The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is moving full steam ahead with preparations for film’s biggest night, the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, set to take place on March 15, 2026. The organisation has unveiled its shortlist across 12 categories, spanning animation, casting, cinematography, international feature film, music, sound, and visual effects.
Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film “Sinners” made a commanding showing, landing eight mentions on the shortlist. These include Best Casting, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. In a notable feat, the film also earned two nods in the Best Original Song category: “I Lied to You” and “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” both performed by Miles Caton.
Universal’s “Wicked: For Good” matched that tally with eight shortlist mentions of its own. The Jon M. Chu–directed musical fantasy is shaping up as a strong contender in major categories such as Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. It also made a double appearance in Best Original Song, with Stephen Schwartz’s “Girl in the Bubble,” performed by Ariana Grande, and “No Place Like Home,” performed by Cynthia Erivo, both earning recognition. Given that “Wicked” took home two Academy Awards last year; Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, it would come as little surprise to see the sequel advance to the final nominations.
Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” also featured prominently, securing six mentions across Best Casting, Best Original Score, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
The International Feature Film shortlist was stacked with festival favourites. Brazil’s “The Secret Agent” dazzled at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won Best Director, Best Actor, the Art House Cinema Award, and the FIPRESCI Prize. Spain’s “Sirât” claimed the Jury Prize at Cannes, while Norway’s “Sentimental Value” walked away with the Grand Prize. South Korea’s “No Other Choice” also made the cut after screenings at the Venice International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival where lead actor Lee Byung-hun received a Special Tribute Award and the Busan International Film Festival, among others.
Other films on the shortlist include “Train Dreams,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, “KPop Demon Hunters”, and “One Battle After Another”.
The shortlisted titles were selected through preliminary voting by Academy members. Which films will ultimately make the final nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2026. Nominations voting opens on January 12 and closes on January 16, 2026.
The 2026 Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC.
View the full shortlist here.
