Ryan Coogler’s Sinners smashes Oscar records with 16 nominations as major contenders are shut out
The Oscars have been thrown into uncharted territory after Sinners became the most nominated film in Academy Awards history. Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller secured an unprecedented 16 nominations, breaking a record that had stood for decades and reshaping expectations ahead of the ceremony in March.
Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners follows twin brothers who open a blues club while confronting racism and an encroaching vampire threat. The film, starring Michael B Jordan in a dual role, has already earned 368 million dollars worldwide and now sits at the centre of the awards conversation. It received nominations for best picture, best director, leading actor, supporting actor, supporting actress and the Academy’s newly introduced casting award, among others.
The achievement eclipses the long-held record of 14 nominations shared by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land. While those films converted their success into multiple wins, industry observers remain cautious about predicting whether Sinners will dominate on the night or face fierce resistance from rivals with strong momentum.
Speaking after the announcement, Coogler described a surreal early morning as family members gathered to count nominations as they were revealed. His disbelief turned into pride when the final tally was confirmed. The moment capped a remarkable journey for a film that blends genre storytelling with historical themes and social commentary.
Several individual milestones accompanied the nominations. Costume designer Ruth E Carter earned her fifth Oscar nod, making her the most-nominated Black woman in the history of the Academy Awards. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw also secured a place on the shortlist, marking only the fourth time a woman has been nominated in that category.
Close behind Sinners sits One Battle After Another, the countercultural comedy directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which picked up 13 nominations. Anderson remains one of the most respected filmmakers yet to win an Oscar despite multiple past nominations. This year, he is widely tipped as a leading contender for both best picture and best director, with Teyana Taylor strongly placed in the supporting actress race. Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro also received acting nominations, though Chase Infiniti narrowly missed out.
Elsewhere, Hamnet delivered a strong showing with eight nominations. Jessie Buckley emerged as the clear favourite for best actress, although the absence of Paul Mescal from the supporting actor category surprised many. Buckley expressed disappointment at the omission, emphasising the collaborative nature of their work and the role Mescal played in shaping the performance.
Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme exceeded expectations with nine nominations, while Timothée Chalamet now leads the best actor race. His portrayal of a table tennis hustler in postwar New York has positioned him as a potential history maker. If successful, he would become the second youngest winner of the award.
The announcements also carried a sting for several high-profile names. Gwyneth Paltrow’s return to cinema failed to yield a nomination. George Clooney, Cynthia Erivo, Dwayne Johnson and Sydney Sweeney were similarly left out. Wicked For Good emerged as one of the night’s biggest disappointments after receiving no nominations at all.
This year’s shortlist underlined the Academy’s growing international outlook. Films in languages other than English secured multiple nominations, with Sentimental Value earning nine nods, including four acting mentions. Wagner Moura became the first Brazilian actor nominated for Best Actor, setting a new milestone for international performers.
As the dust settles, Sinners stands as both a critical and cultural force. Whether it converts record nominations into record wins remains uncertain, but its place in Oscar history is already sealed.