The 98th Academy Awards (2026)

Movies I’ve seen for free via paid subscription service
(Rather than attempt a predicted winner, I’ve added a set of asterisks after the titles I enjoyed most. The number of asterisks indicate how many times I’ve viewed the films.)
• Bugonia (HBO Max)
• One Battle After Another (HBO Max) ***
• Frankenstein (Netflix)
• Sinners (HBO Max) **
• Elio (Disney+/hulu)
• KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) **
• Train Dreams (Netflix)
• The Alabama Solution (HBO Max)
• The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix) ***
• All the Empty Rooms (Netflix)
• Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud (HBO Max) **

Special note and WARNING re: “Armed Only With a Camera…”: The word, “unflinching” is sometimes used to describe movies like this one. This doc does not shy away from showing brutal depictions of death and tragedy. If you know yourself to be sensitive to such depictions, DO NOT WATCH ALONE, AND BE PREPARED TO WALK AWAY FROM YOUR SCREEN.

Nominations Announced Today:

Best Picture
• Bugonia
• F1
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• The Secret Agent
• Sentimental Value
• Sinners
• Train Dreams

Best Director
• Chloé Zhao, Hamnet
• Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme
• Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
• Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value
• Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Best Actor
• Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
• Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another
• Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon
• Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
• Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Best Actress
• Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
• Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
• Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue
• Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value
• Emma Stone, Bugonia

Best Supporting Actor
• Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
• Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
• Delroy Lindo, Sinners
• Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
• Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

Best Supporting Actress
• Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value
• Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
• Amy Madigan, Weapons
• Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
• Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

Best International Feature
• The Secret Agent
• It Was Just an Accident
• Sentimental Value
• Sirât
• The Voice of Hind Rajab

Best Animated Feature
• Arco
• Elio
• KPop Demon Hunters
• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
• Zootopia 2

Best Documentary Feature
• The Alabama Solution
• Come See Me in the Good Light
• Cutting Through Rocks
• Mr Nobody Against Putin
• The Perfect Neighbor

Best Original Screenplay
• Blue Moon
• It Was Just an Accident
• Marty Supreme
• Sentimental Value
• Sinners

Best Adapted Screenplay
• Bugonia
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• One Battle After Another
• Train Dreams

Best Casting
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• The Secret Agent
• Sinners

Best Film Editing
• F1
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sentimental Value
• Sinners

Best Cinematography
• Frankenstein
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Train Dreams

Best Production Design
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners

Best Costume Design
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• Sinners

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
• Frankenstein
• Kokuho
• Sinners
• The Smashing Machine
• The Ugly Stepsister

Best Original Song
• "Dear Me," Diane Warren: Relentless
• "Golden," KPop Demon Hunters
• "I Lied to You," Sinners
• "Sweet Dreams of Joy," Viva Verdi!
• "Train Dreams," Train Dreams

Best Original Score
• Bugonia
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners

Best Sound
• F1
• Frankenstein
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• Sirât

Best Visual Effects
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• F1
• Jurassic World: Rebirth
• The Lost Bus
• Sinners

Best Live-Action Short
• Butcher's Stain
• A Friend of Dorothy
• Jane Austen's Period Drama
• The Singers
• Two People Exchanging Saliva

Best Animated Short
• Butterfly
• Forevergreen
• The Girl Who Cried Pearls
• Retirement Plan
• The Three Sisters

Best Documentary Short
• All the Empty Rooms
• Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
• Children No More: "Were and Are Gone"
• The Devil Is Busy
• Perfectly a Strangeness

I watched, "Weapons" last night (HBO Max). I'm not a fan of jump-scares (they're always too effective on me), but they're used and spaced well in this movie.

I'd seen online pics of the hair and make-up for Madigan's Aunt Gladys character, but not much more beyond the basic plot description of the missing children. I also remember that around Halloween of last year, there was a "thing" of people running with their arms extended back in the position of the characters from the movie.

I was curious to see the ratio between acting : make-up of Madigan's Aunt Gladys, because when the make-up is that “forward”, I expect that it’s also providing at least a portion of a noticeable performance on its own. (If one was used, I would love to have seen the make-up morgue of inspiration photos for that design.)

It definitely stood out, but it never overshadowed or overtook Madigan's performance. Wow. She was brilliant as Aunt Gladys.

I'm going to watch this again today.

Saw "If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You" last night ('free' w/HBO Max subscription).

Rose Byrne gives an incredible performance as a mom who's at the end of her rope. Her performance is so strong that it's hard not be as stressed out as she, out of empathy for what her character's going through. I honestly am in awe thinking about what she, as an actress, must have gone through - balancing what to let go of at the end of a day's shoot, and what to retain in preparation for the next day.

Without giving away any spoiler, Byrne completely wrecked me in a scene with her therapist (played by Conan O'Brien - such an interesting, and smart casting choice!) re: her first pregnancy.

I read an article from Decider that begins, "I’ll get right to the point: Rose Byrne deserves to win Best Actress at the 2026 Oscars.

Yes, it seems like Jessie Buckley is a lock for Hamnet—after winning the Golden Globe earlier this month—and yes, Buckley gave a devastating performance as a grieving mother in that Shakespeare-inspired period drama. But it ain’t over yet, folks."

I haven't seen "Hamnet" yet, but I'm sure that Jessie Buckley is also deserving of the Best Actress award. Still, from what I know of the plot of "Hamnet", and what I saw in "If IHad Legs...", I'm curious if the demands of Byrne's role were the greater challenge for an actress and could give Byrne an edge over Buckley.

I watched, "Song Sung Blue" yesterday night in lieu of the SOTU.

I wasn't going to see this one as I'd already seen the documentary a few months ago, and just wasn't interested in watching the story again. But, it turned up on Peacock and (coincidentally), I'd just listened to an NPR interview with Kate Hudson that caused me to re-think.

I'm so glad I changed my mind. Kate Hudson's performance/character is pretty much the exact opposite of Rose Byrne's in "If I Had Legs...". Hudson is equally as captivating, though.

I couldn't take my eyes off Hudson, and even in a film where Hugh Jackman appears in his tighty-whiteys, I preferred to watch Hudson. ...AND she sings absolutely beautifully. She's not an actor who sings. Shes an actress/singer who does much more than just "hold her own" with Jackman.

I knew the story because of seeing the doc, but as a movie, there's added story elements, and a bit of additional characterization that re-captured my interest. I found that (for me) Jackson and Hudson are actually stronger vocalists/performers than the real people the movie is based on.

Although the movie is based on the doc, The fictionalized "Song Sung Blue" is definitely more movie than doc. That really worked for me, and Hudson is particularly amazing and deserving of an Oscar.

uncageg said: "I have reasons for not seeing this movie but my interest has been piqued a bit and now that it is on Peacock, I may watch it. I was also impressed with Hudson's performance of "California Dreaming" which closed out the Olympics. I really like her and she is the reason I would see the movie."

I liked her cover of "California Dreamin'", too.

She released her debut album, "Glorious" 2 years ago. She was co-writer of every song on the album. For me, it was good, but not a stand-out collection of material.

I'd like to hear how she might interpret songs written by Sara Bareilles, and a production team outside of her circle of friend/co-writers.

HAMNET is now on Peacock.

I have a pizza. I took a gummy. I am prepared to cry me eyes out.

UPDATE: I was very disappointed with this movie.

Yes, some of the performances are exceptionally good, but I was so bored with the story. The most effecting plot point is already revealed via publicity for the film - automatic "spoiler".

There is a lot of symbolism (I guess) with the forest. There are many, many shots of it to let you know it's "symbolic", but I wasn't impressed. There is one particular shot, early in the film, where Jessie Buckley is filmed in repose within the natural curve of an exposed tree root that I thought was both beautiful, as well as symbolic. Beyond that however, I just wasn't moved.

Maybe this will get the "Best Picture" award, but "One Battle..." or "Sinners" are more interesting choices IMO.

Updated On: 3/10/26 at 06:29 PM

Programming note. The ceremony starts at 7pm eastern this year. I feel like that hasn't been adequately advertised. If you tune in at 8 you will miss this first hour.

I watched "Zootopia 2" last night on Disney+/hulu. Now, I've seen all the contenders for Best Animated Feature.

My vote was hands-down with, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" but now I'm not as certain. "Zootopia 2" utilizes some really great textures - Judy Hopps' fur looks so incredibly soft in close-ups, as do the Lynxleys and Dr. Fuzzby. There's also some beautifully nuanced character animation for Nick Wilde, and both Pawbert and Milton Linxley.

The casting, as well as the voice acting, are perfection. My favorites are Ke Huy Quan as Gary De’Snake, and Idris Elba returning to voice Chief Bogo. There's something about the double accent (Brooklyn layered over his native British) that Elba uses for Chief Bogo that I find to be not just unique, but (and I know this is odd) pheromonal.

And speaking of HoYay...

Gazelle's (Shakira) male back-up dancers are back (as muscle-bound tigers), and there are some new characters that seem somewhat coded: The Zebros (voiced by WWE wrestlers Joe Anoa'i and C.M. Punk) and Mayor Winddancer (voiced by Patrick Warburton).

The plot of the movie contains moral value as well as an homage to Stanley Kubrik that I thought was clever, but needless. It completely drew attention away from the plot of the movie I was actually watching. I enjoyed the set-up and the ending, but I felt the action in-between got a bit tiresome (predictable), and I was getting restless for the movie to be over.

Even though I had some issue with the story, I was always engaged in the game of "who's that voice actor?" There's plenty of actors' names that should be right on the tip of your tongue, but just in case they aren't, here's the list: The voice cast of "Zootopia 2".

Up until last night, I was convinced that "K-Pop Demon Hunters" had the Oscar in the bag. Now I'm looking forward to see which the Academy will choose. In the meantime, I'm going to watch "Zootopia 2" again because (IMO) it was that good.

My schedule got a bit crazy and I just didn't get to see the movies I had planned to watch.



Still watching the Red Carpet and ceremony. I watch every year no matter what.

Joyce 9 said: "This ceremony is pretty cringe. There feels like a lot of dead space in the room and the jokes and speeches aren’t landing. The set looks like a morning tv show, get Derek Mclane back please. And jimmy Kimmel too"

Balderdash

I loved the set. Very calming Japanese screens/garden feel.

I also loved the extended, individual tributes for those actors who've passed - especially Billy Crystal's tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife.

Streisand both looked and sounded her age, which was not a bad thing, but made me consider my own age more than I wanted to.

I wanted more time to be given to Catherine O'Hara's life, but was very pleased with the tribute to Diane Keaton. My goodness, Keaton just got more and more beautiful and stylish as she aged.

I was very glad not to have been bound by having to watch the program live, as it aired. It was pretty easy and convenient to be watching episodes of Doc Martin on the Roku website, and check in for live updates and YouTube video in a separate window. Both winner results and videos were posted very quickly, and I didn't have to be bothered with commercials at all.

Conan was not a good choice for host. Personally, I've not found him funny, and I think he's pretty bad with comedic timing. If a joke doesn't land immediately, or as expected, he has a tendency to "wait-and-see" which most often just results in dead air.

I was happy with all the winners tonight, although I would have preferred different results in the documentary categories. I liked "All the Empty Rooms", but "Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud" was a much stronger film about a man whose life had great impact. "...Empty Rooms" was the 'safer', more sentimental film. "Armed Only with a Camera..." might have ultimately been too graphic.

Although I can understand the emotional impact of "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" (there's an amazingly brave 'espionage' element), I wanted "The Perfect Neighbor" to win for both its storyline, and the unique aspect of editing together a cohesive film using only footage from police and body cams. Both "...Putin" and "...Neighbor" shared similarly unique filming techniques, but I feel like "...Putin" won because of sympathy for Ukraine.

Also, I would have liked to have seen Brazil's "The Secret Agent" get a recognition, but the winners of each of its nominated categories were all well-deserved.

I'm disappointed that I'm going to have to hunt for, or wait awhile to see both "Sentimental Value" and "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" as neither is currently available on a pre-paid streaming service.

"Wicked: For Good" will be available on Peacock next Friday (the 20th), though!

Joyce 9 said: "The set looks exactly like the ford foundation. It’s just not right for the Academy awards. [...] And what happened to the performances? Usually they have more than two performances? "

I've never seen the Ford Foundation bldg, but after googling, the Oscars set certainly was very reminiscent... (definitely cranked the 'Japanese' flair, though).

I feel like the Academy learned a lesson from the stain of "#oscarssowhite". It seems to me that they recognized the opportunity to celebrate the Asian contributions and achievements made in the film industry this year, and chose to highlight them. E.g., although the "Sinners" performance primarily showcased Black cultural achievements, it was not shy about inclusion of the Chinese culture, just as the movie did.

More performances would always be welcomed by me. I loved "Golden", but wanted more (like the complete song).

I was also pleased to see the very not-so-subtle references to ballet and opera that were designed into the "Sinners" performance. Although he was all smiles during Conan's opening monologue, Timotheé was certainly chastised by the Academy.

I was also struck that in PTA's acceptance speech for "Best Picture", he mentioned the nominated "Best Picture"s from 1975. What a list! 2026 did not compare.

Updated On: 3/16/26 at 07:14 AM

As someone who is obsessed with film and has been watching the Oscars faithfully since I was 10 years old I disagree. The Oscars are the only award show I make sure not to miss.

I was happy to see Conan back. Thought he did a great job last year and was great again this year Loved the opening of him being chased throught the Best Pic nominees Weapons style as Aunt Gladys.

And thank god they only performed two songs this year. The Academy has a poor track record of song nominees and this year was no exception. They performed the two songs people have heard of which left time for more awards.