The Academy on Tuesday released Oscar shortlists in 12 categories, giving the clearest early read yet on which films have built branch support heading into nominations voting. Two titles led the pack: Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners” and the musical “Wicked: For Good,” each cited eight times across the shortlists, including casting, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, original score and original song.
The shortlists cover Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, International Feature Film, Casting, Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song, Sound and Visual Effects. Nominations voting runs Jan. 12–16, with nominations set for Jan. 22. The 98th Oscars are scheduled for March 15, 2026, airing on ABC with Conan O’Brien set to host.
In the craft races, Spain’s international-feature entry “Sirât” emerged as a cross-branch player, turning up in casting, cinematography, original score, sound, and international feature. “Frankenstein” appeared across several technical lists, including casting, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, sound, original score and visual effects, signaling broad below-the-line strength. Big effects showcases also populated the visual effects shortlist, led by “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Superman,” “Tron: Ares,” and “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
The music categories mixed studio tentpoles with pop-forward contenders. The original song list included Nine Inch Nails’ “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” from “Tron: Ares,” Miley Cyrus’ “Dream As One” from “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” and “Golden” from Netflix’s animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” “Sinners” and “Wicked: For Good” each placed two songs on the shortlist, tightening their grip on the categories where campaigns can translate quickly into nominations.
International feature advanced 15 films from 86 submissions, including India’s “Homebound,” Norway’s “Sentimental Value,” South Korea’s “No Other Choice,” Brazil’s “The Secret Agent,” and Iraq’s “The President’s Cake.” In documentary feature, the shortlist ranged from “2000 Meters to Andriivka” to “Holding Liat” and “Mr. Nobody against Putin,” with “Come See Me in the Good Light” showing up in both documentary feature and original song.
