The Academy Has Reveales the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Contenders Shortlist for the 2026 Oscars

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The Academy Awards celebrate how makeup and hairstyling can completely transform actors into their characters. The competition for the 2026 Oscars is already heating up, with a wide range of films in the running – from stories based on real historical figures to imaginative fantasy worlds. This list showcases ten movies that have truly excelled in makeup and hairstyling, as judged by the Academy’s experts in that field.

‘The Alto Knights’ (2025)

As a film buff, I was really impressed with Robert De Niro’s work in this gangster epic. He plays two different mob bosses across several decades, and the makeup artists did an incredible job! It was a huge challenge to age him and make him convincingly look like two separate people, sometimes even in the same scene. They used prosthetics and clever hair styling to really distinguish between Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. What I loved most was how they avoided relying on CGI – it was all practical effects, which made the illusion of two distinct men totally believable and added so much to the story.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic story with his distinctive dark and imaginative style, especially in the creature’s design. The makeup team created a monster that looks both lifeless and disturbingly alive, carefully ensuring the actor’s expressions still came through. Detailed prosthetics highlight the monster’s stitched-together appearance without overshadowing the actor’s performance. The film’s accurate historical hairstyles add to the immersive, nineteenth-century atmosphere of this fantastical horror story.

‘Kokuho’ (2025)

This film beautifully recreates the world of Kabuki theater, paying close attention to cultural details. The actors’ makeup, created using the traditional Kumadori technique, uses bold lines and colors to show who their characters are. Detailed wigs and headpieces help transform the main character into different roles throughout the story. The film’s styling perfectly combines historical accuracy with the artistry of the theater.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

This A24 film vividly recreates the exciting world of 1950s professional ping pong. Timothée Chalamet completely embodies the champion he portrays, with authentic hairstyles and subtle makeup. The film’s visuals emphasize both the physicality of the sport – the sweat and effort – and the distinctive style of the period, adding layers to the story’s unique central character.

‘Nuremberg’ (2025)

This post-World War II drama about the Nuremberg trials prioritizes historical accuracy in its visuals. Russell Crowe underwent a remarkable physical transformation, using prosthetics and body suits to convincingly play Hermann Göring. The hair and makeup teams painstakingly recreated 1940s hairstyles – both military and civilian – to fully immerse the actors in their roles. This dedication to realism helps make the film’s difficult subject matter feel authentic and believable.

‘One Battle after Another’ (2025)

This war film powerfully portrays the toll of endless fighting, visible in the soldiers’ worn faces. The makeup team created incredibly realistic injuries that worsened as the battles raged on. They also used layers of dirt and grime to show how the soldiers physically deteriorated throughout the campaign. The messy, tangled hairstyles further emphasized the chaos and intensity of the battlefield.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan team up again for a spooky thriller set in the racially segregated South. The film’s makeup is remarkable, combining authentic 1930s hairstyles and looks with frightening creature effects for the vampire villains. Realistic prosthetics make the creatures look both scary and alien, which stands out against the story’s realistic historical backdrop. The hair and makeup teams worked hard to make sure everything looked accurate to the time period while still supporting the action and horror elements of the film.

‘The Smashing Machine’ (2025)

Dwayne Johnson completely transforms into MMA fighter Mark Kerr, largely due to incredible work by the makeup and hair teams. They altered his face with prosthetics to show the damage a fighting career would cause, including scarred ears and skin. They also used wigs to accurately recreate Kerr’s appearance throughout his challenging life. This transformation helps viewers connect with the broken man, rather than recognize the famous actor playing him.

‘The Ugly Stepsister’ (2025)

This isn’t your typical Cinderella story. It’s a dark and unsettling reimagining that uses shocking imagery and body horror. The special effects are incredibly realistic and gruesome, featuring disturbing scenes of foot injuries and physical transformations to match the story’s dark mood. Beautiful, historical costumes and makeup are deliberately contrasted with the raw, bloody details of the stepsisters’ painful attempts to force their feet into the glass slipper. The result is a visually striking and complex film that transforms a classic fairy tale into something truly unsettling and artistically impressive.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second installment of this musical story builds on its fantastical world with even more imaginative and vibrant character looks. Creating Elphaba’s iconic green skin meant developing a long-lasting makeup application that would appear realistic in any light. The hair stylists designed elaborate and often unbelievable wigs and hairstyles for the people of Oz, mirroring the increasingly ominous tone of the story. The film is a showcase for incredible creativity in both makeup and hair design.

Please share your predictions for who will make the final five nominees in the comments.

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2025-12-17 21:45