Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror-action epic Sinners has shattered the all-time Oscars record by securing 16 nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, surpassing Titanic, La La Land, and All About Eve which previously held 14 nominations each. The film dominated virtually every major category it entered, demonstrating unprecedented Academy support across all voting branches. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers with a troubled past in the Jim Crow South.
Sinners’ Historic Nomination Breakdown
The film garnered nominations spanning acting, directing, technical categories, and writing. Michael B. Jordan earned a best actor nomination, with supporting nominations for Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku. The film’s breadth of recognition demonstrates comprehensive support across all Academy voting branches.
| Category | Nomination | Category | Nomination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Yes | Costume Design | Yes |
| Best Director | Yes | Film Editing | Yes |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan | Sound | Yes |
| Best Supporting Actor | Delroy Lindo | Visual Effects | Yes |
| Best Supporting Actress | Wunmi Mosaku | Original Screenplay | Yes |
| Best Casting | Yes | Original Score | Yes |
| Cinematography | Yes | Original Song | Yes |
| Makeup and Hairstyling | Yes | Production Design | Yes |
Breaking Records and Making History
Sinners exceeded the previous all-time record of 14 nominations held by All About Eve (1951), Titanic (1998), and La La Land (2017). By securing 16 nominations, Coogler’s vampire saga surpassed these legendary films by two nominations—a significant margin that establishes a new benchmark in Oscar history.
The achievement proves particularly remarkable given the Academy’s historical reluctance to honor horror films. This year marked an unprecedented exception, with horror films receiving substantial recognition alongside more traditional prestige pictures.
Ruth E. Carter’s Historic Achievement
Ruth E. Carter, the costume designer, made her own historic mark by earning her fifth Oscar nomination for Sinners, making her the most-nominated Black woman in Academy Award history across any category. Carter has won two Oscars previously for costume design on Black Panther (2019) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023), establishing herself as one of the Academy’s most recognized costume designers.
Other Historic Records
Beyond Sinners’ dominance, the 2026 nominations revealed numerous record-breaking achievements. Timothée Chalamet earned his third best actor nomination for Marty Supreme, making him the youngest actor ever to receive three Oscar nominations. Steven Spielberg earned his 14th Oscar nomination as a producer for Hamnet, setting a producer record.
Diane Warren received her 17th Oscar nomination for the original song Dear Me, though she continues her streak without a competitive win despite receiving an honorary award in 2022.
The 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O’Brien returns to host the ceremony, with the awards televised live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.
The competitive landscape features Sinners competing against films including One Battle After Another (13 nominations), Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and others for the coveted Best Picture award.
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