Predictions for 2026 Academy Awards Final Nominations

The 2026 Academy Awards are set to showcase a diverse array of films, with several titles expected to make significant impacts across various categories. Leading the predictions is “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, which is forecasted to achieve an unprecedented 15 nominations. This could set a new record, surpassing previous leaders like “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.”

Key Predictions for 2026 Academy Awards Final Nominations

Following closely is “One Battle After Another” by Paul Thomas Anderson, anticipated to secure 13 nominations. This political epic could also achieve a remarkable feat by featuring five actors—Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor—nominated in the acting categories, a unique occurrence not seen since “American Hustle” in 2013.

Notable Films and Figures

In addition to the front-runners, several other films are making waves. “Hamnet,” directed by Chloé Zhao, is primed for multiple nominations, potentially marking her as only the second woman with consecutive best director nominations. The film is expected to garner nods for Jessie Buckley in best actress and Paul Mescal in supporting actor, along with other technical nominations.

Completing the competitive director lineup are Guillermo del Toro with “Frankenstein” and Josh Safdie with “Marty Supreme.” The diversity of the best picture category is highlighted by contenders such as “F1,” “Bugonia,” and “The Secret Agent.” This year marks only the second instance where four films are predicted to receive ten or more nominations, following a similar trend from 2019.

Predicted Categories and Nominations

• Best Picture Contenders:
  • “Bugonia”
  • “F1”
  • “Frankenstein”
  • “Hamnet”
  • “Marty Supreme”
  • “One Battle After Another”
  • “The Secret Agent”
  • “Sinners”
  • “Train Dreams”
• Best Director Predictions:
  • Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
  • Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
  • Guillermo del Toro, “Frankenstein”
  • Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
  • Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”

Top Contenders for Acting Awards

Several performances are also generating buzz across the acting categories:

• Best Actor:
  • Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
  • Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
  • Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
• Best Actress:
  • Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
  • Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

The 2026 Academy Awards promise an eclectic mix of genres, underscoring a remarkable year in cinema. As predictions evolve leading up to the nominations, the excitement builds for what could be a historic awards season.