The 2026 academy award nominations were officially revealed today, showcasing a powerful and diverse collection of films and performances that defined cinema in 2025. The announcement came from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, where actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman unveiled the full roster of nominees in all major categories. With historic milestones, genre-breaking recognition, and a strong mix of global and American cinema, this year’s nominations set the stage for one of the most talked-about Oscars races in recent memory.
As the 98th Academy Awards ceremony prepares to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, audiences and movie lovers across the United States are buzzing with excitement about the nominees and potential winners shaping the awards season.
Record-Breaking and Historic Nominations
This year’s nominations feature an extraordinary story in film history. A horror film titled Sinners has become one of the most nominated films of the season, setting a new benchmark for genre movies at the Oscars. It surpassed the long-standing record of 14 nominations and is now among the most recognized films across categories including acting, music, and technical crafts.
The Academy also introduced a brand-new category this year: Best Casting. This marks the first time the Oscars are honoring the art of assembling exceptional ensembles in film, expanding the scope of recognition and celebrating contributions that were once overlooked.
Leading Films Competing for Best Picture
The Best Picture category is packed with standout films from a wide variety of genres and storytelling styles. The full lineup of films nominated for Best Picture includes:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
These titles represent both commercial and critical favorites, ranging from high-concept science fiction to emotional historical drama and gripping character-driven stories.
Directing: Visionaries in the Spotlight
The Best Director nominations acknowledge a mix of established and innovative filmmakers:
- Chloé Zhao for Hamnet
- Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme
- Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
- Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value
- Ryan Coogler for Sinners
These directors have guided their films into contention across major categories, underscoring both artistic achievement and industry respect.
Standout Performances in Acting Categories
Best Actor
The Best Actor field features a blend of acclaimed and standout performances:
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
- Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
These actors represent riveting screen work that has captivated critics and audiences alike throughout the awards season.
Best Actress
The Best Actress lineup includes both rising and established stars delivering powerful roles:
- 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)
Jessie Buckley’s nomination is especially notable, as she stands poised to make history with her emotionally resonant performance in Hamnet.
Supporting Categories
In the supporting acting categories, nominations highlight a range of memorable roles:
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another)
- Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
- Delroy Lindo (Sinners)
- Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
- Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
Best Supporting Actress
- Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
- Amy Madigan (Weapons)
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
These nominations reflect the depth of acting talent represented in films across genres this year.
Screenplay and Behind-the-Scenes Excellence
The Academy also honored achievement in writing and behind-the-camera crafts:
Best Original Screenplay nominees include:
- Blue Moon
- It Was Just an Accident
- Marty Supreme
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay nominees include:
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Train Dreams
These screenplay nominations spotlight compelling storytelling, both original and adapted, with narratives that resonated deeply with voters.
Technical Craft and Creative Categories
A wide array of craftspeople were celebrated this year with nominations in categories that honor excellence behind the scenes:
- Best Film Editing: F1, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, Sinners
- Best Cinematography: Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Train Dreams
- Best Production Design: Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners
- Best Costume Design: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sinners
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frankenstein, Kokuho, Sinners, The Smashing Machine, The Ugly Stepsister
These nominations highlight the visual artistry and technical expertise that elevate storytelling in film.
Notable Snubs and Surprising Omissions
Even as many films received strong recognition, some anticipated performances did not secure nominations. Notably, performers from the musical fantasy Wicked: For Good did not receive acting nominations, despite prior awards season buzz and expectations from industry observers.
Such omissions remind fans that the competition remains fierce and that award recognition is never guaranteed, even for widely discussed performances.
What’s Next for the 98th Academy Awards
With nominations now finalized, studios and nominees shift their focus toward the awards ceremony on March 15, 2026. The Oscars will be hosted once again by Conan O’Brien and broadcast live in the United States on ABC, with streaming availability following the live telecast. The expanded categories and diverse slate of nominees promise a night full of memorable moments and potential surprises as the film community gathers to honor the year’s most outstanding cinematic achievements.
Tell us which nominations surprised you most or who you think deserves to win — share your thoughts and stay tuned for awards night excitement!