Jake is a Football and Entertainment betting expert, with a Man City season ticket and a deep knowledge of reality TV betting angles
- After the Hunt is the new favourite to win Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars with odds of 13/2
- Hamnet and The Ballad of a Small Player are joint second in the betting at 15/2
- Paddy Power's latest market has several strong contenders now priced at 10/1 as awards season talk ramps up
After the Hunt Surges to Favourite for Best Picture at 2026 Oscars
The Oscars 2026 race for Best Picture is heating up with new contenders entering the market with UK Betting Sites and early awards buzz reshaping the betting landscape.
At the top of the latest odds is After the Hunt, the upcoming thriller starring Julia Roberts, which now leads the market at 13/2 with Paddy Power.
The film has generated strong early praise following behind-the-scenes press and critical anticipation ahead of its release in October this year.
Betting odds on the Oscars sees Paddy Power give an implied probability of 13.3% that After the Hunt wins the award.
| Oscars 2026 Best Picture | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| After the Hunt | 13/2 | 13.3% |
| The Ballad of a Small Player | 15/2 | 11.8% |
| Hamnet | 15/2 | 11.8% |
| Frankenstein | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| The Lost Bus | 10/1 | 9.1% |
What the expert says...
Spotlight on Top Contenders
After the Hunt
With Julia Roberts in a leading role and prestige director Luca Guadagnino at the helm, After the Hunt is a serious awards player.
The Ballad of a Small Player
This adaptation of Lawrence Osborne’s novel set in the backstreets of Macau has garnered strong buzz, with critics highlighting its visual style and emotional depth. Its odds at 15/2 place it firmly in contention.
Hamnet
Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel about Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet is being positioned as a literary and emotional powerhouse. If early expectations hold up it could become a frontrunner in coming months.
Where To Bet On The Oscars
With awards season just beginning to stir, many betting sites are now offering early outright markets for the 2026 Best Picture Oscar.
Whether you're staking your own predictions or using free bets, it's a great time to track market movers.
For trusted platforms and betting offers check out the full list of UK betting sites.
