Oscars fans are already placing bets on which films will dominate the 99th Academy Awards in 2027. The dust has barely settled on the Oscars 2026 ceremony, which aired on March 15, but that hasn’t stopped people from making wildly early predictions on next year’s nominations. On that front, two movies have emerged as being the biggest Oscar baits of the year, though there are a handful that deserve a mention too given who are behind the productions.
Early predictions for Oscars 2027 favor two blockbusters
The Odyssey and Dune Part 3 have been named as the two most likely films to receive the highest number of Oscar nominations for the 99th Academy Awards, based on a Polymarket bet (as of March 18).
The Odyssey sits on the top step with 39% of the bet, which is no surprise since this upcoming epic is directed by Christopher Nolan and has a reported budget of $250 million, putting it in the same ballpark as The Dark Knight’s. Set to release on July 17, the picture features Matt Damon in the pivotal role of Odysseus, alongside a star-studded cast with Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, and John Leguizamo. To ensure that the movie has a suitably long run in theaters, Universal Pictures will ensure that The Odyssey will be in cinemas for at least five weeks before it lands on other streaming platforms.
Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three received 38% of the bet (which makes it effectively tied given how erratic the spread is). While Dune: Part Two only received 5 Oscar nominations, as compared to the first movie’s 10, the third part has a better chance of claiming more Oscar nods. The movie will finally finish off the adapted trilogy late in the year, with the film slated to release on December 18. While the movie is based on Frank Herbert’s 1969 book “Dune Messiah,” it will feature a time jump that isn’t in the books. A recent trailer shows off the cast with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, and more.
Other movies in the bet include Project Hail Mary at 13% and Disclosure Day at 7%. High review scores and stellar box market predictions for Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary give the film a good shot at securing a few nominations. Disclosure Day shouldn’t be forgotten, though, as it is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Emily Blunt in an alien story that harkens back to E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Project Hail Mary is coming out on March 20, while Disclosure Day is slated for June 12.
