Warner Bros. Films 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' Set for Oscars Showdown
Hollywood is gearing up for a nail-biting Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday night, with the spotlight firmly on a dramatic showdown between two Warner Bros. productions. The event is poised to crown either Paul Thomas Anderson or Ryan Coogler with their first Oscar, creating a high-stakes atmosphere at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Top Contenders and Nominations
Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another' enters as the favourite, but Coogler's 'Sinners' holds a record-breaking 16 nominations, making it the lead nominee. Both directors are vying for their inaugural Academy Award, adding personal stakes to the competition. Beyond the best picture race, uncertainty looms in other categories, particularly the best actor contest between Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet, which remains too close to call.
How to Watch the Ceremony
The Oscars telecast will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. A red carpet preshow begins on ABC and Hulu at 6:30 p.m. EDT, with E! launching its coverage at 4 p.m. For fashion enthusiasts, The Associated Press will provide a livestream of arrivals from noon to 3:30 p.m. Pacific on APNews.com and YouTube.
Host and Security Concerns
Conan O'Brien returns as host for the second consecutive year, promising an entertaining show inspired by legends like Bob Hope and Johnny Carson. However, heightened security is in place due to geopolitical tensions, including the recent war in Iran initiated by the United States under President Donald Trump. Executive producer Raj Kapoor confirmed collaboration with the FBI and LAPD to ensure safety.
Performances and Industry Trends
Two of the five best song nominees will be performed live: 'I Lied to You' from 'Sinners' and 'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters.' The latter, a Sony Pictures film sold to Netflix, was the most-watched movie of 2025 with over 325 million views. Despite streaming's dominance, best picture is expected to go to a theatrical release, highlighting the resilience of big-budget original films.
Studio Dynamics and Innovations
Both 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' are theatrical releases shot on film, produced by Warner Bros. This comes as Warner Bros. awaits regulatory approval for a $111 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, shaking an industry already adapting to acquisitions like Amazon's purchase of MGM and Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
New this year is a best casting category and a requirement for Academy members to watch all nominees before voting, facilitated through the academy's streaming platform. These changes aim to enhance fairness and engagement in the voting process.
Acting Categories and Political Themes
In the acting races, best actor is highly competitive, with Chalamet's campaign facing controversy over perceived slights to ballet and opera, potentially boosting Jordan's chances. Jessie Buckley is favoured for best actress, while supporting categories feature tight contests with nominees like Amy Madigan, Teyana Taylor, and Wunmi Mosaku.
The Oscars also reflect current political themes, with films like 'One Battle After Another' addressing immigration and others like Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' grappling with geopolitical issues. Panahi, an Iranian filmmaker, faces imprisonment and travel bans, underscoring the ceremony's connection to global events.
Memorials and Historical Context
The in memoriam segment will honour legends such as Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Robert Duvall, with O'Brien promising a powerful tribute. This year's ceremony echoes the 2003 Oscars, held amid the Iraq War, reminding attendees of Hollywood's role during times of conflict.
