The statuette felt heavier than he imagined, cold against his sweaty palms. A lifetime of sacrifice, of ramen dinners and rejection, distilled into this one golden moment. But as the presenter fumbled with the envelope, a wave of nausea washed over him: had he thanked his wife?
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards are finally here, promising a night of glamour in Los Angeles on March 16, 2026. I remember watching the announcements, phone buzzing with frantic texts, waiting to see if my favorites made the cut. Now, it’s your turn.
So, skip the breathless speculation and endless hot takes. Here’s the complete list of Oscar nominations for 2026:
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Every year, there’s that one performance that burrows into your soul. This year, the nominees are:
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
- Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
Best Actress in a Leading Role
The leading actress category is always a showcase of raw talent. This year promises to be no different:
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
- Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Emma Stone (Bugonia)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Often the most interesting performances, the supporting actor category highlights actors who can steal a scene with a single glance. The nominees are:
- Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another)
- Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
- Delroy Lindo (Sinners)
- Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
- Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
Best Actress in Supporting Role
Nuance and subtlety define great supporting actresses. Here are this year’s nominees:
- Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
- Amy Madigan (Weapons)
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Best Direct
The director shapes the vision, a conductor leading an orchestra of talent. This year’s nominees include:
- Chloé Zhao (Hamnet)
- Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)
- Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
- Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)
Best Picture
The big one. The films that defined the year. This year’s Best Picture nominees are:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Best Live Action Short Film
Short films pack a punch, a concentrated dose of storytelling. The nominees are:
- Butcher’s Stain
- A Friend of Dorothy
- Jane Austen’s Period Drama
- The Singers
- Two People Exchanging Saliva
Best Animated Short Film
Animation allows for boundless creativity and imagination. Here are this year’s nominees:
- Butterfly
- Forevergreen
- The Girl Who Cried Pearls
- Retirement Plan
- The Three Sisters
Best Adapted Screenplay
Taking a story from one medium to another requires skill and vision. The nominees are:
- Bugonia (Will Tracy)
- Frankenstein (Guillermo Del Toro)
- Hamnet (Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’ Farrell)
- One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- Train Dreams (Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar)
Best Original Screenplay
The spark of an idea, brought to life on the page. This year’s nominees include:
- Blue Moon
- It Was Just an Accident
- Marty Supreme
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Best Sound
Sound design creates atmosphere and heightens emotion, often unnoticed but always felt. This year’s nominees are:
- F1
- Frankenstein
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- Sirat
Best Costume Design
Costumes tell a story before a single word is spoken. The nominees are:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- Sinners
What does an Oscar nominated casting director do?
Casting is more than just finding pretty faces; it’s about assembling the perfect ensemble. The nominees for Achievement in Casting are:
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sinners
Best Documentary Feature Film
Documentaries shine a light on the world around us. This year’s nominees are:
- The Alabama Solution
- Come See Me in the Good Light
- Cutting Through Rocks
- Mr. Nobody Against Putin
- The Perfect Neighbor
Best Documentary Short Film
Short documentaries can be just as impactful. Here are this year’s nominees:
- All the Empty Rooms
- Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
- Children No More: Were and Are Gone
- The Devil Is Busy
- Perfectly a Strangeness
Best International Feature Film
Cinema transcends borders. The nominees are:
- The Secret Agent
- It Was Just an Accident
- Sentimental Value
- Sirat
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
Best Original Song
A great song can elevate a film to new heights. This year’s nominees include:
- Dear Me from “Diane Warren: Relentless”
- Golden from “KPop Demon Hunters”
- I Lied to You from “Sinners”
- Sweet Dreams of Joy from “Viva Verdi”
- Train Dreams from “Train Dreams”
Best Animated Feature Film
Animated films capture our imaginations, regardless of age. The nominees are:
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
- Zootopia 2
Best Original Score
The score sets the mood and underscores the drama. This year’s nominees are:
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Transformations can be subtle or dramatic, but always impactful. The nominees are:
- Frankenstein
- Kokuho
- Sinners
- The Smashing Machine
- The Ugly Stepsister
Best Production Design
Production design creates the world of the film, immersive and believable. The nominees are:
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
What is the job of a film editor?
The film editor shapes the rhythm and flow of the story. The nominees are:
- F1
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Best Visual Effects
Visual effects can transport us to other worlds or enhance reality. The nominees are:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- F1
- Jurassic World Rebirth
- The Lost Bus
- Sinners
Best Cinematography
Cinematography paints with light and shadow, creating visual poetry. The nominees are:
- Frankenstein
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Who is hosting the Oscars in 2026?
Conan O’Brien is set to host the awards, a comforting choice to ensure at least someone’s relaxed. These nights are always a mixed bag of deserving winners and baffling snubs – consider it the natural entropy of any subjective art form.
Now, we wait. Will your favorites take home the gold, or will another film steal the spotlight?