Voting on Oscar Movies – All the Tips and Tricks

When "Anora" won five awards during the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, the applause was resounding. After all, this film deserved these and more accolades, seeing as it had perfected the blend between emotional depth and technical creativity. But it wasn't just the actors and directors who were beaming as they took in the applause. Punters who had bet on it were also having the time of their lives as they cashed in on their wins. That's right – people could and did bet on the Oscar-winning films. And if you are wondering just how this works and how you can dip your toes into this territory, we have a whole guide for you.

Why Bet on the Oscars

People know the Academy Awards ceremony for many things. For one, there is the star-studded red carpet where top icons get to show off their creative fashion and glam – as the paparazzi go wild, so do the fans. Fashion enthusiasts have been known to tune in just for the chance to seek inspiration from the fits.

Two, the ceremony is a time to honour the films that have made a remarkable difference in people's lives. Great films have a way of tugging at the hearts of their audiences, which makes them a core part of who we are. And three, it's also a great way to figure out what to watch – if a film is good enough to deserve a nomination or win in any category, it is definitely worth a shot.

But away from all this, there is another side to the Oscars that you may not have known till today – you can also bet on the outcomes. And if you are curious as to why anyone would do this, we have the following good reasons to boot:

It builds community. Have you ever argued with a fellow film lover about what movie deserves an Oscar nomination? How about which film can win? These are all lively discussions that people have time and again, be it face-to-face or online. Months before the ceremony even takes place, people flood chat rooms and blogs with their nuanced takes and go to great lengths to defend their stances.

Placing wagers is another way to keep the conversation going while instilling a touch of rivalry that makes the talks even more engaging. After all, when you have money on the line, you will root for your choice of film!
It puts your knowledge to the test. It's easy to say that a film deserves recognition. But would you be willing to say as much if you stood the chance of losing money on a bad prediction? Wagers help you critically evaluate films based on more than your feelings about the directors or actors. In so doing, you find yourself being more objective, even in your discussions with your friends.

Moreover, you find yourself eager to learn more about the message of films and to dig deeper into the effects of the storylines, which makes you a better movie buff.
It's fun. Placing wagers on the Oscars is not just about becoming the person who knows everything about the top nominations. Instead, it is also about taking a chance. After all, even with the most critical evaluation of films, you cannot possibly cover or know the nuances that will go into the outcome. Many times actors, directors, and fans have been shocked by the outcomes. So, by placing a wager, you get to take a really huge chance that is sure to have your adrenaline pumping.

And here's the big one – if you place a wager on a category and win, you don't just get street cred – you also get paid. So, aside from the cultural commentaries and entertainment value, there is a chance that this could make you money. Are you sold on the idea? Let's get into how it all works.

How Do People Vote

Before a film can win an award, it goes through a lengthy and well-thought-out voting process that takes place in the Academy. Thousands of industry professionals take part in the selection process, which takes factors such as conflict of interest into consideration. After several stages, the votes come in, but the outcomes remain a secret until the live broadcast on Oscar night. So, at which point can you make a wager? – Immediately, the nominations are announced!

Here is how it works:

Nominations announcement. At this time, the Academy releases the list of nominations so that everyone is aware of the films that have a chance of bagging an award. These feature various categories, as we will later cover, and they set the stage for bookies and punters to make their plays.

The setting of odds. Bookies review the nomination lists and set the betting odds based on factors such as the likelihood of the wins, the public perception, the polling data, the critic reviews, their desired profit margins, and the history of the ceremony. Based on these and more, they release the first set of odds.

However, these numbers are not static and they continuously change in regard to public opinion. Moreover, the betting markets vary such that punters can stick to one category or place their wagers as a bundle. It all depends on preferences as well as the options available on the betting platform.

The placing of bets. Immediately, the first set of odds and markets is available. Punters have the chance to make wagers. As they do so, they get access to information such as the odds of an event happening, what they will get in relation to their wager, and the terms and conditions that apply to their participation. The betting window remains open until the Oscar night announcements take place. As such, a punter can even make a wager as the stars walk the red carpet!

The payment of earnings. Bookies use automatic systems to determine the winning odds. So, as soon as the announcements take place, the results are reflected in the booking sites and punter accounts. For example, if you backed a movie with a £100 wager and it had odds of 2.90, then you would get £290. It's all about the figure that results from the wager amount multiplied by the odds.

The whole betting process is pretty straightforward. However, it is important to note that the window is quite short, as it runs from the end of January till the first week of March. Thus, it is always best to arm yourself with enough knowledge of the entire process to ensure you are ready to strike when the iron is hot.

Understanding the Categories

A film stands out when it has a compelling storyline, great creative direction, and a cast that brings out the narrative in a way that invites the audience into an alternate world. Using these as the foundational elements, Oscar nominations fall into the following categories:

The Best Picture

How was the overall direction? How good was the production value? Was the film impactful on society? These are some of the key aspects that the Academy looks at when reviewing a film. For a movie to be worth a nomination, it has to score high points from its narrative through to its performances. When bookies review the nominated films, they look at what industry experts are saying about the films in general and whether people think they will win. They pay particular attention to the critics.

The Best Director

Without good leadership and an eye for vision, a great plot can fail to hit the nail on the head – that's why directors are so crucial in any film. And once every year, they get the chance to win in this category that assesses them based on their abilities to bring stories to life. How great is their execution?

What kind of rapport do they have with their crew and cast? What risks did they take? Directors who stand out in these and other aspects get the highest ratings and stand the chance to win. As bookies assess the top nominees, they also look at whether they have won nominations in the past, the trends of their current work, and what critics think of them.

The Best Actors

In every film, two roles stand out – the best actors or actresses and the best supporting actors or actresses. When it comes to the former category, Academy committees often look at how much they dominated the screen, whether they conveyed the required emotional depth, and how convincing they were.

And when it comes to the best supporting actors and actresses, they look at how pivotal these roles were in making the narrative more engaging. While previous performances are usually indicative of an actor's likelihood of winning, new names have won in this category. As such, it's often better to reflect on how well an actor or actress stepped into a role and what fan bases have to say about this.

Most bookies often focus on the categories above as they get the most attention. However, many sites also cover other markets, such as the Best Original Screenplay and the Best Adapted Screenplay. But regardless of the categories, odds always come down to history, current status, the critics, and overall public perception.

How to Make a Prediction for the Oscars

The excitement of the Oscars can be so contagious that you might find yourself tempted to place a wager immediately after the nominations are out. But while this may seem like a good idea, such a bet is subjective and will likely lead to a loss. If you want to get excitement and the potential to earn from your wager, here is what you do.

Step 1: Do Your Research

Many people make the mistake of leaning on bookie odds when making wagers, thinking that they are a reflection of outcomes. But as stated earlier, these numbers are a result of factors ranging from critics' reviews to profit margins. As such, they show you what you can get for your wager and not the likelihood of winning. So, how do you get the latter?

Choose a category. While it's okay to cast your net wide and focus on many categories, work on one at a time. For example, if you want to bet on the best actress, focus on all the nominees in this category. Specialising in a niche helps you consider most of its nuances so that you can make more informed decisions. Note that the markets also differ, such that they range from the overall outcome to more specific contexts.

What's more, some sites keep things interesting by allowing you to bet on moments during the ceremony, the underdogs, and more. Keep in mind that the more specialised a niche is, the harder it will be to make a correct prediction, but the higher the return on your wager if you win.
Vet the options in the category. The best thing would be actually to watch all the films in the category. After all, save for the Best Picture, all categories usually stick to five options – it is quite manageable to view and vet the films for yourself. In addition to watching the films, look into what top critics are saying, what the industry experts are saying regarding who has the most support, and the top early indicators.
Determine your spending cap. You can be so sure of an outcome that you might want to back it with a steep wager. But here is the thing you have to remember – the results depend on a human committee, and the nuances involved mean that there are no guarantees. It's thus best to look at your financial abilities and use these insights to decide what you can afford to spend on the wager, even if you may not get a return on your capital.

Using your critical evaluation of the options in the category and leaning on the industry insights, you can determine which option is likely to win. Where you are conflicted between your choice and expert analyses, choose your gut – the popular opinion is not always right.

Step 2: Find a Good Bookie

In a world where betting has become the norm, you will be happy to hear that many bookies offer Oscar movie bets as an option. But how can you make sure you choose a reliable platform? Use the criteria below:

Licensing. Only work with sites that have valid licenses, as such sites will protect your financial and personal data.
Reputation. Focus on sites that have built a favourable reputation among their previous and existing clients.
Odds. Work with sites that offer competitive rates so that you can maximise your winning potential. Also, can you get bonuses?
Markets. Ensure that the sites you vet cover the markets you want to invest in, including those outside the Oscars.
Payment. Look at how and when you will get paid if your wager is profitable – you want fast and convenient options.

It is also important to look at factors such as the ease of use of the user interface and the accessibility of customer support. Once you are happy with your selection, you can register for an account. Please note that this may require you to enter personal data and complete some checks based on the site's licensing requirements. Due to this, it's always best to set a strong password.

Step 3: Place and Follow Up on Your Wager

Done with the first two steps? It's now time to put your money where your mouth is by making a wager. While user interfaces differ, the process is the same. Start by logging into your account, head to the Oscars or awards sections, choose the market that best fits your research, look at the odds, and make your wager. Ensure that you confirm that the selection and wager are correct before confirming your payment.

And just like that, you will have some skin in the game and will also be eagerly awaiting the announcements. If you'd like, you can repeat the process to wager on other markets or keep an eye on the odds to make additional wagers based on the changing public perceptions. But for a start, one wager should be enough to nudge you into the world of betting on award ceremonies.

Where to Watch the Announcements

The last thing you want to do is miss out on the announcements when you know you have something (or a lot) riding on the outcomes. So, where can you catch the 98th Academy Awards, which are scheduled for 1st March 2026?

On TV

You can watch the event on cable or satellite. Such subscriptions also give you the pre-show segments with the red carpet walks and interviews.

Online

Whether you subscribe to the standard TV channels or sign up for a streaming service, you'll be able to be part of the show. In some cases, you can even watch the event for free if you get a trial.

On Social Media

You can get live updates through mini blogs or social updates by the official Oscars accounts or other people who are following the event.

No matter how you get the results, you are sure to be quite involved from start to finish!