The 98th Academy Awards nominations — honoring the best in film from 2025 — were officially unveiled on January 22, 2026, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills by actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman in a live global announcement. These nominations reflect an extraordinary year in cinema, with historically significant nods, surprising upsets, and fierce competition across all major categories. The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien returning as host and the broadcast airing live on ABC and Hulu.
Historic Nominations and Record-Breaking Films
One of the most talked-about stories of this year’s nominations was the performance of Sinners, which made history by receiving a record-breaking 16 nominations — the most for any film in Academy history, surpassing previous record holders such as All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.
This achievement also marked a record for the most nominations involving Black talent on a single film, underscoring the evolving diversity of Oscar recognition. Following close behind was One Battle After Another with 13 nominations, firmly establishing both films as frontrunners in this year’s race.
Best Picture Nominees
The Best Picture category continues to be the most prestigious award of the evening, celebrating overall excellence in filmmaking. For 2026, the Academy expanded the category to include ten films, showcasing a mix of blockbuster spectacles and deeply resonant dramas:
Bugonia — A bold cinematic exploration that blends historical narrative with surreal imagery.
F1 — A high-octane story of racing ambition and technical mastery.
Frankenstein — Director-driven reinvention of a classic tale.
Hamnet — A deeply emotional period drama anchored by outstanding performances.
Marty Supreme — A character-driven narrative that captivated critics and audiences alike.
One Battle After Another — Paul Thomas Anderson’s layered epic that resonated across award seasons.
The Secret Agent — A tension-laden thriller recognized for its taut storytelling.
Sentimental Value — A character portrait that blends humor with pathos.
Sinners — The record-setting juggernaut with extensive nominations across technical and performance categories.
Train Dreams — A contemplative story blending American landscape and personal introspection.
These films represent a remarkable cross-section of filmmaking — from intimate dramas to large-scale narratives — illustrating the Academy’s commitment to diversity of genre and storytelling.
Major Acting Categories
Best Actor
The Best Actor nominees bring together some of the most magnetic and respected performers of the year. Each nominee’s work exemplifies a unique approach to character embodiment and emotional depth.
- Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme delivers a performance of intense personal conflict that anchors the film’s emotional core.
- Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another continues his legacy of powerful lead turns in complex narratives.
- Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon offers a compelling portrayal of a character caught between their past and uncertain future.
- Michael B. Jordan shines in Sinners, anchoring the film’s central themes with nuance and presence.
- Wagner Moura rounds out the category with a powerhouse performance in The Secret Agent.
Best Actress
In the Best Actress race, a stellar lineup brings together both established names and career-defining turns.
- Jessie Buckley transforms her role in Hamnet into a layered portrait of grief and resilience.
- Rose Byrne earns acclaim for her striking work in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a performance that blends humor and raw vulnerability.
- Kate Hudson showcases her range in Song Sung Blue.
- Renate Reinsve captivates in Sentimental Value with a deeply affecting portrayal.
- Emma Stone brings her signature clarity and depth to Bugonia.
These nominations reflect not only standout individual performances but also the broader range of roles offered to actors across different genres this year.
Supporting Performance Categories
The Supporting Actor and Actress nominations further highlight the depth of talent contributing to this awards season.
In Best Supporting Actor, veterans and rising stars alike are represented, with nominees including Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Delroy Lindo for Sinners, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value. In Best Supporting Actress, the range spans Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (both for Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.
Directing and Craft Recognition
The Best Director category includes visionary filmmakers whose creative leadership shaped this year’s most acclaimed films. Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), and Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value) are recognized for pushing cinematic boundaries and crafting compelling, richly textured films.
Beyond the major performance and directing categories, the nominations span a wide array of technical and creative achievements — from Original Screenplay and Adapted Screenplay to Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Original Song, and Best Casting, among others. This breadth highlights the collaborative artistry that defines the Oscars, elevating every aspect of filmmaking.
Looking Ahead to Oscar Night
With nominations now revealed, industry attention and public anticipation will build toward the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, 2026. The historic achievements of this year — particularly the record-setting performance of Sinners and the depth of competition across categories — set the stage for one of the most compelling Oscar nights in recent memory.
The full list of nominees reflects both the creative diversity and storytelling excellence that continue to define cinema at its highest level.
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