Oscar 2026 Nominations Unveiled Live: Full List of Academy Award Contenders
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards have been officially announced, marking a pivotal moment in Hollywood's prestigious awards season. This year's shortlist celebrates the finest cinematic achievements from films released throughout 2025, encompassing a diverse range of prestige dramas, major studio blockbusters, and acclaimed international titles.
Live Announcement and Presenters
Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman revealed the nominations live during a special broadcast on ABC's Good Morning America and simultaneously on the official Oscars YouTube channel. The announcement took place at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time), generating significant anticipation among film enthusiasts worldwide.
Awards Season Context and Key Contenders
The Oscar nominations follow closely on the heels of the recent Golden Globe Awards, where several frontrunners emerged. Paul Thomas Anderson's caper film One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and Chloé Zhao's Shakespearean drama Hamnet, led by Jessie Buckley, both secured major wins, positioning them as strong contenders for Academy recognition.
Attention now shifts to the Oscars ceremony itself, scheduled for Sunday, 15 March 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Comedian Conan O'Brien is set to return as host for his second consecutive year, following a widely praised debut performance that brought humour and charm to the prestigious event.
New Category and Notable Performances
This year introduces a groundbreaking new competitive award: Best Casting. This addition expands the total number of Oscars presented to 24, marking the first new category introduced in over two decades. The award aims to formally recognise the creative and essential contributions of casting directors to the filmmaking process.
While One Battle After Another is widely expected to lead the nominations, Ryan Coogler's vampire horror film Sinners—featuring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins—could potentially dominate across multiple categories. Industry insiders anticipate strong showings for both Jordan and Jessie Buckley for their respective performances in Sinners and Hamnet.
Full List of Oscar 2026 Nominations
Below is the comprehensive list of nominees for the 98th Academy Awards, updated live as announcements were made:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Animated Feature Film
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Live Action Short Film
- Best Documentary Feature Film
- Best Documentary Short Film
- Best International Feature Film
- Best Original Score
- Best Original Song
- Best Production Design
- Best Cinematography
- Best Film Editing
- Best Sound
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Costume Design
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Best Casting (new category)
The inclusion of the Best Casting category reflects the Academy's ongoing efforts to evolve and acknowledge the diverse talents behind cinematic excellence. As the awards season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Hollywood for what promises to be a memorable celebration of film.
