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Warner Bros. dominates Oscar nominations
This year’s Oscar nominations have generated significant excitement in Hollywood. Warner Bros. leads the nominations with an impressive total of 30 nods. Ryan Coogler’s horror thriller Sinners stands out, earning a remarkable 16 nominations. In addition, Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedic film One Battle After Another has secured 13 nominations. This success not only showcases the studio’s commitment to quality filmmaking but also ties their previous record set in 2005.
Warner Bros. breaks its own record
In 2005, Warner Bros. achieved a similar feat by collecting 30 nominations for films such as Million Dollar Baby and The Aviator. This year’s accomplishment is even more noteworthy, as all nominations come solely from the studio’s main production arms. This marks a significant shift from the previous record, which included films co-produced with other companies. This distinction highlights the strength of Warner Bros.’ in-house productions.
Key contenders from Warner Bros.
The film Sinners, which explores the vampire genre through a unique lens, has the potential to rewrite Oscar history. It could surpass the current record for most nominations held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land, all of which received 14 nominations. With Coogler’s directorial prowess, a compelling screenplay, and standout performances, including a first-time nomination for Michael B. Jordan, Sinners is positioned as a formidable competitor.
Rival studios join the race
Following closely behind Warner Bros. is Neon, which secured 18 nominations for films such as Sentimental Value and the crime thriller The Secret Agent. This achievement marks Neon’s best performance in Oscar history, surpassing their previous high of eight nominations in 2026. The recognition of independent films remains a vital aspect of the Oscars, highlighting diverse storytelling.
Netflix’s strong showing
Despite being outpaced by Warner Bros. and Neon this year, Netflix continues to be a significant contender in the awards arena with 16 nominations. The streaming giant earned accolades for its films including Frankenstein and Train Dreams. It is noteworthy that the Academy only considers feature-length films, which means nominations for short films are excluded.
Oscar nominations and the industry landscape
The 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, will introduce a new category for casting. This change may benefit films such as Sinners and One Battle After Another. The addition highlights the significant role of casting in filmmaking, complementing traditional categories like Best Picture and Best Director. As the awards season progresses, excitement mounts regarding which films will ultimately vie for the prestigious Best Picture award.
The nominees and box office performance
This year’s nominees for Best Picture have collectively earned approximately $662 million domestically. However, this marks an 18% decline compared to last year’s figures, indicating a potentially shifting landscape for the film industry. The success of films like Sinners and One Battle After Another underscores that audiences continue to seek quality storytelling, irrespective of box office performance.
The 2026 Oscar nominations underscore Warner Bros.’ significant achievements and their influence on the film landscape. With the ceremony approaching, the anticipation grows for what could be a transformative year for the Academy Awards, with films like Sinners standing poised to make history.