Record-Breaking Nominations Spotlight 'Sinners' and Warner Bros. at the 98th Academy Awards

The 98th Academy Awards nominations revealed a seismic shift in Oscar history as Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' emerged with an unprecedented 16 nods, breaking the record for most nominations ever awarded to a single film. This milestone overtakes the longstanding 14-nomination benchmark previously held by classics like 'All About Eve,' 'Titanic,' and 'La La Land.' Coogler’s film, steeped in a blues-infused vampire narrative, captured considerable acclaim from Academy voters. It garnered recognition across major spans including best picture, best director, and best screenplay, with Michael B. Jordan receiving his inaugural nomination for best actor for his starring role. Trailing close behind, Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary-themed drama 'One Battle After Another' collected 13 nominations. The film, anticipated widely as a leading contender, achieved multiple acting nods for Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn, though newcomer Chase Infiniti was notably omitted from the best actress category. The Academy confirmed ten titles competing for best picture, as announced by presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Alongside 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another,' contenders include 'Bugonia,' 'F1,' 'Frankenstein,' 'Hamnet,' 'Marty Supreme,' 'The Secret Agent,' 'Sentimental Value,' and 'Train Dreams.' In the supporting actress category, nominees feature Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter LilIeaas for 'Sentimental Value,' Amy Madigan from 'Weapons,' Wunmi Mosaku of 'Sinners,' and Teyana Taylor representing 'One Battle After Another.' Supporting actor candidates include Jacob Elordi for 'Frankenstein,' Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro from 'One Battle After Another,' Stellan Skarsgård for 'Sentimental Value,' and Delroy Lindo for 'Sinners.' Warner Bros. stands on the cusp of achieving its most successful Oscar season in its 102-year history, spotlighted by the robust nomination counts centered on 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another.' These nominations come at a pivotal juncture as the studio advances toward acquisition by Netflix. Recently, Netflix adjusted its $72 billion offer to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, converting it to an all-cash proposal that surpasses Paramount Skydance’s bid. A notable feature of this year’s ceremony is the introduction of a new Academy Award category dedicated to casting, enabling films like 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' to enhance their accolades. Other nominees within this category include 'Hamnet,' 'Marty Supreme,' and 'The Secret Agent.' The original song nominations showcase a diverse array of contributions with selections such as 'Golden' from 'Kpop Demon Hunters,' 'Train Dreams' from the film of the same name, 'Dear Me' featured in 'Diane Warren: Relentless,' 'I Lied To You' from 'Sinners,' and 'Sweet Dreams Of Joy' from 'Viva Verdi!' Scheduled to take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the 98th Academy Awards will broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, with YouTube’s exclusive airing rights commencing in 2029. Returning as host is comedian Conan O’Brien, marking a continued era of engaging ceremony leadership.