The Academy Has Reveales the Best Casting Contenders Shortlist for the 2026 Oscars

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The Academy has revealed the ten films being considered for the Best Casting Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. These films represent outstanding work in bringing together the right actors for their roles. Casting directors voted to create this shortlist from all the eligible movies. In early January, Academy members will watch scenes and interviews with the casting directors in Los Angeles, London, and New York before making their final nominations from this group.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro’s new Netflix series reimagines Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a haunting and visually striking story. Jacob Elordi powerfully portrays the creature, while Oscar Isaac embodies the driven Victor Frankenstein. The series also features strong performances from Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz, who help bring emotional weight to the gothic horror. The entire cast delivers a captivating and nuanced portrayal of this tragic story of creation, abandonment, and the difficult questions it raises, with a palpable connection between them.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

Chloé Zhao directs this historical drama, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, which tells the story of William Shakespeare’s son and the challenges his family faced. Jessie Buckley plays Agnes, and Paul Mescal portrays Shakespeare himself. The film focuses on the powerful emotional bond between these two characters to explore themes of loss and strength. Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn also deliver strong performances in this personal and moving story about family. The actors convincingly bring the past to life while emphasizing the characters’ emotional honesty.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

Directed by Josh Safdie, this fast-paced movie tells the story of ping pong star Marty Reisman. Timothée Chalamet gives a captivating performance as the quirky athlete. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and musician Tyler, the Creator. The filmmakers carefully chose a cast of both actors and people with interesting personalities to create the film’s energetic and chaotic feel. The final result is a lively group that really brings the competitive world of table tennis to life.

‘One Battle after Another’ (2025)

This ambitious film tells a large-scale story of political and personal struggles, brought to life by a huge cast of actors. Leonardo DiCaprio leads the way with a powerful performance, alongside Sean Penn and Regina Hall. The filmmakers carefully selected a diverse group of experienced actors to play the many complex characters. The chemistry between these well-known stars creates a compelling energy that keeps the story moving. Bringing together such a talented group of performers was a remarkable achievement, both creatively and in terms of logistics.

‘The Secret Agent’ (2025)

As a huge film fan, I was completely gripped by this thriller, which is based on a really famous novel. It’s all about spies and backstabbing, set against a seriously unstable political backdrop. What really struck me was the acting – the whole cast worked so well together, and they were amazing at showing suspicion and hidden motives with just a look or a carefully chosen word. It wasn’t about big dramatic outbursts; it was about what wasn’t being said. They had to portray both the outward tension of the plot and the characters’ inner struggles, and they did it brilliantly. The director clearly chose actors who could handle a lot of dialogue and deliver it with nuance and a sense of mystery. The whole thing just created this incredibly unsettling and paranoid atmosphere – exactly what you want from a spy thriller!

‘Sentimental Value’ (2025)

In this moving drama, director Joachim Trier again collaborates with Renate Reinsve, who plays an actress grappling with a difficult relationship with her family. The film beautifully portrays the challenges of loss and the power of memory, driven by a smart and realistic script. Reinsve is joined by Elle Fanning and a strong cast, bringing depth to the story of family connections across generations. The performances feel authentic and intimate, showcasing Trier’s distinctive style and adding emotional weight to the family’s experiences.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler’s new film is a scary, supernatural story set in the South during the Jim Crow era. Michael B. Jordan plays two different characters, requiring him to be both physically and emotionally strong. The film also features Delroy Lindo and Hailee Steinfeld, who help make the fantastical story feel real and connected to history. Finding the right actors was crucial – they needed to be believable in both frightening horror scenes and the serious, historical setting. The actors all work together to create a feeling of fear and a sense of community.

‘Sirāt’ (2025)

Óliver Laxe’s new film is a beautiful and captivating story of a journey across the deserts of North Africa. The filmmakers intentionally cast mostly non-actors, searching extensively for people who could authentically portray this spiritual quest. This gives the film a realistic and powerful feel, blurring the lines between a documentary and a fictional story. The result is a moving and immersive experience, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Following his previous horror hit, Zach Cregger delivers a large-scale, interconnected story about students vanishing in a close-knit town. Josh Brolin heads up a big cast – featuring Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich – with storylines that weave together. The film jumps between different points of view and time periods, so the filmmakers needed actors who could convincingly portray tension across multiple plotlines. The cast does a great job of showing the fear and confusion that spreads throughout the town.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second part of the musical film brings back Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the beloved characters Elphaba and Glinda. This chapter explores the growing political unrest in Oz and what fate has in store for the witches. With powerful performances from Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, the story builds to an exciting finish. The film keeps the strong singing and stage presence fans loved in the first movie, and the connection between the two main characters continues to be the heart of this impressive film.

Share your thoughts on which film you think deserves to win the Casting Oscar in the comments.

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2025-12-17 19:47