Breaking: 98th Academy Awards Nominations Are Revealed; Conan O’Brien Returns As Host

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards where announced in a live ceremony from the Samuel goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, spotlighting 24 competitive categories. The event also marked the debut of a new casting category, underscoring the Academy’s evolving approach to recognizing behind‑the‑camera contributions.

Two nominated actors—Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman—announced the slate, confirming the Academy’s expanded recognition for casting. The broadcast highlighted the growing breadth of categories while keeping the spotlight on performances, direction, writing, and technical craft across the film industry.

The ceremony is set for Sunday,March 15,2026,at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC. Conan O’brien will return as host for the second consecutive year, continuing a trend of televised hosts that mix humor with ceremony tradition.

In total, 317 feature films were eligible for consideration, with 201 titles vying for Best Picture. Nominees across each category were finalized after voting that ran from January 12 to January 16.

For readers seeking a complete view of the announced nominees, the Academy’s official release and coverage are available on the Oscars’ site. You can also explore related updates from major outlets covering the ceremony.

Selected Nominations at A Glance

The following lists reflect the breadth of categories announced. Note that all categories feature five nominees, except Best Picture, which includes ten. Details below are representative of the announced slate.

Key nominee groups (highlights)

• Best Supporting Actress: Elle Fanning; Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas; Amy Madigan; Wunmi mosaku; Teyana Taylor.
• Best Original score: Bugonia; Frankenstein; Hamnet; One Battle After Another; Sinners.
• Best Live Action Short Film: Butcher’s Stain; Jane Austen’s Period Drama; A Friend of Dorothy; The Singers; Two People Exchanging saliva.
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Bugonia; Frankenstein; Hamnet; One Battle after Another; Train Dreams.
• Best Original screenplay: Blue Moon; It Was Just an Accident; Marty Supreme; sentimental Value; Sinners.
• Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro; Jacob Elordi; Delroy Lindo; Sean Penn; Stellan Skarsgård.
• Best Animated short Film: Butterfly; forevergreen; The Girl Who Cried Pearls; Retirement Plan; the Three Sisters.
• Best casting: Hamnet; Marty Supreme; One Battle After Another; The Secret Agent; Sinners.
• Best Original Song: Dear Me; Golden; I Lied to You; Sweet Dreams Of Joy; Train Dreams.
• Best Documentary Feature: The Alabama Solution; Come See Me in the good Light; Cutting Through Rocks; Mr. Nobody Against Putin; The Perfect Neighbor.
• Best international feature: The Secret Agent (Brazil); It was Just an Accident (France); Sentimental Value (Norway); sirât (Spain); The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia).
• Best Animated Feature: Arco; Elio; KPop demon Hunters; Little Amélie or the character of Rain; Zootopia 2.
• Best Production Design: Frankenstein; Hamnet; Marty Supreme; One Battle After Another; Sinners.
• Best Film Editing: F1; Marty Supreme; One Battle After Another; Sentimental Value; Sinners.
• Best Sound: F1; Frankenstein; One Battle After Another; Sinners; Sirāt.
• Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash; F1; Jurassic World Rebirth; The Lost Bus; Sinners.
• Best Cinematography: Frankenstein; Marty Supreme; One Battle After Another; Sinners; Train Dreams.
• Best actor: Timothée Chalamet; Leonardo DiCaprio; Ethan Hawke; Michael B. Jordan; Wagner Moura.
• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley; Rose Byrne; Kate hudson; Renate Reinsve; Emma Stone.
• Best Director: Chloé Zhao; Josh Safdie; Paul Thomas Anderson; Joachim Trier; Ryan Coogler.
• Best Picture: Bugonia; F1; Frankenstein; Hamnet; Marty Supreme; One Battle After Another; The Secret Agent; Sentimental Value; Sinners; Train Dreams.
• Best Costume Design: Avatar: Fire and Ash; Frankenstein; Hamnet; Marty Supreme; Sinners.

Table: Key Facts About the Nominations

Looking ahead, the nominations reflect the academy’s ongoing evolution in recognizing a broader spectrum of talent and craft.Industry observers note that expanding casting to a standalone category highlights the increasing importance of ensemble and behind‑the‑camera work in contemporary film production.

For more context, read the official nomination proclamation and related coverage from credible outlets linked through the Academy’s platform. The broader industry response will unfold as studios and streaming platforms gauge Oscar season momentum and audience engagement.

evergreen insights for readers

as the Academy continues refining its categories, expect ongoing conversations about how recognition translates into opportunities for talent across international, independent, and studio productions. The inclusion of a casting category signals a shift toward valuing the people who shape performances from behind the camera, a trend that could influence hiring, marketing, and festival strategies in the coming years.

Experts also emphasize the importance of audience engagement in the Oscar race. Fans can track nominee lists, weigh in on snubs and surprises, and follow how campaigns shape final voting across guilds and branches. This season’s nominations offer a lens into evolving tastes, broader storytelling voices, and the continued global reach of cinema.

reader questions

Which category do you think will produce the most surprising outcomes this year? Do you believe the new casting category will meaningfully alter how performances are recognized?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which nominee you’re most excited to see in March. Do you plan to follow the ceremony live or via highlights and analysis?

Learn more about the Oscars’ official announcements at the Academy’s site: Oscars.org.

Follow broader coverage from major outlets as the season progresses. For context on how the industry views award-season shifts, see coverage from reputable sources and industry analyses.