Oscars 2026: “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” Emerge as Dominant Forces

Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman unveiled the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards this evening, confirming the expected dominance of two films. Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” led the nominations, positioning themselves as the films to beat.
The two frontrunners demonstrated exceptional strength across multiple categories. “Sinners” earned recognition for its direction, visual achievements, and powerful performances, with nominations spanning cinematography, production design, and acting categories. The comprehensive acknowledgment reflects its overall excellence.
“One Battle After Another” matched this achievement with nominations recognizing its direction, adapted screenplay, and ensemble performances. The film’s Golden Globes success translated into strong Academy support across creative and technical categories. The breadth of recognition underscores its quality.
Other films finding success include Timothée Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme,” which earned multiple nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor. “Hamnet,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Frankenstein” also secured recognition across various categories. However, Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” received zero nominations, marking a disappointing outcome.
The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles hosts the 98th Academy Awards on March 15. The ceremony will air at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, where nominees will discover whether their recognition translates into Oscar victories.