Variety's awards circuit, curated by chief awards editor Clayton Davis, identifies Kane Parsons’ horror hit Backrooms as a tantalizing wild card for the Production Design category. The film, which transformed a creepypasta into A24’s biggest hit ever, features a labyrinth of jaundiced wallpaper created by Danny Vermette.

The competition for the award includes Nathan Crowley’s ancient Mediterranean setting for The Odyssey, the claustrophobic starship in Project Hail Mary, the period world of La Bola Negra, and Patrice Vermette’s return to Arrakis in Dune: Part Three. While horror has previously won in this category, it typically requires a Gothic mansion or haunted hotel. Variety notes that if the branch wants to prove it can reward cool over costly, this could be the year to do it.

The awards timeline begins with the Governors Awards on Sunday, Nov. 15, which will present honorary Oscars to Glenn Close and Ridley Scott. Preliminary voting for the Oscar shortlist in 12 categories is scheduled for Dec. 7-11, with the shortlist announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Following the close of the eligibility period on Dec. 31, 2026, nominations voting will occur from Jan. 11-15, 2027. The official nominations will be revealed on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027. The 99th Oscars will be hosted by Conan O’Brien on Sunday, March 14, 2027, airing live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.