Months before the 98thOscars, two of the biggest contenders for Best Actor will be going head-to-head at the box office. Although the summer is often considered the home for big blockbusters and family films on the big screen, early award season events like SXSW andCannes have already got the ball rollingon the inevitable nominations for the next Academy Awards. There are some big-name films already slated for release that are picking up steam for that race, like Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic turn in the sports biopic,The Smashing Machine.
Other potential wildcards also exist on the docket for the year’s theatrical releases, including Daniel Day-Lewis' return to the big screen after eight years in the father/son dramaAnemone. Both actors have a certain amount of natural momentum behind them, fueling the kind of narratives that often propel stars in the award season race. However,The Smashing MachineandAnemonewill also be facing off months before the 98th Academy Awards are held, with implications that could impact the entire state of the Best Actor race.
Daniel Day-Lewis' Anemone & Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine Come Out On The Same Day
They Both Have Oscars Hopes
AnemoneandThe Smashing Machineare both expected to be front-runners for Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards, but they’ll be going directly head-to-head before that because they’re being released on the same day. With Cannes in full swing, conversation has begun to generate about the likely contenders for categories like Best Actor. Timothée Chalamet, Denzel Washington, and Leonardo DiCaprio are among the expected contenders, but two ofthe most likely nominees are Dwayne Johnsonand Daniel Day-Lewis.
Both films look to be powerful dramas with strong lead performances. WhileThe Smashing Machineexplores some familiar ground in the sports drama space, Johnson and the cast surrounding him look impressive in the trailer for the film. By contrast, little is known aboutAnemonebeyond it being Daniel Day-Lewis' first film performance in almost a decade and that he co-wrote the film alongside his son Ronan (who also directed the film).Both movies are being released amid the typical award season period of the year, and even come out on the same day, setting them up as natural rivals.
Daniel Day-Lewis Is A Decorated Oscar Veteran, But Dwayne Johnson Is Far From It
Daniel Day-Lewis And Dwayne Johnson Have Very Different Award Season Narratives
All of that sets up a natural rivalry between the two filmsand their leading actors, Daniel Day-Lewis and Dwayne Johnson. It’s also an interesting contrast between two very different Oscar narratives. Day-Lewis is often considered one of the finest actors of his generation, with a body of award-nominated work that stretches back decades. Dwayne Johnson got his start in the world of wrestling before moving into film, gradually becoming a box office behemoth and genuine movie star (who nevertheless has never earned the kind of critical accolades of his co-stars).
Day-Lewis is a six-time Best Actor nominee and has taken home three Oscars for his work over the years. Johnson has never been a serious contender for the award, with most of his films leaning far more into the blockbuster space than the typical awards fare.This naturally creates a compelling narrative behind both actors, which can often be the secret ingredient to pushing a nominee over the others during award season. The fact that both movies are coming out at the same time invites natural comparison and competition between the two at the box office.
Daniel Day-Lewis & Dwayne Johnson’s Showdown Will Likely Impact The Oscars 2026 Best Actor Race
The Success (Or Failure) Of Anemone And The Smashing Machine Could Change The State Of Award Season
There’s little chanceAnemonewill beatThe Smashing Machineat the box office, as the film’s initially limited theatrical release will likely pale in comparison to the wider release of the A24-backedThe Smashing Machine. However,word-of-mouth from those limited releases might be enough to propel it into a much better positionwhen it releases nationwide on October 10. However, ifThe Smashing Machinebecomes a critical and commercial hit, it might suck all the air out of the room beforeAnemonehas a chance to really cement itself as an award contender.
June 02, 2025, is looking to be a big day in the lead-up to the 98th Oscars.
Both films will be heavily reliant on the critical reception, asgenerating awards buzz is clearly an intention behind the October release. Day-Lewis is coming into the Oscar race with pedigree and respect that few others in the industry can match, and the Academy might want to celebrate one of their finest actors one more time. However, the Academy might also see the appeal in celebrating a bona fide movie star finally turning his charisma and skill inwards towards a more complex character. May 30, 2025, is looking to be a big day in the lead-up to the 98thOscars.
