Which Film will win Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards?

The only sure-fire prediction for the Academy Awards in 2020, is that it likely to be host-less again.

Following the will-he, won’t-he of Kevin Hart being chosen as host of the 2019 Oscars, the Academy chose to go host-less and it resulted in a happy success.

However, last year’s choice for Best Picture – “Green Book” – is still not making everyone happy.

Bettors can begin Best Picture handicapping now as several of the best sportsbooks already are offering odds on what movies might be considered for the night’s top prize.

The possibilities for Best Picture are many. The choice for a host are few – if non-existent. “I believe we will not mess with that format to the best of our ability,” ABC Entertainment chief Karey Burke told reporters on the Monday after the 2019 Oscars. The uptick in ratings also is fueling this sentiment.

As for what movie takes home the top prize in 2020 – well, that’s wide open. Oscar nominees will be announced on Jan. 13.

Movies and/or performances with early Oscar buzz include:

• “The Irishman” (release TBA) – A director Martin Scorsese production that will likely have a run in theaters at the same time it is offered on Netflix. The film about a mob hitman who alleges to have killed Jimmy Hoffa is filed with heavy hitters – Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.
• “The Laundromat” (release TBA ) – Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Gary Oldman star in this film also being released by Netflix about journalists who unearth 11 million files linking political figures to tax-shelter bank accounts.
• “The Farewell” (July 12) – Awkwafina gets attention going dramatic in this story of a family keeping its matriarch in the dark about her cancer diagnosis.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

• “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” (July 26) – Director Quentin Tarantino flopped when “The Hateful Eight” went to the Oscars, maybe he’ll do better with Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie (Oscar potential as Sharon Tate) in the days Charles Manson was wreaking havoc in Tinseltown.
• “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (October 18) – Seems unfathomable that Hollywood nice guy Tom Hanks wouldn’t be nominated – and maybe win — for his turn as the other nicest guy in the business, Fred Rogers.
• “Ad Astra” (September 20) – Brad Pitt heads to space as an astronaut in search of his dad who went missing looking for extra-terrestrial life. Supporting actors Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland could be up for Oscar, too.
• “Harriet (November 1) – Cynthia Erivo is getting some serious buzz for her portrayal of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. She may not be on any currency in the near future, but the actress who plays her may be up for Oscar.

Where’d You Go Bernadette

• “Where’d You Go Bernadette” (August 9) – Think twice before betting against Cate Blanchette as a potential supporting actor Oscar nominee. Here she plays a mom who goes on a singular journey to spark her creative passions.
• “Queen & Slim” (November 27) – Daniel Kaluuya of “Get Out” fame could get another nod for his portrayal of a black man on the run after killing a police office in self defense.
• “Fair and Balanced (December 20) – Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) is about to feel the wrath of women working at Fox News (Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron).
• “Little Women” (December 25) – Strong chance that director/writer Greta Gerwig will receive her second nomination as best director (“Baby Bird”) in this classic favorite starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep and Laura Dern.

Of movies or roles that have already come and gone from theaters:

• Taron Egerton’s turn as Elton John outshines last year’s winner Rami Malik as Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” in our book.
• Will “Avengers: Endgame,” as the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. get a nod as last year’s “Black Panther” did?
• Another strong writing/directing turn for Jordan Peele’s very scary “Us,” may see action for him and star  Lupita Nyong’o in the race for Oscar.

The Oscars will be handed out on February 24, 2020 ABC. Which films do you think will be nominated?

(Movie release dates are subject to change)