The wait is finally over. The 98th Academy Awards nominations were announced this week, and the list of the 2026 Oscar Best Picture nominees has sent shockwaves through the industry. Leading the pack is Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic Sinners, which made history by landing a staggering 16 nominations—the most for any single film in Oscar history.
But beyond the record-breaking numbers, there is a more interesting story brewing: for the first time in years, the Academy and the audience are in total lockstep. Whether you’re a Letterboxd “cinephile,” an IMDb “casual,” or a Rotten Tomatoes “certified fresh” loyalist, this year’s slate offers something for everyone. From the high-speed drama of F1 to the gothic tragedy of Frankenstein, the 2026 class is as popular as it is prestigious.
However, the road to the Dolby Theatre isn’t without its heartbreak. The most talked-about snub of the morning was undoubtedly Wicked: For Good, which many expected to follow its predecessor into the winner’s circle. Instead, the Academy leaned into “elevated genre,” favoring dark comedies and political neo-noirs.
Here is how the ten contenders stack up across the internet’s three most influential rating platforms, and where to wach them.
1. Sinners
The Frontrunner with 16 Nods Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have done it again. Sinners isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural event. This period-piece horror-drama took the “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement” prize at the Globes, and its scores reflect a rare universal acclaim.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- IMDb: 7.5/10
- Letterboxd: 4.1/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max.
2. Marty Supreme
The Indie Darling That Went Global Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of table tennis legend Marty Reisman has solidified him as the actor of his generation. Josh Safdie brings his signature chaotic energy to this sports dramedy, which has become a massive hit on “Film Twitter” and beyond.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
- IMDb: 8.2/10
- Letterboxd: 4.2/5
- Where to watch: In theaters now; available on VOD (Apple TV/Amazon) starting Feb. 3, 2026.
3. One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Political Epic Featuring an ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, this action-packed political dramedy was the Golden Globes’ big winner. It’s a dense, rewarding watch that rewards multiple viewings.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Letterboxd: 4.2/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max.
4. Sentimental Value
The Emotional Heavyweight Joachim Trier continues his streak of devastatingly beautiful family dramas. After winning the Grand Prix at Cannes, this film has emerged as the “quiet” contender that could pull off a CODA-style upset.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- IMDb: 7.9/10
- Letterboxd: 4.2/5
- Where to watch: In select theaters or available for rent on Apple TV/Amazon.
5. The Secret Agent
The International Powerhouse Wagner Moura’s historic Golden Globe win for Best Actor has put Kleber Mendonça Filho’s neo-noir on everyone’s radar. Set in 1977 Brazil, it is the highest-rated film of the year among critics.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Letterboxd: 3.9/5
- Where to watch: Currently in select theaters.
6. Hamnet
The Literary Masterpiece Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the beloved novel features powerhouse performances by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. It’s the “prestige” pick of the year, already boasting a TIFF People’s Choice Award.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Letterboxd: 4.2/5
- Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters.
7. Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic Dream Del Toro returning to his horror roots was always going to be a win. With Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi leading the charge, this is the most visually stunning film in the Best Picture lineup.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
- IMDb: 7.5/10
- Letterboxd: 3.9/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix.
8. Train Dreams
The Quiet Sundance Breakout Clint Bentley’s period drama is the “underdog” of the 2026 Oscar Best Picture nominees. While it has the smallest profile, its technical mastery—highlighted by a Critics’ Choice win for Cinematography—makes it a formidable foe.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Letterboxd: 4.1/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix.
9. Bugonia
Lanthimos’s Latest Genre-Bender If you like your comedies dark and your satires biting, Bugonia is the movie of the year. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are a match made in weird-cinema heaven.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
- IMDb: 7.4/10
- Letterboxd: 3.9/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on Peacock.
10. F1: The Movie
The High-Octane Crowd Pleaser Brad Pitt and Joseph Kosinski proved that sports movies can still be “high art.” Despite being the lowest-rated on the list, an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes is still a massive achievement for an action-heavy blockbuster.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
- IMDb: 7.7/10
- Letterboxd: 3.7/5
- Where to watch: Streaming on Apple TV.
The Critic-Audience Unity: Why 2026 is a “Popular” Year for the Oscars
For decades, the complaint about the Academy Awards was that they only nominated “movies nobody has seen.” In 2026, that narrative is officially dead. When you look at the 2026 Oscar Best Picture nominees, the average Rotten Tomatoes score across all ten films is over 90%.
More importantly, the IMDb scores (reflecting general audience sentiment) and Letterboxd scores (reflecting the hardcore film community) are remarkably high. Usually, we see a “blockbuster gap,” where a movie like F1 would be loved by fans but ignored by critics. This year, the Academy has embraced the fact that a film can be technically perfect and a blast to watch in a theater.
Letterboxd vs. IMDb: Where the Disparities Lie
While everyone agrees these movies are great, the way they are loved differs by platform.
The Letterboxd Effect: The “Boutique” films like Hamnet, Sentimental Value, and Marty Supreme all hold a 4.2/5 on Letterboxd. This community values “vibes,” auteur-driven direction, and emotional resonance.
The IMDb Standard: IMDb users have crowned Marty Supreme (8.2) and Hamnet (8.1) as the kings of the year. Interestingly, The Secret Agent and Sinners score slightly lower here than on RT, suggesting that the general public might find the “genre-blending” or “neo-noir” elements a bit more polarizing than the critics do.
The “Sinners” Paradox: Despite having 16 nominations, Sinners sits at a 7.5 on IMDb and a 4.1 on Letterboxd. While these are great scores, they aren’t the highest on the list. This suggests that while Sinners is the most respected film by the industry, Marty Supreme might be the most loved by the fans.
Final Verdict: Will Popularity Translate to a Best Picture Win?
The 98th Academy Awards will be a battle between historical prestige (Sinners), auteur passion (One Battle After Another), and audience favorites (Marty Supreme).
History tells us that the film with the most nominations usually has the edge, but the “Preferential Ballot” used for Best Picture often favors the movie that everyone likes, rather than the movie that some people love and others find “difficult.” Given the incredible scores across the board, we could be looking at a surprise win for a film like Sentimental Value or Hamnet—movies that have high scores on every single platform.
What do you think? Does Sinners deserve to sweep the night with its 16 nominations, or were you rooting for Wicked: For Good to make the cut? Let us know your personal Best Picture winner in the comments below!
