In a year defined by corporate consolidation, streaming wars, and a fierce debate over the soul of cinema, the 98th Academy Awards nominations have delivered a powerful statement: bold, original storytelling still reigns supreme.
The announcement Thursday morning was dominated by the raw, mythic power of “Sinners,” Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic set in the Jim Crow South, which shattered records with 16 nominations—the most in Oscar history. Hot on its heels was Paul Thomas Anderson’s searing radical politics drama “One Battle After Another” with 13 nods, setting up a historic showdown between two Warner Bros. behemoths on Hollywood’s biggest night.
This year’s nominations tell a story of creative audacity rewarded, corporate fortunes reversed, and an industry at a profound crossroads. As Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor asserted in her pre-announcement remarks, the message is clear: “Our profound belief is that the heartbeat of film is and will always remain unmistakably human.”
The Titans: Sinners & One Battle After Another
“Sinners” didn’t just lead the pack—it rewrote the record books, surpassing the 14-nomination benchmark held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.” Its haul includes Best Picture, Director for Ryan Coogler, Original Screenplay, and a long-awaited first Best Actor nomination for Michael B. Jordan.
“I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago,” Coogler revealed in an emotional interview after the announcements. “I got to imagine that he’s listening to some blues music right now to celebrate.”
The film’s success is a vindication for Coogler’s deeply personal vision and for Warner Bros. executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who greenlit the risky project amidst studio flops and rumors of their impending ouster. Instead of a cautionary tale, “Sinners” became a box office phenomenon and now stands as an awards juggernaut.
Its chief rival, “One Battle After Another,” represents the other side of Warner’s high-stakes gamble. While it failed to recoup its massive $135 million budget theatrically, its awards dominance—fueled by nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio (Best Actor), Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn (Supporting Actor), and Teyana Taylor (Supporting Actress)—cements its value in the studio’s library and in cinematic history.
“To me, what matters is great ideas and original filmmaking,” DiCaprio told Variety. “I think there’s this tide of change that is going to happen no matter how we feel about it.”
Warner Bros.’ Remarkable Resurrection
The studio’s total of 33 nominations marks a stunning turnaround. Starting the year with high-profile disappointments like “Mickey 17” and “The Alto Knights,” Warner Bros. now finds itself leading the Oscar race—even as its future remains uncertain under the shadow of Netflix’s pending $82.7 billion acquisition.
This corporate drama adds a layer of poignancy to the studio’s success. As Hollywood grapples with the absorption of legendary studios like MGM and 20th Century Fox, Warner’s potential sale to Netflix represents perhaps the most significant shift yet. The nominations for “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another”—both bold, theatrical, auteur-driven films—stand as a powerful argument for the very kind of filmmaking many fear will diminish in a consolidated landscape.
The Best Picture Landscape: From Horror to Racing
The ten Best Picture nominees reflect a remarkably diverse cinematic year:
- “Bugonia” (Focus Features): Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s latest collaboration, a surrealist comedy.
- “F1” (Apple): A surprise nominee, this racing drama scored an upset nod despite being seen as more of a technical play.
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix): Guillermo del Toro’s operatic, visually sumptuous take on the classic, earning 9 nominations.
- “Hamnet” (Focus Features): Chloé Zhao’s speculative historical drama about Shakespeare’s family, with 8 nominations.
- “Marty Supreme” (A24): Josh Safdie’s manic period ping-pong epic, powered by Timothée Chalamet’s showmanship, with 9 nods.
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.): Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic examination of political revolution.
- “The Secret Agent” (Neon): A Brazilian political thriller that continues Neon’s awards streak.
- “Sentimental Value” (Neon): Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama, an international powerhouse with 9 nominations.
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.): The record-breaking vampire saga.
- “Train Dreams” (Netflix): A lyrical adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella.
Acting Races: Legends and Breakouts
The acting categories are brimming with narratives. Best Actor features a generational clash between veteran Leonardo DiCaprio and the promotional maestro Timothée Chalamet, alongside first-time nominee Michael B. Jordan, the soulful Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), and Golden Globe winner Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”).
Best Actress is a tour de force of maternal portraits, with Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”) and Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”) as favorites, challenged by two-time winner Emma Stone, a resurgent Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), and Renate Reinsve (“Sentimental Value”).
The supporting categories are stacked with “One Battle After Another” and “Sentimental Value” each landing multiple nods, while veteran Delroy Lindo scored a beloved surprise nomination for “Sinners.”
Notable Snubs & Surprises
As always, the nominations brought shockers:
- Snub: “Wicked: For Good” was completely shut out, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo missing acting nods.
- Surprise: “F1” crashing the Best Picture race.
- Snub: Paul Mescal’ critically acclaimed turn in “Hamnet” was overlooked.
- Surprise: Both Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas scored Supporting Actress nods for “Sentimental Value.”
- Snub: Guillermo del Toro missing the Best Director cut despite “Frankenstein’s” strong showing.
A New Category Makes History
This year marks the inaugural Best Casting award, recognizing a craft long overlooked. The nominees—Nina Gold (“Hamnet”), Jennifer Venditti (“Marty Supreme”), Cassandra Kulukundis (“One Battle After Another”), Francine Maisler (“Sinners”), and Gabriel Domingues (“The Secret Agent”)—highlight the foundational art of assembling a perfect ensemble.
The International Wave
The global tilt of the Academy continues. “Sentimental Value” (Norway) is a powerhouse across categories. The Best International Feature Film race is particularly potent, featuring Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning Iranian drama “It Was Just an Accident,” the urgent Tunisian entry “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” and Neon’s trio of “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “Sentimental Value,” and “Sirāt” (Spain). Neon alone scored 18 nominations, proving the outsized influence of savvy indie distribution.
The Stage is Set
The 98th Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 15 (airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu), will unfold against a backdrop of industry anxiety and transformation. Yet, the nominations themselves are a celebration of human creativity at its most ambitious. From the blood-soaked fields of “Sinners” to the radical cells of “One Battle After Another,” from the grieving household of “Hamnet” to the racing circuits of “F1,” this year’s nominees prove that even in an era of algorithms and acquisitions, the most powerful stories are still those that only humans can tell.
Complete List of Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards
Best Picture
- “Bugonia” (Focus Features)
- “F1” (Apple)
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- “The Secret Agent” (Neon)
- “Sentimental Value” (Neon)
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- “Train Dreams” (Netflix)
Best Director
- Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
- Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
- Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
- Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
- Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
Actor in a Leading Role
- Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
- Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
- Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
- Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
- Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
Actress in a Leading Role
- Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
- Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
- Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
- Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
- Emma Stone, “Bugonia”
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Benicio del Toro, “One Battle After Another”
- Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
- Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”
- Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
- Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
- Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
- Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”
- Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”
Adapted Screenplay
- “Bugonia,” Will Tracy
- “Frankenstein,” Guillermo del Toro
- “Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell
- “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson
- “Train Dreams,” Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Original Screenplay
- “Blue Moon,” Robert Kaplow
- “It Was Just an Accident,” Jafar Panahi
- “Marty Supreme,” Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie
- “Sentimental Value,” Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier
- “Sinners,” Ryan Coogler
Animated Feature Film
- “Arco” (Neon)
- “Elio” (Walt Disney)
- “KPop Demon Hunters” (Netflix)
- “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” (GKIDS)
- “Zootopia 2” (Walt Disney)
International Feature Film
- “The Secret Agent” (Brazil)
- “It Was Just an Accident” (France)
- “Sentimental Value” (Norway)
- “Sirāt” (Spain)
- “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia)
Documentary Feature
- “The Alabama Solution”
- “Come See Me in the Good Light”
- “Cutting Through Rocks”
- “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
- “The Perfect Neighbor”
Original Score
- “Bugonia,” Jerskin Fendrix
- “Frankenstein,” Alexandre Desplat
- “Hamnet,” Max Richter
- “One Battle After Another,” Jonny Greenwood
- “Sinners,” Ludwig Goransson
Original Song
- “Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless”
- “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters”
- “I Lied To You” from “Sinners”
- “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”
- “Train Dreams” from “Train Dreams”
Cinematography
- “Frankenstein,” Dan Laustsen
- “Marty Supreme,” Darius Khondji
- “One Battle After Another,” Michael Bauman
- “Sinners,” Autumn Durald Arkapaw
- “Train Dreams,” Adolpho Veloso
Costume Design
- “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Deborah L. Scott
- “Frankenstein,” Kate Hawley
- “Hamnet,” Malgosia Turzanska
- “Marty Supreme,” Miyako Bellizzi
- “Sinners,” Ruth E. Carter
Film Editing
- “F1,” Stephen Mirrione
- “Marty Supreme,” Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
- “One Battle After Another,” Andy Jurgensen
- “Sentimental Value,” Olivier Bugge Coutté
- “Sinners,” Michael P. Shawver
Makeup and Hairstyling
- “Frankenstein,” Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey
- “Kokuho,” Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino, Tadashi Nishimatsu
- “Sinners,” Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, Shunika Terry
- “The Smashing Machine,” Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin, Bjoern Rehbein
- “The Ugly Stepsister,” Thomas Foldberg, Anne Cathrine Sauerberg
Production Design
- “Frankenstein,” Tamara Deverell (Production Design), Shane Vieau (Set Decoration)
- “Hamnet,” Fiona Crombie (PD), Alice Felton (SD)
- “Marty Supreme,” Jack Fisk (PD), Adam Willis (SD)
- “One Battle After Another,” Florencia Martin (PD), Anthony Carlino (SD)
- “Sinners,” Hannah Beachler (PD), Monique Champagne (SD)
Sound
- “F1,” Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta
- “Frankenstein,” Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern
- “One Battle After Another,” José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio, Tony Villaflor
- “Sinners,” Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker
- “Sirāt,” Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, Yasmina Praderas
Visual Effects
- “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett
- “F1,” Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington, Keith Dawson
- “Jurassic World Rebirth,” David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan, Neil Corbould
- “The Lost Bus,” Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen, Brandon K. McLaughlin
- “Sinners,” Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean
Animated Short Film
- “Butterfly”
- “Forevergreen”
- “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
- “Retirement Plan”
- “The Three Sisters”
Documentary Short Film
- “All the Empty Rooms”
- “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
- “Children No More: Were and Are Gone”
- “The Devil Is Busy”
- “Perfectly a Strangeness”
Live Action Short Film
- “Butcher’s Stain”
- “A Friend of Dorothy”
- “Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
- “The Singers”
- “Two People Exchanging Saliva”
Achievement in Casting
- “Hamnet,” Nina Gold
- “Marty Supreme,” Jennifer Venditti
- “One Battle After Another,” Cassandra Kulukundis
- “The Secret Agent,” Gabriel Domingues
- “Sinners,” Francine Maisler
