2025 Oscars Best Actor predictions: Denzel Washington leads the pack

With the 2025 Oscars still months away, Variety's Awards Circuit has already begun predicting the contenders for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Denzel Washington is currently leading the pack for his performance in Ridley Scott's highly anticipated "Gladiator II."

This buzz is fueled by rumors that Washington delivers one of the strongest performances of his career, potentially positioning him for a lead actor nomination instead of the anticipated supporting role.

Following closely behind Washington are Ralph Fiennes for his role in the thriller "Conclave" and Joaquin Phoenix, who is rumored to be "even better" in the sequel "Joker: Folie à Deux." Other strong contenders include Colman Domingo for his performance in A24's "Sing Sing" and John David Washington for his role in "The Piano Lesson."

The list also includes potential contenders like Andrew Garfield, Michael Keaton, Sebastian Stan, Jesse Plemons, and many more. The race is further complicated by the numerous acquisition titles still up for grabs, such as "Queer" with Daniel Craig, "The Apprentice" with Sebastian Stan, and "Eden" with Jude Law.

The 97th Oscars are scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025, and the full rankings and predictions are available on Variety's Awards Circuit.