Final Oscar Predictions 2020: Who Will Win? |DC’s Take

Posted on by DC Bolling

Every film fan’s favorite day of the year is coming in hot. It’s already time for the 92nd Academy Awards! Can you believe it’s airing already? Too soon. On February 9, Hollywood will celebrate the best movies to come out in 2019. The best thing to come out of this Oscar season is that it wasn’t nearly as annoying as last year. Sure, there are those people hopping on the bandwagon to hate on Joker and now 1917 for some idiotic reason, but it was a solid year despite the noticeable snubs.

But it’s now to time to announce my predications for whom I would love to win on Oscar night. This year’s ceremony might wind up being a little predictable just based on who’s been winning around the award circuit for the past month. It seems like the acting categories are fully locked.

Aside from Best Documentary, Documentary Short Subject, and Live-Action Short, I will explain my reasoning for my choices in the other categories. Who will take home the gold? Which amazing film will surprise everyone in winning Best Picture? Will any major upsets be involved during the ceremony?

Take a look at my predictable and see for yourselves!

Best Picture

George MacKay in 1917 (2019)

This is the best Best Picture nominees in a very long time. If you’d ask me who would win a few months ago, I would’ve said The Irishman. But that hasn’t been winning anything huge during this award season. The real three front runners that have taken top prize all over the circuit are Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 1917, and Parasite. All three of them are fantastic original movies that are rightfully deserving of taking home Best Picture. If Once Upon a Time in Hollywood wins, it will be Tarantino’s first Best Picture winner, and if Parasite wins, it will be the first non-English speaking film to ever win.

That said, 1917 has the strongest chance of winning Best Picture. The last time a war film took home this award was The Hurt Locker ten years ago. Being that it won the Golden Globe for Best Picture-Drama, recently won the PGA, grossed over $100 million at the box office, and gained praise for everything involved, we need a memorable war drama like this to take it home. Parasite has a very serious shot, but I’m going with a film more people have seen.

Should Win: 1917

Could Win: Parasite

Will Win: 1917

Prediction: 1917

Best Director

Sam Mendes, George MacKay, and Dean-Charles Chapman in 1917 (2019)

Sam Mendes has already won the Golden Globe, tied for the Critics’ Choice with Bong Joon-Ho, and the Directors Guild of America, so it’s an easy bet that he’ll win for 1917. I personally believe he deserves it when he puts together an unforgettable World War I flick that was daring to film and made its audience feel immersed in the story.

There’s nothing more energetic than making a film look like it’s done in one take, but I believe he accomplished everything with precise timing and planning to make things happen. If Mendes ends up winning, it would’ve been exactly 20 years since he won in this category previously for American Beauty. Let that sink in.

Should Win: Sam Mendes

Could Win: Bong Joon-Ho

Will Win: Sam Mendes

Prediction: Sam Mendes- 1917

Best Actor

Joaquin Phoenix in Joker (2019)

While it would’ve been nice to see Adam Driver win, who will complain about Joaquin Phoenix finally getting his Oscar. He has been previously nominated before (Gladiator, Walk the Line, The Master), but it looks like it’s a lock for his take on the iconic Batman villain. Already, he has taken home a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, and a SAG Award, with a rousing speech for each of them.

Never did I think we see another actor portraying the Joker get an Oscar (Heath Ledger), but here we are with Pheonix giving a career-defining performance that helped Joker become a phenomenon. Even if you’re one of the few people that didn’t love the film, there’s no denying he was outstanding.

Should Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Could Win: Adam Driver

Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Prediction: Joaquin Phoenix- Joker

Best Actress

Image result for judy renee zellweger"

Judy is one of those biopics that I still haven’t checked out yet, and while its reception for the film is fairly good with an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, Renée Zellweger has been getting enormous praise for her portrayal of the talented Judy Garland. Surprising to say, this is a comeback role for her career.

Zellweger already won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Cold Mountain back in 2004, and it looks like she’s gearing up to win her second. I secretly want Scarlett Johansson to win because she gave the best female performance of the entire year, but I won’t complain one bit with Zellweger.

Should Win: Scarlett Johansson

Could Win: Scarlett Johansson

Will Win: Renée Zellweger

Prediction: Renée Zellweger- Judy

Best Supporting Actor

Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time ...in Hollywood (2019)

Honestly, there’s no one else that can beat Brad Pitt for his amazing performance as stunt man Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. After all these years of acting, he only earned three acting nominations (12 Monkeys, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moneyball) and never won. Although, he has one for producing 12 Years a Slave.

The first time I watched the film, that was when I predicted he was going to win Best Supporting Actor, and that’s saying something when he outshines his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in every scene, especially the scene between his him and the Mason family. That was golden. This is his award to lose.

Should Win: Brad Pitt

Could Win: Al Pacino 

Will Win: Brad Pitt

Prediction: Brad Pitt- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actress

Laura Dern and Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story (2019)

Though Jennifer Lopez wasn’t going to win, even if they nominated her, Laura Dern is easily the front runner to take home Best Supporting Actress for her role as Johansson’s divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Marriage Story.

With strong nominations that were equally amazing in their respective films, Dern hasn’t been this well-established in a movie in a while. So far, she won the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, and the SAG. Previously nominated twice with Rambling Rose and Wild, I would love to see Dern get her Oscar.

Should Win: Florence Pugh

Could Win: Scarlett Johansson

Will Win: Laura Dern

Prediction: Laura Dern- Marriage Story

Best Original Screenplay

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time ...in Hollywood (2019)

A lot of great screenplays in this category, especially Knives Out getting some love. Quentin Tarantino already won two of these for winning Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained, respectively. That said, he will surely take home his third Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, in which this provides interesting, original characters in Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth that were thrown into the Manson Family murders with a unique in there. Plus, they typically love movies about Hollywood.

Even when this has the least amount of violence, a large chunk of this just characters engaging in laid-back conversations. Great scenes with his style of dialogue, this man is always fascinating with storytelling. The Academy might go with Parasite since Tarantino already won two, but I believe he will upset Joon-ho.

Should Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Could Win: Parasite

Will Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Prediction: Quentin Tarantino- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Adapted Screenplay

Sam Rockwell, Taika Waititi, and Roman Griffin Davis in Jojo Rabbit (2019)

This year’s Best Adapted Screenplay race was very difficult to pick from. The two that seem to be the biggest front runners are Little Women and Jojo Rabbit. After getting snubbed for Best Director, letting Gerwig win for her adaptation of Louisa May Alcott is surely reasonable since it’s well written with fleshed-out characters and fantastic dialogue that has been translated to screen before, but for a new generation. Though I had a dream last week where she won. A sign? Could be.

However, if there’s one film that could be a dark horse to win, Jojo Rabbit would be it. The momentum that Taika Waititi’s comedy has gotten recently might be in the lead to win. Its recent wins for the BAFTA and WGA (six previous winners ended up winning the Oscar) pushed it to the projected winner. His adaptation of Caging Skies might involve an Adolf Hitler as an imaginary friend to the story’s titular kid, but the film also offers a poignant perspective in how we see the world full of hate. Hilarious, yet touching. I love Jojo Rabbit; it was my third favorite movie of the past year, and it would be nice to see it something despite divisive responses. As much as I want to see Gerwig win an Oscar, it will be a surprise to see Waititi take this one home.

Should Win: Little Women

Could Win: Jojo Rabbit

Will Win: Jojo Rabbit

Prediction: Taika Waititi- Jojo Rabbit

Best Animated Feature

Tom Hanks and Tony Hale in Toy Story 4 (2019)

Missing Link might’ve surprised everybody when it won the Golden Globe, an achievement that Laika should be proud of, but it would be upsetting if Toy Story 4 doesn’t win Best Animated Feature. Pixar’s fourth installment in this beloved franchise is clearly the best out of everything else. While some want some original to win to dethrone Disney’s only nomination, I believe this will win with no complaints.

Should Win: Toy Story 4

Could Win: Klaus

Will Win: Toy Story 4

Prediction: Toy Story 4

Best International Feature Film

Kang-ho Song, Hye-jin Jang, Woo-sik Choi, and So-dam Park in Gisaengchung (2019)

  • Corpus Christi (Poland)
  • Honeyland (North Macedonia)
  • Les Miserables (France)
  • Pain and Glory (Spain)
  • Parasite (South Korea)

When your movie is also nominated for Best Picture, chances are you will win Best International Feature (formally Foreign Language Film). Everyone and their mothers know Parasite will beat out the other four nominations. Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece has won tons of accolades, with it winning a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, Hollywood Critics Association, and the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Easy lock right here.

Should Win: Parasite

Will Win: Parasite

Prediction: Parasite

Best Film Editing

Woo-sik Choi and So-dam Park in Gisaengchung (2019)

Film Editing is always a tricky category, and it’s probably the most important element of any film. Any of these could take it. My original prediction was for The Irishman because frequent Scorsese collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker made the effort of trimming this nearly 3 1/2 hour drama into a fast-paced trip without straying away from something important. However, there has been more talk about Parasite winning. Many scenes were so tightly edited, including a sequence inside the house that had perfect tension.

Should Win: The Irishman

Could Win: Ford V Ferrari 

Will Win: Parasite

Prediction: Parasite

Best Cinematography

George MacKay in 1917 (2019)

It’s Roger Deakins. What more do you want? After finally winning this award for Blade Runner 2049, this legend has done it again in making 1917 look beautiful and devastating at the same time. Academy, let this man win.

Should Win: 1917

Could Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Will Win: 1917

Prediction: 1917

Best Production Design

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time ...in Hollywood (2019)

The reason Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will definitely win in this category is that the re-creations of ’60s era Hollywood were mind-blowing, especially the strip without CGI. Its production values made us believe we have transported back 40 years ago, from the television sets to the location of Spahn Ranch. This was my favorite aspect of the film that should be rewarded.

Should Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Could Win: Parasite

Will Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Prediction: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Costume Design

Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Little Women (2019)

The possibility that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood could take Best Costume Design for its 60s wardrobe a part of its time. But I will be different and say Little Women‘s costumes were wonderful. Jacqueline Durran has an act for making its attire look appropriate to period piece setting stories, and I couldn’t get enough of the outfits in Greta Gerwig’s drama. Let’s just get one win for this film.

Should Win: Little Women

Could Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Will Win: Little Women

Prediction: Little Women

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, and Margot Robbie in Bombshell (2019)

This is the first this category has expanded to five possible winners, and I think it’s safe to say Best Makeup and Hairstyling is going to Bombshell. Credit to the makeup department for actually transforming Charlize Theron to look exactly like Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson, and John Lithgow as Roger Ailes. A film is a guarantee to win if they portray a celebrity as a real-life person. Just take an example from Vice and Darkest Hour the past two years.

Should Win: Bombshell

Could Win: Joker

Will Win: Bombshell

Prediction: Bombshell

Best Visual Effects

George MacKay in 1917 (2019)

It’s hard not to take Avengers: Endgame to win Best Visual Effects. But I predicted Avengers: Infinity War to win last year, and so far, no MCU movie was won in this category, unfortunately. My heart says yes, but my mind says no. Does anyone else it should have gotten WAY more nominations for being one of the best movies of the year? Just me, I guess.

That being said, after recently winning the BAFTA for Special Visual Effects, that’s probably a strong indicator that 1917 might end up winning, especially when six winners in the past decade ended up taking the Oscar. The effects in the film were an afterthought, but that was because it worked seamlessly with the practical effects throughout filming with its locations and Roger Deakins’ cinematography.

Should Win: Avengers: Endgame

Could Win: Avengers: Endgame

Will Win: 1917

Prediction: 1917

Best Sound Mixing

George MacKay in 1917 (2019)

Here is a tough decision between 1917 and Ford v Ferrari. While the latter could win with its race sequences and the sound that was booming in the theater, 1917 is taking Best Sound Mixing since the Oscars usually awards war films in this category.

Should Win: 1917

Could Win: Ford V Ferrari

Will Win: 1917

Prediction: 1917

Best Sound Editing

George MacKay in 1917 (2019)

As mentioned before with the last category, it’s a fact that war movies typically win either Sound editing. 1917 is going to win both Best Sound Mixing and Sound Editing.

Should Win: 1917

Could Win: Ford V Ferrari

Will Win: 1917

Prediction: 1917

Best Original Score

Joaquin Phoenix in Joker (2019)

All five nominations have great musical scores. I hope to see a surprise if Thomas Newman finally wins an Oscar after being nominated 15 times before, but Hildur Guðnadóttir’s riveting score for Joker was brilliant. The Icelandic composer already has a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and a Critics’ Choice to her name. The piece that was ultimately the best from the soundtrack is entitled “Call Me Joker,” which gave me the chills the first time I heard it. If succeeding, Guðnadóttir could be the fourth female composer to win in this category.

Should Win: Thomas Newman- 1917

Could Win: Thomas Newman- 1917

Will Win: Hildur Guðnadóttir- Joker

Prediction: Hildur Guðnadóttir- Joker

Best Original Song

Taron Egerton in Rocketman (2019)

  • “I’m Standing With You”- Breakthrough
  • “Into the Unknown”- Frozen 2
  • “Stand Up”- Harriet
  • “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again”- Rocketman
  • “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”- Toy Story 4

While the Academy failed to recognize Rocketman for anything else, I think it’s easy to feel like the catchy ” (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” will win over the rest. “Into the Unknown” could sneak up and become a surprise win, but it would be cool to see Elton John earned his second Oscar for Best Original Song after 25 years, especially if he’s winning alongside Bernie Taupin.

Should Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again”- Rocketman

Could Win: “Into the Unknown”- Frozen 2

Will Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again”- Rocketman

Prediction: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again”- Rocketman

Best Documentary Feature

American Factory (2019)

  • American Factory
  • The Cave
  • The Edge of Democracy
  • For Sama
  • Honeyland

Prediction: American Factory

Best Documentary Short Subject

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) (2019)

  • In the Absence
  • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
  • Life Overtakes Me
  • St. Louis Superman
  • Walk Run Cha-Cha

Prediction: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Best Animated Short Film

Hair Love (2019)

  • Dcera (Daughter)
  • Hair Love
  • Kitbull
  • Memorable
  • Sister

Hair Love and Kitbull are the only two animated shorts I’ve seen. Both of them are online, but Kitbull is on Disney+. Hair Love has gotten so much praise from everybody who has watched it, and I got with it for its entire six minutes. Funny and heartwarming at the same time, it would be a shame if it didn’t win.

Prediction: Hair Love

Best Live-Action Short Subject

Maria Dizzia and Greg Keller in The Neighbors' Window (2019)

  • Brotherhood
  • Nefta Football Club
  • The Neighbors’ Window
  • Saria
  • A Sister

Prediction: The Neighbors’ Window

Final Predictions for the 92nd Academy Awards:

Best Picture: 1917

Best Director: Sam Mendes- 1917

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix- Joker

Best Actress: Renée Zellweger- Judy

Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern- Marriage Story

Best Original Screenplay: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood– Quentin Tarantino

Best Adapted Screenplay: Jojo Rabbit– Taika Waititi

Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 4

Best International Feature Film: Parasite

Best Editing: Parasite

Best Cinematography: 1917

Best Production Design: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Costume Design: Little Women

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Bombshell

Best Visual Effects: 1917

Best Sound Mixing: 1917

Best Sound Editing: 1917

Best Original Score: Hildur Guðnadóttir- Joker

Best Original Song: “I’m (Gonna) Love Me Again”- Rocketman

Best Documentary: American Factory

Best Documentary- Short Subject: Learning How to Skateboard in Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Best Animated Short: Hair Love

Best Live-Action Short: The Neighbors’ Window

3 thoughts on “Final Oscar Predictions 2020: Who Will Win? |DC’s Take”

  2. Pingback: 92nd Academy Awards Winners and Recap!: ‘Parasite’ Wins Big! – DC's Take

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Published by DC Bolling

DC Bolling is earned his B.A. in Communication and has been writing movie reviews on DC's Take since the summer of 2017. As of 2022, he also contributes as a writer for Indiana's Film Yap and is a member of the Online Film Critics Society.