LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22, 2026 — Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller Sinners emerged as the most nominated film of the year after securing 16 nominations for the 98th Academy Awards. The film leads a crowded field as voting begins ahead of the March 15 ceremony, placing it firmly at the forefront of this year’s awards conversation.

Set during the Segregation era, Sinners blends historical tension with supernatural elements and has drawn attention for both its storytelling and performances. The nominations span best picture, director, acting categories and a wide range of technical fields, marking one of the strongest showings by a single film in recent Oscar history.

The film will compete for best picture against titles including One Battle After Another, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Bugonia, F1, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value and Train Dreams. Together, the nominees reflect a year marked by varied genres and storytelling styles, from period drama to contemporary narratives.

A Crowded Best Picture Field

Several contenders enter the final phase of the race with strong support. One Battle After Another followed closely behind Sinners in nominations, while Frankenstein and Hamnet secured recognition that places them firmly among serious challengers. Observers noted that this year’s lineup reflects both established filmmakers and distinctive creative voices, creating a competitive environment across categories.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whose membership now includes roughly 10,000 actors, directors, producers and film craftspeople, will determine the winners through final ballots. ABC will broadcast the ceremony, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for a second consecutive year.

Leading Performances and Categories

Michael B. Jordan received his first Academy Award nomination for best actor for portraying twin brothers in Sinners. The role requires a careful balance between two distinct personalities shaped by family ties, fear and survival. The performance anchors the film and has been widely cited as a major reason for its strong showing with voters.

Best Actor Race: Jordan will compete against Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another and Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme. The category brings together veteran performers and younger stars, each recognized for roles that demanded emotional range and narrative weight.

Best Actress and Supporting Roles: In the best actress category, Jessie Buckley earned a nomination for Hamnet, while Kate Hudson received recognition for Song Sung Blue. Supporting acting nominations also highlighted Sinners, with Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku earning nods that underscored the strength of the film’s ensemble. Their performances deepen the story and reinforce the film’s presence beyond its lead role.

Recognition Beyond Acting

The film’s nominations extended into technical and creative areas, including cinematography, costume design, sound and visual effects. These categories reflect the detailed work behind the scenes, particularly the attention given to period settings and mood. Recognition across such a wide range of disciplines often signals broad approval from voters.

Warner Bros Discovery led all studios in total nominations this year, driven largely by Sinners and One Battle After Another. Other studios also posted notable tallies, reflecting a year marked by diverse release strategies and theatrical runs that resonated with audiences and Academy members alike.

Focus Shifts to Oscar Night

As final voting begins, discussion has turned to which films will translate nominations into wins. While Sinners enters this stage with momentum, several competitors remain strong across major categories, setting up a closely watched awards night.

The nominations point to an Academy year that favors ambitious storytelling and strong performances. For Sinners, the record number of nods places it among the defining films of the season, while the final results will reveal how that recognition is reflected when the envelopes are opened on Oscar night.