The 2026 Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on January 22, 2026, bringing one of the most exciting and competitive seasons in recent years. The ceremony is set for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted once again by Conan O’Brien, and will air on ABC and stream on Hulu.
This year’s nominations spotlight both fresh voices and Hollywood legends, with standout films breaking historical records and major stars earning top acting nods across key categories.
Record-Breaking Nominations — Sinners Dominates
One of the biggest stories this year is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which made Oscar history by earning 16 nominations — the most ever for a single film, surpassing records previously held by classics like Titanic and La La Land. The film received nods in major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan.
Following closely behind is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another with 13 nominations, making it another top contender in the race.
Best Picture Nominees: A Diverse Slate
Ten films received nominations for Best Picture — a wide range of genres, stories, and styles:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
This mix highlights both big studio films and acclaimed independent cinema, offering something for every movie fan.
Top Acting Contenders
Best Actor
- Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
- Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
Best Actress
- Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
- Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone – Bugonia (making headlines for breaking a Meryl Streep age-related nomination record)
Supporting Categories
Supporting acting nods span veteran favorites and rising stars, including Delroy Lindo (Sinners), Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners).
Behind the Camera: Best Director & New Categorie
This year also features a wealth of recognition behind the scenes. Directors nominated include:
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
- Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
The 2026 Oscars also introduced a new competitive category for Best Casting, recognizing the creative vision involved in assembling outstanding ensembles.
Music, Animation & International Honors
Nominations in music and animation also grabbed attention. The Best Original Song category includes diverse contenders such as Nick Cave’s track for Train Dreams and a K-pop nominee from KPop Demon Hunters.
International cinema fans will see titles from Brazil (The Secret Agent), Norway (Sentimental Value), Spain (Sirāt), and beyond in the Best International Feature race.
What This Means for Oscars Night
With Sinners setting a new record, strong showings from One Battle After Another, and standout performances across categories, the 2026 Oscar race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent history. The mix of studio hits, cross-genre films, and international flair suggests an awards night full of surprises.
