Brad Pitt's F1 Could Shock Academy Awards Frontrunners
Warner Bros.' summer racing blockbuster gains unexpected momentum among Academy voters, potentially disrupting predictions for the most competitive Oscar race in years.
Warner Bros. enters awards season with two presumed Best Picture locks: Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. Both films carry the prestige factor that typically guarantees Oscar nominations. But Academy voters might have other plans.
According to Variety's latest reporting, Brad Pitt's summer racing spectacle F1 is gaining serious traction among older Academy members. These voters describe the Joseph Kosinski-directed film as "good old-school entertainment." The kind of movie that reminds them why they fell in love with cinema.
The Numbers Tell a Story
F1 earned a 7.7 IMDb rating alongside an 82% critics score and 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Sinners posted a 7.5 IMDb score with 97% critical approval and 96% audience love. One Battle After Another sits at 7.8 IMDb with 94% from critics and 85% from audiences.
The racing film lacks the artistic pedigree of its competitors. It doesn't carry the weight of Coogler's social commentary or Anderson's auteur reputation. What it offers instead is pure entertainment value that resonates with voters seeking escapism over heavy themes.
Nomination Timeline Approaches
Academy voting closed January 16. The final nominations drop January 22 at 5:30 AM PT from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Daniel Brooks, who earned an Oscar nod for The Color Purple, will announce alongside Lewis Pullman.
ABC's Good Morning America will broadcast the announcement live. Viewers can also stream through the Oscars' official website and social media channels. The 98th Academy Awards promises to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory.
Release Timing Could Hurt Sinners
Coogler's film faces a different challenge. Industry insiders suggest Sinners could earn up to 15 nominations, potentially setting a new Academy record. But its early release window works against Oscar prospects.
Movies released in the October-December window historically perform better at awards ceremonies. Recency bias affects voting patterns. One Battle After Another and A24's Marty Supreme benefit from fresher cultural presence.
Christopher Nolan recently hosted a special Sinners screening as part of the film's Oscar campaign. His support might help overcome the disadvantage of early release timing. The vampire thriller deserves consideration regardless of when it hit theaters.
F1 streams on Apple TV. Sinners and One Battle After Another are available on HBO Max.