Oscars 2021: Who Should Win Every Award (And Who Actually Will)

This year's Oscar season truly has felt like the slog to end all slogs, what with the global pandemic pushing the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony back two whole months.

The 23 gongs will finally be given out this coming Sunday, though, in what most are expecting will be a relatively predictable night, albeit with room for a few categories to post major surprises.

Though 2021's slate of films has been undeniably compromised by various pandemic-related delays, the Academy has nevertheless delivered the most diverse lineup of nominees in history this year.

And while most of the gold statues will end up going to thoroughly deserving winners, there are certainly some categories which remain more fiercely argued between awards followers.

And so, it's time to run down both who should win each Oscar, and who you're actually smart to put money on. No awards show is beyond a few shock surprises, but this year's Academy Awards feels pretty much sewn up save for maybe two or three categories.

As ever, though, prepare to eat your words and be left red-faced with a ridiculous, outta-nowhere spoiler...

Nominees

Sacha Baron Cohen (The Trial of the Chicago 7)

Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah)

Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night in Miami)

Paul Raci (Sound of Metal)

Lakeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah)

Who Should Win: Daniel Kaluuya

This is a very strong field even with the obvious category fraud pertaining to Lakeith Stanfield's inclusion, and though it'd certainly be a wonderful Oscar moment for Paul Raci to take home the gong, Daniel Kaluuya's volcanic performance as Fred Hampton is a towering achievement like nothing else.

Who Will Win: Daniel Kaluuya

Kaluuya has taken home the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, and SAG Award for his performance, so there's virtually zero chance he doesn't repeat here. It's locked up.