2026 Oscar Race: Top Contenders Include 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' As the competition for the prestigious Academy Awards intensifies, films such as 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' are emerging as frontrunners. With compelling narratives and outstanding performances, these films are capturing the attention of audiences and critics alike, making them key contenders in the upcoming Oscar race. Stay tuned for updates as the season unfolds!
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The anticipation for the 2026 Oscar nominations is building as the Academy gears up to reveal its selections for the year’s top films. This year’s competition is particularly exciting, featuring a mix of critically acclaimed projects and box office hits.
The announcement is scheduled for March 15, prompting industry insiders to evaluate potential contenders for the prestigious awards.
One film generating considerable buzz is ‘Sinners’, a vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler. It is anticipated to achieve a record-breaking 15 nominations, surpassing previous highs set by films like ‘All About Eve’ and ‘Titanic’.
Following closely is Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’, which is also expected to receive 13 nominations.
Leading contenders for best picture
The race for the Best Picture award is intense, with several films emerging as frontrunners. Awards analyst Ben Zauzmer indicates that ‘One Battle After Another’ is currently in the lead, bolstered by accolades from critics’ circles, including the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards.
However, historical trends suggest that early favorites do not always secure the Oscar. Past nominees such as ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and ‘The Social Network’ were once seen as frontrunners but ultimately did not win. This year, while ‘Sinners’ and ‘Hamnet’ are expected to contend vigorously, films like ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Marty Supreme’ could disrupt the predictions.
Insights into the nominations
The mathematical model employed to predict nominees considers various factors, including past winners and trends from the current awards season. With the Academy expanding the number of films eligible for Best Picture to ten, it is anticipated that around nine out of the leading contenders identified by the model will likely receive nominations.
Films like ‘Sentimental Value’ and ‘Train Dreams’ remain in contention but face stiff competition. The prospects for ‘It Was Just an Accident’ and ‘Bugonia’ appear less certain, with both having less than a one-in-three chance of being nominated.
Director and acting categories
In the Best Director category, Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler are viewed as near certainties for nominations due to their films’ significant success. Chloé Zhao’s direction in ‘Hamnet’ is also likely to earn her a nod, given her previous accolades.
The competition remains fierce, with other directors such as Josh Safdie and Guillermo del Toro also considered strong contenders. The potential for surprises adds to the excitement as the nominations approach.
Acting predictions
In the Best Actor category, consensus among critics is forming around names like Michael B. Jordan for ‘Sinners’ and Leonardo DiCaprio for ‘One Battle After Another’. Emerging talents like Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’ and seasoned actors like Ethan Hawke further enrich this year’s competition.
The Best Actress race features Golden Globe winners Jessie Buckley and Rose Byrne, both anticipated to receive nominations. Their performances resonate strongly with audiences, placing them as front-runners in a category that could also witness surprises from newcomers.
What to expect on nomination day
One film generating considerable buzz is ‘Sinners’, a vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler. It is anticipated to achieve a record-breaking 15 nominations, surpassing previous highs set by films like ‘All About Eve’ and ‘Titanic’. Following closely is Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’, which is also expected to receive 13 nominations.0
One film generating considerable buzz is ‘Sinners’, a vampire drama directed by Ryan Coogler. It is anticipated to achieve a record-breaking 15 nominations, surpassing previous highs set by films like ‘All About Eve’ and ‘Titanic’. Following closely is Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’, which is also expected to receive 13 nominations.1
