AceShowbiz - With the conclusion of the 2026 Academy Awards, attention now shifts toward the upcoming Oscars 2027 season, which promises to be especially thrilling for fans of science fiction and fantasy genres. The previous year saw notable recognition for genre films, particularly horror, such as Sinners, which became the most-nominated movie ever and earned Michael B. Jordan the Best Actor award. Amy Madigan also took home Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons, while Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the horror-inflected sci-fi classic, Frankenstein, secured several technical Oscars.

Looking ahead, the 2027 awards season is shaping up to be even more exciting for fans of science fiction and fantasy. While the 2026 ceremony had some sci-fi representation with films like Frankenstein and Bugonia earning nominations, fantasy was less prominent. That is expected to change dramatically next year, with multiple major entries poised to compete strongly, led by the highly anticipated The Odyssey from visionary director Christopher Nolan.

The Odyssey is projected to be a frontrunner across both major and technical categories. Featuring a star-studded cast and helmed by a director fresh off his Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, Nolan’s latest fantasy epic is also set for a summer blockbuster release. Given Nolan’s reputation for creating visually stunning, technically sophisticated films, The Odyssey is positioned to potentially become the most nominated movie at the 2027 Oscars.

Another formidable contender is Dune: Part Three, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The Dune franchise has a strong awards pedigree, with the first installment winning six Oscars and its sequel securing two. As the concluding chapter of the saga, this third film could elevate its status further, possibly earning recognition in some of the bigger categories. Both prior films were nominated for Best Picture but mainly excelled in below-the-line categories, with the first also receiving an Adapted Screenplay nod.

One notable omission so far has been Villeneuve himself, who has yet to receive a Best Director nomination for his work on the Dune series. It will be interesting to watch if this changes with the final installment, along with whether Timothée Chalamet continues his streak of acting nominations. While it would be unrealistic to expect Dune: Part Three to replicate the sweeping success of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King—which won 11 Oscars partly due to earlier under-recognition—the film is still expected to secure numerous nominations and possibly breakthrough into major categories.

Beyond these two heavy hitters, several other science fiction and fantasy films are anticipated to be in contention. Project Hail Mary has been critically acclaimed and is being viewed as a masterpiece. Its potential success could mirror that of The Martian, another adaptation by author Andy Weir, which earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. A similar level of recognition for Project Hail Mary would not come as a surprise.

Two other films worth mentioning are Disclosure Day and Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. Disclosure Day, marking director Steven Spielberg’s return to science fiction, remains shrouded in mystery despite multiple trailers. Spielberg’s reputation alone will place the film in awards conversations, especially considering his recent movies West Side Story and The Fabelmans each garnered seven nominations. Similarly, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew benefits from director Greta Gerwig’s strong track record, as her previous directorial efforts, Lady Bird, Little Women, and Barbie, collectively earned 19 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture nods.

The 2027 awards season will also feature stiff competition outside the sci-fi and fantasy genres. Films like Digger, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, as well as Wild Horse Nine from Martin McDonagh, are expected to be major contenders. Additionally, movies such as Cry to Heaven from Tom Ford, Ink by Danny Boyle, The Adventures of Cliff Booth directed by David Fincher, and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael are all anticipated to vie for recognition.

As awards season progresses and more films are released and reviewed, the landscape is likely to evolve significantly. However, the presence of multiple major fantasy and science fiction films in the mix is a promising sign for genre fans looking forward to the 2027 Oscars. The competition among these diverse and ambitious projects should make for an exciting race leading up to the ceremony.

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