The 2022 Oscars are on Sunday night, so it's time to look at the Oscars odds and make predictions for the 94th Academy Awards, which air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. Power of the Dog leads the way with 12 nominations.
Oscars Odds
Best Picture
Nightmare Alley, Don't Look Up, Dune, Drive My Car, Belfast, Licorice Pizza, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story, King Richard, CODA
Oscars Odds: CODA -125, The Power of the Dog +100, Belfast +1400, West Side Story +3500, King Richard +4000, Dune +5000, Don't Look Up +6500, Licorice Pizza +8000, Drive My Car +8000, Nightmare Alley +15000
Oscars Prediction: CODA
Oscars Preview: As the only hearing member of a deaf family, Ruby Rossi works mornings before school to help her family keep their fishing business afloat. When she discovers a love and passion for singing and starts to fall for her duet partner in choir, things get complicated for Ruby. In this heartfelt story of a girl with big musical aspirations, CODA is our projected winner for Best Picture.
Best Actor
Andrew Garfield (tick, tick…BOOM!), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos), Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth), Will Smith (King Richard)
Oscars Odds: Will Smith -800, Benedict Cumberbatch +450, Andrew Garfield +1100, Denzel Washington +2500, Javier Bardem +4000
Oscars Prediction: Will Smith
Oscars Preview: With several great performances ranging from Ali to Concussion, it goes without saying that Will Smith has always had great range when it comes to taking on big roles. It's crazy to think he has still never won an Oscar after being a part of so many memorable films throughout the years. Similar to the way Brad Pitt won his first Oscar in 2019 for Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood, Smith will likely follow that same path and hoist his first Academy Award for Best Actor on Sunday night.
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter), Kristen Stewart (Spencer), Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos), Penelope Cruz (Madres paralelas)
Oscars Odds: Jessica Chastain -140, Penelope Cruz +350, Nicole Kidman +450, Olivia Colman +800, Kristen Stewart +800
Oscars Prediction: Nicole Kidman
Oscars Preview: Even though Jessica Chastain is the clear frontrunner to nab the award, Nicole Kidman seems like a more realistic candidate. Plus, these awards can sometimes be a wild card and with Kidman's big screen accolades, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see her win her first Oscar in 20 years.
Best Director
Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Steven Spielberg (West Side Story), Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
Oscars Odds: Jane Campion -3500, Steven Spielberg +1400, Kenneth Branagh +1400, Paul Thomas Anderson +2000, Ryusuke Hamaguchi +3000
Oscars Prediction: Jane Campion
Oscars Preview: Considering the numerous awards this film has been nominated for and the powerful message behind it, Jane Campion seems like a safe bet to bring home the gold for this award. Her gritty and harsh picture about ranch life has wowed audiences everywhere. Under her direction, this All-Star cast has landed several nominations of their own, and Campion is to thank for that.
Best Supporting Actor
Troy Kotsur (CODA), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog), J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos), Ciarin Hinds (Belfast), Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
Oscars Odds: Troy Kostur -600, Kodi Smit-McPhee +300, Ciaran Hinds +2000, Jesse Plemons +3500, J.K. Simmons +3500
Oscars Prediction: Troy Kostur
Oscars Preview: An all-around strong performance from Troy Kostur, who was also a central part of the movie CODA. His on-screen chemstry with Emilia Jones was unmatched. You really could feel the strength of their father/daughter connection throughout the film. It'd be hard to imagine Kostur not nabbing the win for this award.
Best Supporting Actress
Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), Judi Dench (Belfast)
Oscars Odds: Ariana DeBose -1600, Kirsten Dunst +600, Aunjanue Ellis +1800, Judi Dench +2500, Jessie Buckley +3500
Oscars Prediction: Ariana DeBose
Oscars Preview: With the popularity of musicals mixed in with the Academy's love for the genre, this seems like a a given. However, Ariana DeBose does showcase a perfect mix of acting chops and her musical talent throughout this iconic remake. Between her dominating performance and a killer on-screen presence, DeBose will hands-down be the winner of this award.
Best Original Screenplay
Don't Look Up, Belfast, Licorice Pizza, The Worst Person in the World, King Richard
Oscars Odds: Licorice Pizza -110, Belfast +120, Don't Look Up +600, The Worst Person in the World +1000, King Richard +2500
Oscars Prediction: Licorice Pizza
Oscars Preview: Paul Thomas Anderson is another regular whose films always dazzle and shine big during the historic awards ceremony. With another thrilling biopic and his writing genius on full display, it's hard to imagine him not walking away with an Academy for his work on Licorice Pizza.
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Lost Daughter, Dune, Drive My Car, The Power of the Dog, CODA
Oscars Odds: CODA -200, The Power of the Dog +150, The Lost Daughter +800, Drive My Car +1600, Dune +2000
Oscars Prediction: Drive My Car
Oscars Preview: Although CODA is the clear-cut favorite here, Drive My Car is a unique story that has all the criteria to stun the film community and win the award. This is another example of the unpredictability of the Academy Awards. Drive My Car is bound to pull off an upset in this category.
Best Makeup and Hair Styling
The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Dune, House of Gucci, Cruella, Coming 2 America
Oscars Odds: The Eyes of Tammy Faye -280, Dune +400, Cruella +600, Coming 2 America +1000, House of Gucci +2000
Oscars Prediction: Cruella
Oscars Preview: Despite the great hair and make-up work seen in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and them being the heavy favorites, Cruella is not to be overlooked in this category either. The work that was done on Emma Stone was truly remarkable and every bit believable that she was the well-known and villainous tycoon Cruella de Vil.
Best International Feature Film
Flee, Drive My Car, Lunana: A Yak in the Classrom, The Hand of God, The Worst Person in the World
Oscars Odds: Drive My Car -2500, The Worst Person in the World +800, Flee +1000, The Hand of God +3500, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom +3500
Oscars Prediction: Drive My Car
Oscars Preview: This would mark another big win for Drive My Car. Not really all that crazy either as some films come out of nowhere and start piling up all the wins each in major category. Even with all the other great foreign films that were nominated, Drive My Car will be head and shoulders above of the competition.
Live Action Short Film
The Long Goodbye, Ala Kachuu – Take and Run, Please Hold, On My Mind, The Dress
Oscars Odds: The Long Goodbye -225, Ala Kachuu – Take and Run +300, The Dress +700, On My Mind +800, Please Hold +1400
Oscars Prediction: The Long Goodbye
Oscars Preview: A powerful story of family and tragedy that makes us all stop and think. Riz Ahmed delivers a performance for the ages and leads the way for this insightful live action short film. Aneil Karia and Ahmed are a killer tandem in this stellar film.
Best Documentary Feature
Ascension, Writing with Fire, Flee, Attica, Summer of Soul
Oscars Odds: Summer of Soul -360, Flee +250, Attica +1400, Ascension +2500, Writing with Fire +3500
Oscars Prediction: Summer of Soul
Oscars Preview: Summer of Soul is a first-hand look at the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 and an all-around great watch. For six weeks of summer, thousands of people gather to celebrate the historic festival. This documentary will undoubtedly bring home the Oscar here.
Best Short Documentary
When We Were Bullies, Audible, The Queen of Basketball, Lead Me Home, Three Songs for Benazir
Oscars Odds: The Queen of Basketball -155, Three Songs of Benazir +150, Audible +300, Lead Me Home +1200, When We Were Bullies +2500
Oscars Prediction: The Queen of Basketball
Oscars Preview: A thrilling look at Lusia “Lucy” Harris Stewart, a pioneer in women's basketball who led a rural Mississippi college to three straight national titles. She also made history when she became the first woman to score a basket at the 1976 Olympics. Teaching the history of Stewart and her impact on the game of basketball is a documentary short that is second to none.
Best Visual Effects
Dune, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Free Guy, No Time To Die, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Oscars Odds: Dune -3500, Spider-Man: No Way Home +900, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings +1400, Free Guy +2000, No Time To Die +2500
Oscars Prediction: Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Oscars Preview: Even with Dune having a widely projected margin of victory in this category, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings still has a good chance to pull off the upset. The visual effects throughout the film were eye-popping and unreal at times. If anybody in this category can pull of the upset, it's definitely Shang Chi.
Best Cinematography
Nightmare Alley, Dune, The Power of the Dog, The Tragedy of Macbeth, West Side Story
Oscars Odds: Dune -1000, The Power of the Dog +300, The Tragedy of Macbeth +1400, West Side Story +2000, Nightmare Alley +3500
Oscars Prediction: Dune
Oscars Preview: The desert backdrops and the battle sequences were a true testament to the epic cinematography in Dune. If there's anyone in this category that knows good cinematography, it's definitely Greig Fraser. His work and dedication to scenic settings are what kept people engaged throughout the film.
Best Animated Feature
Encanto, Luca, Flee, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, Raya and the Last Dragon
Oscars Odds: Encanto -1400, The Mitchells vs. The Machines +500, Flee +1200, Luca +1800, Raya and the Last Dragon +4000
Oscars Prediction: Encanto
Oscars Preview: A warming and fun family movie, Encanto brings joy to the big screen from start to finish. Given it's popularity and joyous feel all throughout, Encanto is the most likely winner here.
Best Original Song
No Time To Die, Dos Oruguitas, Somehow You Do, Be Alive, Down to Joy
Oscars Odds: No Time To Die -280, Dos Oruguitas +225, Be Alive +700, Down to Joy +2000, Somehow You Do +2500
Oscars Prediction: No Time To Die
Oscars Preview: Considering that almost every James Bond movie from the Daniel Craig era has won the Oscar for Best Song, No Time To Die will likely join that trend. Billie Ellish and FINNEAS produced another 007 classic and added to the long list of classic Bond theme songs.
Best Original Score
Encanto, Don't Look Up, Dune, The Power of the Dog, Madres paralelas
Oscars Odds: Dune -650, The Power of the Dog +400, Encanto +1000, Don't Look Up +2000, Parallel Mothers +3500
Oscars Prediction: Dune
Oscars Preview: The musical tone and themes throughout the film are what set the mood for this sci-fi epic and will surely be the winner for this year's award. Were it not for the musical achievements of Dune, the film definitely would have had a different feel to it.
Best Costume Design
Nightmare Alley, Dune, Cruella, Cyrano, West Side Story
Oscar Odds: Cruella -450, Dune +330, West Side Story +1200, Cyrano +2000, Nightmare Alley +2500
Oscars Prediction: Dune
Oscars Preview: Although Cruella has the best odds in this category, Dune's costume design was next level and could be what denies Cruella of an Oscar win for this subject. Plus, with the time and dedication that was put into making those outfits, it's hard to imagine the award not going to Dune.
Best Film Editing
Don't Look Up, Dune, tick, tick…BOOM!, The Power of the Dog, King Richard
Oscars Odds: Dune -125, King Richard +220, The Power of the Dog +350, tick, tick…BOOM! +1000, Don't Look Up +2000
Oscars Prediction: Dune
Oscars Preview: The long desert shots and aerial views of big battle sequences are what gives Dune the best chance to run away with this award. There's a reason they are heavily favored, and the stellar camera work all film long is a further testament to this.
Best Production Design
Nightmare Alley, Dune, The Power of the Dog, The Tragedy of Macbeth, West Side Story
Oscars Odds: Dune -300, Nightmare Alley +250, West Side Story +1200, The Power of the Dog +1600, The Tragedy of Macbeth +2000
Oscars Prediction: Dune
Oscars Preview: Once again, Dune will nab another win in another category as the film was a true spectacle from multiple standpoints. The vibe and theme of this movie was felt from the get-go, and the production and set design are what contributed to this.
Best Sound
Dune, Belfast, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story, No Time To Die
Oscars Odds: Dune -1200, West Side Story +700, No Time To Die +1600, The Power of the Dog +2000, Belfast +2800
Oscars Prediction: West Side Story
Oscars Preview: Dune may be the odds-on favorite for this one, but considering the musical integrity and sound that was showcased in West Side Story, this may not be another win for the film. West Side Story showcased a ton of breakthroughs in sound quality and projection which are key to a film's success — especially in a musical.
How To Watch The Oscars
The 94th Academy Awards starts airing at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday. There will be a red carpet programming at 6:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before the show officially starts.
For those who want to watch the highly anticipated event, ABC will televise it live. For Cable subscribers, Oscars 2022 is also available for streaming via abc.com or via the ABC app.
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