Sinners’ 2026 Oscars Nominations Just Broke An Astonishing Record

Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster “Sinners” was considered an exceptionally risky bet when Warner Bros. in a bidding war to produce an expensive vampire tale set in the Deep South in 2024. There were many people in Hollywood who felt the studio had overpaid, especially when they agreed to Coogler’s demands for the final cut, first dollar gross, and full rights to the film 25 years after its release. Although Coogler has put together a string of successful films with “Creed,” “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” those films draw from pre-existing IP. “Sinners” was a complete original.

Warner Bros. has acquired She received a huge reward for placing her trust in Jordan. “Sinners” grossed $368 million against a $100 million budget, and just broke the Oscars record with 16 nominations. That’s two songs more than the “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land” that were previously attached to the record. It’s a loud and clear signal that this is a film that deserves to win Best Picture.

“Sinners” was also nominated for Best Director, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Acting, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. What are the chances of the “sinners” pulling off an absolutely unprecedented sweep?

While “Sinners” is currently riding a tidal wave of momentum, the Oscar campaign could get very intense. However, Coogler, his stars, and the movie itself are so likable that I’m not sure how to turn so many voters against them. And if you try, it could bolster the film’s already strong support.

However, the “sinners” have legitimate competition. Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, about Agnes Hathaway (Jessie Buckley) and her husband William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) who mourn the death of their young son, is a performance-driven tearjerker. In other words, he’s acting catnip, and the acting branch of the Academy has the largest number of voters by a wide margin. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Battle After Battle is a politically charged masterpiece that speaks powerfully to the disastrous state of our nation. Moreover, Anderson, who has never won best director, has been one of Hollywood’s best filmmakers since “Boogie Nights” in 1997. There is a feeling among many that he “deserved” to win.

It’s looking like the year of “Sinners” now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if “Hamnet” takes home Best Picture, while Anderson finally takes home Best Director. If I were betting right now, I’d be totally into Coogler’s breezy, blues-tinged take on the vampire genre.