
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit
THE EMMYS COLLECTIVE
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from
THE EMMYS HUB
To see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVES
For film awards predictions go to
THE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: June 23, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
From the mind of Barry Levinson, the iconic director of classics such as “Diner” and the Oscar-winning “Rain Man” (1988), comes the true story of Harry Haft, a World War II-era boxer who fought in concentration camps. Led by a brave and daring turn by Ben Foster, with the backing of HBO Max, “The Survivor” has the makings of an Oscar movie in Emmy territory.
Megan Park’s visceral and brutally honest depiction of a young girl dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting is among the best films in any medium this year. Dropping on HBO Max after playing the festival circuit in 2021, “The Fallout” features a breakout performance from Jenna Ortega. While it is undoubtedly difficult to watch due to the recent tragedies, if enough voters give it a chance, it could lead to noms across the board.
It’s nostalgia overdrive with Disney+ and its refreshing reboot of the classic cartoon, “Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers.” With the voice talents of Andy Samberg and John Mulaney and directed by Akiva Schaffer (one of the Lonely Island trio), an entry such as this would offer an elevated and populist choice for the TV Academy.
Netflix can make some potential history with its triple-segmented animated film “The House,” helmed by Paloma Baeza, Emma De Swaef and Niki Lindroth von Bahr. Inclusion in the category would be a first in history for the Emmys, and the delightful charmer could bring some gravitas to the category.

Romantic comedies have often been a favorite of the TV Academy in this space. “I Want You Back,” the heart-warmer from director Jason Orley, featuring two excellent performances by Charlie Day and Jenny Slate, has the goods to slip into the lineup. Amazon Prime Video has shown strength in this category after landing “Sylvie’s Love” and “Uncle Frank” noms in 2021.
A24 and Apple TV+ combine forces once again for the independent drama “The Sky is Everywhere” from visionary director Josephine Decker, best known for her work on “Madeline’s Madeline” (2018) and “Shirley” (2020). With two knockout performances from breakouts Grace Kaufman and Jacques Colimon and standout turns from Cherry Jones and Jason Segal, this highbrow pic could have the goods to make noise with members.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub
The nomination round of voting runs from June 16 to June 27. The official nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday, July 12.
The programs and potential nominees listed below are incomplete and subject to change. The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square” (Netflix)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:

AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best Television Movie)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. Many records are held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
This category has continually undergone rule changes and inceptions over the years, making it misleading to account for significant historical wins and nominations. For example, "Black Mirror" is a series with the most wins at three, while "Sherlock" has the most nominations at four.
HBO has the most wins in this category on the network front with 22, while NBC is second with nine. Netflix is the first and only streamer to have won this category - for three consecutive years with "Black Mirror."
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Reality Host
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Outstanding Narrator
- Outstanding Structured Program
- Outstanding Unstructured Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
- Outstanding Documentary Filmmaking
- Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Outstanding Main Title Design
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
- Outstanding Music for Series
- Outstanding Music for Limited Series
- Outstanding Music and Lyrics
- Outstanding Music Supervision
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes - Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.