Complete Guide to the 2026 Oscars Winners and Nominees

As the curtains closed on the 98th Academy Awards on 8 March 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the film world buzzed with celebration, controversy, and a few well-deserved surprises. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for his fourth time, the ceremony honoured the finest achievements in filmmaking from the 2025 eligibility period, a year marked by blockbuster spectacles clashing with intimate character studies. From the roaring engines of F1 to the sweeping dunes of Dune: Part Three, this Oscars showcased Hollywood’s evolving landscape, where commercial giants vied seriously for artistic gold.

The night’s biggest story was F1‘s sweep in major categories, proving that high-octane sports dramas can transcend genre boundaries. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film starring Brad Pitt not only dominated the box office with over $1.2 billion worldwide but also resonated critically for its raw portrayal of ambition and loss on the Formula 1 circuit. Meanwhile, perennial contenders like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three and the second instalment of Wicked racked up technical nods, highlighting the Academy’s growing appreciation for ambitious visual storytelling. Surprises abounded too: a late-breaking indie drama snagged Best Actress, and visual effects wizards pushed boundaries further than ever.

This complete guide breaks down every major category, listing all nominees, spotlighting the winners, and analysing what these results mean for the industry. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile reliving the highlights or catching up post-ceremony, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Oscars.

Best Picture

The Best Picture race was fiercely contested, blending tentpole franchises with prestige fare. Nominees reflected 2025’s diverse slate, from sci-fi epics to musical extravaganzas and gritty thrillers. The Academy’s expanded list of 10 allowed for broader representation, though whispers of voter fatigue with sequels proved unfounded.

The Nominees

  • Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios)
  • Dune: Part Three (Warner Bros.)
  • F1 (Apple Original Films/Warner Bros.)
  • Mickey 17 (Warner Bros.)
  • Superman (Warner Bros./DC Studios)
  • The Amateur (20th Century Studios)
  • 28 Years Later (Sony Pictures)
  • Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
  • Eddington (Focus Features)
  • Materialists (A24)

The Winner: F1

F1 clinched Best Picture, a triumph for producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Kosinski, who delivered pulse-pounding sequences filmed on actual Grand Prix tracks. Brad Pitt’s portrayal of veteran driver Sonny Hayes anchored the film’s emotional core, exploring themes of redemption amid Formula 1’s cutthroat glamour. Critics praised its authenticity—consultants from Mercedes-AMG ensured every skid and pit stop rang true—while audiences embraced its underdog narrative. This win echoes Million Dollar Baby‘s 2005 upset, signalling sports films’ resurgence. Box office dominance ($1.25 billion) underscored voter trends favouring profitability alongside artistry, a shift from the Oppenheimer-led Barbenheimer wave of 2024.

Runner-up Dune: Part Three dazzled with its scale, but some felt it prioritised spectacle over intimacy. Wicked: For Good, grossing $1.8 billion, charmed with spectacle but faltered on depth compared to its predecessor.

Best Director

Nominees

  • Joseph Kosinski, F1
  • Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three
  • Bong Joon-ho, Mickey 17
  • James Gunn, Superman
  • Céline Song, Materialists

Winner: Joseph Kosinski, F1

Kosinski’s victory marked his first Oscar, validating his evolution from Top Gun: Maverick maestro to prestige contender. His kinetic camerawork—employing IMAX cameras strapped to F1 cars—redefined action directing, blending adrenaline with poignant character arcs. Villeneuve, a two-time nominee, was gracious in defeat, hinting at future collaborations.

Best Actor

Nominees

  • Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown (late 2025 qualifier)
  • Robert Pattinson, Mickey 17
  • Brad Pitt, F1
  • David Corenswet, Superman
  • Adam Driver, Eddington

Winner: Brad Pitt, F1

Pitt, 62, delivered a career-best turn as a faded racer clawing back relevance, his physical transformation—losing 20 pounds and enduring track training—mirroring Sonny’s grit. His teary acceptance speech thanked co-star Damson Idris and real F1 icon Lewis Hamilton, who consulted. This beat Chalamet’s Bob Dylan biopic buzz, underscoring Pitt’s enduring appeal post-Babylon.

Best Actress

Nominees

  • Cynthia Erivo, Wicked: For Good
  • Saoirse Ronan, Blitz
  • Anya Taylor-Joy, Furiosa: Extreme Edition director’s cut
  • Michelle Yeoh, The Amateur
  • Zoe Saldaña, Materialists

Winner: Saoirse Ronan, Blitz

Ronan’s understated power in Steve McQueen’s WWII drama Blitz—as a mother evacuating London amid bombings—earned her elusive first win. Her raw vulnerability outshone musical heavyweights, a nod to the Academy’s love for historical heft. Erivo’s powerhouse Elphaba was a close second, boosting Wicked‘s profile.

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees

  • Damson Idris, F1
  • Kieran Culkin, 28 Years Later
  • Wendell Pierce, Dune: Part Three
  • Ryan Gosling, The Fall Guy 2
  • Samuel L. Jackson, The Piano Lesson

Winner: Damson Idris, F1

Idris’s fiery Joshua Pearce complemented Pitt seamlessly, his breakout cementing him as a leading man. Gosling’s stuntman charm provided levity amid heavier fare.

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees

  • Ariana Grande, Wicked: For Good
  • Lady Gaga, Joker: Folie à Deux extended cut
  • Hannah Waddingham, Avatar: Fire and Ash
  • Olivia Colman, Materialists
  • Winona Ryder, Eddington

Winner: Ariana Grande, Wicked: For Good

Grande’s Glinda sparkled with vulnerability, her vocal prowess and emotional range sealing the deal. Gaga’s Harley Quinn redux polarised voters.

Best Animated Feature

Nominees

  • Mufasa: The Lion King
  • Inside Out 2 (eligible sequel)
  • Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance
  • The Wild Robot
  • Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse

Winner: Mufasa: The Lion King

Barry Jenkins’s prequel roared to victory, blending photorealism with heartfelt origin tales. Pixar’s Inside Out 2 sequel dominated commercially but yielded to Disney’s legacy.

Best Original Screenplay

Nominees

  • F1 – Brad Pitt & Joseph Kosinski story
  • Mickey 17 – Bong Joon-ho
  • 28 Years Later – Danny Boyle & Alex Garland
  • Eddington – Steven Soderbergh
  • Materialists – Céline Song

Winner: Mickey 17

Bong’s sci-fi satire on cloning and capitalism triumphed, his twisted wit evoking Parasite.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner: Dune: Part Three

(from Frank Herbert)

Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts refined the epic, earning praise for faithful yet innovative adaptation.

Technical Categories: Innovation and Spectacle

The technical awards underscored 2025’s VFX-heavy slate. Avatar: Fire and Ash swept Visual Effects, Cinematography (Roger Deakins), and Production Design, James Cameron’s Pandora expansions setting new benchmarks in underwater motion capture. Superman nabbed Editing for its seamless blend of hope and heroism.

Key Winners

  • Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash – Bioluminescent ecosystems redefined immersion.
  • Cinematography: Dune: Part Three – Greig Fraser’s desert vistas mesmerised.
  • Original Score: F1 – Hans Zimmer’s thumping rhythms amplified tension.
  • Original Song: “Defying Speed” from F1 – Performed by Ed Sheeran.
  • Sound: Superman – Kryptonian clashes boomed authentically.

International Feature went to South Korea’s Mickey 17 proxy entry, while Documentary crowned The Deepest Breath 2 for freediving perils.

Industry Impact and Trends

The 2026 Oscars signalled seismic shifts: blockbusters like F1 and Superman garnered 40 nominations combined, up from superhero snubs past. Diversity shone—directors of colour tripled noms—yet outcry lingered over 28 Years Later‘s horror oversight. Streaming’s Apple/Warner pact via F1 validated theatrical hybrids, post-pandemic. Predictions? 2027 may crown more IP adaptations, with Marvel/DC rebounding via Gunn’s vision.

Box office correlations strengthened: winners averaged $800 million globally, per Box Office Mojo data. Women led acting fields (three of five Best Actress noms), and global markets influenced votes, boosting Asian cinema.

Memorable Moments and Speeches

Pitt’s win sparked a standing ovation; his shoutout to Lewis Hamilton—”You made this real”—drew cheers. Grande’s emotional Glinda speech addressed mental health, dedicating to fans. Kimmel’s monologue skewered sequel fatigue, quipping, “Another Dune? Even the sandworms are exhausted.” A viral Wicked medley by Erivo and Grande trended worldwide.

Conclusion

The 2026 Oscars encapsulated a renaissance: where spectacle meets substance, franchises evolve, and fresh voices amplify. F1‘s Best Picture crown heralds an inclusive future, rewarding risk-takers like Kosinski amid giants like Cameron and Villeneuve. As Hollywood navigates strikes’ aftermath and AI debates, these winners inspire—proving cinema’s power endures. What films will define 2027? The race revs up already.

References

  • Variety: “2026 Oscars Full Winners List,” 9 March 2026.
  • The Hollywood Reporter: “F1’s Box Office and Awards Double Victory,” 10 March 2026.
  • Deadline: “Academy Trends: Blockbusters Break Through,” 15 February 2026.