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Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
“F1” (Apple Original Films/Warner Bros.)
Oscars Best Sound Commentary (Updated Dec. 16, 2025): The Oscars shortlist has been announced for best sound, and the category is a symphony of chaos (in all the best ways).
War film (sort of?) “One Battle After Another” earns its spot with gritty, ground-level realism, where every explosion and anguished scream is meticulously orchestrated for visceral emotional impact, pulling audiences directly into the fog of battle. Meanwhile, “Sinners” continues its awards momentum with a sound mix that’s equal parts operatic and ominous, creating an unsettling sonic atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.
Perhaps the coolest inclusion of the decade is “Sirât,” a more meditative international entry that proves sound excellence isn’t exclusive to English-language blockbusters.
In the music-driven lane, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” turns up the volume with soulful studio sessions and stadium-worthy acoustics that capture The Boss at his most intimate and anthemic. And it would have been foolish to count out “Wicked: For Good,” which enchants with a masterful blend of soaring vocals from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, lush orchestrations and magical effects that make Oz feel tactile and alive.
“Superman” flies in with thunderous heroics. You can hear every punch, crash, and sonic boom in a mix that makes you feel like you’re soaring alongside the Man of Steel. Then there’s “F1,” a full-throttle contender where sound practically becomes a character, immersing viewers in the roar of engines and the split-second tension of race day. “Frankenstein” takes a starkly different route, combining gothic atmosphere and eerie silence.
Action enthusiasts and Tom Cruise devotees can rest easy as “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” has landed on the list, a fitting recognition for what’s the franchise’s final chapter. And it’s no surprise to see “Avatar: Fire and Ash” here, with James Cameron once again demonstrating his unparalleled ability to make the soundscape of Pandora feel as immersive and alive as the world itself.
All eligible members of the Sound Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. Academy members will be invited to view excerpts from each of the shortlisted films beginning Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay area, London and New York, followed by Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
Oscar nomination voting opens Monday, Jan. 12, and closes Friday, Jan. 16. Nominations will be announced Thursday, Jan. 22.
NOTE: All titles, release dates, studios and listed and credited artisans are subject to change, and are ultimately determined by the Academy.
Image Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
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Image Credit: 20th Century Studios
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