2026 Best Picture Power Rankings, and the Best Movies at TIFF. Plus: Zach Cregger on ‘Resident Evil’!

The Big Picture delivers a comprehensive episode covering multiple major film industry developments and Oscar prognostication. The hosts open with reactions to Resident Evil's strong box office performance, then pivot to industry news including Paramount's lawsuit settlement enabling the Warner Bros. merger and trailers for upcoming films like The Further Misadventures of Cliff Booth and Slayground. Adam Nayman joins as a guest expert to provide detailed analysis of the Toronto International Film Festival's standout films, offering insider perspective on the festival circuit's best offerings. The episode's centerpiece is an ambitious construction of the first Best Picture power rankings of the year, with Sean and Amanda evaluating 31 potential Oscar contenders—a substantial undertaking that forms the backbone of the episode's substance. Amanda shares her thoughts on Resident Evil before the episode concludes with an in-depth conversation with director Zach Cregger, who discusses his creative process, the film's production challenges, and his vision for the project, including spoiler-filled analysis. The episode runs 2 hours 13 minutes and covers industry news, festival coverage, Oscar speculation, and filmmaker interview in roughly equal measure.

Verdict: A comprehensive, well-structured episode that delivers on its promises with solid industry access and ambitious Oscar prognostication, though the show notes suggest competent rather than exceptional critical depth.

TV & Film rubric

• Critical insight 3/5 20%

  Adam Nayman's TIFF breakdown and Cregger interview suggest analysis beyond plot, but show notes don't detail the depth of critical examination or whether insights challenge conventional thinking.

• Behind-the-scenes knowledge 4/5 20%

  Direct interview with director Cregger discussing production challenges and creative process, plus festival insider Adam Nayman providing TIFF expertise, demonstrates real access and industry knowledge.

• Entertainment 3/5 15%

  Varied format with multiple segments, guest appearances, and industry gossip suggests engaging content, though show notes don't indicate comedic moments or particularly lively banter.

• Substance 4/5 15%

  Dense episode covering box office news, merger developments, festival analysis of multiple films, 31 Best Picture contenders, and extended filmmaker interview—substantial content throughout with minimal filler evident.

• Delivers on its title 5/5 15%

  Title promises Best Picture power rankings and TIFF coverage plus Cregger interview; episode delivers all three elements comprehensively with 31 contenders evaluated and dedicated segments for each promised topic.

• Value for time 3/5 15%

  2 hours 13 minutes covering multiple substantial segments (TIFF analysis, 31-film rankings, director interview) is reasonably paced, though the sheer volume of contenders may create some repetitive evaluation.

How we score TV & Film

Worth it if you're invested in Oscar season, want festival coverage from an insider, or are curious about Resident Evil's creative vision from its director.

Content flags

• Ad-heavy State Farm ad read present; typical for podcast but notable given 2h 13m runtime.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.