Julia Roberts hasn’t won anything at theOscarsfor 24 long years, but her new movie,After the Hunt, is looking like a major awards contender, so that drought could finally be over. The 2025 awards season just ended, but Hollywood is already getting ready for the 2026 awards season. There are some reallyearly contenders for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscarsthat are already getting a lot of buzz, and Conan O’Brien has been confirmed to return to host next year’s ceremony.
2026 could be Roberts’ year to finally make a comeback at the Oscars. There have been similar cases in recent years that didn’t pan out. Angelina Jolie’s turn as Maria Callas seemed to be her ticket to a Best Actress win at the 2025 Oscars, but in the end, she wasn’t even nominated. But based onthe talent involved inAfter the Hunt, and the socially conscious premise of its story, it could become a new favorite for the Academy.
Julia Roberts Hasn’t Won An Oscar Since 2001
Roberts Won Best Actress For Erin Brockovich
After being nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her turn inSteel Magnoliasin 1990 and Best Actress for her turn inPretty Womanin 1991, Roberts finally won an Oscar in 2001. She earned Best Actress for her portrayal of the titular role inErin Brockovich. In the 24 years since then,Roberts hasn’t won another Oscar — and she’s only been nominated once more, for Best Supporting Actress for her performance inAugust: Osage Countyin 2014.
Julia Roberts Could Finally Win Another Oscar For After The Hunt
After The Hunt Is A Timely Drama From Luca Guadagnino
Roberts’ starring role in the upcoming dramaAfter the Huntcould be the perfect chance for her to score another Oscar win for Best Actress.After the Huntstars Roberts as a college professor who has to come to terms with her own dark pastwhen one of her colleagues is met with a serious allegation. Amazon hassetAfter the Huntfor a theatrical release on June 23, 2025, right around the start of awards season, meaning the studio is confident in its chances as an awards contender.
After the Huntalso stars Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Chloë Sevigny.
After the Huntdebuted its trailer at CinemaCon, andit’s already getting a lot of pre-release buzz. It’s beingdirected by Luca Guadagnino, who was snubbed for his recent double whammy ofChallengersandQueerbut scored a Best Picture nod forCall Me by Your Name. Given that Roberts is a Hollywood legend andAfter the Huntis dealing with timely #MeToo-adjacent themes, there’s a good chance she’ll be nominated for Best Actress at the 2026Oscars. If she can beat out Anne Hathaway forMother Mary, she could win.
