Oscars 2026: Campaign wars intensify as Michael B. Jordan gains momentum over Timothée Chalamet

The race for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards has taken a dramatic turn, with Michael B. Jordan emerging as a late favourite over early frontrunner Timothée Chalamet.

For months, Chalamet appeared poised to win for Marty Supreme, having already secured major honours at the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards. Yet industry observers say his highly visible and unconventional awards campaign may have ultimately backfired. The actor promoted the film in character as his flamboyant ping-pong champion and drew criticism after dismissing ballet and opera as fading art forms during a panel discussion.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s quieter campaign for Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, has steadily gained traction. His recent victory at the Screen Actors Guild Awards—where the film’s cast also received recognition, has pushed him to the top of awards forecasts. Unlike Chalamet’s headline-grabbing approach, Jordan kept the focus largely on the film and its ensemble.

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The contrast highlights a long-standing reality of Oscar season: campaigning matters, but overt ambition can sometimes alienate voters. Hollywood history is filled with actors whose eagerness for the statuette became part of their narrative. Leonardo DiCaprio famously endured years of intense campaigns before finally winning for The Revenant in 2016. Glenn Close became synonymous with the “overdue” label after multiple nominations without a win, while Bradley Cooper mounted an aggressive campaign for A Star Is Born that ultimately fell short.

Jordan, by contrast, has built a reputation through steady work, from early television roles in The Wire to acclaimed films like Fruitvale Station and blockbuster hits such as Black Panther. Many insiders believe that reputation and the industry goodwill it carries, may now work in his favour.

With the Academy’s global voting body often producing surprises, the Best Actor race remains open. As the ceremony approaches, momentum appears to be sliding towards Jordan.