Oscars 2026: Sinners leads nominations and other frontrunners announced

The horror film starring Michael B. Jordan has broken records

Oscar Statue

Author: Priyanca RajputPublished 22nd Jan 2026
Last updated 23rd Jan 2026

Sinners has officially made Oscars history, topping the 2026 nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, and firmly positioning itself as the frontrunner of this year’s awards race.

Ryan Coogler’s horror epic starring Michael B. Jordan has dominated across the board, from best picture and director to acting, writing and multiple craft categories.

Hot on its heels are Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which both landed double‑digit nominations.

Last year, Emilia Pérez also made history of its own, leading all nominees with 13 nods which was the most ever for a non‑English‑language.

What are The Oscars?

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, honour excellence in cinematic achievements across 24 film categories, and is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

More than 10,000 members of the film academy decide who makes the cut, with their votes determining the nominees in more than 20 categories.

The categories include: Best Picture, Director, the four Acting races for male and female, Original and Adapted Screenplay, Animated and International Feature, Documentary Feature and Short, and Animated and Live Action Short.

As well as: Original Score and Song, Sound, Visual Effects, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, and for the first time, Best Casting.

When are they taking place?

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday 15th March 2026, with UK times to be confirmed.

Who is hosting The Oscars?

Television host and comedian Conan O’Brien returns for his second round of hosting, alongside producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan.

Last year, Conan quipped: “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech."

“We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” added Raj and Katy. “We can't wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year's nominees and the impact of film around the world.”

Who is nominated?

The nominees across all 24 categories are...

Best Picture

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

Best Director

Chloé Zhao – Hamnet

Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme

Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler – Sinners

Best Actor in a Leading Role

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

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 Supporting Actor

Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another

Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein

Delroy Lindo – Sinners

Sean Penn – One Battle After Another

Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value

Best Supporting Actress

Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value

Amy Madigan – Weapons

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another

Best Original Screenplay

Blue Moon

Sinners

It Was Just An Accident

Marty Supreme

Sentimental Value

Best Adapted Screenplay

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

One Battle After Another

Train Dreams

Best Animated Feature Film

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Elio

Arco

Zootopia 2

KPop Demon Hunters

Best International Feature Film

Sirât

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

It Was Just An Accident

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Best Documentary Feature Film

The Alabama Solution

Come See Me in the Good Light

Cutting Through Rocks

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

The Perfect Neighbor

Best Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms

Children No More: Were and are Gone

The Devil Is Busy

Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

Perfectly a Strangeness

Best Animated Short Film

Butterfly

Forevergreen

The Girl Who Cried Pearls

Retirement Plan

The Three Sisters

Best Live Action Short Film

Butcher’s Stain

A Friend of Dorothy

Jane Austen’s Period Drama

The Singers

Two People Exchanging Saliva

Best Original Score

Bugonia - Jerskin Fendrix

Frankenstein - Alexandre Desplat

Hamnet - Max Richter

One Battle After Another - Jonny Greenwood

Sinners - Ludwig Goransson

Best Original Song

'Train Dreams' - Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner

'Golden' - Ejae, Teddy Park, Mark Sonnenblick

'Sweet Dream of Joy' - Nicholas Pike

'Dear Me - Diane Warren

'I Lied To You' - Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson

Best Sound

Sirât

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

Sinners

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash

The Lost Bus

Jurassic World: Rebirth

Sinners

The full ceremony and red carpet action will broadcast on ITV/ITVX and STV1/STV Player, with UK times to be confirmed. Anchored by movie buff Jonathan Ross, the UK broadcast will feature live red carpet and ceremony coverage for the second year running as presenters give viewers up-close access to nominees, Hollywood A-listers and VIP guests at the Dolby Theatre.

Jonathan will also front ITV’s dedicated Oscars show with live commentary, interviews with celebrity guests and film experts, on-the-spot chats with the stars; and links to Ross King and Angelique Jackson reporting from Ovation Hollywood before the main awards get underway at midnight.

This will accompanied by a panel of cinephile guests reacting to every win and surprise.

Where are they held?

The ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, California, US.

Who were the big winners in 2025?

Anora dominated the 2025 Oscars with five wins, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Sean Baker, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, and Best Film Editing.

Adrien Brody won Best Actor for The Brutalist, while supporting categories went to Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez). Other highlights included The Brutalist (Cinematography, Score), Flow (Animated Feature), I'm Still Here (International Feature), Dune: Part Two (Sound, Visual Effects), and Wicked (Costume and Production Design).

Updates to The Oscars

This year's Oscars will debut a new Best Casting award as the 24th competitive category, honouring casting directors' pivotal role in assembling ensembles, with all nominees now listed on final ballots for broader member input.

In December 2025, The Academy announced that starting in 2029, The Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube worldwide, ending the long ABC partnership after 2028, aiming to reach younger global audiences through the platform's massive reach.

Other Oscars 2025 highlights

Conan O’Brien’s first time presenting, and opening monologue at last year's Oscars was well-received. He kicked off with a pre-recorded Demi Moore skit where he crawled out of her spine in a Substance-inspired gag.

He mixed self-roasts about getting old, red carpet burns, Netflix gripes, AI fear, and Timothée Chalamet jabs into a snappy introduction that ended with praise for firefighters, crew, and a promise to run a tight show.

Last year's red carpet turned heads when Halle Berry planted a passionate kiss on Adrien Brody, recreating their infamous 2003 smooch from that year's ceremony and sparking endless viral clips and fan nostalgia.

Kieran Culkin's Best Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain delivered non-stop laughs with his cheeky speech, roasting his family on live TV and turning a heartfelt moment into comedy gold.

Now check out all of the films coming out in 2026 and beyond:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Release date: 16th January 2026

Following the incredibly highly-anticipated 28 Years Later, released in 2025, fans of the franchise will be able to see the fourth instalment in January 2026 as it was shot back-to-back with the third. This film centres around Dr Ian Kelson, with Ralph Fiennes reprising his role from 28 Years Later alongside Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The Moment

Release date: 30th January 2026

An original idea by Charli XCX, The Moment is a mockumentary starring Charli as a fictionalised version of herself, along with Rosanna Arquette, Jamie Demetriou, Alexander Skarsgård and Kylie Jenner. Official press from A24 reads: 'A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.'

Find out more about The Moment.

Wuthering Heights

Release date: 14th February 2026

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi will appear in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic 1847 novel Wuthering Heights. After filming took place between January and April 2025, it was confirmed the movie will land in cinemas on Valentine's Day 2026.

Find out all about Wuthering Heights right here.

The Immortal Man

Release date: 6th March 2026

That's right, we're officially getting a Peaky Blinders film! In place of a seventh series, show creator Steven Knight confirmed that The Immortal Man will be set during the time-frame of World War Two. Filming then began in September 2024, and later wrapped in December of that year - with a March 2026 date being confirmed.

Find out everything we know about the plot, cast and characters here.

Hoppers

Release date: 6th March 2026

Disney's production notes read as follows: 'What if you could talk to animals and understand what they're saying? In Disney and Pixar's all-new feature film Hoppers, scientists have discovered how to "hop" human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! The adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined.'

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour (Live in 3D)

Release date: 20th March 2025

Billie Eilish released her third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' in 2024, later bringing the songs on a world tour, including several dates in the UK in July 2025. In November, the singer confirmed that her amazing tour will be brought to cinemas across the world in 3D, saying: 'this has been one of my favorite tours everrrrrr and being able to capture it and co-direct this film with James Cameron has truly been a dream come true. can't wait for you all to see it.' (sic)

Find out more about the film.

The Drama

Release date: 3rd April 2026

The Drama stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, as A24's official press reads: 'A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.' The supporting cast is made up of Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates and Zoë Winters.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Release date: 1st May 2026

The plot seems to suggest the sequel will follow Meryl's character Miranda Priestley, as she attempts to navigate her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing. Variety is also reporting that Emily Blunt's character Emily Charlton is now a top executive for a luxury group, with Miranda set to compete with her for the company's advertising dollars.

Find out everything we know about the sequel right here.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Release date: 22nd May 2026

Fans of Baby Yoda... We mean, Grogu, will be pleased to hear that the next step in the journey will see the character and the Mandalorian Din Djarin (played by Pedro Pascal) head to the big screen. The official plot reads: 'The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.' Also starring is Sigourney Weaver.

Disclosure Day

Release date: 12th June 2026

Not much has been known about Steven Spielberg's upcoming sci-fi film - but after a trailer was released in December 2025, we saw Emily Blunt's weather reporter become possessed by an entity and speak in what seems like an alien language. The studio's logline reads: 'If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to … Disclosure Day.' The film will also star Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth and Eve Hewson.

Toy Story 5

Release date: 19th June 2026

Pixar's website says: 'The toys are back in Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5, and this time it's Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they're introduced to what kids are obsessed with today....electronics!'

Here's everything we know about Toy Story 5.

Supergirl

Release date: 26th June 2026

House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock will portray the dual role of Supergirl/Kara Zor-El in the eponymous film which also stars David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham and Jason Momoa. The official synopsis from Warner Bros. reads: 'When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.'

Moana

Release date: 10th July 2026

Moana will be the next movie to get a live-action remake, releasing in the summer of 2026, with Catherine Laga'aia playing Moana! The Rock fans need not worry though, as Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui, after voicing the animated movies.

Find out more about the upcoming Moana film.

The Odyssey

Release date: 17th July 2026

Christopher Nolan is renowned at this point for his incredible blockbusters. Following his last spectacle, Oppenheimer, comes The Odyssey - based on the epic tale of the Odyssey by Greek author Homer. The cast sees Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus as well as Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and plenty of other famous faces.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Release date: 31st July 2026

With Tom Holland reprising his role as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Brand New Day is the next Spidey film in the Marvel series after Spider-Man: No Way Home, released in 2021. We'll also see Zendaya back as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned - with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink also joining the cast. Movie bosses are remaining incredibly tight-lipped about the plot - so as yet, there's not too much official news to share!

Sense and Sensibility

Release date: 25th September 2026

Jane Austen's beloved novel Sense and Sensibility will be receiving another big screen adaptation, following the renowned 1995 version featuring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. This film sees Daisy Edgar-Jones take on the role of elder sister Elinor Dashwood, with Esmé Creed-Miles portraying Marianne Dashwood. Supporting cast comes in the form of Walking Dead star Frank Dillane as John Willoughby, 1917's George MacKay as Edward Ferrars and Harry Potter star Fiona Shaw as Mrs. Jennings.

The Cat in the Hat

Release date: 6th November 2026

A new adaptation of The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss is on the way - this time, an animated version. Starring Bill Hader as the voice of the Cat, we've also got Matt Berry as the Fish and America Ferrera as the Mother, with Quinta Brunson and Giancarlo Esposito also in the cast. The official synopsis reads: 'In the film, our hero takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, this could be this agent of chaos's last chance to prove himself...or lose his magical hat!'

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Release date: 20th November 2026

Sunrise on the Reaping is the sixth film in The Hunger Games series, coming after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and taking place 24 years before 2012's The Hunger Games. In this film, we'll see a lot of characters we knew in the original trilogy earlier on in their stories and therefore being played by younger actors. Official press from Lionsgate says of the premise: 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.'

Focker In-Law

Release date: 25th November 2026

Although details of the plot of Focker In-Law are being kept slightly under wraps, Ben Stiller spoke at the Tribeca Festival in June 2025 about why they'd returned to the franchise. According to Esquire, he said: "What spurred the idea is that I'm the age that Bob (Robert De Niro) was when we did the first movie. It felt like a mirror to the first film, where one of my kids is thinking about introducing his person to the family." We've got Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson reprising their roles, as well as new characters played by Ariana Grande and Beanie Feldstein.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Release date: 26th November 2026

Acclaimed director Greta Gerwig is putting together a brand new adaptation of the classic C. S. Lewis books, The Chronicles of Narnia. This time, we will see the first book in the series - The Magician's Nephew - brought to the big screen, unlike the last series of films based on the novels in the 2000s. According to reports, we'll see Daniel Craig in a currently unannounced role alongside Sex Education's Emma Mackey as Jadis, the White Witch, and Carey Mulligan as the mother of Digory Kirke - the eponymous Magician's Nephew.

Untitled Jumanji sequel

Release date: 11th December 2026

The fifth film in the Jumanji franchise (and third of the rebooted films) will be released around Christmas in 2026. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart are all reprising their roles as the four main characters, and Sony even shared a photo of them on the set (pictured) in November 2025! The Rock also posted about production beginning in November on Instagram, writing: 'Officially kicking off production of JUMANJI, at our cast table read in Los Angeles - where we will film as well 👏🏾👏🏾 🥂

'What a massive, fun, heartfelt adventure. Feels emotionally appropriate for our beloved JUMANJI franchise to end on this beautiful grace note of our final film. Amazing to get the whole gang back together, and our jaws were hurting from laughing so hard 😂😂 We all talked about how much we've missed this kinda joy and fun 🥹😊 🤜🏾🤛🏻 Let's make a good one. The significance of the 🎲 (dice) in the last picture, is a little Easter egg that my character, Dr. Smolder Bravestone wears on a necklace in our final film. It's the dice from the original 1995 JUMANJI and a way of paying homage, love and respect to the great Robin Williams ✨.' (sic)

Avengers: Doomsday

Release date: 18th December 2026

Not too much has been said about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday just yet, but a huge cast announcement was made to confirm which characters would be appearing: Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, Wyatt Russell, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, Kelsey Grammer, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Joseph Quinn, David Harbour, Winston Duke, Hannah John-Kamen, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, and Robert Downey Jr.

Dune: Part Three

Release date: 18th December 2026

Director Denis Villeneuve spoke about making the third film all the way back in October 2024, telling Deadline: "I think it'll be a great idea to do something completely different. The story takes place like 12 years after where we left the characters at the end of Part Two. Their journey, their story is different this time, and that's why I always say that while it's the same world it's a new film with new circumstances." Starring in this film will be Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides and Robert Pattinson.

Shrek 5

Release date: 23rd December 2026

It was announced in 2024 that Shrek 5 is officially happening - a massive 14 years after the last instalment - Shrek Forever After. Filming is reportedly underway, however despite this, we've already seen a delay in the release. Initially set for a summer release in 2026, Shrek 5 will now grace cinemas in December, with Minions 3 being moved earlier and taking the flick's original spot.

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Following the series three finale in September 2025, Prime Video confirmed there will be a The Summer I Turned Pretty to conclude Belly's story! There's no release date just yet.

Find out all about The Summer I Turned Pretty here.

Camp Rock 3

Jonas Brothers Joe, Nick and Kevin will reprise their roles as Connect 3 members Shane Gray, Nate Gray, and Jason Gray in Camp Rock, as Disney have confirmed a third movie is now filming! Although it doesn't look like Demi Lovato will appear in the third movie, she will be an Executive Producer.

Find out all about Camp Rock 3 here.

Now read:

All of the biggest films set for release in 2026 and beyond

We can't believe these Disney films are turning 30 this year

Adolescence star Owen Cooper becomes youngest male Golden Globe winner

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