Who will finally hear their name called on the Oscars stage? Every awards season creates a new group of hopefuls, but some contenders arrive with something special: a major role, a respected director, a strong awards-season narrative, or years of industry goodwill behind them.
The 2027 Oscars awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027, with the eligibility period running through December 31, 2026. That means the race is still developing, and several major films have yet to fully reveal how strong their awards potential might be.
So, rather than treating these names as guaranteed winners, this list focuses on 10 Hollywood stars most likely to win their first Oscar award, winning their first competitive acting Oscar based on their upcoming projects, career momentum, and early awards buzz.
1. Tom Cruise: Digger
Tom Cruise has been one of Hollywood’s biggest stars for decades, yet his acting Oscar shelf remains surprisingly empty. He received an honorary Oscar in 2025, but that is different from winning a competitive acting Academy Award. His next major opportunity could come with Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger, an original drama that has already attracted early Oscar attention.
Cruise is an unusual awards contender because his career has been built around blockbuster entertainment, particularly the Mission: Impossible and Top Gun franchises. Yet his earlier dramatic work proves he has the acting range to compete when given the right material. Early 2027 predictions already place Digger and Cruise in the conversation, although the film itself will ultimately determine how serious the campaign becomes.
Bonus Point: Oscar races can change dramatically after fall film festivals. A performance that looks like a contender in August can become a forgotten title by January.
2. Amy Adams: Klara and the Sun
If Hollywood were handing out Oscars for “How is she still without one?” Amy Adams would have a very strong case.
Adams has received six Oscar nominations without a competitive win, making her one of the most recognizable modern examples of an acclaimed performer still waiting for her breakthrough. Her upcoming project Klara and the Sun, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, is already being discussed as a possible vehicle for finally changing that statistic.
What makes Adams especially interesting is her consistency. She has demonstrated comedy, drama, musical performance, and psychologically complex roles throughout her career. If Klara and the Sun delivers the emotional material expected from the source novel, Adams could have exactly the kind of prestigious role Academy voters respond to.
3. Tom Holland: The Odyssey
Tom Holland is probably best known globally as Spider-Man, but Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey gives him a chance to push far beyond superhero territory.
The film has one of the most impressive casts of the 2027 awards season, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Holland. Several early predictions have placed Holland in the supporting-actor conversation, although the exact awards positioning will depend heavily on his screen time and the performance itself.
That is the key question: can Holland make audiences forget Peter Parker? If Nolan gives him a substantial dramatic role and The Odyssey becomes the awards-season juggernaut many expect, his first nomination, and potentially his first win, could suddenly look much more realistic.
| Star | Major 2026 Film | Why the Oscar Case Is Interesting |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Cruise | Digger | Prestige drama with an acclaimed director |
| Amy Adams | Klara and the Sun | Six-time nominee seeking first win |
| Tom Holland | The Odyssey | Major Nolan film and potential supporting role |
| Andrew Garfield | Artificial / The Uprising | Two major dramatic opportunities |
4. Andrew Garfield: Artificial / The Uprising
Andrew Garfield already knows what it feels like to be an Oscar contender. He has received two acting nominations, but he has yet to take home the trophy.
That makes 2026 particularly interesting because Garfield has two potentially significant projects in the awards conversation: Artificial, in which he portrays OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Paul Greengrass’s The Uprising. The Guardian included Garfield among the actors to watch for the 2027 race.
Garfield has already demonstrated his ability to disappear into emotionally demanding roles. If either project becomes a critical hit, he could benefit from having multiple opportunities in the same awards season.
5. Robert Pattinson: The Odyssey / Dune: Part Three
Robert Pattinson’s post-Twilight career has been one of Hollywood’s most fascinating transformations. Instead of simply chasing conventional leading-man roles, he has repeatedly chosen strange, challenging, and filmmaker-driven projects.
Now he has two enormous opportunities in major 2026 films: The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three. Early Oscar discussion has repeatedly included him among performers to watch, particularly because both films are expected to have significant Academy visibility.
Pattinson’s challenge is that both films have enormous ensembles. A great performance can still disappear if another actor dominates the conversation. But if he finds the one role that becomes impossible to ignore, his first Oscar nomination could arrive much sooner than many expected.
Bonus Point: A blockbuster is not automatically an Oscar disadvantage anymore. Films such as Oppenheimer, Dune: Part Two, and other large-scale productions have shown that Academy voters can embrace ambitious mainstream cinema.
6. Zendaya: The Odyssey / Dune: Part Three
Zendaya is another superstar whose film career is entering a potentially important awards phase.
She has already won major television awards for Euphoria, but the Oscars would represent a completely different milestone. Her upcoming appearances in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three put her inside two of the most anticipated films of the 2026 calendar. Early Oscar observers have specifically mentioned her as a possible first-time nominee.
The biggest question is category placement and screen impact. Dune: Part Three already has an established ensemble, while The Odyssey features a huge cast. If Zendaya receives enough dramatic material in either film, however, the conversation could quickly shift.
7. Josh O’Connor: Disclosure Day
Josh O’Connor has become one of the most exciting actors of his generation, and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day could give him his biggest mainstream awards opportunity yet.
The film is one of the high-profile 2026 releases being watched for the 2027 Oscars, with O’Connor among the actors attracting attention.
O’Connor already has the kind of résumé that Academy voters appreciate: acclaimed performances, ambitious projects, and a willingness to play complicated characters. A Spielberg film adds another powerful ingredient because the director’s work naturally receives significant awards-season attention.
8. Charles Melton: Saturn Return
Charles Melton’s performance in May December made him one of the most talked-about emerging actors in Hollywood. Although he did not receive an Oscar nomination for that performance, the industry response established him as someone capable of carrying serious dramatic material.
His next major opportunity comes with Saturn Return, which has appeared in early 2027 Oscar predictions. The Guardian specifically highlighted Melton as an actor seeking redemption after his May-December awards-season disappointment.
This could be the classic second-chance story. Sometimes an actor gets close to an Oscar breakthrough with one performance and then returns with an even stronger role. If Saturn Return connects with critics, Melton could move rapidly from “one to watch” to a genuine contender.
9. Jeremy Strong: The Social Reckoning
Jeremy Strong has already established himself as one of television’s most respected dramatic performers, but the Academy Award remains missing from his résumé.
His role in Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning gives him an intriguing opportunity. Early predictions have placed Strong among the potential supporting actor contenders, and the project itself has generated considerable awards interest.
Strong’s advantage is his reputation for intense, deeply committed performances. His challenge will be standing out in a film that may feature several strong contenders. Still, a combination of Sorkin’s dialogue, a prestige ensemble, and a role designed for Strong’s particular style could create a serious Oscar campaign.
10. Paul Giamatti: The Debut
Paul Giamatti may be the most surprising name on this list because many people assume he has already won an Oscar.
He has not.
Giamatti received a Best Actor nomination for The Holdovers, but the Oscar went elsewhere. His upcoming film The Debut is already appearing in early supporting-actor predictions, giving the veteran performer another possible route to the Academy stage.
Giamatti has spent decades building exactly the kind of career that can suddenly produce an overdue Oscar narrative. He has credibility, experience, and emotional range. If The Debut gives him a memorable supporting role, voters could see it as the perfect opportunity to recognize an actor whose work has been admired for years.
| Rank | Hollywood Star | Potential 2027 Oscar Film | Current Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Cruise | Digger | Strong veteran narrative |
| 2 | Amy Adams | Klara and the Sun | Major overdue contender |
| 3 | Tom Holland | The Odyssey | Breakthrough potential |
| 4 | Andrew Garfield | Artificial / The Uprising | Two possible opportunities |
| 5 | Robert Pattinson | The Odyssey / Dune: Part Three | Strong supporting potential |
| 6 | Zendaya | The Odyssey / Dune: Part Three | Major breakout possibility |
| 7 | Josh O’Connor | Disclosure Day | Prestige-film opportunity |
| 8 | Charles Melton | Saturn Return | Second-chance contender |
| 9 | Jeremy Strong | The Social Reckoning | Strong supporting possibility |
| 10 | Paul Giamatti | The Debut | Veteran overdue appeal |
What Makes Someone a Likely First-Time Oscar Winner?
Being famous is not enough. The Academy’s acting races are influenced by the strength of the film, critical response, screen time, campaign strategy, and the wider awards-season conversation.
A performer can deliver an incredible performance and still miss the nomination if the movie does not connect with voters. Conversely, a strong performance in a major Best Picture contender can receive a huge boost.
For the 2027 Oscars, the film factor may be especially important. The Odyssey is already one of the most anticipated awards contenders, while Digger, The Social Reckoning, Disclosure Day, and Dune: Part Three are also generating early attention.
The Five Biggest Factors
- Performance: The actor must give voters something memorable.
- Film strength: Strong best picture contenders often create acting momentum.
- Awards recognition: SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and critics’ awards can shape the race.
- Campaign: Studios increasingly build carefully targeted awards campaigns.
- Narrative: An “overdue” or “career-defining” story can influence the conversation.
Bonus Point: At this stage, these are forecast candidates, not confirmed nominees. The Academy will not announce the 99th Oscars nominations until January 21, 2027.
Who Has the Best Chance Right Now?
If the goal is to identify the strongest combination of career momentum + project strength + awards narrative, Amy Adams and Tom Cruise stand out as particularly compelling names.
Adams has the overdue factor that Academy voters sometimes embrace, while Cruise has the rare combination of global fame, industry longevity, and a potentially serious dramatic role. Tom Holland and Zendaya are the younger stars with perhaps the biggest opportunity to change how the Academy views them as dramatic performers.
But it is far too early to declare a winner. The 2027 Oscars season still has months of premieres, festivals, critics’ awards, and performances ahead.
Conclusion
The race for the first Oscars of these Hollywood stars could become one of the most entertaining stories of the 2027 awards season. Tom Cruise, Amy Adams, Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Charles Melton, Jeremy Strong, and Paul Giamatti all have reasons to believe that their next major role could finally lead to an Academy Award.
The biggest wildcard is timing. Several of these films have not yet been fully seen by critics and Academy voters, so today’s frontrunner can quickly become tomorrow’s surprise snub.
For now, The Odyssey looks like one of the biggest potential awards-season engines, while films such as Digger, Klara and the Sun, Disclosure Day, and The Social Reckoning could produce individual performances that completely reshape the race.
The 99th Oscars will take place on March 14, 2027, so the real race is only beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is most likely to win their first Oscar award in 2027?
Amy Adams and Tom Cruise are two of the most interesting possibilities because of their long careers and major upcoming projects. However, the race remains highly uncertain this early.
2. Has Tom Cruise ever won an Oscar award?
Tom Cruise received an honorary Academy Award in 2025, but he has not won a competitive acting Oscar. His performance in Digger could give him another opportunity.
3. Could Tom Holland get his first Oscar nomination?
Yes. Holland is part of the cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, one of the major early contenders for the 2027 Oscars. Some early predictions have placed him in the supporting-actor conversation.
4. Has Amy Adams won an Oscar?
No. Adams has received six Academy Award nominations without a competitive win. Her upcoming Klara and the Sun is already being discussed as a possible opportunity for her long-awaited breakthrough.
5. When are the 2027 Oscar nominations announced?
The nominations for the 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to be announced on January 21, 2027. The ceremony itself is scheduled for March 14, 2027.
