In a historic moment for cinema, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” has shattered the oscars nomination record, claiming an unprecedented 16 nods for the 98th Academy Awards. The blues-soaked vampire epic, led by Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, surpassed the long-standing benchmark of 14 nominations that had been jointly held by three legendary films for decades. This watershed achievement not only cements “Sinners” as one of the most decorated films in Academy history but also signals a bold new chapter for genre filmmaking on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
“Sinners” Rewrites the Record Books
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its nominees for the 98th Academy Awards from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, history was made in real time. “Sinners,” a supernatural tale rooted in Jim Crow-era America, accumulated 16 nominations across virtually every category, breaking the previous oscars nomination record shared by “All About Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997), and “La La Land” (2016), each of which had earned 14 nods.
The film’s recognition spans the most prestigious categories. Coogler earned nominations for both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, reinforcing his stature as one of the most compelling auteurs working today. Meanwhile, Jordan received his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor, a milestone that many industry observers felt was long overdue for the accomplished performer.
Beyond the headline categories, “Sinners” dominated technical fields as well, with nods likely spanning cinematography, production design, costume design, sound, film editing, and score. The breadth of recognition reflects the film’s ambitions as a sweeping, myth-infused horror epic that uses the vampire genre to explore Black history and identity in America.
“One Battle After Another” Emerges as a Formidable Challenger
While “Sinners” led the pack, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” arrived with substantial momentum of its own, earning 13 nominations to claim the second spot in the race. The film, which had been considered the frontrunner heading into nomination morning, proved the Academy’s deep appreciation for its sprawling father-daughter story set against the backdrop of revolutionary fervor.
The Anderson feature landed multiple acting nominations, including Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actress for Teyana Taylor, and Best Supporting Actor nods for both Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn. Notably absent, however, was newcomer Chase Infiniti, whose performance in a lead role was widely expected to earn a Best Actress nomination but was ultimately overlooked.
Together, these two films represent what many critics are calling the Academy’s full-throated endorsement of ambitious, original American storytelling. Both films tackle themes of resistance, identity, and national reckoning, connecting powerfully with the cultural moment.
The Complete Best Picture Lineup
The 10 films competing for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards represent a notably eclectic mix of genres and storytelling traditions:
- “Bugonia”
- “F1”
- “Frankenstein”
- “Hamnet”
- “Marty Supreme”
- “One Battle After Another”
- “The Secret Agent”
- “Sentimental Value”
- “Sinners”
- “Train Dreams”
Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” and Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” each earned nine nominations, rounding out a strong field that demonstrates the Academy’s continued embrace of bold filmmaking choices.
The Acting Races Take Shape
Best Actor
The Best Actor race has emerged as one of the most competitive of the season. Timothée Chalamet earned his third nomination in this category for “Marty Supreme” at just 30 years old, cementing his position as the early frontrunner after narrowly missing the win last year for “A Complete Unknown.” He’ll face off from the field against:
- Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners”
- Leonardo DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another”
- Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon”
- Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent”
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley enters the Best Actress conversation as the presumed favorite for her work in “Hamnet.” The remaining nominees showcase the Academy’s tendency toward honoring transformative performances:
- Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
- Kate Hudson for “Song Sung Blue”
- Renate Reinsve for “Sentimental Value”
- Emma Stone for “Bugonia” (her sixth career nomination)
Supporting Categories
Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama “Sentimental Value” dominated the supporting categories with nods for Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning. In the Best Supporting Actor category, Jacob Elordi earned recognition for “Frankenstein,” while Delroy Lindo’s inclusion for “Sinners” was considered one of the morning’s bigger surprises, reportedly edging out Paul Mescal for “Hamnet.”
The Best Supporting Actress field features Teyana Taylor, Amy Madigan for “Weapons,” and Wunmi Mosaku for “Sinners,” alongside the two “Sentimental Value” nominees.
A Historic New Category Enters the Oscars
For the first time in Academy history, the 98th ceremony will feature a Best Casting category, a long-awaited addition that immediately impacted this year’s nomination tallies. The inaugural nominees include “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” along with “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “The Secret Agent.”
This new Oscar category helped pad the already substantial nomination counts for the two leading films while honoring a craft that has historically gone unrecognized by the Academy. Casting directors, who play a crucial role in shaping every film, now have their own platform for recognition.
The Academy’s International Tilt Continues
The 98th Academy Awards underscore the Academy’s ongoing commitment to international cinema. For the eighth consecutive year, a non-English-language film earned a Best Picture nomination. Notably, every single category included at least one international nominee, and more non-English performances were recognized than in any previous year.
“Sentimental Value,” the Norwegian family drama from Joachim Trier, emerged as the most decorated international film of the season. The Best International Feature Film category itself proved remarkably competitive, reflecting global political tensions:
- “It Was Just an Accident” (Jafar Panahi, submitted by France) , a Palme d’Or winner exploring Iranian revenge and resistance
- “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia) , a drama about Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteers
- “The Secret Agent” (Brazil) , a political thriller
- “Sirât” (Spain) , an apocalyptic road movie
- “Sentimental Value” (Norway)
Blockbusters Face a Difficult Morning
Major studio blockbusters largely struggled to gain traction with Academy voters this year. Universal’s “Wicked: For Good” was shut out entirely, a remarkable outcome given the commercial success of the franchise. James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” earned nominations for costume design and visual effects, but became the first “Avatar” film to miss the Best Picture category.
The highest-grossing Best Picture nominee ended up being Apple’s “F1,” the racing drama that earned four nominations. Notably, “KPop Demon Hunters,” the year’s most-watched movie with over half a billion Netflix views, scored nominations for Best Song (“Golden”) and Best Animated Feature , a remarkable achievement for a streaming-first release.
Warner Bros. Enjoys a Triumphant Morning
Both “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” are Warner Bros. productions, making this one of the studio’s strongest Oscar performances in recent memory. The achievement is particularly significant given the ongoing $72 billion acquisition of the 102-year-old studio by Netflix, a deal currently facing challenges from Paramount Skydance. The outcome of this potential sale could reshape the entire entertainment industry.
Looking Ahead to Oscar Night
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with broadcasts live on ABC and Hulu. With “Sinners” holding the oscars nomination record and “One Battle After Another” close behind, the ceremony promises to be one of the most watched and talked-about in recent memory.
From genre-defying horror to sweeping historical drama, this year’s nominees reflect both the Academy’s evolving tastes and the vibrant state of contemporary cinema. As the race heats up, one thing is certain: the 98th Academy Awards will celebrate a year of bold, uncompromising filmmaking that pushed boundaries and captivated audiences worldwide.