The top Oscars front-runners and dark horses of 2018 so far

Oscar season is just around the corner, and the race is on for who will come out on top. With the festival circuit in full swing, some early favorites have already come out swinging, but you never know what might happen.

For some people, their favorite season is summer, a time filled with beaches and sun. For others, it’s autumn, because who can resist sweater weather and pumpkin spice lattes? But for many, the one season that rules them all is… awards season. The race for the Oscars is a long and arduous one, but it never fails to keep us guessing.

In the past, there have been shocks and upsets, as well as happy surprises. As the months go on, we will see more and more which films are the favorites to win big at Hollywood’s biggest night. But whatever takes home awards at the major festivals or the Golden Globes does not guarantee it an Academy Award, and it’s that uncertainty that keeps us on our toes!

This year is already proving to be an interesting one in the world of cinema. Lady Gaga is proving once again that she can do anything with her turn in A Star Is Born, and she’s already getting buzz for Best Actress and Best Original Song nominations. Her first-time director Bradley Cooper is also earning praise. There are biopics and former Oscar winners aplenty, and some dark horses that may just surprise us all (fingers crossed for Black Panther).

Here are some predictions for this year’s top Oscar categories, based on the buzz around the films, critics reviews, and opinions based on Oscar winners past.