Ryan Coogler’s supernatural epic Sinners has officially rewritten Oscar history.
The critically acclaimed film has earned 16 Academy Award nominations, making it the most-nominated film in Oscars history and surpassing the long-standing record of 14 nominations previously held by Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land. The announcement positions Sinners as both a cultural milestone and a formidable awards-season juggernaut ahead of the 2026 ceremony.
Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners follows twin brothers, played by Michael B. Jordan, who attempted to build a blues club while confronting racism, economic hardship, and a rising supernatural threat. The film blends Black American history, music, folklore, and horror into a genre-defying narrative that has resonated strongly with critics and audiences alike. Since its release, Sinners has grossed over $368 million worldwide, cementing its commercial success alongside its critical acclaim.
Major Acting and Creative Nods
The Academy recognized Sinners across nearly every major category. The film received nominations for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’ for Ryan Coogler, and ‘Best Actor’ for Michael B. Jordan. Supporting performances also earned significant recognition, with Delroy Lindo nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ and British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku securing a ‘Best Supporting Actress’ nomination for her haunting portrayal of a Hoodoo priestess.
Read: Wunmi Mosaku Receives Her First Oscar Nomination For “Sinners”
Mosaku’s nomination marks a major career milestone and highlights the growing visibility of actors of African descent in prestige cinema. Her performance, praised for its emotional restraint and spiritual depth, stands out as one of the film’s most powerful elements.
The film also earned a nomination for the Academy’s newly introduced ‘Best Casting category’, further underscoring its strong ensemble and careful character selection.
Historic Wins Before the Ceremony
Beyond its headline-making nomination count, Sinners has already made history in other categories. Costume designer, Ruth E. Carter, who worked on the film, became the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history, earning her fifth overall nomination. Meanwhile, cinematographer, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, received a nod for ‘Best Cinematography’, marking only the fourth time a woman has ever been nominated in that category.
These milestones reinforce the film’s broader impact not just as entertainment, but as a symbol of gradual shifts within Hollywood’s recognition systems.
A Competitive Oscar Season
While Sinners leads the nominations, the awards race remains competitive. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another follows closely with 13 nominations and currently dominates much of the awards conversation. Other strong contenders include Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Frankenstein, each earning nine nominations, while Hamnet secured eight.
This year’s nominations also reflect the Academy’s increasing international outlook. Several subtitled and non-English-language films earned major nods, with actors from Brazil and across Europe receiving historic recognition. More than a quarter of Oscar voters now come from outside the United States, contributing to a more globally representative slate of nominees.
Read: Hilda Baci Becomes Three-Time Guinness World Record Holder
What This Means for Hollywood
Sinners arrives at a moment when Hollywood continues to reassess whose stories receive scale, funding, and global visibility. The film’s success demonstrates that stories rooted in Black history, folklore, and spiritual traditions can achieve both artistic excellence and box-office power.
As final voting approaches and the ceremony draws closer, expectations remain cautiously optimistic. Even if Sinners does not convert all 16 nominations into wins, its place in Oscar history is already secure.
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will take place on March 15, 2026. Until then, Sinners stands as the defining film of this awards season and a landmark achievement for modern cinema.
From global cinema to African excellence, RefinedNG brings the stories that matter. Read more, share widely, and stay plugged in.