Oscars 2026 Full Nominee Breakdown and Free Winner Picks

Last Updated on March 13, 2026 3:46 pm by Erwin Noguera

The 2026 Oscars race has largely been shaped by two films: Sinners and One Battle After Another. While Sinners leads the nominations and may collect several technical awards, One Battle after appears positioned to capture the night’s biggest prize, including Best Picture and possibly Best Director.

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honoring the best films released in 2025. The ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien and broadcast on ABC while also streaming on Hulu.

This year’s race has been dominated by Sinners, which received a record 16 nominations, breaking the previous Oscar record for most nominations held by films like Titanic and La La Land. Meanwhile, major contenders such as One Battle after Another, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme also enter the ceremony with strong awards momentum across multiple categories.

The Oscars: Best Picture Nominees

Among the nominees, Sinners stands out as the most nominated film of the year, receiving recognition across acting, directing, and technical categories. Its ambitious storytelling and large-scale production have made it a central part of the awards conversation.

Meanwhile, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, has earned widespread praise for its screenplay and ensemble performances. The film has steadily gained momentum through critics’ awards and guild ceremonies, making it a strong contender for the night’s top prize.

Other contenders, such as Hamnet, have attracted attention for their emotional storytelling and period production design, while Marty Supreme and Bugonia represent more unconventional cinematic styles that could appeal to different voting blocs within the Academy.

Free Pick: One Battle after Another

The Oscars: Best Actor in a Leading Role

His category features one of the strongest acting lineups in recent years. Michael B. Jordan has been widely praised for his performance in Sinners, where he portrays complex characters across multiple timelines. His work has been recognized across the awards circuit, and he enters the ceremony as one of the favorites.

Timothée Chalamet delivers a charismatic performance in Marty Supreme, showcasing his range and continuing his rise as one of Hollywood’s most versatile young actors. Meanwhile, veteran actor Leonardo DiCaprio brings a commanding presence to One Battle After Another, reinforcing the film’s strong awards campaign.

Colman Domingo and Ethan Hawke round out the category with performances that critics have praised for their emotional depth and character complexity.

Free Pick: Michael B. Jordan Sinners

The Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role

The Best Actress race has become one of the most talked-about competitions of the year. Jessie Buckley has emerged as the frontrunner after delivering a deeply emotional performance in Hamnet, a historical drama that explores themes of grief and family loss. Her portrayal has earned critical acclaim and several precursor awards leading up to the Oscars.

Emma Stone, already a previous Oscar winner, also remains a strong contender thanks to her performance in the surreal drama Bugonia. Meanwhile, Renate Reinsve continues to gain international recognition following her acclaimed performance in Sentimental Value.

Veteran performers Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson complete the lineup with roles that highlight their dramatic range and emotional intensity.

Free Pick: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

The Oscars: Best Supporting Actor

This category features a mix of legendary performers and rising stars. Sean Penn has drawn considerable attention for his supporting role in One Battle After Another, delivering a powerful performance that critics have described as one of the highlights of the film.

Delroy Lindo also received strong praise for his supporting role in Sinners, contributing significantly to the film’s emotional impact.

Benicio del Toro complete the lineup with a performance that critics have noted for their subtlety and complexity.

Free Pick: Sean Penn – One Battle after Another

The Oscars: Best Supporting Actress

The Best Supporting Actress category is widely viewed as one of the most competitive races this year. Amy Madigan has emerged as a leading candidate thanks to her powerful performance in Weapons, which has earned recognition throughout the awards season.

Wunmi Mosaku delivers a memorable supporting role in Sinners, while Teyana Taylor adds emotional depth to One Battle After Another. Academy Award winner Julianne Moore also returns to the category with a performance that critics have described as understated but impactful.

Danielle Brooks, previously nominated for her role in The Color Purple, rounds out the lineup with another strong performance.

Free Pick: Amy Madigan – Weapons

The Oscars: Best Director

The Best Director category highlights a group of filmmakers known for distinctive cinematic styles. Paul Thomas Anderson is widely seen as the frontrunner thanks to the scale and ambition of One Battle After Another. Despite multiple previous nominations, Anderson has never won the Oscar for directing, which could motivate voters this year.

Ryan Coogler has also received strong praise for directing Sinners, a film that blends genre storytelling with historical themes. Meanwhile, Chloé Zhao, already an Oscar winner, returns with the emotional drama Hamnet.

Visionary filmmakers Yorgos Lanthimos and Joachim Trier round out the category with films that showcase unique storytelling approaches.

Free Pick: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another