One Battle After Another projected as nomination frontrunner The Leonardo DiCaprio political thriller is expected to lead the 2026 Oscar nominations, buoyed by its large ensemble cast and steady awards‑season momentum [1]. Its plot follows a former revolutionary who reunites with his crew to rescue his daughter from a white‑supremacist group, a storyline that has resonated with critics despite the film’s modest box‑office returns [1]. Industry analysts cite the film’s “predictive force” as a key indicator of its likely dominance across major categories [1].

UK talent highlighted for acting nominations Vampire horror Sinners is identified as a strong contender for British acting honors, with Wunmi Mosaku singled out as a likely nominee [1]. Parallelly, Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are positioned as Ireland’s best hopes, both tied to the period drama Hamnet and expected to attract acting nods [1]. The article underscores that these performances could boost the overall UK‑Irish presence among the nominees [1].

Paul Thomas Anderson poised for historic Oscar win Director‑writer‑producer Anderson, who has never secured an Oscar despite multiple nominations, may finally break his streak if One Battle After Another converts its nomination lead into wins [1]. Observers note his triple‑role involvement amplifies his chances in the directing, writing, and producing categories [1]. The potential victory would mark a significant shift for Anderson’s career and for the film’s overall awards trajectory [1].

Academy introduces new categories and outlines nomination broadcast The Academy will debut a Best Casting category this year, anticipating that many Best Picture contenders will also compete there [1]. A future Best Stunt Design category is slated for introduction in 2028, reflecting ongoing expansion of the awards framework [1]. Nominations will be announced by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman in a 20‑minute broadcast around 13:30 GMT, with simultaneous streaming on the Academy’s site and major social platforms, while BBC News will host a live coverage page [1].