The 98th Academy Awards nominations were announced Thursday morning, January 22, 2026, and history was made. Ryan Coogler’s supernatural vampire thriller “Sinners” shattered all previous records by earning an unprecedented 16 Oscar nominations surpassing the 14-nomination mark that had stood since “Titanic” (1997), “La La Land” (2016), and the classic “All About Eve” (1950).
Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks and actor Lewis Pullman announced the nominations live from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, revealing the contenders across all 24 categories—including the newly added Best Casting category, being recognized for the first time in Academy Awards history.
Record-Breaking Morning: Sinners Dominates
“Sinners” – 16 Nominations (New Record)
Ryan Coogler’s ambitious vampire tale starring Michael B. Jordan has become the most-nominated film in Oscar history. The supernatural thriller, set in the segregated South, earned nominations in every major category including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan’s first Oscar nomination), Best Original Screenplay, and swept technical categories.
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Coogler himself expressed surprise at the historic achievement, telling Deadline: “For me, people just showing up to the movies and having a good time, that would’ve been enough.”
The 16 nominations represent a landmark moment for horror and genre films at the Oscars, which have traditionally overlooked such works in favor of prestige dramas.
“One Battle After Another” – 13 Nominations
Paul Thomas Anderson’s political revolutionary drama came in second with 13 nominations, including Best Picture and an extraordinary four acting nominations: Leonardo DiCaprio (Best Actor), Teyana Taylor (Best Supporting Actress), Benicio del Toro (Best Supporting Actor), and Sean Penn (Best Supporting Actor).
Other Top Contenders:
– “Frankenstein” (Guillermo del Toro) – 9 nominations
– “Marty Supreme” (Josh Safdie) – 9 nominations
– “Sentimental Value” (Joachim Trier) – 9 nominations (most for any Norwegian film ever)
– “Hamnet” (Chloé Zhao) – 8 nominations
Complete List of 2026 Oscar Nominations
BEST PICTURE (10 Nominees)
1. “Bugonia”
2. “F1”
3. “Frankenstein”
4. “Hamnet”
5. “Marty Supreme”
6. “One Battle After Another”
7. “The Secret Agent”
8. “Sentimental Value”
9. “Sinners”
10. “Train Dreams”
BEST DIRECTOR
– Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another”
– Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”
– Josh Safdie – “Marty Supreme”
– Joachim Trier – “Sentimental Value”
– Chloé Zhao – “Hamnet”
Notable Snub: Guillermo del Toro was not nominated for directing “Frankenstein” despite the film receiving 9 nominations.
BEST ACTOR
– Timothée Chalamet – “Marty Supreme”
– Leonardo DiCaprio – “One Battle After Another”
– Michael B. Jordan – “Sinners” (First Oscar nomination)
– Wagner Moura – “The Secret Agent”
– Stellan Skarsgård – “Sentimental Value”
Notable Snubs: Paul Mescal (“Hamnet”), Adam Sandler (“Jay Kelly”), George Clooney (“Jay Kelly”)
BEST ACTRESS
– Jessie Buckley – “Hamnet”
– Rose Byrne – “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (First Oscar nomination)
– Wunmi Mosaku – “Sinners”
– Hailee Steinfeld – “Sinners”
– Emma Stone – “Bugonia”
Notable Snub: Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked: For Good”)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
– Benicio del Toro – “One Battle After Another”
—Jacob lordi – “Frankenstein” (First Oscar nomination)
– Delroy Lindo – “Sinners”
– Sean Penn – “One Battle After Another”
– Stellan Skarsgård – “Sentimental Value”
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BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
– Emily Blunt – “The Smashing Machine”
– Elle Fanning – “Sentimental Value” (First Oscar nomination)
– Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – “Sentimental Value”
– Amy Madigan – “Weapons”
– Teyana Taylor – “One Battle After Another” (First Oscar nomination)
Notable Snub: Ariana Grande (“Wicked: For Good”)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
– Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”
– Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another”
– Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein – “Marty Supreme”
– Joachim Trier, Eskil Vogt – “Sentimental Value”
– Annie Baker – “Train Dreams”
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
– Guillermo del Toro – “Frankenstein”
– Chloé Zhao – “Hamnet”
– Patrick Somerville – “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
– Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou – “Bugonia”
– Kleber Mendonça Filho, Emilie Lesclaux – “The Secret Agent”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
– “Flow”
– “Inside Out 2”
– “KPop Demon Hunters”
– “The Wild Robot”
– “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
– Brazil – “The Secret Agent”
– France – “It Was Just an Accident”
– Norway – “Sentimental Value”
– Spain – “Sirât”
– Tunisia – “The Voice of Hind Rajab”
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
– “A New Kind of Wilderness”
– “Black Box Diaries”
– “No Other Land”
– “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”
– “Sugarcane”
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
– “All the Empty Rooms”
– “Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
– “Children No More: Were and Are Gone”
– “The Devil Is Busy”
– “Perfectly a Strangeness”
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
– “Butterfly”
– “Forevergreen”
– “In the Shadow of the Cypress”
– “Magic Candies”
– “Wander to Wonder”
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
– “Butcher’s Stain”
– “A Friend of Dorothy”
– “Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
– “The Singers”
– “Two People Exchanging Saliva”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
– “F1″
– “Frankenstein”
– “Hamnet”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “Sinners”
BEST FILM EDITING
– “F1″
– “Marty Supreme”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “Sentimental Value”
– “Sinners”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
– “Frankenstein”
– “Hamnet”
– “Marty Supreme”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “Sinners”
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
– “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
– “Frankenstein”
– “Hamnet”
– “Sinners”
– “Sentimental Value”
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
– “Frankenstein”
– “Kokuho”
– “Sinners”
– “The Smashing Machine”
– “The Ugly Stepsister”
BEST SOUND
– “F1″
– “Frankenstein”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “Sinners”
– “Sirât”
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
– “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
– “Backspot”
– “Frankenstein”
– “KPop Demon Hunters”
– “Sinners”
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
– “Bugonia”
– “Frankenstein”
– “Hamnet”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “Sinners”
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
– “Dear Me” – “Diane Warren: Relentless”
– “Golden” – “KPop Demon Hunters”
– “I Lied to You” – “Sinners”
– “Sweet Dreams of Joy” – “Viva Verdi!”
– “Train Dreams” – “Train Dreams”
Notable: Diane Warren earned her 17th Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, extending her record as the most-nominated individual in this category without a win (she finally won in 2023).
BEST CASTING (NEW CATEGORY – First Year)
– “Hamnet”
– “Marty Supreme”
– “One Battle After Another”
– “The Secret Agent”
– “Sinners”
This marks the first time the Academy has recognized casting directors with their own category, a long-awaited acknowledgment of this crucial craft.
Major Snubs and Surprises
Biggest Snubs
“Wicked: For Good” – Zero Nominations
Perhaps the most shocking snub of the morning was the complete shutout of “Wicked: For Good,” Jon M. Chu’s sequel to 2024’s massively successful “Wicked.” The original film received 10 nominations and won 2 Oscars, making the sequel’s total exclusion particularly stunning.
Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who reprised their roles from the first film, were expected to earn acting nominations but were left off the list entirely. The film’s box office success and critical acclaim made its Oscar absence all the more surprising.
Paul Mescal – “Hamnet”
Despite “Hamnet” earning 8 nominations including Best Picture and Best Actress for Jessie Buckley, star Paul Mescal was surprisingly left out of the Best Actor category. Many critics and industry observers felt his performance drove the emotional core of the film.
Guillermo del Toro – Best Director
“Frankenstein” earned 9 nominations across multiple categories, but Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro was notably absent from the Best Director lineup. This marks a rare instance where a film earns significant nominations without its director being recognized.
Adam Sandler and George Clooney – “Jay Kelly”
Both actors were considered potential Best Actor contenders for their performances in the buddy dramedy “Jay Kelly,” but neither made the final five.
Biggest Surprises
“Sinners” Record-Breaking 16 Nominations
While Ryan Coogler’s film was expected to perform well, the scope of its success stunned even optimistic prognosticators. Horror and genre films rarely earn Best Picture nominations, let alone break all-time records.
Jacob Elordi – Best Supporting Actor
The “Euphoria” star’s first Oscar nomination for “Frankenstein” represents a major breakthrough for the young actor, signaling his transition from teen heartthrob to serious dramatic performer.
“F1” – Best Picture Nomination
Joseph Kosinski’s Formula 1 racing film starring Brad Pitt surprised by landing a Best Picture nomination, along with nods for Cinematography, Editing, and Sound. Sports films rarely crack the Best Picture category.
Rose Byrne – Best Actress
The Australian actress earned her first Oscar nomination for the comedy-drama “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” a surprise given that comedic performances are often overlooked by the Academy.
“Sentimental Value” – 9 Nominations
Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama became the most-nominated Norwegian film in Oscar history with 9 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director, and three acting nominations.
First-Time Nominees Making History
Several actors earned their first Oscar nominations this morning:
– Michael B. Jordan – Best Actor for “Sinners”
– Teyana Taylor – Best Supporting Actress for “One Battle After Another”
– Rose Byrne – Best Actress for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
– Elle Fanning – Best Supporting Actress for “Sentimental Value”
– Jacob Elordi – Best Supporting Actor for “Frankenstein”
Teyana Taylor’s nomination is particularly significant as it represents a successful transition from her music career to serious dramatic acting. In a statement, she said:
“To be an Academy Award nominee is beyond anything I ever allowed myself to fully believe was possible. My career has been filled with battles, doubts, and moments of deep uncertainty. It has felt like one long fight for space, for respect, and for opportunity. Today feels like a soft, beautiful ‘yes’ from the universe.”
Elle Fanning expressed her shock on Instagram: “IS THIS REAL!?!?!?! IS THIS A DREAM!?!?!?! I can’t catch my breath. I am in absolute shock.”
Diversity and Representation
The 2026 nominations showcase continued progress in diversity:
– Wagner Moura’s Best Actor nomination makes him the first Brazilian actor nominated in this category
– “The Secret Agent” (Brazil) represents Brazil in Best International Feature and earned Wagner Moura’s acting nomination
– “Sentimental Value” gives Norway its most nominations ever with 9 total
– The Best Actress category features strong international representation with Wunmi Mosaku (British-Nigerian)
– “Sirât” from Spain and “The Voice of Hind Rajab” from Tunisia represent diverse perspectives in International Feature
Technical Achievement Recognition
Several films demonstrated technical excellence across multiple categories:
“Sinners” dominated technical categories with nominations for:
– Cinematography
– Film Editing
– Production Design
– Costume Design
– Makeup and Hairstyling
– Sound
– Visual Effects
– Original Score
– Original Song
“Frankenstein” showed Guillermo del Toro’s signature visual mastery with nominations for:
– Cinematography
– Production Design
– Costume Design
– Makeup and Hairstyling
– Sound
– Visual Effects
– Original Score
The New Casting Category
For the first time in Academy Awards history, casting directors received recognition with their own category. The five nominated films represent diverse approaches to assembling ensembles:
– “Hamnet” – Period drama casting
– “Marty Supreme” – Contemporary character-driven piece
– “One Battle After Another” – Large ensemble revolutionary drama
– “The Secret Agent” – International cast coordination
– “Sinners” – Genre film with nuanced performances
This category addresses a long-standing criticism that casting directors—who often make or break a film—had never received official Academy recognition despite their crucial contribution to filmmaking.
What the Nominations Mean for the Race
Best Picture Frontrunners
Based on the nomination totals and Guild awards so far:
1. “Sinners” – The record 16 nominations make it the frontrunner, though horror films have never won Best Picture. Ryan Coogler’s film will need to overcome genre bias.
2. “One Battle After Another” – Paul Thomas Anderson’s 13 nominations and strong showing at the Golden Globes (4 wins including Best Director) position it as a serious contender.
3. “Hamnet” – Chloé Zhao’s Shakespeare drama won Best Picture at the Golden Globes, making it a dark horse candidate.
4. “Marty Supreme” – Timothée Chalamet’s ping-pong drama has built momentum through awards season and could surprise.
5. “Sentimental Value” – The Norwegian film’s 9 nominations represent strong Academy support, but foreign language films rarely win Best Picture.
Acting Races to Watch
Best Actor appears wide open with no clear frontrunner among the five nominees. Wagner Moura won the Golden Globe, Leonardo DiCaprio is a previous winner, Timothée Chalamet is beloved by younger Academy members, Michael B. Jordan is having a career-defining moment, and Stellan Skarsgård is a respected veteran.
Best Actress features first-time nominees (Rose Byrne, Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld), a Golden Globe winner (Jessie Buckley), and previous winner Emma Stone. The race remains unpredictable.
Best Supporting Actress is Teyana Taylor’s to lose after her Golden Globe win, though Elle Fanning and Emily Blunt present strong competition.
Best Supporting Actor features the unusual situation of two nominees from the same film (“One Battle After Another” – Del Toro and Penn), which could split votes and benefit Jacob Elordi or Delroy Lindo.
Box Office Impact
Oscar nominations typically provide a significant box office boost for nominated films still in theaters. With “Sinners” having grossed over $200 million domestically and still playing in theaters, the record 16 nominations could push it toward $300 million total.
“One Battle After Another” ($206.1 million worldwide) will likely see renewed interest, while smaller films like “Sentimental Value” and “The Secret Agent” will expand to more theaters to capitalize on their nominations.
The Road to March 15
The 98th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Between now and then, nominees will participate in:
– Academy screening events
– Guild award ceremonies (SAG, DGA, WGA, PGA)
– Critics awards
– Extensive press campaigns
– The annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon
Key Dates Ahead:
– February 15 – SAG Awards (often predictive of Oscar acting winners)
– February 22 – Directors Guild Awards
– March 2 – Writers Guild Awards
– March 8 – Producers Guild Awards
– March 15 – 98th Academy Awards
Eligibility and Statistics
This year, 317 feature films were eligible across all categories, with 201 feature films eligible for Best Picture consideration. The academy expanded the Best Picture category to a fixed 10 nominees (previously 5-10) to ensure more films receive recognition.
The 24 categories include all traditional categories plus the newly added Best Casting, bringing fresh recognition to an essential filmmaking craft.
What to Watch For
As awards season continues, several key questions will determine the ultimate winners:
1. Can “Sinners” overcome horror genre bias to win Best Picture? No horror film has ever won the top prize.
2. Will Paul Thomas Anderson finally win Best Director? Despite being nominated multiple times, he has never won.
3. Can Teyana Taylor complete the Golden Globe-Oscar sweep? Music stars-turned-actors rarely achieve this feat.
4. Will first-time nominees Rose Byrne or Elle Fanning pull off upsets?
5. How will the new Casting category be received? This precedent could lead to other new categories in future years.
6. Will “Wicked: For Good’s” shutout impact the third film’s prospects? The franchise’s third installment is already in production.
Conclusion
The 2026 Oscar nominations delivered historic moments, shocking snubs, and set up what promises to be one of the most competitive Academy Awards races in years. “Sinners” making history with 16 nominations while a genre film represents a potential sea change in how the Academy views horror cinema.
Meanwhile, the first-time recognition of casting directors, the strong showing of international films, and the diversity of nominees across categories suggest the Academy continues evolving to reflect a changing film industry.
The next seven weeks will determine whether “Sinners” can complete its historic run with a Best Picture win, or if another contender will emerge victorious on March 15, 2026.
For the latest Oscar news, predictions, and coverage of the 98th Academy Awards, stay tuned to AllBioHub.com. We’ll be tracking every development on the road to March 15!
