Oscars 2026: Every Best Picture Nominee, Ranked From Worst to Best

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The list of nominees for the 98th Academy Awards is here, and ten films are competing for the Best Picture Oscar. This year, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners received a record-breaking 16 nominations, including a nod for Best Picture. Chloé Zhao recently won at the Golden Globes for Hamnet, Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme is gaining popularity with both critics and audiences, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is considered a strong, but unexpected, contender.

Sometimes, films that aren’t predicted to win big at the Oscars end up being the surprise winners—or at least, they really surprise people. This year, movies like The Secret Agent, which already won a Golden Globe, or critically acclaimed independent films like Train Dreams and Sentimental Value, could be potential upsets. These represent just seven of the ten nominated films.

So, which of these movies stands out as the best? While everyone has their own opinion, we can look at what viewers worldwide generally think to get an idea. Here’s our ranking.

10) Bugonia

Director Yorgos Lanthimos, known for films like The Favourite and Poor Things, has been experimenting with increasingly unusual stories. While his latest, Kinds of Kindness, didn’t resonate with many viewers, his new film, Bugonia (a remake of the 2003 Korean film Save the Green Planet!), is surprisingly more direct in its plot: a man obsessed with conspiracy theories kidnaps a corporate executive, believing he’s involved in an alien invasion. Despite the simpler story, Bugonia is a very grim and disturbing film. While Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver strong performances in a tense psychological battle, the film’s unpleasantness and dark subject matter won’t appeal to most audiences, especially as the story becomes increasingly chaotic and shocking in its final act.

9) Sentimental Value

The 2026 film Sentimental Value is already generating Oscar buzz. Directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with Eskil Vogt, this Norwegian movie explores the lasting effects of trauma across generations, set against the backdrop of Norway’s cultural history after World War II – and contrasts it with American and Hollywood influences. It’s a thoughtful and well-acted film, featuring a standout performance from Stellan Skarsgård (known from Andor) as an emotionally distant, grieving widower trying to reconnect with his daughters and revive his career. Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas shine as his estranged daughters, and Elle Fanning delivers a surprising performance as an American actress who becomes entangled in their complex family situation.

8) Train Dreams

Though author Denis Johnson (known for Tree of Smoke) has passed away, his writing continues to influence new projects, like this film which is based on his 2011 novella. Joel Edgerton has consistently delivered strong performances (including his work on Apple TV’s Dark Matter), but this role is arguably his most significant and critically praised yet. However, adaptations of well-known novels haven’t been very successful with audiences recently (as seen with Queer last year). Unless you have a specific interest in the history of the Pacific Northwest during the railroad’s construction, or enjoy the unique, dreamlike style of literary adaptations, this film might not appeal to you.

7) The Secret Agent

The film The Secret Agent recently won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and has been nominated for two Oscars: Best International Feature Film and Best Picture. This recognition is earned – the movie is a compelling neo-noir thriller that will appeal to fans of spy stories and 1970s political dramas. However, despite the success of Brazilian writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho and a strong performance by Wagner Moura (known from Narcos), it’s a foreign film focused on Brazilian history and culture, which means it will likely attract a smaller audience in the United States.

6) Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s dream project, Frankenstein (2025), is finally here, and it’s a triumph. It’s the most accurate adaptation of Mary Shelley’s original novel to date, boasting stunning visuals and technical achievements that could earn it several Oscars – particularly for cinematography, production design, costumes, music, and sound. Del Toro himself is a strong contender for awards like Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Rising star Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) could also win Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Frankenstein’s Monster. However, the film is a lengthy two and a half hours and remains very true to the dark, Gothic style of the 1818 novel. This makes it perhaps too intense for those who enjoy casual horror, and potentially too graphic for viewers expecting a typical, feel-good Oscar contender.

5) Marty Supreme

Though both films are good, Marty Supreme is slightly more stylish than Frankenstein. This is largely due to director Josh Safdie’s fast-paced storytelling and Timothée Chalamet’s energetic performance. Marty Supreme follows a talented but reckless table tennis player striving for success, and it’s a well-made sports comedy-drama that really appeals to Gen Z. Its unpredictable and tense atmosphere makes it a quick watch, but it’s a quirky film that won’t resonate with all viewers.

4) F1

As a huge movie fan, I’m already predicting F1 will be a major contender at the 2026 Oscars – it feels like a really safe bet to do well across the board. The story itself is classic sports drama: an aging lion of a driver, Brad Pitt, facing off against a rising star, Damson Idris, on the Formula 1 track. But director Joseph Kosinski, who blew me away with Top Gun: Maverick, takes it to another level. He turns a familiar story into something truly cinematic, especially when you see it in IMAX, with some of the most exciting racing scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Add to that a fantastic soundtrack that’s been a global success, and a brilliant cast including Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon, and you’ve got a film that was destined to be both critically acclaimed and a box office smash.

3) Hamnet

Though Chloé Zhao’s venture into the superhero world with Eternals wasn’t a hit, she’s back on track with Hamnet, which recently won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama. The film tells the story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, and how a devastating family loss both strains their relationship and ultimately fuels the creation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. While it fits the mold of a classic awards-season film, Hamnet genuinely lives up to the praise. Zhao’s realistic directing style, combined with the powerful performances and undeniable chemistry between Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, creates a deeply relatable experience for anyone who’s ever faced hardship in a relationship. For fans of thoughtful, high-quality filmmaking, Hamnet is a standout of the year, and Jessie Buckley’s Golden Globe win is richly deserved.

2) One Battle After Another

Paul Thomas Anderson has revisited the work of Thomas Pynchon, following his 2014 film Inherent Vice with a new adaptation. While maintaining his distinctive filmmaking style – including unusual pacing and lengthy shots – his latest film, One Battle After Another, is a departure for Anderson. It’s an action-comedy that feels both deeply personal and politically charged. The film received significant recognition at the Golden Globes, earning nine nominations and several wins, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Despite this success and its impressive thirteen Oscar nominations, One Battle After Another ultimately came in second place…

1) Sinners

Ryan Coogler’s film, Sinners, has made history with an impressive 16 Oscar nominations, and it’s hard to disagree with the recognition. Despite some negativity online and industry concerns about the film’s unique rights deal, critics and movie lovers have championed it. While other awards shows may have favored a more traditional biopic, the Oscars clearly appreciate the powerful and relevant themes explored in Sinners. The filmmakers couldn’t have predicted how perfectly timed the story would be, but they’ve benefited from its significant cultural impact and commercial success. Many believe Sinners is the best film of 2025, and an Oscar win would represent a rare moment of consensus between popular opinion and the Academy.

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on the nominees in our ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-23 04:42