The Nominees – 2026 Oscars page covers the exciting anticipation leading up to the 98th Academy Awards nominations announcement on January 22, 2026. The Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, are the pinnacle of cinematic achievement, honoring the best films, performances, and technical artistry from the past year. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and will be broadcast live on ABC with international streaming partners.
Shortlist Highlights Before Nominees
Before the official nominee list is revealed, the Academy released shortlists in 12 key categories on December 16, 2025. These shortlists represent a narrowed field of contenders that must now be reviewed by Academy voters before final nominations are determined. Categories included:
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Animated Short Film
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Casting
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Cinematography
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Documentary Feature & Short Film
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International Feature Film
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Live Action Short Film
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Makeup and Hairstyling
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Music (Original Score & Original Song)
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Sound
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Visual Effects
—all bringing diverse films and creators closer to Oscar nominations.
International Feature Film Shortlist
The International Feature Film category showcased global cinema with entries from 15 countries advancing to the next voting round. Notable shortlisted films include Belén (Argentina), It Was Just an Accident (France), Homebound (India), No Other Choice (South Korea), and Sirât (Spain/France). This category reflects the Academy’s continued commitment to diverse storytelling from around the world.
Standout Films From the Shortlists
Several films across genres have emerged as strong contenders for nominations. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good dominated the shortlist mentions, each receiving multiple nods across categories such as score, cinematography, casting, and more. These titles are frequently discussed as potential front-runners in their respective categories.
Other films repeatedly appearing across shortlists include Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and One Battle After Another — marking them as films to watch when the final nominee list is announced.
Music and Song Contenders
Music categories are especially competitive, featuring original scores and songs from a wide variety of films. Among the songs shortlisted are:
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“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” from Tron: Ares
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“Dream As One” from Avatar: Fire and Ash
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“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
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“I Lied To You” and “Last Time (I Seen The Sun)” from Sinners
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“The Girl In The Bubble” and “No Place Like Home” from Wicked: For Good
These entries highlight how music continues to play a vibrant role in the Oscars landscape.
What’s Next?
The shortlists set the stage for the official nominees announcement on January 22, 2026. At that time, viewers and fans worldwide will see which films, performers, and artists have earned nominations in categories ranging from Best Picture and Best Director to technical and artistic achievements.
As the countdown to the 98th Academy Awards continues, expectations are high for a thrilling nominee reveal that reflects both popular favorites and critically acclaimed cinema of the year.