All Oscars 2026 Best Actress Performances, Ranked Worst To Best

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The Best Actress category at the Oscars consistently delivers the most thrilling moments. Whether it’s a close competition, like the one between Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone recently, or an unexpected winner, like Olivia Colman’s victory over Glenn Close, this category always creates excitement. Being one of the final awards presented also means it often provides a memorable finish to the ceremony.

It’s looking very unlikely that anyone will challenge Jessie Buckley for the Best Actress Oscar this year. She’s won every major award leading up to the ceremony, making her the clear frontrunner. However, is her performance truly the strongest of the year? Following my previous rankings for Best Picture and Best Actor, here’s how I’d rank all the Best Actress nominees, from least to most impressive.

5. Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

I’ve previously stated that Song Sung Blue isn’t Oscar material, but it’s clear why voters were drawn to it. Kate Hudson is particularly strong in the beginning of the film, as she and Hugh Jackman’s characters delightfully discover a late-in-life romance. She skillfully balances her natural star power with a genuine warmth, making her character both captivating and believable. It’s yet another example of what audiences realized with Almost Famous: Kate Hudson is incredibly charming and easy to root for on screen.

The biggest problem with the movie isn’t Kate Hudson’s acting – she actually handles the dramatic shift in the story quite well, and her performance is moving. However, the way the movie presents her work feels artificial. It unfortunately echoes a long-standing Oscar trend of praising actresses for taking on roles that aren’t conventionally glamorous. This isn’t a fair assessment of Hudson, who delivers a stronger performance than that suggests. Ultimately, though, this isn’t one of the year’s top five performances and would be last on any reasonable list.

4. Emma Stone, Bugonia

Emma Stone’s consistent success at the Oscars has led to some complaints when she’s nominated again, but she’s earned this level of recognition through genuine talent. Her collaborations with director Yorgos Lanthimos are particularly noteworthy, allowing her to showcase her full abilities. Since working on The Favourite, Lanthimos has recognized that her excellent comedic skills also give her a remarkable precision in dramatic roles; when given the creative freedom he provides, her control over a scene’s emotional tone is truly exceptional.

Emma Stone’s performance in Bugonia is a masterclass in subtle expression, and she shares fantastic chemistry with her co-star, Jesse Plemons. The story involves Plemons’ character believing Stone’s character is an alien – and I won’t reveal how that plays out! However, Stone brilliantly portrays a personality so polished and carefully controlled by corporate messaging that she feels almost robotic. It’s a truly captivating performance, and fully justifies her fifth Oscar nomination. Every small detail she brings to the role is mesmerizing.

3. Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

We’re now looking at a group of truly deserving candidates, although my top pick isn’t who I’d choose to win. Jessie Buckley is an exceptionally talented actor – I’ve thought so since seeing her in the unfairly overlooked film, I’m Thinking of Ending Things. She has a remarkable ability to make her characters’ inner lives completely clear, allowing the audience to feel exactly what they’re feeling. In Hamnet, she uses this gift powerfully, portraying a parent’s grief with such raw emotion that it’s incredibly moving and difficult to watch.

While the first half of Hamnet doesn’t quite reach the heights of its later scenes, Jessie Buckley’s powerful performance in those later scenes is truly unforgettable and likely to earn her an Oscar. The film doesn’t fully explore the early stages of the love story and family life, and while Buckley isn’t at fault, those parts of her performance didn’t captivate me as much. Other actresses on this list delivered more compelling performances in similar roles.

2. Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

I was truly surprised by how captivating Renate Reinsve’s portrayal of stage fright was in a film I saw in 2025. It’s a moment that will definitely stay with me, and it’s just one example of the subtle, emotionally rich performance she gives in Sentimental Value. The film relies heavily on its actors’ expressions to tell the story, and Reinsve excels at conveying deep emotions without saying a word.

What makes her performance so captivating is the intense emotion she subtly conveys – it feels like she’s holding back a powerful force. This ability makes her a phenomenal actress, but also suggests a difficult inner life. The impact when her character finally expresses these long-held feelings is incredibly moving, because Reinsve skillfully hinted at this truth throughout the film. While the entire cast of Sentimental Value is excellent (and all received Oscar nominations), Reinsve truly stands out.

1. Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

This is a truly exceptional performance. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is a small, independent film that often pushes boundaries – not typical Oscar bait. Rose Byrne delivers a performance that’s simply outstanding.

Rose Byrne delivers a captivating performance as a woman desperately trying to hold onto her sanity, ironically while working as a therapist – and she’s clearly avoiding facing her own issues. The film intensely focuses on her internal struggles, often using extremely close-up shots of her face, creating a sense of claustrophobia. Even when she’s not speaking, Byrne’s every thought and emotion is laid bare, and the result is truly remarkable.

I’m finding it difficult to describe this performance without sounding overly enthusiastic, but I genuinely believe it deserves all the praise it’s getting. What Byrne does in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is perfectly suited to intimate, focused acting. It doesn’t get much better than this. While she might not be the frontrunner overall, simply being nominated for a film of this scale is impressive. However, within the context of this particular selection, she’s the clear winner of the Best Actress award.

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2026-03-01 00:59