgnino, “Queer” (No U.S. Distribution); George Miller, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); Todd Phillips, “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.); Jason Reitman, “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures); RaMell Ross, “The Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios/Orion); Paolo Sorrentino, “Parthenope” (No U.S. Distribution); Malcolm Washington, “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix); Robert Zemeckis, “Here” (Sony Pictures) Alternates: Austin Butler, “The Bikeriders” (Focus Features); Adam Driver, “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution); Richard Gere, “Oh, Canada” (No U.S. Distribution); Tom Hanks, “Here” (Sony Pictures); André Holland, “The Actor” (Neon); Barry Keoghan, “Bird” (A24); Gabriel LaBelle, “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures); Gary Oldman, “Parthenope” (No U.S. Distribution); Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.); Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures); Michael Shannon, “The End” (Neon); Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” (A24); Robbie Williams, “Better Man” (Paramount Pictures) Alternates: Jodie Comer, “The Bikeriders” (Focus Features); Ryan Destiny, “Flint Strong” (Amazon MGM Studios); Nathalie Emmanuel, “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution); Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked” (Universal Pictures); Lily Gladstone, “Fancy Dance” (Apple Original Films); Angelina Jolie, “Maria” (No U.S. Distribution); Jessica Lange, “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (MGM); Natasha Lyonne, “His Three Daughters” (Netflix); Noémie Merlant, “Emmanuelle” (Neon); Jenna Ortega, “Klara and the Sun” (Sony Pictures); Daisy Ridley, “Young Woman and the Sea” (Walt Disney Pictures); Emma Stone, “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures); Tilda Swinton, “The End” (Neon) Alternates: Jamie Campbell Bower, “Emmanuelle” (Neon); Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain” (Searchlight Pictures); Leigh Gill, “Blitz” (Apple Original Films); Tom Hardy, “The Bikeriders” (Focus Features); Hugh Jackman, “Deadpool & Wolverine” (Marvel Studios); John Lithgow, “Conclave” (Focus Features); George MacKay, “The End” (Neon); Clarence Maclin, “Sing Sing” (A24); LaMorne Morris, “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures); Michael Shannon, “The End” (Neon); Drew Starkey, “Queer” (No U.S. Distribution) Alternates: Amy Adams, “Klara and the Sun” (Sony Pictures); Carrie Coon, “His Three Daughters” (Netflix);
Ariana Grande, “Wicked” (Universal Pictures); Moses Ingram, “The End” (Neon); Elizabeth Olsen, “His Three Daughters” (Netflix); Aubrey Plaza — “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution); Rachel Sennott — “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures); Uma Thurman — “Oh, Canada” (No U.S. Distribution); Naomi Watts — “Emmanuelle” (Neon); Robin Wright — “Here” (Sony Pictures) Alternates: “Dìdi” (Focus Features) — Sean Wang; “Flint Strong” (Amazon MGM Studios) — Barry Jenkins; “Hard Truths” (Bleecker Street) — Mike Leigh; “His Three Daughters” (Netflix) — Azazel Jacobs; “Kneecap” (Sony Pictures Classics) — Rich Peppiatt, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Jj Ó Dochartaigh; “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution) — Francis Ford Coppola; “SNL: 1975” (Sony Pictures) — Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan; “We Live in Time” (A24) — Nick Payne Alternates: “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.) — Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts; “Emmanuelle” (Neon) — Audrey Diwan, Rebecca Zlotowski; “Here” (Sony Pictures) — Eric Roth, Robert Zemeckis; “Hit Man” (Netflix) — Richard Linklater, Glen Powell; “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.) — Todd Phillips, Scott Silver; “Klara and the Sun” (Sony Pictures) — Dahvi Waller; “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (MGM) — David Lindsay-Abaire; “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Searchlight Pictures) — Tina Mabry, Gina Prince-Bythewood; “Young Woman and the Sea” (Walt Disney Pictures) — Jeff Nathanson Alternates: “The Imaginary” (Netflix); “Moana 2” (Walt Disney Pictures); “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Pictures); “Spellbound” (Netflix); “That Christmas” (Netflix); “Transformers One” (Paramount); “Untitled Wallace & Gromit Movie” (Netflix) Alternates: “Civil War” (A24); “Deadpool & Wolverine” (Marvel Studios); “The End” (Neon); “Here” (Sony Pictures); “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.); “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Studios); “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures); “The Wild Robot” (DreamWorks Animation) Alternates: “Civil War” (A24) — Rob Hardy; “The End” (Neon) — Mikhail Krichman; “Hard Truths” (Bleecker Street) — Dick Pope; “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.) — Lawrence Sher; “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures) — Robbie Ryan; “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.) — Simon Duggan; “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix) — Mike Gioulakis Alternates: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.) — Jenny Beavan; “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures) — Janty Yates; “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.) — Arianne Phillips; “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures) — Jennifer Johnson; “Queer” (No U.S. Distribution) — J.W. Anderson); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures) — Paul Tazewell Alternates: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.) – TBA; “Hit Man” (Netflix) — Sandra Adair; “Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures) — Yorgos Mavropsaridis; “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution) — TBA; “The Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios); “Queer” (No U.S. Distribution) — Marco Costa Alternates: “Better Man” (Paramount Pictures); “Civil War” (A24); “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures); “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution); “The Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures) Alternates: “The Bikeriders” (Focus Features); “Bird” (No U.S. Distribution); “Blitz” (Apple Original Films); “Civil War” (A24); “Deadpool & Wolverine” (Marvel Studios); “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures); “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Studios); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures); “Wolfs” (Apple Original Films) Alternates: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Warner Bros.); “Civil War” (A24); “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros.); “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures); “Here” (Sony Pictures); “IF” (Paramount Pictures); “Megalopolis” (No U.S. Distribution); “Twisters” (Warner Bros.); “Wicked” (Universal Pictures) Alternate: “Conclave” (Focus Features) — Volker Bertelmann; “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.) — Hans Zimmer; “Emmanuelle” (Neon) — Evgueni Galperine, Sacha Galperine; “Gladiator 2” (Paramount Pictures) — Henry Gregson-Williams; “Inside Out 2” (Pixar) — Andrea Datzman; “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.) — Hildur Guðnadóttir