The 2020 Oscar Nominations are officially out, and so many people are giving their input on who they think will come out on top this year in the world of film. Since I have managed to watch most of the nominees this year, I thought I would throw my opinions into the mix as well. So without further ado here are my predictions for this year’s Oscar race in the main categories. Keep in mind these are all just my own opinions, I am not affiliated with the awards in any way.

Best Picture

The nominees: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, Parasite, 1917, Marriage Story, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Ford v Ferrari

Who I think will win: 1917
So far 1917 seems to be liked by everyone across the various voting bodies and has won major awards at the DGAs, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and more. Since a lot of the other films this year seem a bit more divisive amongst voters, it would make sense that one that seems to be liked across the board would take home the top prize. If this one wins I won’t be upset, the score, acting, and of course, cinematography and direction are stunning.

Who I want to win: Little Women
However, if I had a vote it would definitely go to my favorite film of the year Little Women. Greta Gerwig’s take on this beloved story may at first seem redundant as we have already had many adaptations of it over the years. But once you see it, you know that is not the case. You can check out more of my thoughts on this amazing film by clicking here for my Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2019 post.

Lead Actor

The nominees: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker), Adam Driver (Marriage Story), Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes)

Who I think will win: Joaquin Phoenix
At this point, I think Joaquin is pretty much a lock for this category. His transformation into the Joker is, of course, incredible, and he is hardly even recognizable in the role. He has pretty much cleaned up in this category across all the previous award shows, so it would not be shocking for him to take home the Oscar as well.

Who I want to win: Adam Driver
As much as I thought Phoenix did an amazing job in Joker, my favorite performance and pick for this category has to go to Adam Driver in Marriage Story. Not only did he just have a great year in general with the releases of The Report and the final Star Wars new trilogy conclusion, but his performance in Marriage Story is phenomenal. Watch the clip above and you will see what I am talking about from just a few moments.

Lead Actress

The nominees: Renee Zellweger (Judy), Charlize Theron (Bombshell), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), Cynthia Erivo (Harriet)

Who I think will win: Renee Zellweger
As with Joaquin, Renee has been cleaning up at previous award shows in this category. And it is well deserved, her performance as Judy Garland is amazing, and the Academy has been shown to love great transformational bio-pic performances such as this one at the Oscars.

Who I want to win: Saoirse Ronan
This should come as no surprise given how much I loved Little Women, and Ronan’s performance as Jo March was unparalleled for me this year. She manages to capture the free spirit of the character while also giving her immense depth and heart. I love Saoirse and I can’t wait to see the day where she finally wins this award.

Supporting Actor

The nominees: Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Al Pacino, (The Irishman), JoePesci (The Irishman), Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes)

Who I think will/want to win: Brad Pitt
OUATIH has had both love and a bit of controversy surrounding it, but there can be no denying that Brad Pitt’s performance in it was beyond noteworthy and spectacular. He has been in the industry for so long, and this is the perfect role to reward him for all of his accomplishments throughout the years.

Supporting Actress

The nominees: Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Margot Robbie (Bombshell), Florence Pugh (Little Women), Scarlett Johansson (Jojo Rabbit), Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell)

Who I think will win: Laura Dern
As with the previous three acting awards, this prediction comes on the heels of Dern winning in this category at most of the previous award shows. Her performance in Marriage Story is definitely of note, and she has just been taking the film world by storm in general the past couple of years.

Who I want to win: Florence Pugh
Again my love for Little Women comes through. A previously universally disliked character in the story, Florence Pugh has managed to turn Amy March into a character every is rooting for. Her performance is absolutely incredible in this film and between this and Midsommar, I can’t wait to see what Pugh does in the future of her career.

Director

The nominees: Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Bong Joon-ho (Parasite), Sam Mendes (1917), Todd Phillips (Joker)

Who I think will win: Sam Mendes
Again if you have been following previous award shows, this year’s Oscar race does not seem like many categories will be up in the air as far as winners. Sam Mendes, of course, deserves this award for his amazing one-take direction in 1917, which again is a beloved film among voters this year.

Who I want to win: Bong Joon-ho
Parasite is a masterpiece, and Bong Joon-ho is such an amazing director. If you have seen any of his previous films, you know he probably should have been up for this award before, but I’m so glad he is for Parasite. The way he planned out every shot, and took such care with every detail of this film is amazing, and I really hope he is recognized for it in this category.

Animated Feature

The nominees: Toy Story 4, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Missing Link, I Lost My Body, Klaus

Who I think will win/want to win: Toy Story 4
Not only is the animation in this film stunning, but it also made me laugh, cry, and feel all the feelings during its entire run time. I think many Academy voters probably feel the same, so I won’t be surprised if this conclusion to the beloved Toy Story saga takes home the prize.

Adapted Screenplay

The nominees: The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, The Two Popes, Joker

Who I think will win/want to win: Jojo Rabbit
As much as I would love for Greta Gerwig to take home an Oscar, and Little Women is of course beyond worthy of this win, Jojo Rabbit is just such an interesting take on its source material that I can’t overlook it in this category. And judging by the WGA win in this category for Jojo, I would venture to say the Academy may end up feeling the same.

Original Screenplay

The nominees: Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Parasite, Knives Out, 1917

Who I think will win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
I could not decide for this one between OUATIH and Parasite but ultimately went with Hollywood because I think the Academy will want to honor Tarantino in some way this year. That being said this is one of my more unclear guesses, and I won’t be surprised if Parasite takes the win instead.

Who I want to win: Knives Out
While I’m almost positive this movie will not take home this award, it will definitely be the winner in my eyes. Such a fun and unique spin on the mystery genre, this movie was definitely a favorite of mine and many others this year. Glad it was recognized at least with a nomination.

Best Documentary Feature

The nominees: American Factory, The Edge of Democracy, Honeyland, For Sama, The Cave

Who I think will win: American Factory
One of the few nominees I have not yet seen this year, I have heard way too many good things about this documentary for it to not take home the win.

Who I want to win: The Cave
This doc absolutely devastated me. If you have not yet seen it, it is an absolutely raw and heartbreaking look into a group of people trying to better the world, and realizing just how hard that goal is no matter how good your intentions are. Make sure you check it out!

Best Foreign Language Film

The nominees: South Korea (Parasite), Spain (Pain and Glory), France (Les Misérables), North Macedonia (Honeyland), Poland (Corpus Christi)

Who I think will/want to win: Parasite
This is the most confident I am of all my predictions. Parasite was one of the biggest surprise hits of the year in the U.S., especially considering it is a foreign film, and in my opinion, there is no way it won’t take home this prize and it fully deserves it.

So those are my picks for the Oscar winners this year. Let me know in the comments below who you think will/want to win in the major categories! And if you enjoyed this post and would like to see more like it, make sure to click the like button down below.

And if you want to follow along on what movies I see this year and read my reviews of them, follow me on my Letterboxd account!