The 2026 Oscar nominations prove cinema is far from dead after a mad scramble to keep tallies on so many great films’ multiple nominations – perfectly capped off by Sinners breaking the all-time record with 16.
No other movie in the Academy’s 98-year history has managed that feat, with All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land now knocked off their perches and relegated to second place with their respective hauls of 14 each.
But one of the things making it so exciting is it still could be any movie’s year to win. Sinners has so far had to be content as the bridesmaid to One Battle After Another’s bride (and others) at the likes of the Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes.
Now thanks to the Oscars it’s firmly ahead of the pack, but there’s still impressive numbers right behind with One Battle After Another on 13 nominations, and Sentimental Value, Frankenstein and Marty Supreme all on nine, while Hamnet boasts eight.
These counts no doubt emphasise the embarrassment of movie riches we’ve had to enjoy this year, so much so that what seemed early favourites like The Smashing Machine and A House of Dynamite have been almost completely shut out (hard luck, Dwayne Johnson), with just a solitary nod in makeup and hairstyling for the former.
Adam Sandler will also have to wait again for his first Academy Award recognition after he, co-star George Clooney and writer-director Noah Baumbach came away from the nominations empty-handed for Netflix’s Hollywood satire Jay Kelly.
Although Academy voters couldn’t resist getting a little sentimental in making sure Ethan Hawke stayed in the best actor race for Blue Moon – he’s never won an Oscar yet – and also awarded Kate Hudson her first nod in 25 years for Song Sung Blue.
I preferred Sinners’ bite and flair to One Battle After Another, which I found more hit-and-miss than some of the rave reviews suggested, but it still has so much to commend it – same as Sentimental Value (underrated brilliant adult drama), Frankenstein (as opulent as anticipated from Guillermo del Toro), Marty Supreme (an exhilarating ride) and Hamnet (I wept as expected).
But Jessie Buckley’s Oscar win for best actress is the only one I’d put money on at this stage; otherwise, it’s just too close to call – and a warning to all the Sinners fans that this era-defining horror movie could still end up walking away empty handed. Or at least, with very little to show for its undeniable quality.
From Paul Mescal to Ariana Grande: The biggest snubs
It’s a shock to see Paul Mescal out of the running for his heartbreaking turn as William Shakespeare in Hamnet. I expected to see him in the best supporting category, as he’s managed so far with other awards bodies.
While it’s true that Hamnet really is Jessie Buckley’s film thanks to both her quirky charisma and devastating rawness as the playwright’s wife Agnes, I also think Mescal was born to play Shakespeare and proved a perfect foil for Buckley.
However, his loss is Delroy Lindo’s gain – sliding into that fifth spot for his bravura turn in Sinners… And also probably for the other times he’s been snubbed, most notably for Da 5 Bloods in 2021. He campaigned hard, and now he finally gets it. Academy voters do like to see people get their flowers, especially when it’s considered overdue.
It’s also potentially a reason why newcomer Chase Infiniti wasn’t recognised in the best actress category either for One Battle After Another, with the view that she’ll have plenty more chances after her debut film.
Jeremy Allen White missed out for his sensitive performance in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere – but the most outrage is likely to be reserved for Wicked: For Good’s complete shut-out, and certainly Ariana Grande’s (even better) turn as Glinda. No rare double nomination for her after it seems Academy members decided Wicked had its moment in the sun last year.
We’ve seen this before too many times, when a slew of excellent films all release in the same 12-month period.
The Colour Purple (1985 edition) holds the unfortunate record for the most Oscar nominations ever without a single win, at a whopping 11 – same as 1977’s The Turning Point. Other notable and more recent examples include The Favourite, which only won best actress for Olivia Colman out of its 10 nominations, and Joker, which won best actor for Joaquin Phoenix and best score out of its 11 nominations.
Perennial blokes-favourite movie Master and Commander won two out of 10 – and let’s never forget that The Shawshank Redemption got absolutely nothing from its seven nominations. And that film is often cited as one of the best ever made.
Is Hollywood still scared of ‘real’ women?
Is Hollywood still scared of messy – read: real – women? I’m really disappointed to see Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee fail to score any nominations, while Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You has picked up a sole nomination for Rose Byrne’s lead performance.
Both films deserved more as two of the movies I’ve seen in the past year that surprised me, challenged me and stayed with me the longest. Amanda Seyfried was unflinching as the real-life founder of the Shakers, Ann Lee, marching to her own music in the 1700s, while If I Had Legs I’d Kick You explores the delicate topics of motherhood and eating disorders with such bold originality.
It’s been a stacked year, but I wish more space could have been made in the best film, directing and screenplay categories for indie gems like these. Not every film needs $100million to shine!
I also consider it criminal that Daniel Blumberg’s score for The Testament of Ann Lee has received such little recognition – it’s truly mesmerising.
So, there’s still everything to play for, but it’s been nice to see Sinners get some of that gold dust it’s so far been overdue. Anything could happen right up until the last minute, keeping things alive – and we still have the Bafta Film Awards nominations to come.
I just pray it’s not a year where Avatar: Fire and Ash (two nominations) and F1 (four, including – um – best picture?) somehow walk away with more gongs than Sinners.
The Oscars takes place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, streaming and airing live in more than 200 territories worldwide.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
