At a Glance
- Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners earns 16 Oscar nominations, breaking the previous 14-nomination record.
- Warner Bros. faces a $72 B Netflix purchase while its titles lead the nomination count.
- The ceremony, set for March 15, 2025, will be televised live on ABC and Hulu.
Why it matters: The nominations signal a historic shift in Hollywood’s power dynamics and a potential realignment of the film industry.
The 98th Academy Oscars have just announced a record-setting slate of nominations, with Ryan Coogler’s vampire-driven drama Sinners leading the field with 16 nods. The film’s sweep shatters the 14-nomination benchmark set by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land. Coogler is also up for best director and best screenplay, while star Michael B. Jordan receives his first Oscar nomination for best actor.
Record-Breaking Nominations
- Sinners tops the list with 16 nominations, including best picture, best director, best screenplay, best actor, and the new casting category.
- Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another follows with 13 nominations, featuring four acting nods for Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn.
- Other major contenders include Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams.
- Nine-nomination totals belong to Frankenstein, Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value.
A table of the top five nomination counts:
| Film | Nominations |
|---|---|
| Sinners | 16 |
| One Battle After Another | 13 |
| Frankenstein | 9 |
| Marty Supreme | 9 |
| Sentimental Value | 9 |
The new casting category, introduced this year, added to the totals for Sinners and One Battle After Another.
Warner Bros. and the Netflix Deal
Both Sinners and One Battle After Another are Warner Bros. productions. The studio, now 102 years old, is in the middle of a contentious sale to Netflix. The deal values Warner Bros. at $72 B, a figure that has drawn scrutiny from rival Paramount Skydance and other industry players. As the fate of Warner Bros. hangs in the balance, the studio’s strong Oscar showing may influence negotiations and investor sentiment.
Industry Shake-Up
The Oscars have highlighted a growing trend toward international films. Every category included at least one non-English-language nominee, and a non-English film was again nominated for best picture. The Norwegian drama Sentimental Value led the international field, while Iran’s It Was Just an Accident and Brazil’s The Secret Agent also earned recognition.
International and Other Nominations
- Sentimental Value secured multiple supporting actor nominations, including Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Liliæas and Elle Fanning.
- In supporting actress, Sinners earned a nomination for Wunmi Mosaku.
- Frankenstein received a supporting actor nod for Jacob Elordi.
- The best international feature category included It Was Just an Accident, The Voice of Hind Rajab, The Secret Agent, Sirât and Sentimental Value.
Ceremony Details
The 98th Academy Oscars will take place on March 15, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, with YouTube’s exclusive airing deal not taking effect until 2029. Conan O’Brien will return as host.
Key Takeaways
- Sinners sets a new record with 16 nominations, a first for a horror-driven film.
- Warner Bros.’ $72 B Netflix purchase is unfolding amid a strong Oscar presence.
- International films continue to dominate, with every category featuring at least one non-English nominee.
- The ceremony’s new casting category boosts the nomination totals for the top two films.
The Oscars not only celebrate cinematic achievements but also reflect shifting power structures in Hollywood. With record nominations, a major studio sale, and a growing emphasis on international cinema, the upcoming ceremony promises to be a pivotal moment for the film industry.
