2026 Oscar Nominations Revealed with Major Best Actor Contenders
The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards have been officially announced, setting the stage for a highly anticipated ceremony scheduled for 15 March 2026. The prestigious Best Actor category features a star-studded lineup of acclaimed performers, headlined by Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Full List of Best Actor Nominees
The five actors vying for the coveted Best Actor Oscar this year include Timothée Chalamet for his role in Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. This diverse selection showcases a range of performances from seasoned veterans to rising stars in the film industry.
Nomination Announcement Details
Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman revealed the complete list of Oscar nominations live on Good Morning America and YouTube in January 2026. The broadcast provided fans and industry insiders with the first official glimpse into this year's competitive awards landscape, generating significant buzz across social media platforms and entertainment news outlets.
Introduction of New Best Casting Category
In a historic development for the Academy Awards, 2026 marks the debut of a new competitive award category: Best Casting. This addition expands the total number of Oscars presented annually to 24, representing the first new category introduced in over two decades. The Academy created this award specifically to recognise the creative and artistic contributions of casting directors, whose work is fundamental to the success of film productions but has traditionally gone unacknowledged in major award ceremonies.
The establishment of the Best Casting category follows years of advocacy from industry professionals and reflects evolving standards within the film community. By honouring casting excellence, the Academy aims to highlight the crucial role that casting directors play in assembling ensembles that bring scripts to life, enhance storytelling, and contribute to cinematic artistry. This move has been widely praised as a progressive step toward more comprehensive recognition of all filmmaking disciplines.
As the ceremony approaches, speculation mounts about potential winners and the impact of this new category on future Oscar competitions. The inclusion of Best Casting is expected to draw additional attention to the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship that defines exceptional filmmaking, while the Best Actor race promises to deliver one of the most closely watched contests of the night.
