12 Films to Watch as the Oscars Race Begins

As the film industry gears up for the annual awards season, a fresh batch of Oscar contenders has emerged. Among the most talked-about films are ‘Hamnet,’ an emotional adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about Shakespeare’s son, and ‘One Battle After Another,’ a gripping tale about revolutionaries reuniting to rescue a kidnapped girl. The film festivals, including Venice, Telluride, and Toronto, have been crucial in launching many of these potential nominees, as they generate significant buzz before their official release. Some notable titles in the race include Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller ‘Sinners,’ which has captivated audiences despite its unconventional genre, and ‘Bugonia,’ directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, featuring Emma Stone as a kidnapped CEO. Other films to keep an eye on include ‘Christy,’ a biopic about boxer Christy Martin, and ‘The Smashing Machine,’ a sports drama about UFC fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, some films in the race for best picture are likely to dominate the box office, including sequels to ‘Wicked’ and ‘Avatar.’ With so many potential Oscar contenders, this year’s awards season promises to be full of surprises.