2017 Oscar Predictions: BEST ACTRESS (June)

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While the top 5 remains the same from last month the order has changed. 19-time Oscar nominee and three-time winner Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) moves up from 5 to 3 this month, also marking the biggest point jump (up 7). Viola Davis (Fences) continues her reign, increasing one more point over Ruth Negga (Loving). Although Negga is still a solid #2 right now the muted response at Cannes might be having a small effect.

Both of Jessica Chastain’s entries last month (Miss Sloane and The Zookeeper’s Wife) find themselves bumped down to the Other Contenders section to make room for Emily Blunt in The Girl on the Train, who gets votes from three GRG members. Amy Adams (Story of Your Life – soon to be Arrived) remains strong.

Elsewhere, Michelle Pfeiffer (Beat-up Little Seagull), Jennifer Lawrence (Passengers) and Marion Cotillard (Allied) share low-level support amongst the gang. An Oscar comeback for Pfeiffer could happen if the film finds distribution this year and for previous Best Actress winners Lawrence and Cotillard we might see a return or Oscar fatigue. It’s still too soon to tell but Lawrence managed a fourth nomination earlier this year for a movie that was not very well received (Joy) so if anyone can pull it off it’s her.

At this point only Davis and Negga are locked and loaded but it is never, ever safe to discount Streep. Strong reviews and a late summer bow are going to be catnip for her fans and critics.

OTHER CONTENDERS
Amy Adams – Nocturnal Animals
Jessica Chastain – Miss Sloane
Jessica Chastain – The Zookeeper’s Wife
Lily Collins – Rules Don’t Apply
Rebecca Hall – Christine
Taraji P. Henson – Hidden Figures
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Rooney Mara – Lion
Rooney Mara – The Secret Scripture
Rooney Mara – Una
Cynthia Nixon – A Quiet Passion
Ellen Page – Tallulah
Rosamund Pike – A United Kingdom
Natalie Portman – Jackie
Kristen Stewart – Personal Shopper
Kristen Stewart – Café Society
Alicia Vikander – The Light Between Oceans
Alicia Vikander – Tulip Fever
Naomi Watts – The Book of Henry

Follow the updated Gold Rush Gang predictions in other Oscar categories here:

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING
SOUND EDITING
SOUND MIXING
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE