This is who will win big at the Oscars 2021 according to a new study

Research has found *these* are the public's Oscars 2021 favorites

Golden Oscar award
(Image credit: Mohamed Osama / Alamy Stock Photo)

Which stand-out films and actors will be Oscars 2021 winners is the question not far from every film fan’s minds since the nominations were announced on Monday. 

We all have our favorite Oscar-worthy movies and this year’s ceremony looks set to be something really special. Not only has Steven Yeun become the first Asian American nominated for best lead actor, but Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell have made history being nominated for best director - the first time more than one woman has been shortlisted for that prize in the whole 93-year history of the awards. 

We can’t wait to settle down with our best pillow and blanket to watch the Oscars 2021 ceremony. But who are the public’s favorites to take home the iconic golden statues? We may not have to wait long to find out as OnBuy.com has analyzed IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for the 10 most popular Oscar categories to reveal which movies would win if it was down to viewers’ votes.

But will fans’ opinions match those of the all-important Oscar judges?

Which are the public’s favorites to be crowned Oscars 2021 winners?

Best Picture

If you haven’t seen this film already, then what are you waiting for? According to OnBuy.com’s research, it seems that Judas and the Black Messiah is the public’s favorite to win the Best Picture Oscar 2021, one of the most prestigious categories at the Oscars. 

The biographical drama stars Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield and has an average rating of 89.3% out of a possible 100%, edging just ahead of The Father which has a mighty 89.1% and has also been strongly tipped for success at this year’s awards.

Best Director 

The Oscars 2021 award ceremony may not have been held yet, but already people across the world have been delighted by the nomination of the brilliant Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell for Best Director for Nomadland and Promising Young Woman respectively. 

Whilst the final winner is still up in the air, the study has found that the public favor Lee Isaac Chung for his semi-autobiographical film, Minari. This notched an impressive average rating of 89% in the combined public reviews index.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari gave Oscar fans yet another history-making moment this year as Steven Yeun became the first Asian American to be nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His performance as Jacob Yi was amazing and he may well be crowned the brilliant winner at next month’s ceremony. According to this study, though, it’s Anthony Hopkins’ star turn in The Father that had the higher public review rating - a huge 89.1%! 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Carey Mulligan is reportedly the public’s favorite to take home a gold statue for Best  Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Promising Young Woman, with an average rating of 84%. This nudges the British star just ahead of fellow huge names such as Frances McDormand, who was nominated for Nomadland and Viola Davis for her role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

The study may have already found that Judas and the Black Messiah has the highest combined review rating of the films nominated for Best Picture, but star Daniel Kaluuya has also come out on top in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category with that stellar 89.3% rating!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 

The 89.1% average review rating of The Father has also pushed Olivia Colman to the top spot in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category. Olivia took home the Oscar for her role in The Favourite two years ago, so who knows if she could be crowned the winner for a second time. 

To do so she'll have to beat her fellow nominees, including Glenn Close whose been nominated for an Oscar and a Razzie for Hillbilly Elegy.

Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography 

With its huge 89.3% average, the study found Judas and the Black Messiah highly likely to take home the Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography too! 

Best Adapted Screenplay

With the highest review ratings in two other categories according to OnBuy.com’s research, it’s perhaps no surprise that The Father’s impressive 89.1% average also puts it top of the public's favorite films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. 

Best Original Score

Minari could beat the competition to be awarded the Oscar for Best Original Score next month - if the film’s 89% average is anything to go by, anyway!

The study may have shed some light on the public’s favorites in each category, but whether these predictions turn out to be true remains to be seen.

We can’t wait to see who will be crowned Oscars 2021 winners in April’s awards ceremony!

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!