Oscar 2026 Showdown: ‘Sinners’ Battles ‘One Battle After Another’ for Top Honors!

The 2026 Oscar nominations announcement in Beverly Hills was less than magical for “Wicked: For Good” this Thursday, as the show-stopping sequel found itself completely ignored.

During the reveal, it was evident the musical’s fortunes had taken a stark turn, with onlookers exclaiming in disbelief as the snub became apparent. The previous installment had garnered an impressive 10 nominations, including nods for Best Picture and key acting categories. This year, however, was a different story.

The selection committee showed no love for “For Good,” leaving Universal’s big gamble out in the cold.

Similarly, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” missed out on a Best Picture nomination, a departure from its franchise’s history. Nonetheless, James Cameron’s latest installment in his alien saga managed to snag a few technical nominations, receiving a lukewarm acknowledgment from the academy.

Despite a general targeting of major franchises, the nomination list wasn’t entirely dismissive of blockbuster hits.

Warner Bros.’ horror hit “Sinners,” which raked in $368 million worldwide, broke records with an unprecedented 16 nominations, surpassing previous record-holders like “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.”

Apple’s high-speed drama “F1,” starring Brad Pitt and earning $631 million, secured four nominations, including Best Picture. Online movie buffs expressed dismay that this mainstream success had infiltrated their more refined cinematic circle. Yet, despite its popularity and critical acclaim, the film directed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski is seen as a long shot for the top award, with several other contenders believed to be more favored.

Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” may have a real chance at victory, despite losing some momentum to Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, and the surprisingly impactful “Hamnet.” Breaking the nomination record might just reinvigorate its campaign at this pivotal moment, turning what seemed like a clear path for “One Battle” into a competitive fight.

Despite its success, “One Battle After Another” showed some vulnerabilities. For instance, its lead actress, Chase Infiniti, failed to secure a nomination. Coogler, known for his work on the “Creed” series, might just have another underdog story in the making with “Sinners.”

Other notable omissions included Paul Mescal from “Hamnet” in the Supporting Actor category, a film largely carried by Jessie Buckley’s performance. Meanwhile, Hollywood veterans George Clooney and Adam Sandler, despite their Golden Globes nods for the Netflix comedy “Jay Kelly,” stumbled at securing Oscar nominations, continuing Sandler’s streak of overlooked performances.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, missing from the nominations for “Smashing Machine,” might just stick to more “Jumanji” sequels, given the Academy’s cold shoulder.

Yet, the season’s favorites mostly made their expected appearances. Jessie Buckley and Rose Byrne are contending for Best Actress, along with Kate Hudson in her role in “Song Sung Blue,” marking her first nomination since “Almost Famous.” Hudson’s portrayal includes a thick Wisconsin accent, humorously described as if she were “made of cheese curds.” Emma Stone for “Bugonia” appears to have a standing reservation in this category as well.

The Best Actor race introduces some drama with Ethan Hawke delivering a potentially award-winning performance as a witty, alcoholic Broadway composer in “Blue Moon,” reminiscent of revered transformations like Gary Oldman’s Churchill or Brendan Fraser in “The Whale.” At 55, and never having won despite previous nominations, Hawke might just be a significant contender.

Timothée Chalamet remains a strong favorite for his role in “Marty Supreme,” but the dynamic of the race could shift as the awards night approaches.

Indeed, the unfolding drama is nothing short of Shakespearean, with Chalamet potentially needing to heed the Ides of March.