Forget everything you thought you knew about Oscar season. The 2026 race isn't just heating up—it's exploding with more plot twists than a Hollywood thriller. From a K-Pop demon-hunting sensation that broke Netflix records to Jacob Elordi's unrecognizable Frankenstein transformation, this year's contenders are rewriting the awards playbook. The fall festival circuit ignited a wildfire of buzz for films like Hamnet, Bugonia, and Frankenstein, but the real story is in the unexpected dark horses and category chaos that have insiders scrambling.
The 2026 Oscars season is a masterclass in unpredictability, with acting categories so volatile they're giving Vegas oddsmakers nightmares. Enter The Awardist podcast—your backstage pass to Hollywood's most exclusive conversations. We've gathered the stars and directors who are shaping this historic race, including KPop Demon Hunters voice actors Arden Cho and May Hong, Weapons star Amy Madigan, Frankenstein's Creature Jacob Elordi, and the powerhouse duo of Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan from Sinners. This isn't just analysis—it's the raw, unfiltered truth from the artists themselves.
A brand-new season of The Awardist launches with host Gerrad Hall, TheEntBase Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng tearing apart the early 2026 Oscars buzz. They're diving deep into frontrunners like Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (starring Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chloé Zhao's Hamnet (featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal), while spotlighting the festival breakouts and potential dark horses that could steal the show. Think you know who's winning? Think again.
Timothée Chalamet's Marty Supreme dropped a bombshell with a surprise world premiere at the New York Film Festival—will it catapult him to Best Actor glory? Awardist host Gerrad Hall, TheEntBase Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng dissect the early reactions and his Oscar chances. Plus, they're unpacking One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti's shocking move into Best Actress, and the Golden Globes' controversial Best Podcast shortlist that's got Hollywood talking. And don't miss Gerrad's exclusive chat with The Lost Bus star America Ferrera about the harrowing true story behind the film.
After KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon—shattering Netflix records and dominating charts with hits like "Golden"—stars Arden Cho ('Rumi') and May Hong ('Mira') are opening up like never before. In an exclusive Awardist interview, they reveal their audition secrets, deep connection to their characters, the film's meteoric rise, and their hopes for a sequel. Gerrad Hall and TheEntBase Sr. Editor Joyce Eng also break down One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti's category-shifting strategy and pay tribute to Hollywood legend Diane Keaton's enduring legacy.
Could Amy Madigan make an Oscar comeback 40 years after her first nomination? Her role as Aunt Gladys in the horror mystery Weapons is generating serious buzz, and she's joining Awardist host Gerrad Hall to reflect on Zach Cregger's thriller and her iconic career. Gerrad and TheEntBase Sr. Editor Joyce Eng also dive into the Best Song race, where a new contender has emerged: Miley Cyrus, who co-wrote and will perform the end credits song for Avatar: Fire and Ash. This category just got a whole lot more interesting.
Rose Byrne is delivering a career-defining performance as a mother on the brink in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and she's spilling all the details on The Awardist. Gerrad Hall and TheEntBase senior editor Joyce Eng are also decoding the Gotham Awards nominations, where One Battle After Another leads with six nods, and analyzing its strategic switch to the comedy/musical category at the Golden Globes—a move that could reshape the entire race for films like Wicked: For Good. Gerrad shares his hot take on whether stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have what it takes to go all the way at the Oscars.
Jacob Elordi is completely unrecognizable under prosthetics as the Creature in Frankenstein, delivering what he calls his "most personal work" yet. In an emotional Awardist interview, he opens up about the role, teases Euphoria season 3, and looks back on the Kissing Booth movies and Saltburn. Gerrad also shares an exclusive snippet from his Q&A with Frankenstein star Oscar Isaac at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Elsewhere, Gerrad, TheEntBase Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng are connecting all the dots in Hollywood's most chaotic Oscar race ever.
