Oscars Odds: The Power of the Dog Favored for Best Movie

Nomadland had a huge year at the 2021 Academy Awards. Chloe Zhao won Best Director and Frances McDormand claimed her third Best Actress Oscar for her role in the movie. Nomadland also won Best Picture as a -670 favorite by the time the odds closed, and we are likely to see the Oscars odds move in favor of The Power of The Dog since favorites become more popular in the run-up the ceremony.

These odds could still shift in a big way though as precursor award shows put on by the Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, and BAFTA have yet to name their winners. Those three ceremonies team up to make a good bellwether for the Academy Awards, so a surprise at one of the three is likely to lead to a big shift in the Oscars betting odds.

2022 Academy Awards Best Picture Odds

• The Power of the Dog -200
• Belfast +250
• West Side Story +650
• Dune +1600
• Licorice Pizza +1600
• King Richard +2000
• CODA +2000
• Drive My Car +2500
• Don’t Look Up +3500
• Nightmare Alley +5000

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

The Power of the Dog is the odds-on favorite to be named Best Picture. Benedict Cumberbatch gave a great performance and is one of the finalists to be named Best Actor. However, the subject matter might be a little too much for some people, and there is a decent chance that the Academy splits the difference by naming Jane Campion as Best Director as we have seen them do in the past.

There is value in four different movies to be named Best Picture. The odds on Belfast and West Side Story aren’t quite long enough at this point, but Dune, Licorice Pizza, King Richard, and CODA are all either 16-1 or 20-1 at DraftKings.

Denis Villeneuve finally did Dune justice on the big screen after years of anticipation. Although we won’t see the thrilling end to Frank Herbert’s masterpiece until next year, audiences were enthralled by the majesty of the film, and it is sure to win a few minor awards.

Licorice Pizza also stands a decent chance of winning Best Picture as Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most beloved directors in Hollywood. The ‘make-up’ Oscar has been a tradition over the last few decades, and there has been plenty of rumbling about Anderson deserving an Oscar after Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, and Phantom Thread came up short.

King Richard and CODA are also potential Best Picture choices. These movies play on the heartstrings of voters, and we could see a late push for both of these films.