This morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, and the results sparked immediate buzz across Hollywood and around the world. At the center of the conversation is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a bold period supernatural film that has just rewritten Oscar history: with 16 nominations—more than any film ever—it surpasses the longstanding record shared by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land and positions itself as the dominant contender in this year’s race.
By Allan R. Ellenberger
Upon hearing the news, many fans and critics alike were quick to note that Sinners didn't just dominate the Best Picture race. It also received nominations for Best Director, Acting, Screenplay, Cinematography, Casting, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, etc. Sinners is an incredibly immersive movie that excels in many different aspects of filmmaking, while also packing a heartfelt story that audiences could connect with. Close behind is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which received 13 nominations in total. This shows that the Academy still loves Anderson's painstakingly detail-oriented movies. Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and The Secret Agent rounded out the multiple nomination group.
Responses to the nominations began to come in, as many celebrated: big winners were delighted and congratulations and further discourse were seen across social media platforms, with many underscoring how the Oscars are still relevant to viewers and those in the industry.
Those nominated in acting categories like Jessie Buckley and Kate Hudson took to social media to express their excitement, while other celebrities discussed what the nominations meant to them personally.
Yet the surprises were as notable as the snubs. Some films that had been strong contenders throughout the season found themselves shut out. The sequel Wicked: For Good, despite its buzz and box-office appeal, received no nominations at all—a stunning omission that many critics and fans took as a major snub. Similarly, acclaimed performances by Paul Mescal and others failed to earn nominations in categories where many had expected them to appear, prompting discussions about the Academy’s evolving tastes and the unpredictable nature of awards voting. International entries like India’s Homebound and South Korea's No Other Choice, also missed out despite strong hopes and regional support, highlighting the perennial challenges non-Hollywood films can face in the mainstream Oscar conversation.
There were other surprises that got critics talking: films like F1, whose racing spectacle might have seemed an unusual pick for top honors, garnered nominations in categories including Best Picture and technical fields, prompting some observers to question whether momentum from studios’ campaigns and technical achievements helped elevate it above expectations. At the same time, deeply personal films such as Blue Moon, celebrated for its performance work and narrative nuance, earned nominations that reflect the Academy’s continued openness to a breadth of cinematic voices.
As the Academy Awards ceremony approaches on March 15, 2026, to be hosted once again by Conan O’Brien, the nominations have already set the stage for what promises to be one of the most talked-about Oscar races in years—an intersection of box-office favorites, critical darlings, and unexpected contenders. From record-breaking achievement to snubs that stir debate, this nominations day underscored the complexity and continuing cultural impact of the Oscars in shaping how we remember and celebrate cinema.
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