We are closing in on the 95th Academy Awards.  Many of us haven’t touched a greasy tub of popcorn or stared down a 96 ounce, ten-dollar canister of soda in quite some time.  Some movies are bypassing the big screen and heading straight to streaming services.  Others are available at a hefty price after a month.  This is the new norm, it appears.  Despite the changes, this remains an annual post – and an annual watch – for us.  Our 2023 Oscars Predictions are locked and loaded!

Regular visitors to The Wife Hates Sports will know that this is a sports site with a tendency to dabble in the entertainment world from time to time.

Nothing symbolizes Hollywood (and entertainment) more than the Oscars, which is why yours truly will go head-to-head against THE WIFE in hopes to achieve bragging rights for one evening.  That and maybe a friendly bet surrounding dishwashing or household chores.

Although, that never seems to pan out when I win.

Oh well.

As always, I’m tackling my predictions in the same way.  That includes the following strategies:

KP’s Tips for your 2023 Oscars Predictions

  • Animation: When it comes to animated films, Pixar almost always wins.
  • Costume Design: Focus on the period pieces, and if there are multiple ones nominated, check photos from the film and look for the option with more intricate detail.
  • Score: Don’t pick the music you like the best.  Focus on the score that sets the mood and tone.
  • Major Awards: Actors that win often portray characters going through extreme adversity.
  • Sneak Peak: For films you haven’t seen, watch the trailers and get a feel for the story.  This won’t give you every last detail, but think of an Oscar-worthy storyline.  Ignore the fact that quite often these films can be weird, quirky, or downright boring.
  • Previous Awards: Often, the SAG and Golden Globe award winners indicate trends.

These tips have worked for me throughout the years.  I’m not out there viewing and critiquing every nominated film.  I am entertained by the event and we have history tied to watching it.  Overall, I appreciate a good flick.

So, get your popcorn ready and enjoy the show.

Here are our 2023 Oscars Predictions for the major awards:

95th Annual Academy Awards: 2023 Oscars Predictions

Music (Original Song)

The Nominees Are: 

  • “APPLAUSE” from Tell It like a Woman; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
  • “HOLD MY HAND” from Top Gun:Maverick; Music and Lyric by Lada Gaga and BloodPop
  • “LIFT ME UP” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Grandson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
  • “NAATU NAATU” from RRR; Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
  • “THIS IS A LIFE” from Everything Everywhere All at Once; Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

KP’s Prediction: “NAATU NAATU” from RRR; Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose

The Wife’s Prediction: “LIFT ME UP” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Grandson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler

KP’s Take: Because of their star power, I was tempted to go with Lady Gaga or Rihanna.  However, if you look into each song and really focus on them, it will change your mind.  “Naatu Naatu” is a gigantic ball of energy that instantly catches your attention.  The video (see below) sends your mind to another level.  I imagine the live performance at the Oscars will do the same.

 

Music (Original Score)

The Nominees Are: 

  • ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (Volker Bertelmann)
  • BABYLON (Justin Harwitz)
  • THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Carter Burwell)
  • EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Son Lux)
  • THE FABELMANS (John Williams)

KP’s Prediction: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Carter Burwell)

The Wife’s Prediction: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Son Lux)

KP’s Take: Tricky choice to make here, as nothing really blows the doors off.  For me, the quirky and unique (yet catchy) score for “The Banshees of Inisherin” deserves to be at the top of the list.

 

Directing

The Nominees Are: 

  • THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Martin McDonagh)
  • EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert)
  • THE FABELMANS (Steven Spielberg)
  • TAR (Todd Field)
  • TRIANGLE OF SADNESS (Ruben Ostlund)

KP’s Prediction: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert)

The Wife’s Prediction: THE FABELMANS (Steven Spielberg)

KP’s Take: It’s a gut feeling that the quirky, but creative flick is going to take well… everything… and everywhere, or something along those lines.  Although, I’ll never be surprised to hear Steven Spielberg win, as he’s arguably the best director of all time.  THE WIFE apparently agrees.

 

Costume Design

The Nominees Are: 

  • BABYLON (Mary Zophres)
  • BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (Ruth Carter)
  • ELVIS (Catherine Martin)
  • EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Shirley Kurata)
  • MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS (Jenny Beavan)

KP’s Prediction: ELVIS (Catherine Martin)

The Wife’s Prediction: BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (Ruth Carter)

KP’s Take: Beavan was big time with “Cruella” last year.  However, if you are old enough to see videos of Elvis when he was alive and performing, then you’ll know the potential that an Elvis movie would be able to provide when it comes to costume designing.  That’s why it’s my winner.

 

Cinematography

The Nominees Are: 

  • ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (James Friend)
  • BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS (Darius Khondji)
  • ELVIS (Mandy Walker)
  • EMPIRE OF LIGHT (Roger Deakins)
  • TAR (Florian Hoffmeister)

KP’s Prediction: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (James Friend)

The Wife’s Prediction: ELVIS (Mandy Walker)

KP’s Take: Cinematography is loosely defined as “the art and technology of motion-picture photography”.  Considering the storyline and the obvious combined with the award history for the season, “All Quiet on the Western Front” seems like the best bet for this category.

 

Animated Feature Film

The Nominees Are: 

  • GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley)
  • MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON (Dan Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan and Paul Mezey)
  • PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH (Joel Crawford and Mark Swift)
  • THE SEA BEAST (Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger)
  • TURNING RED (Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins)

KP’s Prediction: GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley)

The Wife’s Prediction: GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley)

KP’s Take: Typically, I just look for the Pixar film or something that is powerful in the world of Disney.  “Turning Red” didn’t do much for me, to be honest.  So, looking elsewhere, I know the pull that Guillermo del Toro’s name has when it comes to award shows, so I’m going with his version of Pinocchio.

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • ANGELA BASSETT (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
  • HONG CHAU (The Whale)
  • KERRY CONDON (The Banshees of Inisherin)
  • JAMIE LEE CURTIS (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
  • STEPHANIE HSU (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

KP’s Prediction: JAMIE LEE CURTIS (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

The Wife’s Prediction: STEPHANIE HSU (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

KP’s Take: This seems like a tricky pick to make and something that may be up in the air.  With that said, I’m going to look to the movie with the most praise and then take an actress from it, and that’s why I’m going with Jamie Lee Curtis, who also brought home the SAG Award, but didn’t win the Golden Globe.  In a bit of a tossup, I’m taking the seasoned veteran.

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • BRENDAN GLEESON (The Banshees of Inisherin)
  • BRIAN TYREE HENRY (Causeway)
  • JUDD HIRSCH (The Fabelmans)
  • BARRY KEOGHAN (The Banshees of Inisherin)
  • KE HUY QUAN (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

KP’s Prediction: KE HUY QUAN (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

The Wife’s Prediction: KE HUY QUAN (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

KP’s Take: Hello, childhood memories!  While Ke Huy Quan is receiving praise for his recent role, I can’t help but look back to “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Goonies”.  That combination is enough for me to will him to victory.  Make it happen!

 

Actress in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • CATE BLANCHETT (Tar)
  • ANA DE ARMAS (Blonde)
  • ANDREA RISEBOROUGH (To Leslie)
  • MICHELLE WILLIAMS (The Fabelmans)
  • MICHELLE YEOH (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

KP’s Prediction: MICHELLE YEOH (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

The Wife’s Prediction: CATE BLANCHETT (Tar)

KP’s Take: Plenty of success for Yeoh at the earlier award shows and why not go for the headliner in a movie bringing in tons of praise?  She seems like a good bet – a really good bet.

 

Actor in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • AUSTIN BUTLER (Elvis)
  • COLIN FARRELL (The Banshees of Inisherin)
  • BRENDAN FRASER (The Whale)
  • PAUL MESCAL (Aftersun)
  • BILL NIGHY (Living)

KP’s Prediction: BRENDAN FRASER (The Whale)

The Wife’s Prediction: BRENDAN FRASER (The Whale)

KP’s Take: The top actor this year looks like it’ll come down to either Butler for “Elvis” or Fraser for the “The Whale”.  As much as I have not been a fan of Fraser’s acting in certain roles, I’ll say this comeback story is too much to ignore.  Call me hopeful, but this would be a fun victory to see.  Butler was great as Elvis, but I didn’t care much for the movie.  Therefore, give me Brendan Fraser for his role (and intense body transformation) in “The Whale”.  Also, get me some popcorn for when the speech happens.

 

Best Picture

The Nominees Are: 

  • ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (Malte Grunert, Producer)
  • AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers)
  • THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers)
  • ELVIS (Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, Producers)
  • EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinart and Jonathan Wang, Producers)
  • THE FABELMANS (Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Producers)
  • TAR (Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert, Producers)
  • TOP GUN: MAVERICK (Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers)
  • TRIANGLE OF SADNESS (Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, Producers)
  • WOMEN TALKING (Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Frances McDormand, Producers)

KP’s Prediction: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinart and Jonathan Wang, Producers)

The Wife’s Prediction: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinart and Jonathan Wang, Producers)

KP’s Take: This is the movie receiving the most praise (and the most noise) during award show season.  While I haven’t seen it, you watch the trailer and it has the quirky and unique feel that so many Oscar winners tend to have.  “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is going to be the big winner this year.

 

Feel free to chime in with your own picks, thoughts and opinions.  We also accept (and encourage) movie recommendations.

Enjoy the Oscars!  As always, thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

Image Credits: oscars.org | Everything Everywhere All at Once (Oscar statue addition by The Wife Hates Sports)

For all award nominations, see Oscars.org

——-

If you love The Wife Hates Sports, you can support my work by buying from Fanatics through the site.  It’s of no additional charge to you.  I simply get a cut of any Fanatics sale purchased through links here.  That goes for any Fanatics Experience ad within posts or via the banners on the home page.