2026 Oscar Nominations Highlight Academy’s Global Perspective

The 2026 Oscar nominations have been announced, revealing the Academy’s growing emphasis on global cinema. This year’s selections reflect a remarkable increase in the representation of non-English-language films, showcasing the Academy’s efforts to embrace a more inclusive perspective amidst changing political landscapes.

Record Representation of Non-English Films

This year, 22 nominations were awarded to feature-length films that are primarily or entirely in languages other than English, matching a previous record set in 2023 and again in 2024. These nominations include:

• Sentimental Value – 9 nominations
• The Secret Agent – 4 nominations
• It Was Just an Accident – 2 nominations
• Sirāt – 2 nominations
• Arco – 1 nomination
• Cutting Through Rocks – 1 nomination
• Kokuho – 1 nomination
• Little Amelie or the Character of Rain – 1 nomination
• Mr. Nobody Against Putin – 1 nomination

Notably, there is at least one non-English-language film in every Oscar category for the second time, a trend first observed in 2024. This includes two entries competing for Best Picture: *The Secret Agent* and *Sentimental Value*.

Historic Achievements in Acting Nominations

This year marks a historic milestone as 20 percent of acting nominations, four out of twenty slots, were awarded to performances from non-English-language films. The nominated actors include:

• Wagner Moura from *The Secret Agent* (Lead Actor)
• Renate Reinsve from *Sentimental Value* (Lead Actress)
• Stellan Skarsgård (Supporting Actor)
• Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Supporting Actress)

Interestingly, Skarsgård’s nomination is the first of its kind in the supporting actor category for a non-English-language performance.

A Shift in Academy Membership

The success of non-English films can be attributed to the recruitment efforts of the Academy in recent years. Since the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the organization has worked to diversify its membership. Today, 25 percent of the Academy’s members reside outside the United States and are more receptive to international cinema.

Challenges from Traditional Awards

Despite the Academy’s global focus, the preferences of major award guilds like SAG-AFTRA and the Directors Guild still lean heavily towards American films. This year, no non-English language films received nominations in the leading film categories at the SAG Awards, and only *Sentimental Value* was recognized by the Producers Guild Awards.

This discrepancy indicates a shifting dynamic where the guilds may not fully represent the Academy’s evolving tastes and choices in film.

Influence of Other Awards

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards and organizations like the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards provide insights into the preferences of their voters. However, the composition of these groups does not always align with the Academy’s demographics, complicating predictive capabilities regarding the Oscars.

This year’s Golden Globe Awards notably influenced Oscar nominations, particularly for actors like Skarsgård and Moura, whose nominations were uncertain prior to the Globes.

Conclusion

The 2026 Oscar nominations highlight a significant shift towards inclusivity and representation in global cinema. The strong presence of non-English-language films underscores the Academy’s new direction, opening avenues for a broader appreciation of international storytelling.