The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, officially launching the final stretch of the awards season. The ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for the second consecutive year.
This year’s nominations reflect a dynamic and competitive cinematic landscape, blending large-scale studio productions with auteur-driven films that have gained critical acclaim throughout the year.
Sinners Makes Oscar History
The clear frontrunner is Sinners, the genre-blending supernatural musical directed by Ryan Coogler, which has made history by becoming the most-nominated film ever, earning 16 nominations. The film surpassed the long-standing record of 14 nominations previously held by Titanic, La La Land and All About Eve.
Sinners is nominated in major categories including Best Picture, Best Director for Coogler, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, and Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, as well as several technical categories such as cinematography, editing and costume design.
Strong Competition Across Categories
Close behind is One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which received 13 nominations, consolidating its position as one of the season’s strongest contenders. Frankenstein and Marty Supreme each earned nine nominations, while Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, secured eight, including nods for Best Picture and Best Director.
The acting categories feature a particularly strong lineup. In Best Actor, nominees include Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan and Wagner Moura. The Best Actress race includes Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone, highlighting a diverse range of performances and filmmaking styles.
In the supporting categories, notable nominees include Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Delroy Lindo, Sean Penn and Stellan Skarsgård, while Elle Fanning, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor are among those competing for Best Supporting Actress.
A Global and Diverse Lineup
The nominations also emphasize the Academy’s growing international scope. The Best International Feature Film category includes entries from France, Brazil, Norway, Spain and Tunisia, while the Best Animated Feature race features major studio releases alongside more original proposals.
As always, the announcement has sparked debate over notable omissions and creative choices. With nominations now set, attention turns to campaigning and final voting, as the industry awaits what promises to be one of the most closely watched Oscar ceremonies in recent years.
