The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were officially announced on January 22, 2026, setting the stage for one of the most competitive Oscar races in recent years. The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu, for global audiences.
Sinners Emerges as the Record-Breaking Front-Runner
This year’s nominations are dominated by Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners, which has created history by earning 16 Oscar nominations, the highest number ever received by a single film. With this achievement, Sinners surpasses legendary films such as Titanic and La La Land, both of which previously held the record with 14 nominations each.The film has received recognition across major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director for Ryan Coogler, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, establishing it as the strongest contender in the awards night.
Best Picture: A Diverse Line-Up of Ten Films
The Academy has selected ten films for the Best Picture category this year. The nominated films are Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams.Together, these films represent a broad level of cinematic storytelling, ranging from historical to science fiction and biographical dramas. The different genres reflects the Academy’s growing openness to different types of storytelling.
Acting Categories: Star Power Meets Critical Acclaim
The Best Actor category features an impressive lineup of performances. Timothée Chalamet has been nominated for his role in Marty Supreme, while Leonardo DiCaprio earned recognition for One Battle After Another. Ethan Hawke received a nomination for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for his powerful performance in Sinners, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley was nominated for Hamnet, Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone for Bugonia, marking one of the strongest female line-ups in recent years.
Supporting Roles Shine Bright
The supporting acting categories also feature notable achievements. In Supporting Actor, nominees include Delroy Lindo for Sinners and Benicio Del Toro for One Battle After Another, both are being recognized for career-defining performances. The Supporting Actress category includes Amy Madigan for Weapons and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, further showing the film’s strong cast.
Music and Original Songs Receive Recognition
The Best Original Score category includes acclaimed compositions from films such as Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Sinners.Meanwhile, the Best Original Song category spans a wide musical range, from the track “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters to songs featured in Train Dreams, reflecting the Academy’s appreciation for both mainstream and experimental music.
Biggest Snubs and Surprising Omissions
One of the most controversial moments of the nominations announcement was the complete shut-out of Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good. Despite the original Wicked earning ten nominations in a previous year, the sequel failed to secure a single nod. Neither Cynthia Erivo nor Ariana Grande received acting nominations, sparking widespread debate among fans and critics.At the same time, there were pleasant surprises. Delroy Lindo earned his first-ever Oscar nomination, while Kate Hudson received her first acting nomination in decades. Ethan Hawke’s nomination for Blue Moon was also praised, with critics highlighting the emotional depth of his performance.
Where to Watch the Nominated Films
Several of this year’s Oscar-nominated films are already available for streaming or digital rental. Titles such as Sinners, Weapons, and Bugonia can be watched on platforms including Prime Video, Peacock, and Apple TV, making it easier for audiences to catch up before the ceremony.
What Lies Ahead
The 2026 Oscars are expected to showcase a mix of star-driven performances, critically praised films, and different genre storytelling, reflecting the evolving tastes of modern Hollywood. The Oscar nominations were announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026, with a live broadcast on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
