Sinners Sets Record 16 Nods as Wicked Sequel Gets Zero, Hudson Nominated
Updated (2 articles)
Sinners Breaks Nomination Record, Sets Oscar Pace Ryan Coogler’s Sinners leads the 2026 Oscars with a historic 16 nominations, surpassing the previous high of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land [1]. Coogler receives his first Best Director and Best Screenplay nods, while Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku secure supporting nominations [1]. The Best Picture race now appears to pit Sinners against One Battle After Another, with franchise‑heavy Avatar: Fire and Ash down to only two nominations [1].
Wicked Sequel Receives No Nominations, Shocking Industry The much‑anticipated follow‑up Wicked: For Good earned zero Oscar nominations across all categories, a stark contrast to the original’s ten nominations last year [1][2]. The blackout opens space in several races and ends speculation about a possible supporting nod for Ariana Grande, which did not materialize [2]. Composer Diane Warren still secures a nomination in a separate category [2].
Acting Category Surprises Highlight Hudson, Lindo, and Mescal Kate Hudson lands her first Best Actress nomination for Song Sung Blue, boosting her campaign [1][2]. Delroy Lindo receives his inaugural Oscar nod for portraying Delta Slim in Sinners [1][2]. Paul Mescal is omitted from the Best Actor list for Hamnet, despite strong expectations [1][2]. Ethan Hawke sneaks into the Best Actor race for Blue Moon, and Michael B. Jordan holds dual nominations for two separate roles [1].
Directing Nods Shift Away From Del Toro, Spotlight Panahi Three‑time winner Guillermo del Toro is not nominated for Best Director for Frankenstein, ending his recent streak [2]. Joachim Trier earns a directing nomination for Sentimental Value, highlighting the Academy’s shift [2]. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi receives two nominations—screenplay and International Feature—for It Was Just an Accident—even as he endures legal pressure and a hunger strike in Iran [2][1].
Veteran and Emerging Talent Garner Unexpected Nods Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro retain supporting nominations, underscoring veteran presence [1]. Michael B. Jordan’s dual nominations reflect his expanding range [1]. Jessie Buckley is viewed as the frontrunner among Hamnet’s eight nominations, while Mescal’s snub reshapes his awards trajectory [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Sinners Breaks Oscar Nomination Record as Wicked Receives Zero; Hudson Among Surprises – Highlights Sinners’ 16 nominations, Wicked’s blackout, Kate Hudson’s Best Actress nod, and other acting and picture‑race details.
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AP: Wicked snub and surprise wins shape 2026 Oscar nominations rollout – Emphasizes Wicked’s zero nominations, Delroy Lindo’s first nod, Kate Hudson’s nomination, Guillermo del Toro’s omission, and Jafar Panahi’s politically charged nominations.
Timeline
1950 – All About Eve sets the Oscar nomination benchmark with 14 nods, a record later matched by two other films [1].
1997 – Titanic ties the 14‑nomination record, reinforcing the long‑standing ceiling for Academy recognition [1].
2016 – La La Land also reaches 14 nominations, confirming the durability of the historic high [1].
2025 – Wicked: Part 1 secures 10 nominations, establishing high expectations for its sequel franchise [1][2].
2025 – Iranian director Jafar Panahi endures a hunger strike and a Tehran court ruling, intensifying political crackdowns that later frame his Oscar nominations [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – The Academy announces nominations; Ryan Coogler’s Sinners leads with a record‑breaking 16 nominations, surpassing the 14‑nomination ceiling and giving Coogler his first Best Director and Best Screenplay nods [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – The sequel Wicked: For Good receives zero nominations, a stark contrast to its predecessor and a sign that “the Academy’s evolving tastes” are reshaping franchise prospects [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – Delroy Lindo earns his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Sinners, a nod “described as long overdue” [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – Paul Mescal is omitted from the Best Actor list for Hamnet, creating a “conspicuous gap” in the acting lineup [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – Guillermo del Toro is left off the Best Director ballot for Frankenstein, while Joachim Trier secures a directing nomination for Sentimental Value, a “notable shift” given del Toro’s three‑time Oscar‑winning history [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – Kate Hudson receives a Best Actress nomination for Song Sung Blue, while Chase Infiniti is excluded from the Best Actress field for One Battle After Another, illustrating how “campaign dynamics can influence who does and does not get recognized” [2][1].
Jan 22, 2026 – Jafar Panahi garners two nominations—for screenplay and International Feature—for It Was Just an Accident, even as “the broader political context… casts a shadow” over his work [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – The Best Picture race tightens, with Sinners expected to duel One Battle After Another, while franchise‑heavy Avatar: Fire and Ash drops to only two nominations, underscoring a shift away from franchise‑dominated wins [1].
External resources (2 links)
- https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/emilia-perez-tops-oscar-nominations-with-13-wicked-and-the-brutalist-land-10-apiece/ (cited 1 times)
- https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com/ (cited 1 times)