Early critical reception from fall festival screenings has positioned Paul Giamatti in A24’s The Debut as the current frontrunner for a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2027 Oscars, bolstered by his overdue narrative after prior close calls. Andrew Garfield’s turn as Sam Altman in Neon’s Artificial has surged in recent rankings following strong New York Film Festival response, while John Leguizamo in Universal’s The Odyssey and past winner Sam Rockwell in Searchlight’s Wild Horse Nine remain consistent contenders seeking their first or additional nods. Edward Norton in A24’s The Invite and Robert Pattinson in The Odyssey also feature in expert predictions. With the Academy nominations vote set for mid-January and the ceremony on March 14, guild and critics’ awards in the coming months will shape momentum amid a crowded field of 2026 releases.