The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially announced the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, celebrating the most outstanding achievements in film released in 2025. The ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
This year’s Oscar nominations reflect a powerful blend of artistic ambition, global storytelling, and genre-defying cinema. From intimate literary adaptations to large-scale epics and international masterpieces, the 2026 Oscars spotlight a film year defined by bold creative risks and unforgettable performances.
Best Picture Nominees
Ten films are competing for the industry’s highest honor, representing a wide spectrum of styles, voices, and cinematic visions:
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Bugonia
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F1
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Frankenstein
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Hamnet
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Marty Supreme
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One Battle After Another
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The Secret Agent
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Sentimental Value
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Sinners
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Train Dreams
Leading the race is Sinners, which emerged as the most-nominated film of the year and sparked conversation across the industry for its scope, ambition, and cultural impact.
Acting Categories
Best Actor
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Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
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Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
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Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
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Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
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Wagner Moura — The Secret Agent
Timothée Chalamet continues to make history, becoming one of the youngest actors ever to earn three Best Actor nominations, solidifying his place among Hollywood’s most respected talents.
Best Actress
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Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
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Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
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Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
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Renate Reinsve — Sentimental Value
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Emma Stone — Bugonia
This category highlights deeply emotional performances, with several actresses delivering career-defining roles rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and transformation.
Best Supporting Actor
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Benicio Del Toro
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Jacob Elordi
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Delroy Lindo
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Sean Penn
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Stellan Skarsgård
Best Supporting Actress
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Elle Fanning
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Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
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Amy Madigan
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Wunmi Mosaku
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Teyana Taylor
The supporting categories are especially competitive this year, with veteran actors and rising stars delivering performances that left lasting impressions long after the credits rolled.
Best Director
Five acclaimed filmmakers earned nominations for their visionary direction:
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Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
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Ryan Coogler — Sinners
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Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme
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Joachim Trier — Sentimental Value
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Chloé Zhao — Hamnet
Ryan Coogler’s nomination marks a significant moment, as Sinners stands as one of the most talked-about directorial achievements of the year.
Screenplay Categories
Best Original Screenplay
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Blue Moon
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It Was Just an Accident
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Marty Supreme
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Sentimental Value
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Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay
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Bugonia
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Frankenstein
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Hamnet
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One Battle After Another
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Train Dreams
The screenplay categories reflect a balance between original storytelling and powerful adaptations drawn from literature and historical narratives.
International & Animated Films
Best International Feature Film
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The Secret Agent — Brazil
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It Was Just an Accident — France
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Sentimental Value — Norway
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Sirāt — Spain
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The Voice of Hind Rajab — Tunisia
Best Animated Feature Film
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Arco
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Elio
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KPop Demon Hunters
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Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
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Zootopia 2
International cinema continues to play a vital role at the Oscars, showcasing stories that transcend borders, languages, and cultures.
Best Original Song
This year’s nominees span genres and emotional tones, with music playing a central role in storytelling:
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“Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” — Come See Me in the Good Light
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“Dear Me” — Diane Warren: Relentless
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“I Lied to You” — Sinners
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“Sweet Dreams of Joy” — Viva Verdi!
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“Train Dreams” — Train Dreams
Technical & Craft Achievements
Several films dominated across technical categories such as cinematography, sound, production design, visual effects, editing, and costume design. Standout titles include Sinners, Hamnet, Frankenstein, F1, One Battle After Another, and Train Dreams, reflecting the Academy’s recognition of craftsmanship behind the camera.
Historic Moments & Industry Impact
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Sinners made Oscar history with 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film.
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The nominations reflect expanded global representation, genre diversity, and a renewed appreciation for bold, artist-driven cinema.
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Emerging voices stood alongside industry veterans, signaling a shift toward more inclusive and expansive storytelling.
Looking Ahead to Oscar Night
The 98th Academy Awards promise to be one of the most memorable ceremonies in recent years, celebrating films that challenged conventions, elevated artistry, and reshaped the cinematic landscape.
As Hollywood prepares for its biggest night, the 2026 Oscar nominations stand as a powerful reflection of where cinema is headed — daring, diverse, and deeply human.
