We’ve arrived at the biggest contest of all in my inaugural Oscar predictions for 2019 – Best Picture! If you missed my first takes on director and the acting categories, you can read them right here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/08/26/early-2019-oscar-predictions-best-director/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/08/25/early-2019-oscar-predictions-best-actor/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/08/25/early-2019-oscar-predictions-best-actress/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/08/24/early-2019-oscar-predictions-best-supporting-actor/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/08/24/early-2019-oscar-predictions-best-supporting-actress/
As a reminder, Picture is the only race where the number of nominees can fluctuate anywhere from 5 to 10. In recent years, the magic number is normally 9. However, there were 8 movies up in 2018. My initial late August projections last year yielded three of the eventual 8: BlacKkKlansman, A Star Is Born, and Roma. Three other flicks nominated were mentioned in my other possibilities: Black Panther, The Favourite, and Vice. Interestingly, eventual winner Green Book wasn’t quite on my radar screen at that time.
I’ll go with nine for the time being. The multitude of film festivals starting Thursday and over the coming weeks will shape all races tremendously. My first ranked predictions in the top 6 categories will start this Thursday and be updated weekly.
Let’s get to it!
EARLY OSCAR PREDICTIONS: BEST PICTURE
1917
Bombshell
The Farewell
The Irishman
Little Women
Marriage Story
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
The Report
Other Possibilities:
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Ad Astra
A Hidden Life
Avengers: Endgame
Dark Waters
Ford v Ferrari
The Goldfinch
Harriet
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Just Mercy
The Laundromat
The Lighthouse
Pain and Glory
Rocketman
The Two Popes
And there you have it! Expect a whole bunch of Oscar Watch posts stemming from Toronto, Telluride, Venice, and New York in the near future…