Oscar Predictions: Supporting Actress — Is This the Year of Penélope Cruz?
Variety’s Awards Circuit has published an early outlook for the 2027 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, asking whether Penélope Cruz could be a leading contender for her role in “La Bola Negra”. The article offers little substantive analysis at this stage, noting only that further commentary is to come and stressing that its forecasts reflect the current state of the race rather than personal preferences.
The predictions are updated weekly and remain subject to change as films, campaigning and industry response develop. The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for 14 March 2027, hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood; nominations will be announced on 21 January after voting from 11 to 15 January.
- Cruz is an early supporting-actress contender.
- Variety says detailed analysis is still forthcoming.
- The 2027 Oscars take place on 14 March.
New here? Start with this
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are annual film prizes awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Best Supporting Actress recognises a performer in a significant but non-leading role, and the eventual nominees are chosen by Academy members working in the film industry.
Penélope Cruz is a Spanish actor who has previously won an Oscar for her supporting role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and has received several other nominations. La Bola Negra is among the films expected to be considered during the 2026 awards season, when studios promote eligible releases to Academy voters.
Oscar races take shape over many months, influenced by film festivals, reviews, other awards and industry campaigning. Early prediction lists are estimates rather than official Academy decisions, and can change considerably before nominations and the ceremony.