Our Emerald City Comic Con 2026 Experience + Academy Awards 2026 Nominees Ranking
Phil and Kat are just getting back from Emerald City Comic Con and brought their Academy Awards 2026 rankings with them!
Hello Lifeline Comics Readers!
We’re here to talk all about our experience at Emerald City Comic Con 2026 (with an Artist Alley powered by Webtoon) and all of the fun things we did in Seattle last week!
After that, we’ll put on our Film Bro hats and rank all of the Academy Award-nominated movies we’ve seen. This is probably our new record for watched nominees, so buckle up for a long list!
We’ll also talk about our upcoming appearances at Nerd Nexus and C2E2, as well as our current campaigns!
Let’s dive in!
Lifeline Comics at Emerald City Comic Con 2026!
Phil: This is our third year in a row doing Emerald City Comic Con, so we’re definitely no strangers to the show.
It’s always one of our most positive experiences, with TONS of great fan interaction and connecting with fellow creators.
But as New Yorkers traveling to the West Coast, it’s also one of our more EXPENSIVE shows. Between the table, flight, hotels, rideshares, and meals, it’s a multi-thousand-dollar investment to make our way to Seattle each year.
Did we turn a profit? Was the show worth it? Let’s find out!
Why ECCC is one of our Favorite Shows
Phil: ECCC has quickly become one of our favorite shows to do each year. The high cost comes with big rewards, as the Con pulls in so many fans who are hungry for indie comic content!
In addition, being on the West Coast means that this show pulls in a much different crowd than the one we see at most of our East Coast shows. This gives us the opportunity to interact with fans and fellow creators we don’t normally get the chance to see!
Last year’s ECCC was kind of the perfect storm for us. It was the height of the Wicked movie hype, our Con-Exclusive Cover was our Witches of Oz book, and Terry Moore (who did the art for our most popular Witches of Oz variant cover) was seated a few tables away from us.
So naturally, we went into 2026 not expecting to make nearly the splash we did in 2025. But even though we didn’t end up beating last year’s sales revenue — we surprisingly managed to come super close! We were only $300 less in sales revenue in 2026 compared to 2025!
And that figure is in HUGE part thanks to Reed Pop and WEBTOON’s contributions to making a KILLER Artist Alley.
Kat: It’s a full-time job putting together a well-organized Artist Alley, and Reed Pop has always impressed me with how much they highlight the comic community and diverse set of comic creators ranging from webcomics to Big 2 creators.
If you are a comic fan, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for in an easy, structured fashion.
Collaborating with WEBTOON
Kat: This year, WEBTOON sponsored Emerald City Comic Con’s Artist Alley, and they truly treated their creators like rockstars!
Many of the WEBTOON creators were in the same row, creating our very own aisle, and right before you walk into Artist Alley it was heavily promoted where you could find us.
It was a WEBTOON filled weekend where they treated us to dinner and a wonderful mixer to get to know other fellow creators and the staff at WEBTOON (who are all the most lovely people).
And we were able to give back to the community with a panel all about WEBTOON where we gave advice about creating a path on the platform.
Phil: WEBTOON also offered multiple opportunities throughout the weekend for Creators to get together and interact with one another, as well as with the team that keeps WEBTOON running. We even got to do a portfolio review with an editor from WEBTOON!
They really pulled out all the stops to make ECCC a fantastic time for webcomic creators!
Being a Tourist
Kat: As mentioned above, this is the third year we’ve been exhibiting at Emerald City Comic Con, but this is the first year that we promised to spend a day being tourists.
So we headed to the Pop Culture Museum, and there was SO MUCH to do. We took three hours roaming the exhibits, but I’m sure we could have spent even more time exploring.
They had a little bit for everyone with an exhibit featuring all things horror, general pop culture, and a whole set up to learn how to play different instruments.
But one of our favorite parts of the museum was the intricate look back at pop culture’s biggest moments going all the way to the 1930’s.
Anytime I go on vacation with my family we always end up getting some sort of ice cream because my brother and Mom have such a sweet tooth.
I’ve brought that tradition to our work trips! It isn’t a “vacation”, unless you end one day with ice cream. This time around we picked Salt & Straw, one of my favorite ice creams spots as a savory girl.
Cosplay Gallery
Kat: And we saw some awesome cosplays along the way!
Was it worth it? Are we doing ECCC again?
Phil: In the end, despite some steep costs, we did manage to pull a few hundred dollars profit from tabling at Emerald City Comic Con in 2026, continuing a three-year streak of doing so.
But the far more valuable outcome of ECCC is the connections we were able to make with fans, fellow creators, and the great folks who run WEBTOON and Reed Pop. You can definitely expect to see us again at next year’s show!
We’ll end off by showing off our haul!
Upcoming Conventions
Phil: Speaking of Conventions (and before we get into our Academy Awards rankings), let’s quickly plug our next Con appearances — both featuring Con-Exclusive Variant Covers!
Nerd Nexus - Carneys Point, NJ
We’ve been invited as guests to the debut of Nerd Nexus at Salem Community College in New Jersey this Sunday, March 15th, 2026.
And even more exciting than that — the event has sponsored an Exclusive Variant Cover of the HAUNTING/Like Father, Like Daughter #1 Crossover for Nerd Nexus 2026!
Featuring art by Rafi de Sousa (who is also the interior artist on the book), this exclusive cover had a 150 copy print run and is currently only available for purchase at Nerd Nexus!
If you’re in the New Jersey area, we recommend stopping by to check it out and support a burgeoning comic event that loves to spotlight indie creators!
C2E2 Table Q-20 - Chicago, IL
And at the end of the month, you can find us at Table Q-20 at the next Reed Pop show: C2E2 in Chicago, IL from Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th!
There, we’ll be debuting our C2E2 Exclusive Comic — a Lenticular (moving) cover of The Little Mermaid & The Pirate Queen #1 that sees Aria & Mikayla change before your eyes from Chicago tourists to Mermaids under the sea!
Both a SAFE and SPICY Edition of the Lenticular are available, with the interior pages being SAFE or SPICY based on the applied Lenticular Cover.
Table Q-20 at C2E2 is the best place to grab these exclusives. But if you’re not attending the show, don’t forget that we have a limited-time Kickstarter where you can grab the exclusive covers!
We’ll also have the rest of our library, so be sure to stop by and say hi even if you’re not interested in the exclusive. There may even be a free art print in it for you!
LIVE: Nightmare in Wonderland #1-4 - FINAL ISSUE
Last thing before we dive into our Academy Awards rankings — a reminder to check out our Nightmare in Wonderland #1-4 Kickstarter campaign!
This will be the FINAL ISSUE of the series, so it’s the perfect time to dive in and meet Alice & Bianca if you haven’t already.
“Ex-Lovers Assassin Alice & Sleeping Beauty are transported to your favorite REALITY TV SHOWS as they try to escape the Queen of Hearts!”
We’re already funded and making our way through our Stretch Goals. Help us climb as high as possible before the campaign ends!
Academy Award 2026 Ranking
Kat: I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the Academy Awards. Since I was in high school, I’ve made an effort to see as many nominees as I can, and I think 2026 is a record.
But where did this year’s nominees land on our personal rankings? Let’s take a look!
Phil: We had a blast doing our rankings last year, so we’re excited to make it an annual tradition!
At the bottom of the list, we’ll also share our Ballots/Predictions! Let’s see how many we get right!
19. Kat’s Pick: The Secret Agent
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Wagner Moura), Best Casting, Best International Feature
Will It Win?: The closest chance it has to winning is for International Feature, but I predict Sentimental Value will snag that one.
Kat: I REALLY wanted to enjoy this movie more than I did. Maybe it was the language barrier, maybe it was the length, but there was something about this film that never connected with me.
18. Phil’s Pick: The Secret Agent
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Wagner Moura), Best Casting, Best International Feature
Will It Win?: Doubtful.
Phil: The Secret Agent has a really engaging first thirteen minutes, but never manages to reach that level of intrigue after the opening scene. The film is quiet and slow, but not in a deliberate way I enjoy, as with higher entries in my list. There are some interesting beats when the film plays with time, but for the most part this was one I just couldn’t get into.
18. Kat’s Pick: F1
What’s It Nominated For: Film Editing, Best Picture, Sound, Visual Effects
Will It Win?: Most people were VERY surprised by its Best Picture nomination, but F1 is a frontrunner for the more technical categories like Film Editing and Sound.
Kat: Unlike Secret Agent, F1 is usually the type of movie I would like, but I found myself pretty bored when I saw it in theaters. And like the rest of the world, I was shocked to see it get a Best Picture nomination, even if the more technical awards were deserving.
17. Phil’s Pick: Song Sung Blue
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actress (Kate Hudson)
Will It Win?: Kate was great, but I think she’s the least likely to win in this category.
Phil: At times it feels more like a “cover concert” than it does a movie. But there are enough unexpected turns and strong character moments to keep it engaging. Overall, a fine watch but kind of forgettable.
17. Kat’s Pick: Train Dreams
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song (“Train Dreams”), Best Cinematography
Will It Win?: Surprisingly not a frontrunner for Best Cinematography, but it’s most deserving to win this category - as a slow-paced film that embraces its environment.
Kat: Unlike Secret Agent and F1, this is movie that I completely see why someone would really love it. It’s a poetic story that uses its slow-moving pace and visuals to tell a story about male vulnerability (something that’s often rare in filmmaking). But on a personal level, I tend to not like poetic, period pieces - so Train Dreams was a disconnect for me.
16. Phil’s Pick: Sentimental Value
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Renate Reinsve), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgård), Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning), Best Supporting Actress (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas), Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film, Best Film Editing
Will It Win?: It’s a strong contender in every category, but I think it will only win Best International Feature Film.
Phil: Unlike The Secret Agent, I get this one. There’s a quiet and slowness that stops me from engaging too heavily with the movie, but the strong character moments are impossible to ignore. And all three leads have at least one incredibly powerful moment.
16. Kat’s Pick: One Battle After Another
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del Toro), Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound
Will It Win?: One Battle After Another was getting a lot of buzz in the beginning of its campaign, but following the other award shows it looks like Sinners is stealing that Buzz. I predict Sean Penn will win for Best Supporting Actor.
Kat: This is such an interesting movie because I’ve only heard two sides: you either absolutely love it or you hate it. I’m sadly in the “I respect what they were going for, but it wasn’t for me” camp. I’ll admit there’s some really unique storytelling and stand-out performances, but Paul Thomas Anderson’s voice felt inauthentic for the topics he was trying so heavily explore.
15. Phil’s Pick: One Battle After Another
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del Toro), Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound
Will It Win?: I’m predicting Best Film Editing and Best Sound wins.
Phil: While not my personal favorite nominee, there’s a lot to love about OBAA. The action and pacing are solid. The characters are memorable (even if they never get to do anything other than yell at/fight with each other). And the car chase through the sloping roads at the end is one of the best car chase scenes I’ve ever seen in film. Probably worth seeing for that alone.
15. Kat’s Pick: Frankenstein
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jacob Elordi), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design
Will it Win?: It’s a shoe in for Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Costume Design.
Kat: Frankenstein was a Guillermo del Toro passion project, and that attention to detail is beautifully showcased here. It has every gothic touchstone that makes for a great Del Toro movie.
The theme of “being othered” shines through as it analyzes a feeling of loneliness that I’m sure many viewers can relate to. But as someone who doesn’t usually like gothic storytelling this is the highest the movie can go on my list. I can both understand that I’m not the intended audience, but I appreciate all that it does right for the viewers it’s targeting.
14. Phil’s Pick: Zootopia 2
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film
Will It Win?: It’s a strong contender, but not the one I’m banking on.
Phil: The first Zootopia is one of Disney’s best recent films. The second…is solid enough, but nowhere near as great as the original. I’ll quote an excerpt from my review in a previous Substack post below. But you can read the full review here, if you’re interested.
Zootopia 2 is a middle-of-the-road Disney sequel in my book. It has a strong start and a strong finish (the last thirty minutes were definitely the highlight for me). But the entire middle felt like mostly-forgettable standard Disney “adventure” fair. On the bright side, there are some pretty funny jokes along the way. If you enjoyed Zootopia, the sequel is worth checking out. Just have measured expectations about its ability to compete with its predecessor.
14. Kat’s Pick: Avatar: Fire and Ash
What’s It Nominated For: Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects
Will It Win?: The movie was CREATED for the visual effects category.
Kat: I appreciate Avatar as a franchise, and all of its cinematic achievements, but it’s also a movie that could learn to trim its fat. Not every film needs to be a 3+ hour endeavor, and sometimes can benefit from an edit. Avatar falls into that camp, but that lesson will probably never be learned as the big blockbuster continues to make money and collect accolades.
13. Phil’s Pick: Avatar: Fire and Ash
What’s It Nominated For: Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects
Will It Win?: I’m predicting a win for Best Visual Effects.
Phil: A 3-star film for me. It’s solid enough, even if it’s the most lackluster Avatar film to date (in large part due to it feeling too reminiscent of the second film and failing to introduce enough new elements to set itself apart). Enjoy some stream-of-consciousness thoughts from my Letterboxd review.
- Jake and Neytiri are the worst parents ever.
- Spider and Lo’aq are the most forgiving children ever (ESPECIALLY Spider).
- Just as visually stunning as the first two. 3D water is very pretty.
- Varang is the best villain the series has had yet. But she doesn’t have much competition.
- WAYYY too many talking Leviathan scenes.
- Over 3 hours is just too damn long.
- Didn’t introduce enough new elements, compared to how much The Way of Water expanded on the world of the first Avatar.
13. Kat’s Pick: Song Sung Blue
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actress (Kate Hudson)
Will It Win?: People were already surprised Kate Hudson was nominated in the first place. She has some good moments in the movie, but I don’t see her taking home the award.
Kat: I’m a sucker for music movies, even those lame bio pics. So I already had some interest in Song Sung Blue. But as someone who knows next to nothing about Neil Diamond I got less from the music side of the film and more from its humanity. There are some moving moments, especially with Kate Hudson and her story’s heal turn. Though, in the end, even if Song Sung Blue is based on a true story there might have been one too many dramatic plot points for this jukebox musical to take on.
12. Phil’s Pick: Elio
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film
Will It Win?: Maybe they’ll surprise us, but I doubt it.
Phil: Elio isn’t a Pixar classic, but isn’t a flop either. There’s some genuinely good stuff in there. Unfortunately, there’s a long stretch of film where Elio is just getting into “space shenanigans” that is just…boring. I wish that time had been otherwise allocated to building character relationships and themes. Maybe it would have been better if the LGBTQ themes hadn’t been cut from the movie. But I suppose we’ll never know. Full review here.
12. Kat’s Pick: Sentimental Value
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Renate Reinsve), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgård), Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning), Best Supporting Actress (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas), Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film, Best Film Editing
Will It Win?: It will probably win the International Film category, and there’s also a chance it can slide into a Best Supporting Actor win.
Kat: Sentimental Value centers itself around the stoic relationship between father and daughter. Both actors who haven’t been able to find common ground in years. There are some more personal matters that the film explores in a unique way, but it takes A WHILE to get there as it left me wanting more by the end.
11. Phil’s Pick: Kpop Demon Hunters
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Song (Golden)
Will It Win?: I’m predicting wins in both categories it’s nominated for. But I think it’s more of a shoo-in for Best Original Song. Golden is just too much of an earworm crowd-pleaser.
Phil: It’s just a really fun movie with great music. So many musicals (on stage and screen) fail the simple challenge of just having good original music. And Kpop Demon Hunters has multiple fantastic songs (including the acclaimed Golden). Story-wise, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel on any of the themes it tackles or beats it plays out. But it’s a fun film with a good soundtrack, and sometimes that’s all you need.
11. Kat’s Pick: Blue Moon
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actor (Ethan Hawke), Best Original Screenplay
Will It Win?: Ethan Hawke really immersed himself into this role, but I don’t see him taking anything home.
Kat: Ethan Hawke transforms himself into Lorenz Hart - a queer man so close to getting his big break, but ultimately having it slip away. It’s a great character piece that feels intimate with its few setting changes, even if repetitive at times.
10. Phil’s Pick: Hamnet
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Jessie Buckley), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design
Will It Win?: I’m predicting Best Adapted Screenplay. Jessie Buckley has a very good chance for Best Actress, but I’m pulling for someone else in that category.
Phil: An absolutely killer performance by Jessie Buckley really elevates this film. The themes of wonder and despair and creation and loss are incredibly unique and poignant. It’s difficult not to be moved by multiple moments in this film. My biggest critique is that I think the entire first 30-40 minutes of the film could be cut or significantly condensed. Hamnet really finds its footing and voice when the children enter the picture.
10. Kat’s Pick: Zootopia 2
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film
Will It Win?: Disney does tend to dominate this category, but I have my money on KPop Demon Hunter.
Kat: A hit with the kids, but doesn’t have that Disney all-ages magic. This is what I had to say in a previous newsletter:
“Zootopia became a hit because of its social commentary told through a city of cute animals, the sequel leans into similar themes, but doesn’t focus nearly enough on Hopps and Nick’s friendship to create a narrative as moving.
Zootopia 2 is a good example of one of my biggest criticisms of recent Disney movies - its loss for all-ages storytelling. Many of their recent blockbusters have focused more on the kids watching rather than the adults taking those kids to the theater. What I love about Disney is how they magically balance that childlike wonder with relatable storytelling, and I just don’t think Zootopia 2 hits that mark as Disney much rather introduce new characters to build merchandise around.
I had a fun enough time watching the sequel, and it was a great excuse to go to the movies with my family. But if you are looking for a Disney film to absolutely WOW you…like the first one did almost a decade ago…this isn’t going to be that flick.”
9. Phil’s Pick: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actress (Rose Byrne)
Will It Win?: I’m going against the grain and saying YES, Rose Byrne will nab Best Actress.
Phil: This is one of the most suffocating films I’ve ever seen. It does such a fantastic job of making you squirm and feel a creeping, uncomfortable despair throughout. It’s not fun, but it is effective. Rose Byrne and Conan O’Brien are both fantastic. And the entire production does an AMAZING job of making the child an absolute nuisance.
I had a horrible time watching. So I guess the movie did its job.
9. Kat’s Pick: Elio
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film
Will It Win?: If a Disney movie is going to win it will be Zootopia 2, but I don’t even see that winning.
Kat: I wasn’t expected much from Elio, but leaving the theaters I found him to be a delightful character that tied into the feeling of alienation with actual space. There are parts of this movie that feel unfinished (especially it’s sci-fi mythos), but the final product is satisfying enough.
8. Phil’s Pick: Blue Moon
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actor (Ethan Hawke), Best Original Screenplay
Will It Win?: I think Ethan Hawke deserves the win. Do I think he’ll get it? Probably not. But I’m going to predict against the favorites on this one and say YES!
Phil: I really debated whether to put this in the seventh or eighth spot. I quite like both films. Depending on the day you ask me, I might even like Blue Moon more. But what clinched this one in the lower slot for me is that I think every scene goes on just a little bit too long.
Blue Moon takes on the daunting approach of a “bottle film”, restricting almost all of the action to a single setting and (mostly) continuous flow of time. All up, I’m guessing there are only six or seven distinct long “scenes” in the whole movie. This is mostly effective and engaging…but unfortunately made me tap my watch a few times with the feeling that things were being repeated and retreaded too much. If we stuck around with each scene for just a little less time, I could see this being a top pick film for me.
Ethan Hawke gives a transformative performance. I think he deserves the Oscar and I hope there’s a surprise where he wins it.
P.S.: The “Oklahoma!” bashing is never not funny.
8. Kat’s Pick: Hamnet
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Jessie Buckley), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design
Will It Win?: Most people predict Jessie Buckley will take home Best Actress, but that’s on less steady ground with The Bride’s Box Office bomb.
Kat: I normally don’t enjoy movies like this (an old English, historical piece), but Hamnet really surprised me. It takes a more modern approach to the Shakespearean dialect, while the family struggles tug on your heartstrings.
Chloe Zhao paints Shakespeare as “some dude who writes sometimes”, and focuses on his wife who is dealing with the struggles of home life - chores, taking care of the kids, and you know the bubonic plague. Zhoa does the impossible as she takes a new approach to the most talked about scholar.
7. Phil’s Pick: Marty Supreme
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Original Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing
Will It Win?: This is the “favorite” in a lot of categories, but I’m actually predicting no wins for old Marty.
Phil: This is a stressful movie. There’s always some shoe waiting to drop that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. And despite its length, there’s never a dull moment during Marty Supreme. Marty, himself, is just the right kind of arrogant hateable protagonist that you can equal parts root for his successes and his failures. For so many people to enjoy a movie about ping-ping, they must have done something right here.
7. Kat’s Pick: KPop Demon Hunters
What’s It Nominated For: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Song (Golden)
Will It Win?: It will win both!
Kat: Undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of the year as it mixes the levity of Kpop with a darker action adventure. Allowing the film to successfully target multiple demographics.
And just like any successful animated film -there are stunning character designs with a few bops to go along with it. This first installment feels like it’s just scratching the surface for what can be an even bigger franchise as it digs deeper into its lore and, of course, distributes even more hit tracks.
6. Phil’s Pick: Frankenstein
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jacob Elordi), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design
Will It Win?: I’m predicting Jacob Elordi takes home Best Supporting Actor. And that the film nabs Production Design and Makeup & Hairstyling.
Phil: I think I said it best in my original review. So I’ll go ahead and quote that in its entirety.
A refreshing Gothic Horror Monster Film that carves its own path while paying loving homage to the work that comes before it.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is one of the best examples I’ve seen of toeing the line between remaking a well-known property and creating a unique cinematic experience. Under del Toro’s hand, the film tells effectively the same Frankenstein story we’ve seen before and tackles many of the same themes as Mary Shelley’s original work as well as the Universal Monster films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). But del Toro puts his own flair on the familiar characters and the events, fleshing them out in a way that feels familiar but makes it his own.
The film is absolutely stunning to look at, using snow and ice in particular to create so many beautiful sequences. It’s similar to Nosferatu (2024) in its visual gravitas, but I found Frankenstein to be much more engaging as a whole.
If you’re a fan of gothic horror, this is an absolute must-watch.
6. Kat’s Pick: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
What’s It Nominated For: Best Actress (Rose Byrne)
Will It Win?: I’m hoping for a surprise upset.
Kat: I NEVER WANT TO WATCH THIS MOVIE AGAIN, but I have no regrets seeing it the first time.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You grabs you by the throat and never lets up. I’ve never seen a movie that translates the struggles of being a mother as vividly as this did. Rose Byrne deserves all her flowers as she delivers a truly memorable performance.
5. Phil’s Pick: The Perfect Neighbor
What’s It Nominated For: Best Documentary Feature Film
Will It Win?: It’s the only nominated Doc I’ve seen, but I’m still predicting it’ll win by virtue of its unique format.
Phil: One of the most unsettling documentaries I’ve ever watched. The Perfect Neighbor isn’t your typical documentary comprised of first-hand accounts and interviews. It’s entirely comprised of police bodycam, interrogation room, and news report footage clips.
At first, this unusual format is kind of annoying. It plays out events in real time without much inference or commentary being made. But everything changes after the shooting occurs. Suddenly, you’re watching things that we just…should not be watching. We’re right there with a family going through the worst moments of their lives. It’s horrible. It’s infuriating. And it’s incredibly effective.
To have a documentary make such a strong commentary and stance without any interview segments is no small feat. And for that, The Perfect Neighbor stands as one of the most effective and chilling documentaries around.
5. Kat’s Pick: Weapons
What’s It Nominated For: Best Supporting Actress (Amy Madigan)
Will It Win? She’s been sweeping the awards circuit. So I say yes!
Kat: If you take anything away from Weapons, it’s Amy Madigan’s iconic, villainous performance. Here’s what I had to say about the rest of the movie from a previous newsletter:
“Barbarian is not just one of my favorite horror movies, but one of my favorite movies PERIOD. Zach Cregger follows up this absolutely chilling film with Weapons, cementing Cregger as a horror mastermind.
I won’t say Weapons frightened me as much as Barbarian as it relies more on pop ups and “scary” visuals, but it displays the same tension that I loved about his previous film. Why did these children disappear? How does the town react to such a crazy phenomenon?
Cregger does a beautiful job at focusing on multiple characters. They aren’t perfect. They are extremely flawed. But still likable. You want to know how they are connected to the larger picture.
My biggest criticism is that thematically Weapons isn’t as strong as Barbarian. Barbarian has a very clear-cut commentary about women’s relationships with men. Weapons commentary is a bit more muddled, while struggling to connect all the pieces.
But overall, it’s a story about living with some sort of abuse - depending on your reading: alcoholism, drugs, neglect, and how these vices can affect a child’s upbringing. Even if it doesn’t all come full circle, it’s still a strong commentary that makes the film even more horrifying because it’s grounded in reality.”
4. Phil’s Pick: Train Dreams
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song (“Train Dreams”), Best Cinematography
Will It Win?: Maybe a long shot, but I’m pulling for a Best Cinematography win.
Phil: Move over Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent. This is the kind of quiet, introspective film that I love. It’s uplifting and melancholy. Gentle and brutal. Simple and profound. Unremarkable and remarkable.
Train Dreams transports the viewer to another time. And despite the fact that many of the challenges that Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) faces are not applicable to the modern world, the feelings of insignificance and loneliness that he experiences — especially as we see the world literally change all around him — are so universal and moving.
Despite the bleakness of the film, there’s still an underlying message of hope. Everything matters. Even a life that, on its face, might seem unremarkable. I would have never watched this movie if not for its nominations, so I’m very glad that the Academy gave it the recognition that it did.
4. Kat’s Pick: Marty Supreme
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Original Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing
Will It Win?: Marty Supreme has a chance in several categories, but current gossip has swayed predictions for a win.
Kat: Just inching into my Top 10 movies of the year. Here’s what I had to say about the film back in December:
“If you’ve seen the likes of Uncut Gems and Good Time, Marty Supreme has a similar lead as a normal guy is thrown into dangerous circumstances because of the wrong choices he makes along the way. But the biggest difference between Howard and Connie compared to Marty Mauser is that Marty is a total egomaniac.
Mauser lies through his teeth to get to the next destination all with a vindictive smile. He truly believes he’s not only the best Ping Pong player, but the best person on planet earth, and Timothée Chalamet plays him perfectly. He’s engaging, and surprisingly even likable at times.
Marty Supreme was less about ping pong than I expected, but still an excellent character study with thriller elements to land on my Top 10.”
3. Phil’s Pick: Bugonia
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score
Will It Win?: Much as I do like this movie, I’m not predicting any wins.
Phil: Such a bizarre, unique film that I’m actually surprised it got four nominations — including Best Picture. Bugonia is the kind of movie that sticks with you. The way that the viewer is left in the same seats as our “antagonists”, trying to determine whether Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone) is, in fact, an alien or just a bizarre rich person…it’s incredibly effective.
Add on top of that intrigue the numerous incredibly memorable scenes — head shaving, antihistamine cream applying, shot gunning, calculator punching — and you’ve just got an unforgettable film experience.
3. Kat’s Pick: Sinners
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Direct, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (“I Lied to You”), Best Sound, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects
Will It Win: It’s predicted that Sinners will have a HUGE, well-deserved sweep.
Kat: Sinners took my #9 spot on my Top 10 Movies of 2025! Here’s what I had to say about it:
Vampire stories have been around for centuries. Sinners proves that you can still put your own spin on the classics! Following his success with the Black Panther and Creed franchises, Ryan Coogler teams up with frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan to tell a story that is obviously a passion project.
Through a set of twins, both played by Jordan - Coogler explores race through its southern roots to tell a deeper story about the black history of music and vampires. And if that wasn’t enough, Coogler even dives into other cultures like the Irish and the complicated history of white presenting mixed people through Hailee Steinfeld’s powerful performance.
2. Phil’s Pick: Weapons
What’s It Nominated For: Best Supporting Actress (Amy Madigan)
Will It Win?: Do I think she’ll win? There’s a solid enough chance. Do I think that Aunt Gladys is the most iconic character in the list? Yes. So I’m going to give her my vote, regardless of how things are tracking.
Phil: Weapons is the kind of horror movie that leaves people talking. It’s scary, but also incredibly smart and unique. I doubt I’ll be able to say anything more profound than I did in my original review of the film, so I’ll once again quote and excerpt from it below.
One of my favorite things about Weapons is that it is completely open to interpretation. Cregger has cited some of his inspirations and intentions for the film in different interviews (pointing towards being a child of parents afflicted by alcoholism, the death of his friend Trevor Moore, and his own alcoholism as thematic inspirations), but has stated that he intentionally left the film vague enough that different viewers would have different interpretations of the film.
And this goal was certainly accomplished, with each member of our viewing party having different theories and interpretations of the movie when we left the theater (suppression, manipulation, abuse, and addiction being the four we discussed most heavily).
2. Kat’s Pick: Bugonia
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score
Will It Win?: MAYBE best actress, but most likely won’t take anything home.
Kat: Bugonia is a movie that will continue to stick with me even if it isn’t an Academy Awards darling. This is what I had to say about it in my Top 10 Movies of 2025 list:
“Are aliens real?
Bugonia both wants you to believe, while still welcoming skepticism. The film follows two conspiracy theorist who kidnap a business mogul played by Yorgos Lanthimos’ frequent collaborator, Emma Stone. Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis’ characters have both dealt with tragedy, and go through rather whimsical resorts to get to the truth. It’s the boys’ delusions played with Stone’s uncanny valley performance that makes Bugonia such a memorable movie.
Much like Lanthimos’ past work, it’s hard to compare this to anything else, and the more I sit with it the better the film gets. This is one that will entice conversation with both the themes it explores and the twist and turns it takes along the way.”
1. Phil’s Pick: Sinners
What’s It Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Direct, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (“I Lied to You”), Best Sound, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects
Will It Win?: With a whopping 16 nominations, Sinners is (deservedly) the most-nominated film of 2026. What do I think it will win? I predict Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score, and Casting.
Phil: The longer Sinners has been out and the more I watch it, the more I love the film. And when you consider that I already loved it quite a lot the first time I watched it, that’s saying something. I’ve talked about Sinners a few times now, so I’ll drop some of my favorite sound bites below.
A Genre-bending Black Western Supernatural Horror Musical Artistic Character-piece Blockbuster film. Sinners is so many things all at once, yet manages to soar in every single category.
Michael B. Jordan outdoes himself in the double role of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, carrying each character so differently that you forget almost instantly that they’re played by the same actor.
Sinners is one of those movies you watch that you just know is a gamechanger unfolding before you. It’s an instant classic that respects what has come before it in its many genres but also carves out a path that is completely unique unto itself.
Not only is Sinners my top pick among Academy Award nominees, but I also think it is one of the best Horror Films of all time. It’s a favorite to take home a lot of awards this Sunday. And it deserves every award that it (hopefully) wins.
1. Kat’s Pick: The Smashing Machine
What’s It Nominated For: Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Will It Win?: Won’t win, but happy to be nominated!
Kat: I know I’m the odd one out here, but I really enjoyed The Smashing Machine, and it made it pretty high on my list for Top 10 Movies of 2025 as well - taking the #3 spot:
“The Safdie Brothers may have split, but both of their individual projects have landed on my Top 10.
It’s weird to call a movie starring The Rock and Emily Blunt something that “went under the radar”, but here I am telling you The Smashing Machine didn’t make as much noise as the title would appear, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE!
The movie follows real life fighter, Mark Kerr, as someone once destined for greatness who is slowly realizing that he can’t reach the heights he was once promised himself. The Safdie Brothers have an obsession with telling stories about greatness through very flawed characters, and Kerr falls into that category as his drug addiction really puts a wrench into his life.
And what I was most impressed by was The Rock’s…gentleness. He’s literally tearing doors down, but is still able to hold a fragile, soft-spoken nature. This is the perfect juxtaposition to Blunt’s loud, outspokenness. She doesn’t just play the “girlfriend” she has a real role in Kerr’s addiction journey, all while figuring out the type of life she wants to lead outside of his shadow.
The Smashing Machine is your classic sports story that’s heightened by Benny Safdie’s direction and the lead actors’ unique takes on characters. The Rock and Blunt could have easily fell into stereotypes, but they expertly “sidestep” them.”
BONUS: Snubs!
Phil: Just like last year, we’ll also each talk about what we feel was the biggest snub — a film that deserved a nomination but wasn’t recognized by the Academy.
Phil’s Biggest Snub: Wicked: For Good
Phil: Is Wicked: For Good the perfect film? No. But did it deserve some acknowledgement from the Academy? I certainly think so!
I’ve written pretty extensively about Wicked: For Good in this newsletter before. So in the interest of not retreading too much, I’ll simply say that I think the film is as good as a faithful adaptation of the second act of the play could possibly be. The lows are plot/character beats that are holdovers from the source material. And the highs are incredibly high — almost exclusively centered around Elphaba and Glinda. The emotional crescendo that the film hits in its final moments is, in my opinion, undeniably a triumph.
I don’t think Wicked: For Good deserved a Best Picture nomination. But it should have gotten some recognition for its beautiful performances, directing, cinematography, editing, score, production design, costuming, hair & make-up, visual effects, and/or score. SOMETHING!
Kat’s Biggest Snub: No Other Choice
Kat: For cinephiles, No Other Choice was one of the buzziest movies of the year, Park Chan-wook had already made his name with movies like The Handmaiden with a lot of anticipation for his next big project. Film twitter didn’t hold back on this snub. No Other Choice takes a classy approach to employment pressures, while creating a unique thriller that intertwines family drama with pure rage. I was really surprised that the movie didn’t even get a nomination for Best International Film. Hell, I thought it had potential for a Best Picture nod!
Our Oscars 2026 Ballots!
Phil: We hope you enjoyed our ranked list! To end off the Oscars discussion, we’ll also share our Predictions/Ballots below!
Kat’s Oscar Ballot
Check out my predictions below!
Last year, Kat’s predicted 14 out of 23 wins correctly!
Phil’s Oscar Ballot
Just like last year, I did a bit of mixing-and-matching of “what I think will win” and “what I think should win” for my predictions. This seems like one of the most divisive years when it comes to Oscars predictions, so here’s hoping my method works out!
Last year, Phil only predicted 4 out of 23 wins correctly 😭.
In Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our Emerald City Comic Con 2026 wrap-up! We had such a great time at the Con and always love sharing our experiences with our readers.
We also hope you enjoyed our Academy Award Nominees rankings. We know we differed from the crowd in some of our listings, so we’d definitely love to hear your own rankings! Sound off in the comments and on social media with your own listings and hot takes!
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