The biggest prize in Hollywood, best picture at the 2026 Oscars, is a battle between the odds-on favourite One Battle After Another and its close contender Sinners.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler directed two memorable films that were released in the last year, and both have plenty of awards momentum.
But, Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence probes, which one will win best picture?
Let’s take a look at the odds.
‘One Battle After Another’ is the bookies’ favourite to win best picture at the 2026 Oscars
It might be second in terms of nominations, but One Battle After Another is the current bookies’ favourite to win best picture at the 2026 Oscars.
As it stands, multiple bettors have Anderson’s flick pegged at 2/7, and it’s clear to see why it’s the leading contender.
One Battle After Another has a wealth of accolades, with the Directors, Producers, and Writers Guilds of America awarding the film their highest honours.
A Critics Choice, Golden Globes and BAFTA win for best picture gives the film all the prerequisites for Oscars success, as does Anderson’s string of wins as writer/director.
If Anderson wins for best adapted screenplay and best director, which he is the favourite to do so, that will set the stage for One Battle After Another to sweep through to best picture.
‘Sinners’ is a strong contender for best picture
An acting ensemble award from SAG-AFTRA has given Sinners, which has a record-setting 16 Oscar nominations, reason for many to believe it’s a strong contender for best picture.
Coogler has been sweeping original screenplay accolades, and Michael B. Jordan is a late frontrunner to pick up best actor.
While One Battle After Another is where the safe money is, a late surge in awards season for Sinners means that at 3/1, it’s by no means an outlandish bet.
The outside contenders
While eight other films are nominated, none are real contenders to win best picture at the 2026 Oscars; it truly is a two-horse race.
Nevertheless, Chloe Zhao’s tearjerker Hamnet is the leading outside bet behind the two main contenders at 33/1, some way off.
The remaining nominees include Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, Bugonia, F1: The Movie, The Secret Agent and Frankenstein.
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