The annual Academy Awards boast the highest view count of any award show, and often are viewed as the most prestigious of film awards. The 2018 Academy Awards will be held this Sunday and will air on ABC. While there were many great performances this year, there were a few frontrunners that stood out among the nominees.

BEST PICTURE

• Who will win: The Shape of Water
• Who should win: Lady Bird

Lady Bird is nostalgic yet relatable, with the perfect balance of heart and humor. This film is impactful and layered with social commentary, a trend toward which Oscar voters have reacted favorably. However, Shape of Water remains the safe choice as it has more award wins and will likely prevail.

BEST ACTRESS

• Who will win: Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Who should win: Frances McDormand

There were so many outstanding actresses in this category that it is almost impossible to choose which one was best. However, McDormand’s performance stood out as the most poignant and emotional.

BEST ACTOR

• Who will win: Gary Oldman – The Darkest Hour
• Who should win: Gary Oldman

Oldman’s Churchill was beyond impressive. His portrayal brought Churchill’s story to life, and his acting was the factor that made The Darkest Hour truly phenomenal.  Additionally, Oldman has already won the Critics Choice Award, SAG Award, and the Golden Globe, which will likely be indicators of his further success.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Who will win: Allison Janney – I, Tonya
• Who should win: Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird

Allison Janney was fantastic in I, Tonya, and her SAG Award and Golden Globe make her the likely candidate for the Oscar. However, Laurie Metcalf’s performance in Lady Bird was truly phenomenal and should not be overlooked by the academy.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Who will win: Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Who should win: Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project

Willem Dafoe’s performance in the severely under-nominated The Florida Project was fantastic. However, Rockwell’s wins at the SAG Awards and Golden Globes make him the likely choice.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

• Who will win: Jordan Peele – Get Out
• Who should win: Jordan Peele

Get Out was an ambitious story, but Peele pulled it off perfectly. This film is a timely look at the dangers of racism in modern America with a collection of subtle jokes and metaphors that tie the story together.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

• Who will win: James Ivory – Call Me by Your Name
• Who should win: James Ivory

Call Me by Your Name is a beautiful story, and it is the only nominee from the “adapted screenplay” pool that is also nominated for best picture, making it the frontrunner in this category. This film made the seamless transition from book to movie, and the screenplay stayed true to the original feel of the novel.

BEST DIRECTOR

• Who will win: Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk
• Who should win: Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water

While Dunkirk was a great film, Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water was a masterpiece. Del Toro’s leadership and sheer talent in filmmaking made this film a standout.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

• Who will win: Coco
• Who should win: Coco

If anything other than Coco wins, there will surely be outcry. Coco won the PGA (Producers Guild Award) and the Critics Choice Award, making it the likely choice. Additionally, Coco‘s beautiful animation and heart-filled storyline makes this film the most deserving in the category.