If it wasn’t for the indefatigable Anne Hathaway, 2026 would easily be the Year of Zendaya.
The second-hardest-working woman in showbiz has an impressively ambitious year — she’s already promised to be “disappearing for a little bit” once all her promotional obligations wrap — ranging from one of the buzziest indies released so far in The Drama to auteur-driven epics in The Odyssey (July 17) and Dune: Part Three (Dec. 18) to what might be the year’s biggest blockbuster in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31). The breadth of her film works highlights how easily she can shift between prestige and popcorn. Even with all that momentum on the big screen, though, her strongest shot awards recognition may still come from the small screen. Her consistently strong performance as Rue in Euphoria has already earned her two Emmys and has her positioned for a run at a third.
With all that in mind, we decided to rank Zendaya’s four films and one television show by how likely they are to earn her a shiny new trophy for her cabinet.
5. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Sony and Marvel’s Tom Holland-powered Spider-Man saga has become a cultural juggernaut with global reach and eye-popping effects, but has yet to merit a major nomination for acting — no offense to the People’s Choice Awards, Saturn Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Critics Choice Super Awards, Teen Choice Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards, all of which have nominated and/or awarded Zendaya for her work as MJ.
The character’s journey has seen her evolve from snarky sidekick to a more emotionally grounded presence within the franchise, giving Zendaya space for quieter, more human moments amid the spectacle. But superhero films remain disadvantaged in acting categories. Brand New Day will almost certainly make bank (the first three installments made $3.9 billion worldwide) and prove her and Holland’s commercial viability, but it won’t be Zendaya’s ticket to the Oscars. (But don’t count out Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards!)
4. The Drama
The Drama falls more into traditional awards territory. With Kristoffer Borgli directing and Robert Pattinson co-starring, and a twist that kept audiences talking, the A24 indie became one of early 2026’s buzziest films. It also had surprising commercial success, grossing more than $122 million worldwide on a budget of about $28 million.
But mixed critical reception and a spring release might keep The Drama from sustaining momentum through the fall and into the heart of the awards season, especially as more prominent titles enter the fray. While The Drama might not quite rise up to Academy Awards level, we could see Zendaya sneaking into the Golden Globes or Independent Spirit Awards.
3. The Odyssey
Following up his Oscar-winning opus Oppenheimer with The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, and crew are looking for an awards run of mythical proportions. For Zendaya, though, it will come down to how much space and screen time she’s given as Athena. Individual performances can get lost in large spectacle and we’re not sure whether her role is central enough to rise to Best Supporting Actress stature, and stand out above Oscar-winning cast mates like Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
It’s not unimaginable, though, to envision a world where Zendaya follows the path of Oppenheimer‘s Emily Blunt and lands a nomination.
2. Dune: Part Three
Zendaya has already begun promoting her final trip to Arrakis with Timothée Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve, a voyage that could bring them all to the 2027 Oscars. The final chapter in the prestige sci-fi franchise, Dune: Part Three hopes to pull a Return of the King-like run through the awards season. Between the first trailer and a jaw-dropping CinemaCon presentation, the threequel promises to give Zendaya’s character a powerful send-off.
Still, science fiction remains a challenging genre for acting nominations. While Dune and Dune: Part Two earned a total of 15 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture nods for both, and won eight, none of its actors was recognized. We expect Dune: Part Three to be very much a part of the Oscar conversation, and it could be Zendaya’s best shot at an Academy Award nod.
1. Euphoria
But since we’re handicapping Zendaya’s overall chances at scoring hardware, we must end here. Euphoria has easily been her most reliable awards engine, with her portrayal of Rue already earning two Emmys for Best Drama Actress.
The HBO drama returned after a four-year hiatus for its final run, arriving with considerable fanfare and high Emmy expectations. However, reactions to the third season have been less enthusiastic than in years past, both from critics and fans. Even so, Rue’s emotional volatility provides the dramatic intensity that awards bodies tend to reward, putting Zendaya firmly in contention for a nomination (she’s currently No. 3 in our odds) and the opportunity to go 3-for-3 at the Emmys when an Oscar is more of a long shot.
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