The global film industry is preparing for one of its biggest nights as the 98th Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, takes place on March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The ceremony celebrates the best films and performances of 2025 and will be broadcast worldwide, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and audiences for cinema’s most prestigious event.
This year’s Oscars are particularly significant because the Academy has introduced a brand-new competitive category: Achievement in Casting. The award recognizes the crucial work of casting directors who shape the performances and chemistry that audiences see on screen. It is the first new Oscar category in more than two decades, highlighting the growing recognition of casting as a vital creative element in filmmaking.
The First-Ever Best Casting Nominees
The inaugural nominees for Best Casting include five films that stood out for assembling remarkable ensembles:
- Hamnet – Casting by Nina Gold
- Marty Supreme – Casting by Jennifer Venditti
- One Battle After Another – Casting by Cassandra Kulukundis
- The Secret Agent – Casting by Gabriel Domingues
- Sinners – Casting by Francine Maisler
These films were selected by members of the Academy’s Casting Directors branch, recognizing the creative decisions behind selecting actors who bring stories to life on screen.
Record-Breaking Nominations
Leading the 2026 Oscars nominations is Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners, which made history by earning 16 nominations, the highest number ever received by a single film in Oscar history. The film broke the previous record of 14 nominations held by classics such as Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land.
Following closely behind is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another with 13 nominations, making it another major contender across several categories.
Major Category Nominees
The Best Picture race includes ten films:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
In the Best Actor category, nominees include Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent).
Meanwhile, the Best Actress race features Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Emma Stone (Bugonia), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You).
A Historic Oscars Night Ahead
With record-breaking nominations, diverse global talent, and the introduction of the Best Casting award, the 2026 Oscars reflect a changing and evolving film industry. As Hollywood’s biggest night approaches, anticipation is building to see which films and artists will take home the iconic gold statuette.
