The Oscar nominations 2026 have been officially announced, setting up one of the most unpredictable Academy Awards races in years. The nominations were revealed on January 23, 2026, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. This year’s list delivered record-breaking success for some films and stunning shutouts for others.
Leading the field is Sinners, which dominated the Oscar nominations 2026 with a historic 16 nods. In contrast, Wicked: For Good failed to receive a single nomination, despite months of awards-season momentum.
Oscar Nominations 2026: Films, Performances, and Records
The Oscar nominations 2026 confirmed Sinners as the clear frontrunner. The film earned nominations across major categories, including Best Picture, Director, Acting, Screenplay, and multiple technical fields. Industry analysts told Reuters that its broad support reflects strong backing from both Academy branches and guild voters.
Several actors earned first-time Oscar nominations this year. Rose Byrne secured her debut nomination in Leading Actress for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Jacob Elordi also received his first nod for Supporting Actor in Frankenstein. Their recognition marks a generational shift in Academy voting trends.
The Best Picture lineup features ten films: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams. The list includes a mix of studio releases, international co-productions, and prestige indies.
Directing nominations highlight strong auteur representation. Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Josh Safdie, Joachim Trier, and Chloé Zhao all earned spots. According to the Associated Press, this year’s director slate reflects a rare balance between commercial success and critical acclaim.
Acting categories delivered notable surprises. Delroy Lindo earned a Supporting Actor nomination for Sinners after missing most prediction lists. Kate Hudson landed a Leading Actress nomination for Song Sung Blue in a crowded field. Horror also gained ground, with The Ugly Stepsister receiving recognition for Makeup and Hairstyling.
Snubs, Shutouts, and Industry Reaction
The biggest shock of the Oscar nominations 2026 was the complete absence of Wicked: For Good. The film had been widely expected to contend in acting, music, and technical categories. Its shutout is already being described by BBC News as one of the most dramatic snubs of the decade.
Chase Infiniti failed to secure a Lead Actress nomination for One Battle After Another, despite the film’s strong overall performance. Jennifer Lawrence was also left out of the Lead Actress race for Die My Love. Paul Mescal missed a Supporting Actor nomination for Hamnet, even as the film earned eight total nods.
Several high-profile projects went home empty-handed. Superman missed out on Visual Effects. Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly received no nominations at all. Indie favorite Sorry, Baby also failed to break through.
The nominations were announced by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, whose clear delivery drew positive reactions online. Industry observers noted that smooth presentations remain a small but welcome improvement for the Academy.
The Oscar nominations 2026 have reshaped the awards conversation overnight. With records broken, favorites snubbed, and fresh faces rising, this year’s race is wide open heading into March.
