Oscars 2027 best actor is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable races in years. After Michael B. Jordan’s upset win for Sinners last season, the field is wide open again, with veterans, festival breakouts and international stars all in the mix. The Best Actress category is just as crowded. Nominations arrive on January 21, 2027, so here is who looks strongest right now.
Best Actor: Veterans and Newcomers Collide
Matt Damon
Damon has earned only two acting nominations since winning for the Good Will Hunting screenplay, and one analyst feels his time may have come. Another critic points out he has never won an acting Oscar and is arguably taken for granted. That “overdue” narrative is powerful with Academy voters.
Pedro Pascal
He could land a nomination for Behemoth!, a role he took over after Oscar Isaac left the project. It would be his first Oscar nod, and his star power makes him a serious threat.
Robert Pattinson
One critic believes his transformation is so complete that he is a safe bet to appear in both the lead and supporting actor races. That could split votes, though.
Tom Cruise
is worth a mention, but Digger’s weak box office opening has complicated his path. If you love Oscar history, see how stars got their starts in our famous actors’ first major movie roles.
Best Actress: A Deep and Global Field
Inde Navarrette. SlashFilm’s current pick to win is Inde Navarrette for Obsession. That film has earned over $500 million worldwide, so awareness is strong.
Julianne Moore. She is Awards Watch’s new No. 1 for Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, and it has been 12 years since her Still Alice win. A film with Best Picture buzz helps. Analysts note that Best Picture contenders tend to lift their lead actresses.
Sandra Hüller. She could appear in multiple categories, with Fatherland and the Berlin-winning Rose in lead, plus supporting turns in Digger and Project Hail Mary. Category placement will decide everything for her.
Emily Blunt. SlashFilm thinks she will likely reach the category thanks to her performance and the fact that the film is a Spielberg original.
International and long-shot names. Virginie Efira (All of a Sudden) and Léa Seydoux are named as European actresses who could break through. Olivia Wilde could make history if she is nominated for both Director and Actress, though a win looks like a long shot. Michelle Williams is no longer in play, since No Place in Hell has moved to April 2027.
What Will Decide the Race
Three factors will matter most: campaign strength, category placement and Best Picture momentum. As we saw in the Hüller discussion, placement alone can remove a contender from the lead race. Also remember that early predictions often miss. Several names above could fade after festival season, while a late release could change everything.
FAQs
Who is the favorite for the Oscars 2027 best actor award?
There is no clear favorite yet. Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Adam Driver and Ryan Gosling are among the most-discussed names.
Who leads the Best Actress race?
Julianne Moore and Inde Navarrette are among the early leaders. Renate Reinsve is also a frequent pick.
When are the 2027 Oscar nominations announced?
They are scheduled for January 21, 2027.
Who won Best Actor at the last Oscars?
Michael B. Jordan won for his dual role in Sinners, beating Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.