The 2026 Oscar nominations have made history with Ryan Coogler's ghost story "Sinners" earning a record-breaking 16 nominations, shattering the previous record held by films like "All About Eve" and "La La Land." This unprecedented achievement highlights not only the film's exceptional quality but also the evolving nature of the Academy Awards nomination process. As Hollywood gears up for the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, understanding how films get selected for Oscar nominations reveals a complex, multi-step system designed to honor cinematic excellence.
How Oscar Nominations Work: The Step-by-Step Process
The Oscar nomination process is a meticulous, two-round voting system managed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). With approximately 9,000 members organized into 17 branches representing different filmmaking disciplines, the process ensures that each category is judged by experts in that field. According to the Academy's official guidelines, the nomination process begins with eligibility verification, where films must meet specific criteria such as a minimum 40-minute runtime, theatrical release requirements, and adherence to inclusion standards.
The first round, known as preliminary voting, involves committee members reviewing eligible submissions and voting by secret ballot to create a shortlist of 15 films. This stage weeds out less competitive entries and focuses attention on the strongest contenders. The second round, final voting, sees the nominating committee vote again to determine the final nominees—typically five per category, though Best Picture can have up to ten nominees. For categories like Best Picture, members use a preferential ranking system where ballots are redistributed until the magic number of nominees is reached.
The Road to the Oscars: Key Dates for 2026
The 98th Academy Awards follows a carefully planned timeline that begins years in advance. Key dates for the 2026 Oscars include nominations voting from January 12-16, 2026, with nominations announced on January 22. Final voting runs from February 26 to March 5, culminating in the ceremony on March 15, 2026. New for 2026 is a requirement that Academy members must watch all nominated films in a category before being allowed to vote in that race—a rule change aimed at increasing voter engagement and ensuring informed decisions.
Other important dates include the Oscars Nominees Luncheon on February 10, where all nominees gather for a celebratory event, and the Scientific and Technical Awards on April 28. These dates represent the culmination of a year-long process that begins with film submissions in the fall of 2025 and continues through multiple rounds of screening committees and branch-specific evaluations.
Why the 2026 Oscars Are Making History
The 2026 Oscar nominations stand out for several reasons beyond "Sinners" record-breaking achievement. First, the introduction of the Achievement in Casting category marks the first new Oscar category in over two decades, recognizing the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking. Second, the implementation of stricter viewing requirements for voters represents the Academy's ongoing effort to address criticism about voting based on popularity rather than merit.
According to industry analysts, the diversity of nominees in 2026 reflects broader changes in Hollywood, with more international films and stories from underrepresented communities gaining recognition. The nomination of films like "One Battle After Another" (13 nominations) and "Hamnet" (9 nominations) alongside "Sinners" demonstrates a range of genres and storytelling approaches being celebrated. This year also sees 201 films eligible for Best Picture consideration—the highest number in Academy history—indicating both increased production and broader participation in the awards process.
Where Things Stand: The 2026 Nominees
As of January 2026, the Oscar nomination landscape is dominated by "Sinners" with its unprecedented 16 nominations across categories including Best Picture, Best Director (Ryan Coogler), Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), and the new Casting category. Close behind is "One Battle After Another" with 13 nominations, followed by "Hamnet" with 9 nominations. The breadth of recognition extends to international films, with India's official entry "Laapataa Ladies" making the shortlist for Best International Feature Film.
The 2026 nominations also reflect changing industry standards, with all Best Picture contenders meeting the Academy's representation and inclusion requirements. These standards, introduced in previous years, require films to meet certain diversity benchmarks in front of and behind the camera to be eligible for Hollywood's top prize. The fact that record-breaking films like "Sinners" meet these criteria suggests that excellence and inclusion are increasingly going hand in hand.
What Happens Next: Voting and Ceremony
With nominations announced, the focus now shifts to final voting, which begins February 26 and concludes March 5. During this period, Academy members will screen nominated films and cast their ballots using the Academy's secure online voting system. The new requirement that voters must confirm they've watched all nominated films in a category adds an extra layer of accountability to this process.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 15, 2026, hosted by Conan O'Brien and broadcast live on ABC and Hulu. Beyond the main ceremony, the Oscars week includes numerous events such as the Nominees Luncheon, red carpet previews, and various guild awards that often predict Oscar outcomes. Industry watchers will be particularly interested to see if "Sinners" can convert its record number of nominations into wins, potentially setting new records for most Oscars won by a single film.
Key Takeaways: Understanding the Oscar Process
The Oscar nomination process represents one of the most sophisticated awards systems in the entertainment industry. Its combination of branch-specific expertise, multiple voting rounds, and evolving rules ensures that recognition goes to films that demonstrate both technical excellence and cultural impact. The 2026 nominations, with their record-breaking achievements and new categories, demonstrate how the Academy continues to adapt to changing industry realities while maintaining its commitment to celebrating cinematic achievement.
Whether you're a film enthusiast curious about how awards are decided or an aspiring filmmaker hoping to one day navigate this process, understanding the step-by-step journey from submission to nomination reveals the careful deliberation behind Hollywood's biggest night. As "Sinners" historic achievement shows, the system remains capable of recognizing groundbreaking work while evolving to meet new standards of inclusion and accountability.
