Everything You Need to Know for the 2026 Oscars
The biggest week in Hollywood is upon us. From Sinners‘ historical nominations to Leonardo DiCaprio’s eighth and everything in between, here’s some key things to look for as you gear up for the 2026 Academy Awards.
All eyes will be on Sinners. The film has a record breaking 16 nominations including the big one – Best Picture. Its lead star, Michael B Jordan, is nominated for his first ever Best Actor Award for his dual role as the Smokestack Twins. He’s gained momentum as the frontrunner of the category after beating out Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio at this year’s Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards). Two of his co-stars are also nominated. Both Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku are up for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Some of the other awards Sinners is nominated for include Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography.
Emma Stone could also have a historical night for herself. She is nominated for Best Actress for her role in Bugonia. It’s an award she’s won twice – in 2024 for Poor Things and 2017 for La La Land – and should she win it again this third time, would put herself in rare company. Only two other actresses have won Best Actress three or more times: Katharine Hepburn (4 times) and Frances McDormand (3).
Meanwhile Kate Hudson, who joins Emma Stone in the category, hopes to claim her first Academy Award. She is nominated for her portrayal of Claire Sardina in Song Sung Blue. Hudson’s second nomination comes 25 years after she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Almost Famous.
Things can also get interesting in the Best Director category. Many have Ryan Coogler (Sinners) automatically winning. He made history earlier this awards show season when Sinners won Best Ensemble at The Actor Awards. The victory made him the only director to have two films win the honor (Black Panther in 2018). Others however have Paul Thomas Anderson taking home the prize. The One Battle After Another director is nominated for three awards at this year’s Oscar’s (Best Director, Best Picture and Best Screenplay). He’s been nominated 11 other times as writer (5), producer (3) and director (3) and has yet to win. Winning best director this year wouldn’t just end his 11-0 record, he’d also do something only two others have accomplished: win the Oscar’s trifecta of Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.
The 2026 Academy Awards are on Sunday, March 15 at 7pm Eastern Standard Time.
What are you looking forward to most about this year’s awards? Let us know!
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