Sinners Dominates 2026 Oscar Field as Top Films, Performers, and New Categories Garner Nod

The 98th Academy Awards nominations were announced on January 22, 2026, revealing a wide field of contenders across 24 categories. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners made history with a record 16 nominations, leading all films and earning recognition in big categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, and multiple supporting and technical nods. 

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another followed closely with 13 nominations, becoming a major rival for Best Picture and directing honors, alongside nods for stars like Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Among the Best Picture nominees: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams, showcasing a mix of genres and international filmmaking. 

In acting categories, the Academy honored a diverse group of talent. Best Actor nominees include Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). Best Actress contenders feature Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Emma Stone (Bugonia), and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue). 

Supporting nominations spotlight performances by Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value). 

New this year is the Best Casting category, recognizing outstanding casting work, with contenders tied to many of the top films. Animated features like Zootopia 2 and KPop Demon Hunters also earned nominations in Best Animated Feature, while documentaries and short films fill out a robust list across the ceremony’s expanded slate. 

The Oscars will be presented on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Conan O’Brien hosting.