Predicted 2026 Oscar Nominations for Major Categories

As we approach the 2026 Oscars, various films have emerged as strong contenders in major categories. This year’s nominations could highlight a diverse lineup, showcasing an array of cinematic achievements. Notable films believed to be up for prestigious awards include “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value.”

Predicted 2026 Oscar Nominations for Major Categories

Best Picture

• Locks:
  • “One Battle After Another”
  • “Hamnet”
  • “Sinners”
  • “Marty Supreme”
  • “Sentimental Value”
  • “It Was Just an Accident”
  • “Frankenstein”
• Contenders:
  • “Train Dreams”
  • “The Secret Agent”
  • “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
  • “Wicked: For Good”
  • “Weapons”
  • “No Other Choice”
  • “Sirāt”
• Long Shots:
  • “Jay Kelly”
  • “Bugonia”
  • “Sorry, Baby”
  • “F1”
  • “Blue Moon”
  • “Nouvelle Vague”

The top selections in the Best Picture category demonstrate a captivating range of stories. Films like “Frankenstein” and “Train Dreams” are also expected to play a significant role as the nominations approach.

Best Director

• Locks:
  • Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
• Contenders:
  • Jafar Panahi, “It Was Just an Accident”
  • Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
  • Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
  • Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
  • Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
  • Guillermo del Toro, “Frankenstein”
• Long Shots:
  • Kleber Mendonça Filho, “The Secret Agent”
  • Park Chan-wook, “No Other Choice”
  • Clint Bentley, “Train Dreams”
  • Richard Linklater, “Nouvelle Vague”
  • Yorgos Lanthimos, “Bugonia”
  • James Cameron, “Avatar: Fire and Ash”

Best Actress

• Locks:
  • Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
  • Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
• Contenders:
  • Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
  • Emma Stone, “Bugonia”
  • Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
  • Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”
• Long Shots:
  • Jennifer Lawrence, “Die My Love”
  • Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked: For Good”
  • Amanda Seyfried, “The Testament of Ann Lee”
  • Eva Victor, “Sorry, Baby”
  • Tessa Thompson, “Hedda”
  • Julia Roberts, “After the Hunt”

Best Actor

• Locks:
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
  • Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
  • Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
• Contenders:
  • Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
  • Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
  • Joel Edgerton, “Train Dreams”
  • Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia”
  • Oscar Isaac, “Frankenstein”
• Long Shots:
  • George Clooney, “Jay Kelly”
  • Jeremy Allen White, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”
  • Dwayne Johnson, “The Smashing Machine”
  • Russell Crowe, “Nuremberg”
  • Vahid Mobasseri, “It Was Just an Accident”
  • Hugh Jackman, “Song Sung Blue”
  • Lee Byung-Hun, “No Other Choice”

Best Supporting Actress

• Locks:
  • Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”
• Contenders:
  • Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
  • Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
  • Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme”
  • Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good”
  • Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”
  • Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”
  • Regina Hall, “One Battle After Another”
• Long Shots:
  • Mariam Afshari, “It Was Just an Accident”
  • Hailee Steinfeld, “Sinners”
  • Gwyneth Paltrow, “Marty Supreme”
  • Emily Blunt, “The Smashing Machine”

With a competitive landscape ahead, the 2026 Oscars promise to celebrate remarkable talent and creativity across different genres and styles. As the awards draw closer, all eyes will be on the nominated films, with hopes that they continue to inspire audiences and foster a sense of empathy in the world.