The 98th Academy Awards: ‘Sinners’ Leads the Pack, But Will It Win?

The 98th Annual Academy Awards take place tonight — Sunday, March 15, 2026 — at 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien returning as host. After weeks of campaigning, a fresh batch of industry greats are about to add the coveted golden Oscar statuette to their shelves.

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners leads the nominations this year with a record-breaking 16, including Best Picture and a nod for Michael B. Jordan as Best Actor. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another follows closely behind with 13 nominations, including acting nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio and breakout star Teyana Taylor. Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and the foreign film Sentimental Value each scored nine nominations, whereas the screen adaptation of Hamnet earned eight.

The ‘Sinners’ Momentum

Sinners has garnered widespread acclaim and a significant amount of buzz leading up to the awards. The film won best ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild’s 32nd Actor Awards , a major indicator of potential Oscar success. It has as well been described as the “Hollywood triumph story of the year” , and conversations surrounding the film have reached a “fevered crescendo” within Black audiences, with its success being positioned as a form of retribution for past oversights within the industry .

The Competition: ‘One Battle After Another’

Despite Sinners’ strong showing, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another remains a formidable contender. Commentators suggest that One Battle After Another is a “safer choice” for an Oscar win , a sentiment rooted in the Academy’s historical preference for certain filmmakers. The film is considered superior to past Best Picture winner Crash, which is often cited as one of the Academy’s biggest blunders .

Looking Back: The 2006 Academy Awards

As the anticipation builds for tonight’s ceremony, a glance back at the 2006 Academy Awards offers a glimpse into a different era of Hollywood. Social media was in its infancy, and Netflix primarily operated through DVD mailings.

Key moments and winners from the 2006 Oscars included:

• Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for Walk the Line, wearing a vintage Christian Dior gown.
• Jessica Alba presented in a silk chiffon Versace gown.
• Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger were both nominated for Brokeback Mountain.
• Dolly Parton performed her nominated song “Travelin’ Thru.”
• Keira Knightley received a Best Actress nomination for Pride & Prejudice.
• Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves promoted their film The Lake House.
• Charlize Theron wore a polarizing hunter green John Galliano for Christian Dior gown.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman won Best Actor.
• Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony walked the red carpet together.
• George Clooney won Best Supporting Actor for Syriana.

What’s at Stake Tonight?

Tonight’s awards will not only celebrate cinematic achievement but also potentially signal a shift in the Academy’s priorities. A win for Sinners could be seen as a landmark moment for Black representation in film, while a victory for One Battle After Another would continue a tradition of recognizing established filmmakers. As the night unfolds, all eyes will be on the Dolby Theatre to see which film ultimately takes home the Best Picture prize.