Here Are the 2026 Oscar Nominees: A Deep Dive Into Cinema’s Biggest Night

The 2026 Academy Awards nominations have officially been announced, marking a watershed moment for film fans around the globe. As Hollywood prepares for the 98th Oscars ceremony on March 15, 2026, the nominees reflect a powerful blend of established auteurs, fresh voices, and dynamic storytelling across genres and cultures. From record‑breaking nods to surprising snubs, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s crop of Oscar contenders.


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Record‑Setting Achievement: Sinners Leads the Pack

This year’s nominations are dominated by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which shattered Oscar history by earning a record‑high 16 nominations—the most ever for a single film. Previously, the record was shared by classics like All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land, each with 14 nods. Sinners not only tops the Best Picture list but also received nominations in major categories such as Best Director, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), and multiple technical awards.

Described as a genre‑blending tale set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners combines supernatural elements with deep social commentary, earning critical and commercial praise. Its success highlights a growing appetite for films that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling, particularly those that fuse historical context with imaginative twists.


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Close Contenders and Standout Films

Right on Sinners’ heels is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which garnered an impressive 13 nominations. Known for its intricate screenplay and ensemble cast, this film has strong showing in categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Supporting performance categories.

Several other films also made the Best Picture list and captured attention across categories:

Bugonia – Anthony creative work that also brought Emma Stone a Best Actress nomination and made history for her as a producer.

Frankenstein – Guillermo del Toro’s reinvention of the classic tale earned nominations in both major and technical categories.

Hamnet – A lyrical adaptation with multiple nods, including Best Actress for Jessie Buckley.

Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value – With strong critical support and several individual nominations, these films reflect the Academy’s openness to daring storytelling.

Train Dreams, The Secret Agent, and F1 complete the Best Picture slate, highlighting a range from international espionage to adrenaline‑fuelled racing drama.


Together, these ten films represent the diversity of contemporary cinema—from blockbuster spectacles to intimate character studies and literary adaptations.


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Leading Performances: Actors and Actresses to Watch

The 2026 nominations spotlight a dynamic mix of veteran stars and rising talent:

Best Actor Nominees

Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another

Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan for Sinners

Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent


These performances showcase a range of genres and styles—from psychological drama to high‑stakes action. Chalamet’s turn, for instance, is deeply introspective, while DiCaprio’s role is grounded in relentless intensity.

Best Actress Nominees

Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)

Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You)

Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)

Emma Stone (Bugonia)

Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)


Particularly noteworthy is Emma Stone, who achieved a milestone by becoming the youngest woman to receive seven Oscar nominations at age 37—an achievement previously unmatched at that age.


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New Categories and Broader Recognition

Another important addition to this year’s Oscars is the Best Casting category, which honors the creative contribution of casting directors—a long‑overdue recognition within the Academy Awards framework. This category further diversifies the Oscars' recognition of craft and expertise behind the scenes.

Nominees in this category include some of the year’s most acclaimed films, such as Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and One Battle After Another, highlighting how thoughtful casting elevates storytelling.


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Diversity and International Influence

The 2026 nominations also reflect global cinema’s influence. Films representing countries like Brazil, France, Norway, Spain, and Tunisia received nods in the Best International Feature Film category, signaling the Academy’s continued commitment to international storytelling on the world stage.

Animated features also made their mark, with entries like KPop Demon Hunters, Zootopia 2, and Arco receiving nominations—illustrating that animation remains a vital and evolving art form worthy of cinematic recognition.


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What This Means for Hollywood and Beyond

The 2026 Oscars nominations combine commercial appeal with artistic innovation. Films like F1 and Frankenstein balance box office success with critical acclaim, while smaller films like The Secret Agent highlight how international cinema continues to influence mainstream awards.

Moreover, the blend of veteran performers and new faces suggests continued evolution in Hollywood’s talent landscape. Whether it’s reinventions of classic narratives or bold genre experiments like Sinners, this year’s nominations promise an Oscars night rich with conversation, celebration, and fierce competition.


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Looking Ahead to March 15, 2026

With the ceremony scheduled at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted once again by Conan O’Brien, the build‑up to March 15 is already electrifying. From record‑shattering achievements to heartfelt performances and international contributions, the 98th Academy Awards promise to be one of the most memorable yet in Oscar history.