Oscars 2026: Nominees, Golden Lunch & Record-Breaking Stats

The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards represent a veritable “A-List” of cinematic talent, a category reserved for actors considered to be of “first-tier” status in the American film landscape. From Leonardo DiCaprio to Jacob Elordi, Emma Stone, and Timothée Chalamet, the roster is dazzling. In a month, they will all be seated in the red chairs of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, a knot of anticipation in their stomachs awaiting the verdict. But for now, the celebration continues with the annual nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton, a luxury hotel in the Los Angeles suburbs.

For this traditional gathering, the carpet isn’t red, but gold. On the photo call, facing a throng of photographers, the actors paused for a few moments before heading inside to partake in the meal. Inside the ballroom, Kate Hudson (nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue”) reunited with Steven Spielberg (nominated in the Best Picture category for “Hamnet”) and Elle Fanning (nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “Sentimental Value”).

The luncheon, a return to form after last year’s scaled-back event following California wildfires, felt like a high school reunion for those who had been on the awards circuit for months, according to reports from the event. The atmosphere was described as a bit of sensory overload, with more than a month still to go before the March 15 Oscar ceremony at the Dolby Theatre. As one nominee wryly observed, “all my dreams die.”

A Record-Breaking Year for Nominations

The 98th Academy Awards promises to be a landmark event, particularly for Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which leads the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, surpassing the tallies of “Titanic” and “La La Land.” The film’s success underscores a significant moment for Coogler, and Warner Bros., the studio behind the project, which landed the most nominations overall with 30. Neon follows with 18 nominations, including those for “The Secret Agent” and “Sentimental Value,” while Netflix secured 16, including nods for “Frankenstein” and “Train Dreams.”

Adding to the excitement, Timothée Chalamet, at 30 years old, is the youngest actor ever nominated in the Best Actor category for his performance in “Marty Supreme.” This nomination marks a significant milestone in Chalamet’s career, solidifying his position as a leading figure in contemporary cinema.

The addition of a new category this year – Best Casting – is also noteworthy. The Academy hasn’t introduced a new award since Best Animated Feature in 2002, and the creation of this category reflects a growing recognition of the crucial role casting directors play in the filmmaking process. A shortlist of 10 films was previously released, with the final nominees selected by members of the casting directors branch through a “bake-off” presentation.

Beyond the Frontrunners: A Diverse Field of Nominees

While “Sinners” dominates the nominations, the Best Picture category features a diverse range of films, including “One Battle After Another,” “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sentimental Value,” “Bugonia,” “F1,” “Hamnet,” “The Secret Agent,” and “Train Dreams.” This breadth of representation suggests a willingness from Academy voters to embrace a variety of cinematic styles and narratives.

The luncheon also provided an opportunity for nominees to connect and celebrate each other’s work. Reports indicate a warm exchange between Jessie Buckley and Brendan Gleeson, with a hug captured between the two actors. Emma Stone and Timothée Chalamet were also observed together at Table 3, suggesting a camaraderie among the nominees.

Notably, “Wicked: For Good” was completely shut out of the nominations, a surprising outcome given the film’s anticipated popularity. However, Delroy Lindo and Kate Hudson scored surprise nominations, demonstrating that the Academy is willing to recognize performances that may have flown under the radar.

The return of the traditional luncheon to the Beverly Hilton signals a return to normalcy for the Academy Awards after the disruptions of recent years. The event served as a reminder of the collaborative spirit of filmmaking and the shared excitement of being recognized for one’s craft. As the nominees prepare for the final stretch of the awards season, the luncheon offered a brief respite – a moment to savor the achievement of being nominated before the competition intensifies and the dreams of some inevitably come to an end.

Conan O’Brien will return to host the 98th Academy Awards, marking his second time leading the ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on March 16 in Hollywood, promising a night of celebration and recognition for the best in cinematic achievement.