By Dularchandra Kushwaha

The Oscars always pull the world’s eyes to Hollywood, and the 98th Academy Awards are no different. This year’s nominations, announced on January 22, 2026, have movie fans buzzing everywhere as we get closer to the big show on March 15.

So, where did the excitement kick off? At the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman stood on stage and read out the nominees. All the films up for awards came out in 2025, and soon enough, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles will be packed for the ceremony. If you’re in the US, you can catch it live on ABC, or stream it on Hulu. Around the world, it’s reaching more than 200 territories. That’s a lot of people watching.

The headline everyone’s talking about is Sinners. Ryan Coogler’s latest film smashed records, landing 16 nominations—the most any movie’s ever received at the Oscars. Yes, even more than Titanic, La La Land, or All About Eve. Sinners is up for just about everything you can think of: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and a string of acting categories. People can’t stop talking about it.

But Sinners isn’t the only film getting attention. One Battle After Another scored 13 nominations. Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value each picked up 9, and Hamnet grabbed 8. All official, all confirmed.

Now, let’s talk categories. Best Picture is always the one everyone’s watching. These are the contenders this year:

Bugonia
F1
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
The Secret Agent
Train Dreams

For Best Actor, you’ll see names like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B. Jordan. On the Best Actress side, there’s Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, and Emma Stone. That’s just a taste—there are more, but these are some of the big ones making headlines.

Best Director shapes up to be a tough race too. Chloé Zhao, Josh Safdie, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joachim Trier, and Ryan Coogler made the list. A stacked lineup.

International films got their share of the spotlight this year too. The Academy handed out nominations to movies from all over the world, especially in the Best International Feature Film category. It’s clear the Oscars are paying attention to global storytelling and not just Hollywood.

Mark your calendars: the Oscars air March 15, 2026, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Conan O’Brien is back as host, bringing his trademark humor to the stage.

Why do these nominations matter so much? For starters, the Oscars set the bar in the movie world. Just getting a nomination can boost a film’s profile, fill theaters, and give everyone involved—from actors to sound editors—the recognition they deserve. It’s a celebration of what makes movies great.

Looking at this year’s nominations, it’s clear 2025 gave us some unforgettable films and powerful stories. With Sinners breaking records, international films standing tall, and a diverse set of nominees, the 98th Academy Awards feel like a true celebration of cinema’s best.

Stick with dcmindunicorn.com for more updates, deep dives into the nominees, and full coverage of Oscar night on March 15.