Oscar 2026 Statistics | Oscar Nomination Facts

Oscar 2026

The 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, represents a groundbreaking year in cinema’s most prestigious celebration. This year’s ceremony honors films released during 2025 and has already made history with unprecedented nominations that shattered long-standing records. With Conan O’Brien returning as host for his second consecutive year, the event promises to deliver spectacular entertainment while recognizing exceptional achievements across 24 competitive categories, including the newly introduced Casting category.

The 2026 Oscar nominations, announced on January 22, 2026, by actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, brought remarkable milestones that reshaped Academy Awards history. From Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller capturing an unprecedented 16 nominations to breakthrough performances from first-time nominees, this year’s selections reflect both the industry’s evolution and its commitment to recognizing diverse storytelling. The ceremony will broadcast live on ABC and stream on Hulu at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, bringing Hollywood’s biggest night to audiences worldwide.

Interesting Stats & Facts About Oscar 2026

Data sources: Oscars.org, ABC News, NPR, The Wrap, Variety, CBS News

The 98th Academy Awards marks a pivotal moment in Oscar history, particularly with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners obliterating the previous nomination record by securing 16 nods across virtually every category it competed in. This supernatural thriller set in 1930s Mississippi not only earned recognition for Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay but also garnered nominations for its lead actor Michael B. Jordan, supporting actors Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku, plus technical achievements in cinematography, costume design, makeup, sound, and visual effects. The film’s sweep demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship across all departments, with the Academy’s recognition spanning from creative vision to technical execution.

The introduction of the Casting category represents the most significant structural change to the Oscars in 25 years, recognizing the crucial but often invisible work of casting directors who shape films by discovering talent and assembling ensembles. This addition, championed by the Casting Directors Branch established in 2013, finally acknowledges a discipline that fundamentally impacts storytelling. With 74 women nominated this year, the Academy continues its commitment to recognizing diverse voices, while first-time nominees including Rose Byrne, Jacob Elordi, Elle Fanning, Teyana Taylor, and Wagner Moura bring fresh energy to the celebration. The 30-year-old Timothée Chalamet making history as one of the youngest actors to receive three Best Actor nominations underscores Hollywood’s embrace of emerging talent alongside established excellence.

Oscar 2026 Nominations Leaders

Data sources: NPR, ABC News, Oscars.org, Yahoo Entertainment

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominates the 2026 Oscar landscape with its record-shattering 16 nominations, showcasing the Academy’s recognition of bold, genre-defying storytelling that merges horror elements with profound social commentary. The film earned nominations in every single category it competed in, demonstrating unanimous support across all Academy branches—from actors to technicians to executives. This universal acclaim positions Sinners as a formidable Best Picture contender, particularly given its technical excellence recognized through nominations in cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production design by Hannah Beachler, and costume design by Ruth E. Carter, who earned her fifth nomination, making her the most nominated Black woman in Oscar history across any category.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another secured 13 nominations, including an impressive four acting nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn. This father-daughter revolutionary saga demonstrates Anderson’s continued mastery of ensemble storytelling, with the Academy recognizing both the film’s artistic vision and its technical achievements. The Norwegian film Sentimental Value earned 9 nominations, the most ever for a Norwegian production, with three acting nominations contributing to the record four non-English language acting performances nominated this year. This international recognition reflects the Academy’s expanding global perspective, breaking down traditional barriers between Hollywood productions and world cinema.

Oscar 2026 Studio Performance Statistics

Data sources: Yahoo Entertainment, Variety, Warner Bros Discovery, Gold Derby

Warner Bros achieved a remarkable milestone by securing 30 nominations at the 2026 Oscars, matching its own studio record previously set in 2005 when its slate included Best Picture winner Million Dollar Baby, The Aviator, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and other acclaimed films. This year’s achievement stems primarily from two powerhouse productions: Sinners with its record 16 nominations and One Battle After Another with 13 nods, demonstrating the studio’s commitment to supporting ambitious, director-driven projects that resonate with Academy voters. The studio thanked the Academy in a statement for recognizing its cast and crew across this exceptional slate of films.

Neon and Netflix tied for second place with 18 nominations each, showcasing the competitive landscape between traditional distributors and streaming platforms. Neon’s success came from acquiring prestigious international films that found critical acclaim, particularly the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value with 9 nominations, while Netflix demonstrated its commitment to prestige filmmaking through Frankenstein, which earned 9 nominations despite director Guillermo del Toro’s surprising omission from the Best Director category. The streaming giant also supported Train Dreams with 4 nominations and made history with KPop Demon Hunters, whose song “Golden” became the first K-pop song ever nominated for an Academy Award. This distribution of nominations across studios and platforms reflects the democratization of Oscar-worthy content and the industry’s evolution beyond traditional studio systems.

Oscar 2026 Acting Categories Breakdown

Data sources: ABC News, NPR, Oscars.org, The Wrap

The Best Actor category showcases a compelling mix of established excellence and emerging recognition, with Timothée Chalamet making history as the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to receive three Best Actor nominations at age 30. Chalamet’s third nomination for Marty Supreme follows his previous recognition for Call Me by Your Name and A Complete Unknown, positioning him among the most acclaimed actors of his generation despite not yet claiming the trophy. Michael B. Jordan earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for his dual role as twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners, while Wagner Moura received recognition for his performance in the Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent, representing non-English language cinema.

The Best Supporting Actress category features an extraordinary slate of first-time nominees, with Teyana Taylor expressing profound gratitude for her nomination for One Battle After Another, stating in a statement that the recognition was “beyond anything I ever allowed myself to fully believe was possible” after a career filled with battles for space, respect, and opportunity. Elle Fanning shared her shock and excitement on Instagram, writing “IS THIS REAL!?!?!?! IS THIS A DREAM!?!?!?!” upon learning of her nomination for Sentimental Value. The 73-year-old Delroy Lindo received his first Oscar nomination for Sinners, demonstrating that the Academy recognizes excellence regardless of career stage. These 11 first-time nominees across acting categories bring diverse perspectives and fresh energy to the ceremony, while the inclusion of four non-English language acting performances from Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent marks a historic record for international representation.

Oscar 2026 Technical Categories Overview

Data sources: Oscars.org, The Wrap, NPR

The technical categories at the 2026 Oscars highlight the extraordinary craftsmanship behind this year’s nominated films, with Sinners receiving recognition across virtually every technical discipline. Ruth E. Carter’s costume design nomination for Sinners represents her fifth Oscar nomination, cementing her status as the most nominated Black woman in Academy history across any category. Carter has previously won two Oscars for costume design—first in 2019 for Black Panther and again in 2023 for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—establishing her as one of the most celebrated costume designers of the modern era. Her work on Sinners, set in 1930s Mississippi, required extensive research and creative vision to authentically capture the period while serving the film’s narrative needs.

The Sound category made history with the Spanish film Sirāt earning a nomination thanks to its sound design team of Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, and Yasmina Praderas, who became the first all-female team ever nominated for an Oscar in a sound category. This groundbreaking achievement highlights progress in a traditionally male-dominated technical field, where only six women have ever won Oscars in competitive sound categories. The cinematography nominations recognize the visual artistry of Autumn Durald Arkapaw for Sinners, Darius Khondji for Marty Supreme, and Michael Bauman for One Battle After Another, showcasing the diverse aesthetic approaches that defined 2025’s most acclaimed films. These technical nominations reflect the Academy’s appreciation for the collaborative artistry required to bring ambitious cinematic visions to life.

Oscar 2026 Diversity and Representation Milestones

Data sources: The Wrap, Variety, ABC News

The 2026 Oscars demonstrate significant progress in diversity and inclusion, though challenges remain in certain categories. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners earned 10 nominations for Black artists, tying the all-time Oscar record previously set by Judas and the Black Messiah in 2021, which Coogler produced. These nominations span multiple categories including direction, acting, costume design, cinematography, production design, and more, showcasing excellence across all aspects of filmmaking. Coogler became just the seventh Black filmmaker ever nominated for Best Director, joining John Singleton, Lee Daniels, Steve McQueen, Barry Jenkins, Jordan Peele, and Spike Lee. While Steve McQueen became the first Black filmmaker to direct a Best Picture winner with 12 Years a Slave in 2014, followed by Barry Jenkins with Moonlight three years later, no Black filmmaker has yet won Best Director, and no Black woman director has ever been nominated.

Chloé Zhao became only the second woman to receive multiple Best Director nominations with her recognition for Hamnet, following Jane Campion who holds this distinction. The 74 women nominated this year represents a new record, surpassing the previous high of 73 set in 2023, though the Best Actress category consists of an all-white field following Cynthia Erivo’s failure to secure a nomination for Wicked: For Good. The historic recognition of four non-English language acting performances—three from Norway’s Sentimental Value (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård) and one from Brazil’s The Secret Agent (Wagner Moura)—continues the pattern from recent years of non-English films like Parasite and Drive My Car breaking into traditionally English-language-dominated acting categories. This international representation reflects the Academy’s expanding global perspective and recognition that exceptional performances transcend language barriers.

Oscar 2026 Best Picture Nominees Analysis

Data sources: Oscars.org, NPR, ABC News

The Best Picture category for 2026 features 10 nominees representing diverse genres, budgets, and storytelling approaches, from supernatural thrillers to period dramas to sports films. Sinners enters as the overwhelming favorite based on its record 16 nominations across every category in which it competed, suggesting deep support throughout all Academy branches. The film’s achievement of earning nominations in every competing category is statistically stunning and historically rare, indicating that actors, directors, writers, technicians, and executives all recognized its excellence. This unanimous support across branches strengthens its Best Picture prospects significantly, as the preferential ballot system rewards films with broad appeal rather than polarizing works that inspire passionate love and hate.

One Battle After Another stands as the primary challenger with 13 nominations, including four acting nominations, demonstrating its strength in performance and storytelling. Director Paul Thomas Anderson earned his eleventh Oscar nomination across directing, writing, and producing categories throughout his career, though he has never won despite being one of cinema’s most celebrated auteurs. The international representation includes Sentimental Value from Norway with 9 nominations (the most ever for a Norwegian film) and Brazil’s The Secret Agent with 4 nominations, both competing in Best Picture and International Feature Film categories simultaneously. F1, the Apple-produced racing drama starring Brad Pitt, earned a surprising Best Picture nomination despite being largely overlooked at earlier awards ceremonies, demonstrating the Academy’s willingness to recognize big-budget spectacle when executed with artistic merit. This eclectic mix of nominees—from intimate character studies to expensive blockbusters—reflects the breadth of exceptional filmmaking that defined 2025.

Oscar 2026 Notable Snubs and Surprises

Data sources: CBS News, Yahoo Entertainment, NPR

The most shocking snub of 2026 involves Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good, the sequel to 2024’s Wicked, which earned 10 Oscar nominations and won two statues. Despite anticipation that the sequel would factor into multiple races, the film was completely shut out with zero nominations, representing one of the steepest drop-offs in recent Oscar history for a franchise follow-up. Critics noted that Wicked: For Good received more tepid reviews compared to its predecessor, but the complete blanking surprised industry observers who expected at least technical recognition for production design, costumes, or visual effects. Similarly, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash received just two nominations, a franchise low compared to the original Avatar which earned nine nominations (winning three) and Avatar: The Way of Water which garnered four nominations (winning one).

Director Guillermo del Toro received nominations for Frankenstein in Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay categories, but surprisingly missed the Best Director lineup despite the Directors Guild of America nominating him. His absence from the directing category, despite his film earning nine total nominations, exemplifies how competitive the race became this year. Iranian director Jafar Panahi was also expected to make the Best Director shortlist for his Palme d’Or-winning feature It Was Just an Accident, which ultimately earned two nominations but not in the major categories anticipated. On the surprise side, Kate Hudson received her first Oscar nomination in 25 years for Song Sung Blue, while Delroy Lindo at age 73 finally received his first nomination for Sinners after decades of acclaimed work. The biggest surprise remained Sinners itself, which exceeded even optimistic predictions by securing 16 nominations and writing a new chapter in Academy Awards history.

Oscar 2026 Music and Song Categories

Data sources: ABC News, Oscars.org, NPR

The Original Song category made history with “Golden” from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters becoming the first K-pop song ever nominated for an Academy Award. This groundbreaking nomination, featuring music and lyrics by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon, and Teddy Park, represents the Academy’s recognition of global music trends and the increasing influence of Korean popular culture on worldwide entertainment. The film also received a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film, demonstrating Netflix’s commitment to diverse animated content that resonates across cultural boundaries.

Diane Warren received her 17th Oscar nomination for Best Original Song with “Dear Me” from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, marking her ninth consecutive year of recognition in this category. Warren has never won a competitive Oscar despite these numerous nominations—though she received an honorary Academy Award in 2022—earning her comparisons to actress Susan Lucci, who was nominated 21 times for a Daytime Emmy before finally winning on her 19th nomination. Warren’s persistence and continued excellence in songwriting demonstrates both her talent and the competitive nature of the category. The Original Score nominees include acclaimed composers Ludwig Goransson (Sinners), Jonny Greenwood (One Battle After Another), Max Richter (Hamnet), and Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), showcasing the diverse musical approaches that enhanced this year’s most celebrated films.

Oscar 2026 International and Animated Film Recognition

Data sources: Oscars.org, NPR, The Wrap

The International Feature Film category showcases exceptional cinema from around the globe, with Brazil’s The Secret Agent earning four total nominations including Best Picture, becoming one of the year’s most celebrated international productions. The film’s lead actor Wagner Moura received a Best Actor nomination, contributing to the record four non-English language acting performances recognized this year. Norway’s Sentimental Value earned nine nominations total—the most ever for a Norwegian film—and also competed in Best Picture alongside International Feature Film, demonstrating how the Academy increasingly recognizes that exceptional international cinema deserves consideration in all major categories rather than being relegated solely to the specialty category.

France’s submission It Was Just an Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi with script collaborators Nader Saïvar, Shadmehr Rastin, and Mehdi Mahmoudian, won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival and earned two Oscar nominations, though less than some forecasters predicted. The Animated Feature Film category includes Disney’s Zootopia 2, continuing the successful franchise, alongside Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, which made additional history with its K-pop song nomination. Pixar’s Elio rounds out the major studio representation, while French entry Arco and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain provide international perspective in animation. This mix of big-budget studio productions and independent international works reflects the global nature of contemporary animation and the Academy’s appreciation for diverse storytelling approaches across all filmmaking disciplines.

Oscar 2026 Documentary and Short Film Categories

Data sources: Oscars.org, NPR

The Documentary Feature category explores urgent contemporary issues through compelling storytelling, with The Alabama Solution directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman examining social justice themes. Come See Me in the Good Light, produced by Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, and Stef Willen, offers intimate portraiture, while Cutting through Rocks from directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni provides international perspective. Mr. Nobody against Putin tackles political themes with nominees to be determined at the time of the ceremony, and The Perfect Neighbor directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu, and Sam Bisbee rounds out this diverse slate of non-fiction filmmaking.

The Documentary Short Film category includes Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud, directed by Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo, honoring the fallen journalist. Children No More: “Were and Are Gone” from Hilla Medalia and Sheila Nevins addresses themes of childhood and loss, while The Devil Is Busy by Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir examines social issues. The Animated Short Film nominees showcase international animation excellence, with The Three Sisters from Russian director Konstantin Bronzit and Butterfly from Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens representing European animation tradition. These shorter format categories provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers and experimental storytelling that might not fit feature-length commercial structures, maintaining the Academy’s commitment to recognizing excellence across all forms and lengths of cinema.

Oscar 2026 New Casting Category Impact

Data sources: Oscars.org, Slate, Wikipedia

The Academy Award for Achievement in Casting represents the most significant addition to the Oscars since Best Animated Feature Film was introduced in 2001, recognizing a discipline that fundamentally shapes films but has historically received no Academy recognition despite decades of advocacy by casting professionals. The Casting Directors Branch, established in July 2013 with nearly 160 members, built support for this category over more than a decade before the Academy announced its creation on February 8, 2024. This new category acknowledges that casting directors do far more than simply fill roles—they discover talent, build chemistry between actors, and fundamentally influence how audiences connect with stories through the performers who bring characters to life.

Francine Maisler, nominated for her work on Sinners, has assembled one of the year’s most acclaimed ensembles, contributing to the film’s record 16 nominations by casting Michael B. Jordan in dual roles alongside supporting players Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku, all of whom received acting nominations. Nina Gold, recognized for Hamnet, built her reputation as casting director for Game of Thrones and has worked on numerous prestige productions, demonstrating expertise in period drama casting. Cassandra Kulukundis earned recognition for One Battle After Another, which features four acting nominees among its cast, showcasing her ability to identify talent and assemble performers who elevate material. The inaugural year of this category sets an important precedent for future recognition of casting excellence, though only five nominees were selected this year despite the significant number of eligible films, suggesting the branch exercised selectivity in honoring only the most exceptional work.

Oscar 2026 Ceremony Details and Broadcast Information

Data sources: ABC News, Oscars.org, CBS News

Conan O’Brien returns to host the 98th Academy Awards for his second consecutive year after receiving praise for his performance at the 2025 ceremony, bringing his distinctive comedic style and entertainment industry experience to Hollywood’s biggest night. O’Brien, who hosted The Tonight Show and Conan over decades of late-night television, brings familiarity with live broadcasting and celebrity interaction that serves the Oscar ceremony’s unique demands. The Academy’s decision to bring him back suggests satisfaction with his first-year performance and confidence that established hosting provides stability for viewers tuning in to see their favorite films and artists recognized.

The ceremony broadcasts live on ABC at 7:00 PM Eastern Time / 4:00 PM Pacific Time, with same-day streaming available on Hulu for subscribers who prefer watching via streaming platforms. Pre-show red carpet coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET, giving audiences the opportunity to see nominees arrive in designer fashion and participate in traditional pre-ceremony interviews. The Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood provides the glamorous setting, having hosted the Oscars since 2002 when it opened as the Kodak Theatre. With 24 competitive categories to present, plus special awards and musical performances, the ceremony typically runs approximately three to three-and-a-half hours, though producers work to keep the show moving efficiently while still honoring all nominees and winners appropriately.

Oscar 2026 Producers and Writers Recognition

Data sources: NPR, Oscars.org, ABC News

Steven Spielberg made Oscar history with his 14th Best Picture nomination as a producer for Hamnet, breaking the previous record for most Best Picture nominations by an individual producer. This nomination continues Spielberg’s extraordinary Academy Awards legacy, which includes three Best Picture wins for Schindler’s List (1994), Saving Private Ryan (nominated 1999), and West Side Story (nominated 2022), along with three Best Director wins. Despite his remarkable 14 Best Picture nominations as producer, Spielberg personally produced only some of these films, with others produced under his Amblin Entertainment banner with producing partners. This distinction highlights how the Best Picture category recognizes teams rather than individuals, though Spielberg’s consistent involvement demonstrates his eye for identifying exceptional material.

Several nominees earned recognition in multiple categories, with Emma Stone nominated for both Best Actress and Best Picture as a producer on Bugonia, Ryan Coogler recognized for directing, writing, and producing Sinners, and Timothée Chalamet competing for both Best Actor and Best Picture as a producer on Marty Supreme. These multiple nominations reflect the contemporary trend of actors and directors taking greater creative control through producing, ensuring their artistic visions reach screens while participating in financial success. Paul Thomas Anderson earned nominations for both directing and writing One Battle After Another, continuing his pattern of complete creative control over his films. The recognition of these multihyphenate artists demonstrates the Academy’s appreciation for filmmakers who commit fully to projects across multiple dimensions rather than specializing in single roles.

Oscar 2026 Historical Context and Legacy

Data sources: NPR, Variety, Oscars.org, CBS News

The 98th Academy Awards will be remembered for Sinners shattering the nomination record with 16 nods, surpassing the 14 nominations previously shared by three films: All About Eve (1951), Titanic (1998), and La La Land (2017). While Ben-Hur (1960), Titanic (1998), and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004) each won 11 Oscars—the most wins in history—no film has ever converted 16 nominations into wins, making Sinners’ potential performance on ceremony night highly anticipated. The film would need to win approximately 69 percent of its nominated categories to claim the wins record, which would require sweeping victories across creative, technical, and performance categories simultaneously.

Beyond individual film achievements, the 2026 Oscars represent institutional progress in diversity and inclusion, with 74 women nominated (a new record) and the introduction of the Casting category providing recognition to a previously overlooked discipline. The ceremony honors films that pushed artistic boundaries while entertaining audiences, from Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller to Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary saga to Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama. These nominations celebrate cinema’s ability to transport viewers across time periods, cultures, and genres while exploring universal human experiences. Whether Sinners converts its record nominations into wins or an underdog emerges victorious, the 98th Academy Awards will mark a significant chapter in Oscar history, recognizing artistic excellence from one of cinema’s most accomplished years.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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