At a Glance
- Oscar nominations set a new record with 16 nods for one film, Sinners.
- Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein also receives 15 nominations.
- The nominations arrive almost two months early, with the awards scheduled for March 15.
- Why it matters: The early release and historic counts signal a shift in how the Academy is positioning its most celebrated films.
The Oscar nominations have been announced, and they arrive almost two full months before the ceremony on March 15. The early release is a first for the Academy, and the list itself is historic, with Sinners leading the pack with a record-breaking 16 nominations.
The Record-Breaking Lead
Sinners tops the ballot with 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film in Oscar history. Those awards include:
- Best Picture
- Best Director for Ryan Coogler
- Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan
- Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku
- Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo
The film’s sweep of categories that cover the core of the ceremony-acting, directing, and picture-underscores its wide appeal across the industry.
Other Heavy-Hitters
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein follows with 15 nods, including a Best Picture nomination, while Bugonia earns 10 nominations. These three films dominate the genre-film landscape, each earning a Best Picture nod.
Other genre titles that have earned recognition include:
- KPop Demon Hunters – Best Animated Feature and Best Song
- Avatar: Fire & Ash – Best Visual Effects
- TK – nominated in multiple categories
Full Nominee Snapshot
Below is a concise table of the Best Picture nominees, the only category with a complete list in the original announcement.
| Film | Nominations |
|---|---|
| Bugonia | 10 |
| F1 Frankenstein | 15 |
| Hamnet | 3 |
| Marty Supreme | 3 |
| One Battle After Another | 3 |
| The Secret Agent | 3 |
| Sentimental Value | 3 |
| Sinners | 16 |
The Academy’s Expanded Categories
For the first time, the Oscars introduce a Best Casting category, highlighting the importance of ensemble selection in film. The category’s nominees include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, and Sinners.
Other notable categories and their highlights:
- Best Animated Feature: Arco Elio KPop Demon Hunters, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Zootopia 2
- Best Costume Design: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sinners
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frankenstein, Kokuho Sinners, The Smashing Machine, The Ugly Stepsister
- Best Original Score: Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, One Battle After Another, Sinners
- Best Sound: F1 Frankenstein, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Sirât
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Bugonia, Will Tracy Frankenstein, Hamnet, Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell, One Battle After Another, Train Dreams
- Best Original Screenplay: Blue Moon, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Sinners
- Best Cinematography: Frankenstein (Netflix), Marty Supreme (A24), One Battle after Another (Warner Bros.), Sinners (Warner Bros.), Train Dreams (Netflix)
- Best Documentary Feature: The Alabama Solution, Come See Me in the Good Light, Cutting Through Rocks, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, The Perfect Neighbor
- Best Documentary Short: 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
- Best International Feature: Brazil, The Secret Agent, It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value, Sirât, The Voice of Hind Rajab
- Best Original Song: “Dear Me” (Diane Warren: Relentless), “Golden” (KPop Demon Hunters), “Highest 2 Lowest” (Highest 2 Lowest), “I Lied To You” (Sinners), “Sweet Dreams of Joy” (Viva Verdi!), “Train Dreams” (Train Dreams)
- Best Production Design: Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners
- Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash, F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, The Lost Bus, Sinners
What This Means for the Industry
The early release of the nominations and the unprecedented concentration of awards for a handful of films suggest a strategic shift. By announcing nominations well in advance, the Academy may be aiming to generate sustained media coverage and public interest throughout the season. The record-breaking numbers also reflect a broader acceptance of genre films within the Academy’s purview, a trend that has been growing over the past decade.
The addition of a Best Casting category signals a recognition that the selection of actors and ensemble dynamics are pivotal to a film’s success. Casting has long been a behind-the-scenes craft, and this new award could elevate its visibility and prestige.
Looking Ahead
With the ceremony set for March 15, fans and industry insiders will keep a close eye on how the early nominations translate into wins. Will Sinners maintain its lead, or will the early momentum shift to other contenders like Frankenstein or Bugonia? The expanded categories also provide fresh opportunities for filmmakers and crew members who often go unrecognized.
The Oscar season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and historically significant in recent memory. The early release and record-setting nominations set the stage for a ceremony that could redefine the Academy’s relationship with genre cinema and the broader film community.
Key Takeaways
- Sinners holds a record 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film.
- Frankenstein and Bugonia also receive heavy nominations.
- The Oscars introduce a Best Casting category for the first time.
- Nominations were announced almost two months early, with the ceremony on March 15.
- The shift toward genre films and expanded categories signals a broader industry trend.
