Courtesy: CNBC TV 18
The 2026 Oscar nominations officially kicked off awards season Thursday morning, setting the stage for one of the most talked-about races in recent years. Announced live from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, the nominations revealed a slate of contenders that reflect shifting tastes, expanded recognition and a historic breakthrough for genres long overlooked.
Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman shared announcing duties as nominees were unveiled across 24 categories. The presentation marked the first major moment in the countdown to Oscar night, which will take place March 15 at the Dolby Theatre and air live on ABC and Hulu, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
Horror makes Oscars history
Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama Sinners emerged as the morning’s biggest headline-maker.
The film earned a record-setting 16 nominations, surpassing the long-standing ceiling of 14 nominations previously reached by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land.
The haul included major-category recognition such as best picture, directing and best actor for Michael B. Jordan, marking his first Oscar nomination.
Horror films have traditionally struggled for recognition from the Academy, making Sinners’ success a notable turning point. Its strong showing signals a broader willingness to embrace genre storytelling within the Oscars’ top tiers.
Close contenders follow behind
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another followed closely with 13 nominations.
The father-daughter revolutionary saga secured recognition across acting, directing and technical categories.
Multiple cast members earned acting nominations, reinforcing the film’s strong ensemble reception.
The competitive gap between the top contenders suggests a wide-open race heading into final voting, with several films positioned to dominate different categories.
A new category joins the Oscars
The Academy introduced best casting, its first new competitive category since best animated feature was added in 2001.
The category honors casting directors for their role in shaping performances and on-screen chemistry.
Nominees were selected by members of the casting directors branch following a shortlist and bake-off process.
The addition reflects the Academy’s ongoing effort to modernize its awards and acknowledge creative contributions that have historically operated behind the scenes.
Tighter rules shape the voting process
The Academy implemented stricter voting requirements for members this year.
Voters must now confirm they have watched all nominated films in a category before casting ballots.
Viewing is tracked through the Academy Screening Room app, with verification required for films seen elsewhere.
The changes aim to strengthen confidence in the final results and ensure that winners are selected through full participation rather than partial viewing.
Standout categories draw early attention
Best picture nominees include Bugonia, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners and Train Dreams, among others.
Acting categories feature a mix of first-time nominees and returning contenders, highlighting both emerging talent and established stars.
Technical fields such as cinematography, makeup and hairstyling and original score showcased a diverse range of visual and musical styles.
As nominations continue to be analyzed, several films appear positioned for momentum heading into the final stretch of awards campaigning.
Oscar night awaits
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15.
The ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The broadcast will air live on ABC and Hulu beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
O’Brien’s return as host adds a familiar presence as the Academy looks to balance tradition with a season marked by change.
With historic nominations, a new category and evolving voting standards, the 2026 Oscar race is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in years. As campaigns intensify and conversations build, Hollywood’s biggest night now feels less predictable and more reflective of an industry in transition.
Source: NBC News
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