Summary (tl;dr)

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2025, were announced on January 22, 2026, with "Sinners" leading with a record-breaking 16 nominations, sparking widespread discussion among film enthusiasts and industry professionals.

Essential Background

The Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious awards in the global film industry, presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize excellence in cinematic achievements. Each year, films released in the prior calendar year are eligible for consideration, with nominations typically announced in late January, generating significant buzz and predictions for the upcoming ceremony. The awards acknowledge contributions across various categories, from directing and acting to technical achievements.

The Full Story

On January 22, 2026, actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman revealed the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, drawing considerable attention to the "oscar nominations 2026" and related searches like "best picture nominees 2026" and "oscar nominated movies 2026". Ryan Coogler's musical horror film "Sinners" made history by securing an unprecedented 16 nominations, surpassing previous records for a single film. Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" also garnered significant recognition with 13 nominations. The highly anticipated Best Picture category features ten films: "Bugonia," "F1," "Frankenstein," "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme," "One Battle After Another," "The Secret Agent," "Sentimental Value," "Sinners," and "Train Dreams". This year also marks the debut of a new competitive category, Best Casting. The final voting for the awards began on February 26, 2026, and concluded on March 5, 2026, leading up to the ceremony on March 15, 2026.

Why It Matters

The annual Oscar nominations are a pivotal event for the film industry, significantly impacting a nominated film's visibility, critical acclaim, and box office performance. Nominations can increase a film's weekly box office revenue by a substantial margin, particularly in major categories like Best Picture and leading actor roles. For artists and craftspeople, an Oscar nomination is a profound form of peer recognition and can open doors to more ambitious projects and career advancements. Beyond the industry, the nominations ignite public debate and speculation, with audiences discussing perceived snubs and frontrunners, making the Academy Awards a cultural touchstone that reflects and influences public interest in cinema.

Geographic Location

• Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, United States (announcement of 98th Academy Awards nominations)
• Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (location of 98th Academy Awards ceremony)