Oscars 2026: Sinners Shatters Nomination Records in Unpredictable Race

Chaos and surprise have defined this year’s Oscar nominations, with the 98th Academy Awards promising a ceremony unlike any other. The event, scheduled for 15 March, will spotlight the standout films of 2025, but it’s Sinners that has truly stolen the show, racking up an unprecedented 16 nods. Not far behind, One Battle After Another has secured 13, cementing its status as a major contender and picking up four acting mentions in the process.

The Secret Agent has made a notable impression as well, with Wagner Moura’s performance earning him a place among the Best Actor hopefuls, and the film itself recognised for its casting. Netflix’s Frankenstein has led the streaming giant’s charge with nine nominations, while Neon has managed to claim four out of five International Feature slots. Sentimental Value, Neon’s flagship, surprised many by landing a fourth acting nomination for Elle Fanning, bringing its total to nine.

Best Picture and Major Contenders

The Best Picture category is a crowded affair, featuring Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams. Each brings its own flavour, with studios from Focus Features to Warner Bros and Netflix all vying for the top prize.

Directorial talent is on full display, with Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Ryan Coogler (Sinners) all in the running for Best Director. The acting categories are equally competitive, with Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone leading the Best Actress field, while Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Wagner Moura are up for Best Actor.

Acting, Casting, and Screenplay Highlights

Supporting roles have not been overlooked. Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) are all in the mix for Best Supporting Actress. On the men’s side, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) have all been recognised.

Best Casting sees Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, and Sinners competing for the accolade. Adapted Screenplay nods have gone to Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and Train Dreams, while the Original Screenplay category features Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Sinners.

Animation, Documentary, and International Features

Animated Feature is a lively field, with Arco, Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2 all in contention. The documentary category is equally robust, with The Alabama Solution, Come See Me in the Good Light, Cutting Through Rocks, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, and The Perfect Neighbor making the shortlist.

International Feature has seen Neon dominate, with It Was Just an Accident (France), The Secret Agent (Brazil), Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirât (Spain), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia) all earning nominations.

Technical Categories and Final Notes

Technical excellence is well represented, with Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Train Dreams all up for Best Cinematography. Costume Design features Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Sinners. Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, and Original Score categories are similarly packed with familiar titles.

Original Song contenders include “Dear Me” (Diane Warren: Relentless), “Golden” (Kpop Demon Hunters), “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” (Viva Verdi!), “I Lied to You” (Sinners), and “Train Dreams” (Train Dreams). Sound and Visual Effects categories see F1, Frankenstein, One Battle After Another, Sirât, Sinners, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and The Lost Bus among the nominees.

Short films, both animated and live-action, as well as documentary shorts, round out the nominations, ensuring a diverse and unpredictable awards night ahead. The 98th Academy Awards will be broadcast on 15 March 2026.