How to watch this year’s awards-tipped films from Hamnet to Marty Supreme.

Hollywood stars are preparing to attend one ceremony after another as the film awards season kicks off in full swing.

Marty Supreme, Hamnet and Wicked: For Good are the frontrunners in what is shaping up to be a competitive year for the Oscar race.

The Golden Globe nominations, arguably the first big milestone of awards season, will give some indication of which films have momentum when they are announced on December 8.

Before the season concludes with the Oscars on March 15, the competition continues with the BAFTA Film Awards and the recently named Actor Awards (formerly the SAGs).

Most of the leading films premiered at film festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Telluride, but one or two remaining contenders like Avatar: Fire and Ash are still scheduled to launch before the end of the year.

Here are the 25 leading contenders and how you can keep an eye on them.

A missile is headed toward Chicago, sparking a race to intervene among the US government and security forces. A thriller told from three different perspectives, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson.

Now on Netflix.

A bright college student accuses one of her professors of rape, leaving another teacher caught in the crossfire. A psychological thriller starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield, and directed by Luca Guadagnino.

Out now on Amazon Prime Video.

The Na’vi face an aggressive new tribe in the third installment of James Cameron’s hugely successful sci-fi series, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana.

In UK cinemas from 19th December.

Ethan Hawke plays songwriter Lorenz Hart in one of the two films in this year’s awards race, directed by Richard Linklater, the creator of the musical Oklahoma! Struggled with alcohol and mental health issues before the premiere of .

In UK cinemas now.

Two young conspiracy theorists kidnap and hold captive the CEO of a giant pharmaceutical company, who they believe is an alien. Director Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with actors Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone.

UK cinemas will now be available to rent digitally from December 1st.

The true story of boxer Christy Martin’s rise to fame in the 1990s and her husband’s attempted murder in 2010. Directed by David Michôd, starring Sidney Sweeney.

In UK cinemas now.

A young couple move to a secluded rural house and have a child, but the pressures of home life cause the mother’s mental health to deteriorate. Lynne Ramsay’s film will star Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson.

In UK cinemas now.

There are likely to be multiple technical nominations for this film about a former racing driver who returns to the track 30 years after an accident nearly ends his career. Starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski.

On Apple TV+ from December 12th.

A mad scientist brings a creature to life from dead body parts, but is disgusted by his creation and abandons it. Guillermo del Toro is directing a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

Now on Netflix.

Set in 1596 and based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, a mother is devastated after the death of her 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Meanwhile, the boy’s father, William Shakespeare, writes a play to deal with his grief. Directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

In UK cinemas 9 January 2026.

A husband and father turns to stand-up comedy after his divorce. Will Arnett and Laura Dern will star in Bradley Cooper’s film, which is inspired by the life story of British comedian John Bishop.

In UK cinemas 30 January 2026.

A man recognizes the former Iranian intelligence officer who tortured him in prison after a chance encounter in a garage, leading him to take drastic measures to get his revenge. The film, directed by Jafar Panahi, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Will be released in UK cinemas from 5th December.

A popular actor in his 60s is struggling with family life, which he has forgotten due to his career. He shuts down the device and moves to Europe to spend time with his daughters. Directed by Noah Baumbach, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler.

On Netflix from 15th December.

A wildly popular girl group puts their music careers on hold to protect their fans from a rival boyband whose members are secretly demons. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.

Now on Netflix.

In 1950s New York City, table tennis player Marty Reisman begins to make a name for himself as he pursues a dream that few around him respect. Directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet.

In UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.

A father reunites with his former group of revolutionaries after his daughter is kidnapped. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti.

Available in UK cinemas and now for digital rental.

A technologist fleeing Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1977 seeks refuge in his hometown of Recife – but he is hotbed by hired killers. Starring Wagner Moura and directed by Kléber Mendonça Filho.

In UK cinemas 20 February 2026.

After their mother’s death, two sisters reunite with their distant father, a famous Swedish director who is working on his comeback film. Directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsway, Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.

In UK cinemas from 26th December 2026.

Twin brothers who return home to the Mississippi Delta for a fresh start in 1932 have no idea that an evil force awaits them. A vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.

Now available for digital rental.

Amidst a strained relationship with his partner Don Staples, fighter Mark Kerr made his name in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the 1990s. Directed by Benny Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

In UK cinemas now.

Two artists who imitate famous musicians form a Neil Diamond tribute band and fall in love, but a devastating accident threatens their relationship and dreams. Directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

In UK cinemas from 1 January 2026.

A young Bruce Springsteen abandoned the potential hits he had written in favor of more isolated and introverted songs on what would become his 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper and starring Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong

In UK cinemas now.

An American railway worker lives a life of loneliness until he gets married and has a daughter, but tragedy soon strikes him on a long trip away from home. Directed by Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones.

Now on Netflix.

When all the children except one from the same class mysteriously disappear in a single night, the community begins to question who or what is behind their disappearance. Directed by Zack Krieger and starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Amy Madigan.

Now available for digital rental.

Following the events of 2024 Wicked, Elphaba is now living in exile, while Glinda enjoys her newfound fame and popularity in Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

In UK cinemas now.