The 2026 Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards have been officially announced, revealing the top films, actors, directors, and creative talent recognized for their work in 2025 cinema. The nominations were revealed in a live presentation from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on January 22, 2026.
The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
🎥 What Are the Oscar Nominations?
The Academy Awards, commonly called the Oscars, honor excellence in cinematic achievements. Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announces nominations across 24 categories from Best Picture and Best Director to acting, writing, music, and technical awards.
During the 2026 announcement, actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman presented the nominations across all categories.
🏆 Leading Films and Record‑Breaking Nominations
🔥 Sinners — A Record‑Setting Leader
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominated the 2026 nominations with a record‑breaking 16 Oscar nods, surpassing the previous high set by films like Titanic, La La Land, and All About Eve. Mike B. Jordan’s dual role performance also earned his first Best Actor nomination.
This phenomenal performance across categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and major acting fields, positions Sinners as the top contender going into Oscars night.
📽 One Battle After Another and Other Major Contenders
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another followed closely, earning 13 nominations including for Major categories such as Best Picture and directing, along with multiple acting nominations including Leonardo DiCaprio.
Other films making strong showings in the nominations include:
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- Sentimental Value
- Bugonia
- F1
- The Secret Agent
- Train Dreams
These titles appear across Best Picture, acting, and technical categories.
🌟 Acting Nominees to Watch
The Best Actor and Best Actress fields were filled with standout performances by:
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
And in the Best Actress category: - Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)
- Emma Stone (Bugonia)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
These nominations highlight a deeply competitive year in acting.
🎵 Oscars 2026: Best Original Song
The Best Original Song category also features a diverse range of artistic voices, from Diane Warren’s Relentless to K‑pop and innovative film music, showing the global reach of cinematic soundtracks.
🎬 New Category: Best Casting
For the first time, the Academy Awards introduced a new category for Best Casting, recognizing the creative contribution of casting directors a long‑awaited expansion in how the Oscars honor filmmaking craft.
📅 How and When to Watch
If you missed the nomination announcement, it streamed live on platforms including Oscars.org, YouTube, and major social channels and the main awards show will be broadcast live on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
🏆 What This Means for Hollywood
The 2026 nominations reflect a blend of bestselling directors, breakout actors, international cinema, and genre‑breaking films. With iconic performances and record‑setting nominations, this year’s Oscars promise a memorable night for movie lovers around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When were the 2026 Oscar nominations announced?
The nominations were announced on January 22, 2026 during a live event from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Q2: What film received the most Oscar nominations in 2026?
Sinners received a record‑breaking 16 nominations, the most in Oscar history.
Q3: Who are the host and date of the 98th Academy Awards?
Comedian Conan O’Brien will host the March 15, 2026 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Q4: Which films are nominated for Best Picture?
The Best Picture nominees include films such as Sinners, One Battle After Another, Frankenstein, Hamnet, and others.
Q5: Is there a new category at the 2026 Oscars?
Yes, the Academy introduced a Best Casting category for the first time.
Conclusion
The 2026 Oscar nominations have set the stage for a thrilling awards season filled with historic achievements, exciting performances, and bold filmmaking. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as cinema’s biggest night the 98th Academy Awards approaches on March 15, 2026.
