Early Oscar Nominations Spotlight Sinners and One Battle After Another

Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The event was hosted by presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, who revealed a competitive slate of nominees. Leading the charge are the films Sinners, One Battle After Another, and the Norwegian entry Sentimental Value, each earning multiple nominations in key categories, including the Oscars’ first new category in 25 years: achievement in casting.

Among the initial nominees for best performance by an actress in a supporting role were Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, both for their roles in Sentimental Value, as well as Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another. The list of nominees for best performance by an actor in a supporting role featured prominent names such as Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, alongside Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Delroy Lindo for Sinners, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value.

This year’s frontrunners include Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Hamnet. Both One Battle After Another and Hamnet recently secured top film awards at the Golden Globes, while Sinners is on track to potentially break the record for the most Oscar nominations. Historically, no film has received more than 14 nominations at the Academy Awards, a feat accomplished only by classics like All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners could join this elite group, thanks to its strong craft, Coogler’s direction and writing, and Michael B. Jordan‘s performance, which marks his first Oscar nomination.

The 98th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, and viewers can watch the nominations live on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, or through the Academy’s digital platforms. As the excitement builds, more updates regarding the nominations and potential winners are expected in the coming weeks.