Key word: Irresponsibly. As in, I would tell you how many of the below movies I have seen, but you would click away to distance yourself from my poor journalism.

The 2018 Oscars are next March. That’s eight months or so. So…you wanna start guessing?

Top Contenders:

• Anne Hathaway – Colossal

• Sally Hawkins – Maudie

• Salma Hayek – Beatriz at Dinner

• Brie Larson – The Glass Castle

• Meryl Streep – The Papers

 

 

In the Hunt:

• Annette Bening – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

• Kirsten Dunst – The Beguiled

• Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water

• Zoe Kazan – The Big Sick

• Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri

• Emma Stone – Battle of the Sexes

 

While it is impossible to say with any accuracy which actresses will get adequate word-of-mouth campaigns once award season really starts, I have arbitrarily separated the wheat from the chaff anyway. Because why not.

Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek led two smaller but critically successful films in commanding ways. They may be forgotten and eclipsed by other performances that come across later in the year, but for now they both have a shot.

These late-year performances include heavy-hitting names like Meryl Streep and Annette Bening, who will clearly be in the conversation regardless of the films they are in.

The two most recent Best Actress winners, Emma Stone and Brie Larson, both are appearing in award season films in 2017. Trailers for The Glass Castle appear like a for your consideration showcase for Larson, Naomi Watts, and Woody Harrelson. And Battle of the Sexes puts Emma Stone front and center.

A pair of movies for Sally Hawkins could sneak her into the nomination block as well. For which film, however, is an open question.

It is hard to say that Zoe Kazan will make the cut given that in the film The Big Sick she is unconscious for the entire second act, but I think her performance is strong enough to warrant the attention. The film boasts more award season potential from the supporting roles of Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, also, so we will have to see how strong The Big Sick holds up into winter to decide Kazan’s fate.

The Beguiled is in a similar position to The Big Sick. Both are films that could disappear from the conversation come January. Not to mention that Kirsten Dunst’s performance is quieter than others in the film, so it may go overlooked.

Also, I’m not clear on how the Academy will classify Nicole Kidman’s role. Whether she is in contention for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, Kidman will be in the conversation.

 

As always, thanks for reading!

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—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)