Oscars 2026 Shortlists: ‘Sinners’, ‘Wicked: For Good’ & ‘Frankenstein’ Lead the Academy Race

The 2026 Academy Awards race officially shifted into high gear this week with the release of the official Oscar shortlists across key categories — a crucial early look at the films most likely to compete for nominations when the final list drops in January. Among the titles gaining momentum are Sinners, Wicked: For Good and Frankenstein, each earning recognition across multiple disciplines and reinforcing their presence in the awards conversation.

Leading the slate are Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Universal’s Wicked: For Good, both of which appeared on more shortlists than any other films. Each landed mentions across varied categories — from Makeup & Hairstyling to Cinematography, Sound, Visual Effects and Original Song — signalling strong craft recognition early in the season. Their double entries in the Original Song shortlist further highlight the scope of their creative reach.

Frankenstein also posted a robust showing, making the cut in six different categories including Cinematography, Visual Effects, Sound and Casting, underscoring its technical breadth and industry appreciation during this stage of Oscar contention.

This year’s shortlists also reflect structural changes at the Academy, with Best Casting and expanded recognition in Best Cinematography now part of the early voting process. These updates have broadened the competitive field, giving films opportunities to build awards momentum across both traditional and newly shortlisted areas.

Beyond the headline contenders, a range of other films have also secured shortlists in categories such as Original Score, Documentary Feature, International Feature Film and Short Films, illustrating the diversity of cinema gaining recognition this awards season. These include internationally themed entries such as Sirât, and acclaimed productions like Hamnet and One Battle After Another.

The final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be revealed on January 22, 2026, with the ceremony itself scheduled for March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles. As the voting rounds progress, these shortlists will serve as early signals of which films are building the strongest industry support — and which may become frontrunners when the nominations are announced.