This week sees the release of Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film One Battle After Another - predicted to one of the front-runnners for Best Picture at next year’s Academy Awards.
It’s the first of a number of big-hitters set to be in cinemas in the coming weeks, including Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine.
They’ll be among the films hoping to bag a spot on the Oscars shortlists, which will be announced on Tuesday, December 16.
The awards will then be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
But there are already a number of actors who have been tipped to take home the Best Actor in a Lead Role trophy, last year won by Adrien Brody for his performance in The Brutalist.
Here are the 11 with the best chance of leaving with Oscar in their pocket.
5. Dwayne Johnson
Another actor yet to have recieved an Oscar nod is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, having previously concentrated on money-spinning blockbusters not likely to trouble the Academy. His new role in Benny Safdie's sports drama 'The Smashing Machine' has already been highly-praised though and seems likely to be in the frame for the shortlist - priced at 13/2. He plays a real-life former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter. | Getty Images
6. Daniel Day-Lewis - 8/1
Last time British acting royalty Daniel Day-Lewis was on the big screen was in 2017's 'Phantom Thread', for which he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. That wasn't unusual - he's been nominated six times and is the only male actor to have won three lead performance Academy Awards. Now he's back in his son, Ronan Day-Lewis', debut film 'Anemone', which he also co-wrote. It's no surprise that he's once again amongst the favourites for the Oscar, priced at 8/1. | Getty Images for Academy of Moti
7. Jesse Plemons - 8/1
Jesse Plemons has received his one and only nomination for his supporting actor role in Jane Campion's 'The Power of the Dog'. Now the bookies reckon he could be up for Lead Actor for his part in 'Bugonia' and have priced him at 8/1. The film is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and is about two young men who kidnap a CEO, suspecting that she is an alien. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Brendan Fraser - 10/1
Former action star Brendan Fraser capped an incredible career comeback when he won the Best Actor Oscar for 'The Whale' in 2023. He's now a 10/1 shot to win yet again for his part in 'Rental Family', in which he plays an American actor living in Tokyo who plays stand-in roles in other people's lives. | Getty Images for Searchlight Pic