The vampire saga 'Sinners' has earned a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards, surpassing the previous benchmark of 14 held by 'All About Eve', 'Titanic' and 'La La Land'. The film, set in the American South, was closely followed by 'One Battle After Another', a drama examining radical politics, which secured 13 nominations. Both are in contention for best picture alongside 'Frankenstein', 'Bugonia', 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'Sentimental Value', 'Train Dreams', 'F1' and 'The Secret Agent'.
Warner Bros., which produced both leading films, dominated the studio tally with 30 nominations, marking a remarkable turnaround after early-year flops such as 'Mickey 17' and 'The Alto Knights'. Despite rumours that executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy might be ousted for risky spending, 'Sinners' became a box office phenomenon, while 'One Battle After Another'—though failing to recoup its $135 million budget—has proven valuable through awards recognition.
Netflix, which acquired Warner Bros. in a $82.7 billion deal, scored 18 nominations, led by 'Frankenstein' (nine nods) and 'Train Dreams' (four). Indie distributor Neon also earned 18 nominations, including for 'Sentimental Value' and 'The Secret Agent', despite its smaller size. In the best director category, nominees include Chloé Zhao ('Hamnet'), Ryan Coogler ('Sinners'), Paul Thomas Anderson ('One Battle After Another'), Joachim Trier ('Sentimental Value') and Josh Safdie ('Marty Supreme').
The best actor race features Timothée Chalamet ('Marty Supreme'), Leonardo DiCaprio ('One Battle After Another'), Michael B. Jordan ('Sinners'), Ethan Hawke ('Blue Moon') and Wagner Moura ('The Secret Agent'). Best actress nominees include Jessie Buckley ('Hamnet'), Rose Byrne ('If I Had Legs I’d Kick You'), Emma Stone ('Bugonia'), Kate Hudson ('Song Sung Blue') and Renate Reinsve ('Sentimental Value').
In the supporting categories, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn from 'One Battle After Another' compete for best supporting actor against Delroy Lindo ('Sinners'), Stellan Skarsgård ('Sentimental Value') and Jacob Elordi ('Frankenstein'). For best supporting actress, Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas ('Sentimental Value') are nominated alongside Amy Madigan ('Weapons'), Wunmi Mosaku ('Sinners') and Teyana Taylor ('One Battle After Another'). Notable snubs include Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Paul Mescal, while 'F1' secured an upset best picture nomination.
This year also marks the first Oscars to recognise casting directors; nominees include Nina Gold ('Hamnet'), Jennifer Venditti ('Marty Supreme'), Cassandra Kulukundis ('One Battle After Another'), Francine Maisler ('Sinners') and Gabriel Domingues ('The Secret Agent'). The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on Hulu on March 15.
