Oscar Hopefuls Return: One Battle After Another and Sinners Eye Awards Glory

Warner Bros. appears to be doubling down on its awards season ambitions, with both One Battle After Another and Sinners heading back to the big screen this weekend. The timing is hardly accidental—Oscar nominations are just around the corner, and the studio’s decision to re-release these two contenders suggests a certain level of assurance about their prospects. Both titles are widely tipped to feature in the Best Picture race, while Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler are each expected to make the cut for Best Director when the nominations are unveiled later today, 22 January.

One Battle After Another has already made quite the impression on the awards circuit. At this year’s Golden Globes, it led the pack with nine nods and walked away with four trophies, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Director, Best Screenplay, and a notable acting win for Teyana Taylor. Sinners, meanwhile, was not far behind, securing six nominations and clinching two wins—Best Original Score and the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award. While the Academy is known for the odd curveball, the results so far offer a decent indication of how things might unfold at the Oscars.

Plot Twists and Star Turns

One Battle After Another centres on Bob, a former revolutionary played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who finds himself dragged back into old conflicts when a figure from his past resurfaces, threatening his teenage daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti). The film weaves together personal stakes and political intrigue, with DiCaprio’s performance drawing particular praise from critics and audiences alike.

Sinners takes a rather different tack, plunging viewers into the gothic underbelly of 1930s Mississippi. Michael B. Jordan takes on dual roles as twin brothers who, after nearly a decade entangled in Chicago’s criminal underworld, are forced to confront a supernatural menace in their hometown. The film’s blend of period detail and horror has struck a chord, with its atmospheric score and visual flair earning it accolades throughout the season.

Awards Season Strategies

The decision to re-release both films just ahead of the Oscar nominations is a calculated move. Studios often use this tactic to keep their contenders fresh in the minds of Academy voters, and Warner Bros. seems particularly keen to capitalise on the momentum both films have built up. The timing also gives audiences another chance to catch these much-discussed titles on the big screen, perhaps swaying any undecided voters in the process.

With the nominations imminent, anticipation is running high. Both One Battle After Another and Sinners have already demonstrated their appeal to critics and industry insiders, and their return to cinemas is likely to fuel further conversation. Whether the Academy will follow the lead of other awards bodies remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a dramatic reveal.

What’s Next for Cinema-Goers

Both films are set to return to UK cinemas from 23 January, giving film fans another opportunity to experience the stories that have dominated this year’s awards chatter. For those looking ahead, there’s plenty more to come, with a host of new releases on the horizon for 2026. But for now, all eyes are on the Oscar race—and the two films that have become its most talked-about contenders.