Oscars 2026: Who's in the Race?

The Oscars 2026 nominations are here, and it's a big deal. "Sinners" is leading the pack with 16 nods, including best picture, best director, and best original screenplay. But it's not alone. "One Battle After Another" is hot on its heels with 13 nominations. "Frankenstein, " "Marty Supreme, " and "Sentimental Value" are also in the mix, each with nine nominations. But what's really interesting is the new category this year: best casting. It's the first new category since 2002, and it's already causing a stir. The nominees were chosen after a "bake-off" presentation, where members of the casting directors branch voted. "Hamnet, " "Marty Supreme, " "One Battle After Another, " "The Secret Agent, " and "Sinners" made the cut. The Oscars are also getting stricter about voting. Members now have to watch all the nominees in their category to vote. They have to track their viewing via the Academy Screening Room app or fill out a form if they watched the films elsewhere.The big night is set for Sunday, March 15, hosted by Conan O'Brien for the second year in a row. It's going to be a star-studded event, with big names like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ethan Hawke up for best actor. And let's not forget the best picture nominees: "Bugonia, " "F1, " "Frankenstein, " "Hamnet, " "Marty Supreme, " "One Battle After Another, " "The Secret Agent, " "Sentimental Value, " "Sinners, " and "Train Dreams. " But it's not just about the big names. There are some surprises too. "Wicked: For Good" was completely shut out, while Delroy Lindo and Kate Hudson scored surprise nominations. And let's not forget the snubs. Some films that were expected to make the cut didn't, and some that weren't expected to did. The Oscars are always a big deal, but this year, it's even bigger. With new categories, stricter voting rules, and a host of surprises, it's anyone's game. So who's in the race? That's for you to decide.