EW’s 2021 Oscar Predictions: Who is Running Ahead in the Race

2020 was not as chaotic as it should be due to a global pandemic’s impact on theatrical releases. However, as winter is knocking at the door, it is time to dust off your Academeters to gauge the state of the Oscar race.

Though we are nearly five months away from the April 25 Oscars ceremony EW’s awards experts David Canfield and Joey Nolfi have come with a prediction list. Here, we have listed down a few from that.

Best Picture

Nomadland

Mank

One Night in Miami

Alternates: Cherry, News of the World, The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Best Director

David Fincher — Mank

Chloé Zhao — Nomadland

Aaron Sorkin — The Trial of the Chicago 7

Alternates: Regina King, One Night in Miami; Shaka King

Best Actress

Viola Davis — Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Frances McDormand — Nomadland

Vanessa Kirby — Pieces of a Woman

Alternates: Sophia Loren, The Life Ahead; Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman

Best Actor

Chadwick Boseman — Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Anthony Hopkins — The Father

Gary Oldman — Mank

Alternates: Kingsley Ben-Adir, One Night in Miami; Tom Hanks

Best Supporting Actress

Amanda Seyfried — Mank

Glenn Close — Hillbilly Elegy

Olivia Colman — The Father

Alternates: Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari; Ciara Bravo, Cherry

Best Supporting Actor

Sacha Baron Cohen — The Trial of the Chicago 7

Leslie Odom, Jr. — One Night in Miami

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — The Trial of the Chicago 7

Alternates: Mark Rylance, The Trial of the Chicago 7; David Strathairn

Best Original Screenplay

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Mank

Minari

Best Adapted Screenplay

Nomadland

One Night in Miami

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom