Oscars 2027: ‘The Odyssey’ Is Still the Best Picture Frontrunn

The race for Best Picture is becoming increasingly unpredictable as the awards season moves forward. What initially looked like a competition dominated by a handful of frontrunners is now turning into a much more open field, with festival reactions, audience enthusiasm, and late-year releases reshaping the conversation.

Several films have emerged as unexpected contenders, while some of the year's biggest upcoming releases could still completely change the Oscar landscape.

Among the films gaining momentum is a particularly intriguing project centered on one of Hollywood's most recognizable characters: Rocky Balboa.

A Young Stallone Fighting for Rocky

The film tells the story of a young Sylvester Stallone and his determination to bring Rocky Balboa to the big screen. While Rocky is now one of the most iconic characters in movie history, the story behind his creation was built on struggle, ambition, and Stallone's refusal to give up on his vision.

That real-life battle gives the movie an emotional foundation that could prove extremely valuable during awards season.

The film made a strong impression at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it finished as the runner-up for the prestigious People's Choice Award. That kind of audience response can be an important indicator during Oscar season, particularly when a film manages to connect with viewers on an emotional level.

Its chances have reportedly improved considerably since the festival.

There is another reason not to overlook this contender: director Peter Farrelly already knows what it takes to turn a TIFF audience favourite into an Oscar winner. His 2018 film Green Book won over audiences at Toronto before going on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

That history makes this new project particularly interesting.

Of course, a strong TIFF showing does not automatically guarantee an Oscar nomination. But when you combine an emotional Hollywood story, a recognizable figure like Stallone, strong festival support, and a director with previous Best Picture success, the film suddenly looks much more serious than it might have seemed a few months ago.

Dune: Part Three Could Change Everything

Then comes one of the biggest remaining releases of the year: Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three, arriving in theaters on December 18.

The first two installments of the Dune saga have already established the franchise as one of modern cinema's major achievements. Both previous films received Best Picture nominations, while also earning widespread recognition for their visual effects, cinematography, production design, sound, and overall technical excellence.

Now the pressure is on Villeneuve to deliver a finale worthy of the buildup.

A successful trilogy ending could be incredibly powerful during awards season. There is a reason people continue to compare potential franchise finales to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. That film demonstrated how a spectacular final chapter can transform an already successful series into something historic.

If Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet manage to stick the landing, Dune: Part Three could become much more than another Best Picture nominee.

It could become one of the most serious threats to win the award.

The timing of its release also works in its favor. A major December release can generate enormous momentum heading into the final weeks of awards voting. If critics respond enthusiastically and audiences embrace the conclusion, the film could quickly become the movie everyone is talking about.

That could put it ahead of several other highly anticipated contenders, including The Odyssey and La Bola Negra.

The Wild Card: Cliff Booth Returns

Perhaps the most unpredictable title still waiting to enter the race is The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth.

On paper, the project is almost impossible to ignore.

David Fincher is directing. Quentin Tarantino is behind the script. Brad Pitt is returning as Cliff Booth, the character who earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

That combination alone makes the movie a major cinematic event.

But unlike many awards contenders, the film did not travel through the traditional festival circuit. Instead, it is scheduled for a limited two-week IMAX theatrical run beginning November 25.

The unusual release strategy has only added to the mystery surrounding the project.

Over the past several months, the film has generated mixed signals. Reports surrounding test screenings have created uncertainty, while reshoots and changes behind the scenes have fueled further speculation. Fincher's departure from Netflix has also added another layer of intrigue to the film's development and release.

For an awards contender, that kind of uncertainty can be dangerous.

Yet it would be a mistake to dismiss the movie.

Why Fincher, Tarantino and Pitt Still Matter

Even without a major festival launch, a film involving Fincher, Tarantino, and Pitt has a built-in level of attention that most movies simply cannot match.

Fincher has spent decades building a reputation for meticulous filmmaking and visually distinctive storytelling. Tarantino remains one of the industry's most recognizable screenwriters and directors, with a style that has influenced generations of filmmakers.

Then there is Brad Pitt.

His return as Cliff Booth immediately gives the movie a connection to one of the most celebrated performances of his career. Audiences already know the character, while the combination of Tarantino's writing and Fincher's direction creates the possibility of something very different from the original film.

If the finished movie delivers, its lack of a festival run may become irrelevant.

Oscar campaigns can change dramatically after a film's theatrical debut. A strong critical response, enthusiastic audience reactions, and a memorable performance can generate awards momentum almost overnight.

And with a limited IMAX engagement, the movie could also benefit from the perception that it is a genuine theatrical event rather than simply another streaming-era release.

The Oscar Picture Is Still Wide Open

At this stage, predicting the eventual Best Picture lineup is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Stallone-focused film has emerged as a genuine dark horse thanks to its emotional story, TIFF reception, and Peter Farrelly's history with Green Book. Dune: Part Three has the potential to become a major awards powerhouse if it delivers a satisfying conclusion to Villeneuve's ambitious trilogy.

Meanwhile, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth remains the wild card. Its unusual release strategy and behind-the-scenes uncertainty make it difficult to predict, but the talent involved means it cannot simply be ignored.

And that is what makes this year's Oscar race so fascinating.

A film that looks like a minor contender today can become a frontrunner after one great screening. A heavily anticipated blockbuster can either exceed expectations or fall short of them. A festival favourite can build momentum over several months, while a late release can suddenly dominate the conversation.

For now, the race remains wide open.

But with Dune: Part Three still waiting to arrive and the Fincher-Tarantino-Pitt collaboration preparing for its theatrical debut, the biggest twists in the Best Picture race may still be ahead.