The 2027 Oscars might still be months away, but if you know the RUSSH team, you know we're already keeping a close eye on this year's awards contenders. And with the major film festivals now behind us, next year's awards sesason is now taking shape, and there's a handful of films we've got a good feeling about.
The 99th Academy Awards will take place on March 14, 2027, with nominations announced in January. And while there's plenty of time for the conversation to change between now and then, these are the films that have our attention.
Elsinore
Could this be the film that earns Andrew Scott his Oscar? Early reviews suggest so. In Elsinore, Scott plays Scottish actor Ian Charleston, as he not only prepares to take on the title role in Hamlet at London’s National Theatre, but also grapples with an AIDS diagnosis.
La Bola Negra
If past events tell us anything, it's the La Bola Negra could be in line to take home Best Picture. The film recently took home the People's Choice awards at TIFF – and FYI, of the last 16 People’s Choice winners at the festival, 14 went on to be nominated for Best Picture, while four actually took home the award.
The Odyssey
Not exactly an underdog, but Christopher Nolan's masterpiece is expected to get at least a few nods at the 2027 Oscars. We can see its sweeping visuals lining up perfectly with the Cinematography award, or perhaps Robert Pattinson's take on the arrogant Antinous will earn him a Best Supporting Actor nod.
I Play Rocky
The story behind Rocky is already an Oscar story, so perhaps it was only a matter of time before Hollywood made a film about it. I Play Rocky follows a young Sylvester Stallone as he fights to get his screenplay made — and, crucially, refuses to let anyone else play Rocky Balboa. The film had its world premiere at TIFF, where it received a standing ovation and quickly entered the awards conversation. Watch this space.
You Can See Everything
We're yet to be treated to Nathan Fielder's latest work, but if early reactions at Telluride Film Festival tell us anything, it's to quadruple our expectations. The Canadian filmmaker teamed up with Lance Oppenheim for a documentary that focuses on Elizabeth Holmes – the infamous Theranos founder – in the weeks before she was sent to jail.
The Debut
This is a musical comedy courtesy of Jesse Eisenberg. Julianne Moore plays Mona, a New Jersey housewife who lands a role in a community musical despite having no stage experience, while Paul Giamatti plays the increasingly exasperated director attempting to mould her into a performer. The film has already received a warm reception at the New York Film Festival, with Moore's performance attracting particular attention.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
In The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, John Turturro (who also stars in Severance) plays an ageing New York pickpocket whose profession is becoming increasingly obsolete in a city of smartphones, credit cards and digital crime. Written and directed by Noah Segan, the film premiered at Sundance before making its way through Berlin, Telluride, TIFF and the New York Film Festival, with Turturro's performance attracting particular accolades.
Primetime
Robert Pattinson is having a very busy year, and we'd love to see him rewarded with an Osar. In addition to his role as Antinous in The Odyssey, he's in the awards conversation with Primetime, Lance Oppenheim's darkly stylised drama inspired by To Catch a Predator. Pattinson plays journalist Chris Hansen, the host of the controversial television show, alongside Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo. In other words, there is a very real possibility we could be talking about Robert Pattinson twice when the supporting and leading acting categories are announced.
